I've never played with a character who was so quiet and yet... in such a rush to fall in love like Molly. I'm really glad you guys like her because she was really fun to experiment with while writing. I hope you'll enjoy her continous development until the end! :)
Chapter Nine
Monday, Summer 9th – Tuesday, Summer 10th
Molly yawned, standing up and stretching her back. Her tomato plants and corn stalks were almost at her knee, but for some reason her watermelons had refused to sprout this year. All afternoon she dug up her plot and planted fresh seeds over top the old.
Already, Molly's arms and legs were tanned, keeping the summer's glow underneath the skin. The sun was burning down, and Molly's large hat wasn't doing much. The straw protected her face, but her shoulders were exposed in her bathing suit and shorts. It was one of the hottest days of the year.
Molly let go of her hoe, leaving it in the hot soil. She was done for the day.
The farmer took off her sun hat, fanning her face with it. She surveyed her farmland, feeling like she was forgetting something. Her cows were grazing with her small flock of sheep by the cliff wall. The chickens were by the coop, scratching the tightly packed dirt and occasionally squawking at each other. The cherry trees were picked, her crops were watered, and the watermelons were planted. What was she forgetting?
She left it to nerves and went into the humid shade of her house. Pouring herself a glass of lemonade and sitting on the counter, Molly spotted her fishing pole leaning against the wall by the fridge. That was it!
Before she could act, her cell phone started to sing a happy, electronic tune. Molly leaned across the counter and picked it up from next to her oven. Flipping it open, she gave a cheery greeting. "Hey, Mama! What's up?"
"Hello, dear," her mother's voice chimed back. "Just calling to see what you're up to. I planted the new azaleas, but they don't seem to want to bloom. Is it hot where you are?"
"Very," Molly nodded, swinging her legs. "Well, aren't your azaleas spring ones? It's a little late for them to bloom now."
There was a short pause. She could hear muffled voices; the one that was further away was her father's. Her mother returned in a huff. "Of course, I hadn't realized. This is why you're the farmer, and I'm not."
Molly shook her head. "Just wait until next year. I'm sure they'll be beautiful."
"So what are you up to, Molly?"
The young woman looked around her kitchen thoughtfully. "I don't know. Just sitting in my kitchen with some lemonade."
"I don't mean… Well, what about that Julius person? How are things with him?" Her mother tried her best not to sound too curious, but it was obvious she was bursting over the line.
"Well…" Hm. What to say? "He's a… er…"
"Yes?"
"A good friend," Molly finished. Before her mother could express her disappointment, she quickly tacked on: "And… kind of… my boyfriend?"
"You're dating?!"
"Don't sound so shocked!" Molly tried to laugh but found she was genuinely insulted.
Her mother was twittering away on the other end, all smiles. "That's so lovely, dear! Oh, how sweet – Harold! HAROLD! MOLLY HAS A BOYFRIEND!"
"Mama, you're yelling in my ear!" Molly complained with a giggle, holding the cell phone away from her head.
Her parents weren't listening. She could clearly hear her gentle-natured father in the background. "But isn't she a little young?"
"Oh, Harold, she's twenty-four years old. It's about time someone noticed her!"
"I still think she's too young. Who is this guy? It is a guy… right?"
"Harold, his name is Julius – I'm sure they're adorable!" Suddenly, her mother was talking to her again. "When can we meet him, dear?"
"Oh!" She started, quickly biting a nail. "Um… I… I don't know."
"What are you saying, Daisy? Let the kids alone. Do you want to scare him away? …Perhaps you should invite him over after all."
"Harold!"
"Mama!" Molly called into the phone, trying to get her attention. "When I come for my visit, I'll ask if he wants to come along. Okay?"
"But… that's in fall!" Her mother whined.
"Daisy…" her father warned, his voice already fading.
"Oh, fine," Molly's mother surrendered. "My, I can't wait to see him! Is he handsome?"
"No, I think he looks like a toad," Molly said, surprised she could keep her tone even. "Of course I think he's handsome, Mama! Don't be so silly."
"Sorry!" Her mother admitted. "Phew, this has been exciting! Very emotionally taxing. I'll have to call up Gretchen and Janie… Are we the first to know?"
"Yes, I haven't told… anyone, actually."
"Oh."
The silence afterwards was incredibly awkward, full of questions on both sides. Finally, Molly hummed and finished her lemonade. She spotted her fishing pole out of the corner of her eye. "Oh, I have to go! Have to get out before the sun sets."
"Alright. Be careful out there, dear," her mother cautioned.
"I promise," Molly said.
"I love you!"
"Love you and Dad, too."
"Buh-bye, dear!"
"Bye, Mama," Molly closed the phone and set it back on the counter.
Snatching up the pole before she forgot again, Molly left her emptied glass and marched back into the sun. The pond next to her house was usually good for catching crawfish and the like in the summer, and Molly hadn't gotten around to it yet this year.
She took the dirt path around the lake until her feet reached the wooden dock. It groaned under her feet, and the cattails had grown tall enough to layer over the boards. Reeds and tall grasses poked through the gaps.
Molly kicked off her sneakers and stuffed her socks into them for safe-keeping. Dangling her legs off the dock, her toes skimmed the cool water. She had left her hat inside, but she wasn't worried about sunburn now that the sky was shooting pinks across the horizon.
The view was incredible from the top of the hill with her feet hanging in the pond and a fishing pole in her hands. The air was stagnant so nothing moved but for the crickets chirping their song in the underbrush. A muskrat burrowed into the soggy underground of the lake's edge across from Molly. She could see the entire expanse of her farm, steadily reaching its way down to the crossroads and then the steep rock cliff that crashed into the ocean.
It was rather strange that she didn't talk about 'it.' 'It' being whatever had happened with Julius. It felt like time was flying by, and Molly was spinning out of control. But it was a fun fall. Still, she had better come to terms with this growing sensation. Because somehow, Molly knew that something big was going to happen. Soon.
The fish weren't biting, but Molly didn't mind. She had a smoothly running farm, a loving boyfriend, and a beautiful view. What more could she ask for?
Speaking of… where was he?
Molly wasn't wearing a watch, but she checked her wrist anyways. Force of habit. Because it was summer, the evening hours were tricky so she never quite knew how late it was until it was too dark to see. Still, eight 'o clock was rather far away with a quick glance at the bright blues still in the sky.
What exactly did Julius do all day at the Accessory Store? Was he constantly making jewelry? Who was buying it? It puzzled Molly, and she had wanted to ask, but she didn't want to pinch any nerves. They might not have the best business, but that didn't mean they should just quit. Perhaps he was helping Mira refine ores and gems? That didn't seem very much up his alley, but…
The dock creaked, ruining the sneak attack. Molly turned in surprise, but a pair of thin hands closed over her eyes. "Guess who~?"
"Hm…" Molly thought hard, knowing his voice anywhere. "Is it that muscle-y explorer guy Calvin?"
He gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Guess again~"
"Oh, dear, maybe it's that obnoxiously cute carpenter. Luke, right?"
He let out a huff.
Molly gave up the game with gasp. "Of course! It's that handsome fellow who plays with shiny rocks."
"If you say 'Owen,' I'll kill you, doll face."
She laughed, leaning backwards into him to give him a blind hug around the neck. Julius slid his hands down to either side of her face, giving her a kiss on each cheek in a very French greeting. He smiled at her, but it looked silly upside down, so Molly got up and scooted over for him to sit beside her. "Are you out early? Or is it past eight already?"
"Early, love," Julius knelt on the wood warily, not wanting to get his outfit dirty. His black pants already had splinters in them from sitting on the moss eaten planks. "Mira's let me out to play."
"That was nice of her," Molly commented. She reeled in her fishing pole, stretching her arm out. "It's a lovely day – isn't that sunset gorgeous?"
"Very," he agreed shortly. "But rather sticky. It's the worst feeling."
Molly giggled, pulling at his red jacket. He swatted her hand away. "Well, maybe it's because you've got… three layers? Yes?"
"I hate summer," Julius decided, crossing his arms. "It's ruthless on the fashionable."
Molly rolled her eyes, still completely in love with the season despite his complaints. She was determined to make him (since he would probably never like summer) to hate summer less. Molly put her fishing pole down next to her and swiveled to face Julius. She grabbed onto his arms, pulling. "Here, stand up! I want to show you something."
Julius gladly left the icky dock and stood before her expectantly. What he wasn't prepared for was Molly to start rapidly unbuttoning his shirt.
"Isn't this particular spot a little open for that?" He teased though his face was the color of the pink clouds.
Molly soon matched him in color, struggling with the large white ruffles that hid the buttons. "G-get your mind out of the gutter…! Besides, you wish you were so lucky, y-you pervert."
Julius laughed, happy with her growing audacity. If their conversations steered towards serious subjects, she would still stutter every now and again, but Molly had really started to hold her own against him. And if his banter made her stumble with her words, he knew he had said enough to stop.
"Here, help get this off," Molly tugged at his jacket and white shirt. She pulled one of his arms out, but he just watched her skeptically. With an irritated sigh, she moved around him and took the shirts – and to his horror – tossed them onto the dock. His eyes moved back to himself, seeing the black tank top, black pants, white ankle boots, and belt skirt.
Julius raised his eyebrows, spreading his arms out. "Happy?"
Molly found the clasp and ripped the skirt from him, too. She threw it with the others.
"Now I look like a bug," he complained, crossing his arms.
She laughed at that and quickly knelt, trying to take off his boots.
"Careful, there won't be much left after that," Julius warned as she tossed the first boot aside.
Ignoring him, Molly took the other boot and placed it with its twin. She bounced to her feet clapping. "There! Now you're dressed for summer!"
Julius looked himself over. "Black pants and a black shirt. How creative."
Molly bit her tongue at his sarcasm. Julius stared in curiosity as she laced her fingers behind her back, batting her eyes and smiling up at him. "But you still look very handsome."
Before he could ask what she was up to, he was already off balance enough for her to easily give him a sharp shove. Julius toppled backwards, flailing his arms before landing flat into the pond water.
She was giggling like mad when he resurfaced, looking like a drenched rat. He held his nose, shaking the water from his ears. "This… is disgusting. I really ought to harm you, Molly."
"Oh, come on, it's not that bad! And you said you were hot, right?" She knelt down on the dock.
Julius wiped his lips but found that only tasted worse. He spit. "Not anymore!"
"Well, there you go," Molly said.
Her smile was infuriating. "You know these clothes are all but ruined now, correct?"
"Don't be such a baby," she quoted him with a grin to rival the Cheshire cat's. It reminded him of Selena, and he didn't like the comparison. His Molly wasn't supposed to be mischievous. She was easier when she was predictable, and he didn't wind up smelling like algae that way. "The lake smell will come out eventually. Besides, I saved your other clothes – you should be happy!"
He shuddered in revulsion. Julius reached up a hand, grabbing for her. "Well, you're not just going to leave me in here are you?"
"Of course not!" Molly stood.
Slipping out of her shorts, Julius finally noticed she was wearing a bathing suit. Molly was left in a blue one piece – like she had planned this treachery. Running along the dock, she let out a yell as she leapt and canon balled into the water next to him.
Molly came out screaming, throwing the dark hair from her face. "W-Wow! It's colder than it l-looks!"
"No kidding," he agreed. The water was much deeper than it looked, too. They were only a few feet from the dock, but Julius could barely touch the bottom. Molly was furiously kicking her legs to stay up. He watched her, shaking his head. "You're absolutely crazy."
"Th-thank you," her teeth chattered.
Julius' bare foot touched mud and he shuddered again. "This is very gross, yes?"
"Mmhm," her head bobbed. She squeaked suddenly, shooting up towards him. "Something touched my f-foot!"
"Let's leave," he decided, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards him.
"I-I think it was a fish…" Molly said, grabbing onto his arm and climbing up to cling to his shoulder. "And I wasn't getting any bites!"
Julius twisted his neck and lightly bit her hand. "I agree with the fish – I'd bite you over a worm any day."
Molly stared at Julius, almost unnerving him. Something had changed in her face. There they were, soaking in smelly pond water with algae clinging to their bedraggled hair. She had seen Julius with cookie dough on his nose. When he had woken up with a bed head, disgraced that chocolate chips had stained his shirt over night on the couch. She had seen him when the fashion icon's make-up was removed, only seeing him just as he was. Hell, they had met in a grimy public restroom at the bar. And now he was looking like an angry cat drenched in slimy lake water after just having said one of the corniest things ever fathomed.
"I th-think I love you…"
Julius was speechless as Molly's eyes flicked to his and then focused on his lips where she met him. Unlike their other kisses, this one was deep with Molly's full trust behind it. Complete and unforgiving. Fearless and promising. Accepting and real.
"You're kidding me, right?"
Julius leaned back in his chair at the bar, not paying much mind to his raspberry cocktail. The room was stifling even though they were the only two sitting down. The chef Chase was nowhere to be seen yet. Kathy was busy with her new baby, so she wasn't working. The only other person in the room other than those at the table was the bartender Hayden who was meticulously sorting the money in the cash register.
"Do you think I'm lying?" Julius asked curiously, smirking slightly.
"No, but I hoped you were," Selena wrinkled her nose, leaning on her elbows. "That's absolutely revolting!"
"Really? I didn't expect you to think so."
"You were in a pond," his friend pointed out. The native islander shuddered in horror. "I mean, sure, confessions are sweet, but… gross!"
Julius laughed, propping his feet up on an empty chair. "I'm glad you think so, actually. Your reaction makes mine look rather calm."
Selena rolled her eyes, twirling a lock of her rust colored hair. The bangles on her wrist jingled incessantly. "Well, I'm surprised she likes you so much. Rather, loves you."
"I'm insulted."
She chuckled. "I just mean… Molly in general."
"Not helping."
Selena sighed heavily, not bothering to explain herself. She propped her bare feet up on the same chair Julius was using for his boots. Without hesitation, Selena kicked his shoes off to make room for herself. Julius rolled his eyes good-humoredly.
As much as Julius wondered how Molly and Luna became so close, he probably wondered more about the same strange friendship he shared with Selena. Exactly how did it happen? The girl had started out as a vain, rude stranger. A stowaway and then a dancer at the bar. The two had their fair share of arguments and playful banter, but strangely enough, they randomly bonded over their love of rubies. That was their first real conversation. And they hadn't really looked back since.
Suddenly, Julius found himself talking to Selena about stupid, senseless things. She would then do the same. They would share opinions, criticize each other's clothes and decisions, and go merrily on their way. Using each other as a tool to vent. They both seemed to enjoy this.
"So did you say it back?" Selena asked the dangerous question.
Julius lined the rim of his glass with his finger, staring into the pink hues. He was becoming rather bad at skipping out from work. Then again, his Aunt Mira didn't really need his help refining ores and gems, and work for him was slow and few and far between. It was easy to just… walk out. If someone needed him, they could come back another day. It wasn't like Castanet was a bustling place with deadlines or anything.
Selena didn't need an answer, and his silence (and ability to completely ignore her) was expected. "It's because of the parent thing, isn't it? Still having trouble?"
"It's not exactly something you unlearn," Julius shrugged. "My parents never really said it. It became unnecessary. Actions speak louder than words anyways."
"Wouldn't I know," she grinned suggestively. "But you know you're going to have to get over it, right? You can't just… ignore that. Makes you look like an asshole."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
They were quiet for awhile. They heard the ring of the cash register as Hayden closed it, satisfied with the figures. People would start to come in soon. Though the bar opened at four, no one but Julius visited until at least dinner time at six. That's when Julius would clear out because Selena would be busy dancing, and the regular patrons didn't interest him very much.
"Anything interesting developing in your life, darling?" Julius finally took a sip from his cocktail. Luckily, it hadn't gone flat quite yet though it was on the brink.
Selena let out such an enormous sigh that her long bangs flew a good six inches from her face, landing ungracefully over her nose.
"I'll take that as a 'no,' then," He decided, crossing his ankles.
"You're right. My life isn't nearly as exciting as yours seems to be. I really need to get on that," Selena complained, sitting up straighter and adjusting her tousled hair. "So was that it? That was your story? Your girlfriend pushed you in a pond and decided to confess her love?"
Julius looked at the ceiling for a moment. "Yes, that seems to be the gist of it."
"Well, she sounds very romantic, but I'm blatantly going to tell you that she's not your type," Selena said, looking at her nails now.
"Now why do you say that?" Julius asked, flicking the hair from his face. This same statement had been nagging him for weeks – everyone he ran into lately had been expressing their surprise that he was dating Molly. And no one would tell him why it was so strange. It was starting to irritate him. At least with a straight-shooter like Selena, he knew he'd finally get a real answer.
Selena reached across the table, stealing a sip of his cocktail and wrinkling her nose again in distaste. "Fuck, this is nasty. How can you drink it flat?"
"That's one thing I can appreciate about Molly – she never curses like a sailor. She's a real lady," Julius smirked, folding his hands under his chin.
Selena stuck her tongue out but put her feet on the floor and folded her hands in her lap. She rapidly blinked her eyes, giving him a very sarcastic sense of interest. "Is this better, my dear sir?"
"Too showy, as usual, darling."
Selena kicked him in the shin. Julius winced as she smiled victoriously. "Now what was I saying? Oh yeah – your girlfriend is way out of your league."
"Out of my league?" He scoffed. "Don't be preposterous, there's no such thing as—"
"She's too good for you," Selena interrupted. "I mean, she's just like… the epitome of adorable things. She's like a puppy."
"And what does that make me?" Julius raised an amused eyebrow.
"Her owner," she stated flatly. "I'm telling you; you're holding her back."
"What makes you say that?" The edge in his voice was obvious.
Selena looked up, noticing he was seriously disgruntled by this. Her face softened slightly, though her words did not. "Look, I don't know Molly like… at all, but from what I can plainly see – that girl does not care about appearances. She's a down-to-Earth sort. Nothing like you."
"Well, gee, thanks. I'll log that away. Such a charmer you are, darling," Julius bit his cheek, turning his legs to stand.
Selena reached out across the table and grabbed his sleeve. Not being a very touchy feely person, Julius paid her more attention, sinking back into his chair. "Fine. I know. But all I'm trying to say is… you're just going to hurt each other. You're both too different."
"I hardly see how being different is a relationship ruiner," Julius argued. "Though… I admit I'll work on the words thing. But I'll say outright I don't like it. It's completely pointless."
"Says the man of many ruffles," Selena eyed his shirt.
"Selena – time to start," Hayden called from the counter before Julius could insult her gypsy costume.
Selena pushed off the table, standing up and stretching her arms in front of her like a cat. "Mm~! Well, that's my cue, babe. Good luck with the superior girlfriend."
"Good luck finding something to talk about, darling" Julius quickly returned.
The tanned woman stuck her tongue out again and slinked over to the stage, tapping her feet in different angles to get warmed up.
Julius left the cocktail behind him as he exited the bar. The golden sun was half soaked in the ocean, dripping its colors across the water towards the pier. Julius admired it for a moment, thinking about what Selena had said. She was hideously blunt with her words, but they were often right. Though it was a jab at his ego, Julius started to wonder if it was true… Maybe they were too different.
Only time will tell, he thought fondly. Julius straightened his collar and started the long trek back to Molly's farm.
