Chapter 9

'Party?' asked Ann skeptically.

'Yep. Party.' Kai confirmed. 'After the cow festival. At the beach.'

'What's the occasion? Celebrate the cow's victory?' Ann laughed.

'Geez, Ann. When do you ever need an excuse to have a party?' Turning to his other side, he asked. 'So what about you, Jess? Up for it?'

Jessica thought for a moment. 'Sure. It's not like I can ship anything during festivals anyway.'

'Ooh…this is gonna be so cool!' squealed Popuri. 'So, who else are you asking, Kai?'

Kai shrugged. 'I dunno… you girls, Elli, Tim…guess I'll ask Gray and Cliff later when I see 'em upstairs.'

'What about Mary, and um…Karen and Rick?' asked Ann, eliciting scowls from both Jessica and Kai.

Ann glared at both of them and looked pointedly towards Popuri, who looked rather crestfallen.

'Uh…I guess I'll be okay with Rick coming…' Kai grudgingly replied, while Jessica murmured her assent as well.

'Okay then. I'll drop the invitation to Elli, Tim and Mary on my way back to the beach house now. Popuri, you inform your brother and his girlfriend, alright?' Kai gave a little wave and strode out of the inn.

Ann clapped her hands and stood up. 'We better get back to work too…see you girls later!' The girls said their goodbyes and Jessica and Popuri left the inn.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Jess?'

'Hmm?'

'Do you like Kai?'

'WHAT?!' Jessica stared at Popuri in shock, but Popuri seemed to be all serious.

'I mean it, Jess. If you like him, you could just tell me, you know. I promise I won't get mad. I just want to know, since... you know, even though you are my best friend, we are supposed to share weal and woe, not guys.'

'Popuri…I don't like Kai. I mean, I like him, but not that way. He's too umm…smooth for me. And besides, you like him. Why would I want to snitch him from my close friend?'

'Really?' Popuri's eyes seemed to sparkle as she looked up hopefully at Jessica.

'Yep.' Jessica affirmed her stand, smiling warmly at how her words had such an effect on Popuri. Then she turned serious. 'Popuri…you know, maybe uh…you are a little too umm… enthusiastic when it comes to Kai. Maybe you should uh, tone down a little and give him some chance to, you know, show some initiative.'

'I should?' Popuri looked skeptical.

'Yeah. I keep getting the feeling that you are the one who keeps giving and giving while Kai doesn't have to put in any effort except to be there physically. You deserve better than that, Popuri. So, its time to let Kai make the first approach.'

'Ooh…that will be nice.' Popuri closed her eyes to envision it for a moment and Jessica could see a wide grin spreading over her face. 'But…what if he doesn't want to initiate???'

'Then ditch him. He's not worthy of you then, don't you think? Seriously Popuri, don't you want a guy who would lavish attention on you? Either turn Kai into one of those fellows, or find one who's like that.'

'Oh…okay. What do I do then?'

'Don't do anything. Wait for him to come to you. If he cares, he will.'

'Okayy… Anyway, Jess?'

'Hmm?'

'What do you mean by too smooth??? Did you touch his skin or something?!!!'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Oh, what a pity. I thought Dior was the prettiest cow there! She should have won!' May exclaimed to Jessica.

'Thanks, May. We can try again next year.' Jessica ruffled May's hair affectionately. IF they even allow Dior to enter next year. Causing grievous harm to one of the judges by kicking him in the shins would definitely justify a lifelong ban from the competition.

Kai bounded over. 'Hey beautiful, don't mourn over the loss of a blue ribbon! To the beach for a serious sun tanning session!!!'

'Sure! Let me just go back and lock this infernal cow up, grab my things and I'll meet you guys down at the beach.'

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Sorry I took so long! Dior kicked a fuss when I tried to push her into the barn.' called Jessica as she sauntered across the beach to where everyone else was gathered.

'No problem! Claim a deckchair and make yourself comfy!' said Kai as Popuri and Ann waved her over to where they had laid out their things.

After making herself comfortable, Jessica perched her sunglasses on top of her head and glanced around her. The deckchairs were arranged in a horseshoe fashion. To Jessica's left, Ann and Popuri were giggling together mischievously while Elli was grudgingly rubbing even more sun block lotion over her already sunblock covered body under the disapproving eye of Tim, who was already covered with a thick layer of sunscreen and sitting under a huge purple sunshade. To Jessica's right, Cliff was sitting reticently next to Gray, both seemingly unwilling to remove their shirts. Karen and Rick were whispering to each other at the far end and Kai was next to them, standing and talking to a dark haired, bespectacled young female, who Jessica reckoned, should be Mary.

The dark haired girl looked up and noticed Jessica staring. She said something to Kai and stood up, making her way towards Jessica.

'Hi. You must be Jessica. I'm Mary.'

'Yeah, I know. Hi!'

'I can't believe an entire season has passed and this is the first time I'm meeting you.' Mary laughed shyly. 'I've heard a lot about you though…'

Jessica smiled back. 'Good things, I hope.'

'Gray talks about you a lot. About how brave you are to come here alone to lead a farmer's life. And Karen…' Mary paused in mid statement and glanced hurriedly in Karen's direction, only to find the latter staring unsmilingly in her direction.

Jessica shot a quick look at Karen and turned to Mary, attempting to smile understandingly. 'Um…I guess you better get back there. I'll talk to you later, maybe pay you a visit at the library?'

Mary nodded eagerly. 'Sure, stop by any day between eleven to four. Except Mondays. We'll have a good chat then.'

And she turned, heading back towards her own deck chair while Karen threw a triumphant smirk at Jessica. Rolling her eyes, Jessica heaved a sigh and leaned back on her deck chair.

'Rough day?' Jessica tilted her head to see Cliff smiling gently at her from his deck chair.

'It's not so bad. Hey, I've had worse…even with that embarrassing cow fiasco just now. Now…I'll just relax. Today is supposed to be a little holiday for all of us anyway.'

'Yeah. You people need a break now and then from work.'

'Cliff?'

'Yeah?'

'Are you going to stay in Mineral Town permanently or would you be moving around?'

'I dunno…this is the nicest town I've been to…but I don't know if I can afford…' Cliff's words trailed off as he seemed to sink into his own world, contemplating his future.

Jessica wanted to kick herself. Sheesh, Jess. This is supposed to be a HO-LI-DAY. Which part of it don't you understand? Why are you asking such multifaceted questions and sending the poor guy into misery?

Thankfully, Ann and Popuri skipped over and plopped themselves down on Jessica's chair.

'Hey, Kai says we can stay here till dark. So that means…campfire!!!' Ann turned to Cliff. 'I'm going back to scrounge some food from my dad in the inn. Do you want me to bring your guitar along for you to sing along to?'

'Uhh...sure.'

Jessica stared at Cliff, an incredulous grin on her face. 'You sing?'

Cliff looked down shyly. 'J-just for f-fun s-sometimes…'

Gray leaned over. 'Don't be so modest, Cliffie boy.' He grinned at Jessica. 'He can do a mean Stevie Wonder number.'

'I'll make you sing with me later.' Cliff threatened.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

The Beauty-freighted barges bound afar
To the soft music of the gay guitar.

As the moon rose overhead, the young people of Mineral Town gathered around the roaring bonfire which Kai and Gray had set up in the middle of the beach. Everyone stood around, munching on barbecued foodstuff, drinking grape juice and chatting merrily. The mood had turned from frolicking fun in the afternoon to a cozy, comfortable atmosphere when the sun set.

After a hearty meal, everyone sat down on the fine sand contentedly. The couples – Rick and Karen, Tim and Elli had paired off and each couple was snuggled together, whispering to each other while the rest congregated, bugging Cliff to sing a few songs.

'How about this?' proposed an exasperated Kai after Cliff shook his head for the umpteenth time. 'You sing first, and then I'll take over from you after that. Okay, Cliff?'

'Uhh…I g-guess I'm f-fine with that.' stuttered Cliff nervously.

'Yay!!' Everyone cheered as Cliff reluctantly took the guitar and straddled himself on the deckchair, clearing his throat.

Over time, I've been building my castle of love
Just for two, though you never knew you were my reason
I've gone much too far for you now to say
That I've got to throw my castle away

Over dreams, I have picked out a perfect come true
Though you never knew it was of you I've been dreaming
The sandman has come from too far away
For you to say come back some other day

And though you don't believe that they do
They do come true
For did my dreams
Come true when I looked at you
And maybe too, if you would believe
You too might be
Overjoyed, over loved, over me

Over hearts, I have painfully turned every stone
Just to find, I had found what I've searched to discover
I've come much too far for me now to find
The love that I've sought can never be mine

And though you don't believe that they do
They do come true
For did my dreams
Come true when I looked at you
And maybe too, if you would believe
You too might be
Overjoyed, over loved, over me

And though the odds say improbable
What do they know
For in romance
All true love needs is a chance
And maybe with a chance you will find
You too like I
Overjoyed, over loved, over you
Over you

Everyone listened spellbound, as Cliff strummed the last chord and the music faded away into the night. Jessica had had her eyes closed, a half smile on her face, captivated by Cliff's strong baritone voice.

'Wow. That was amazing, Cliff!' Ann exclaimed, and everyone cheered their assent.

'Thank you…' Cliff blushed a crimson red, clearly relieved that the performance was over.

'One more! One more! One more!' Popuri started chanting.

Kai clapped his hands together and refused the guitar Cliff was desperately trying to push into his hands. 'C'mon Cliff. One more song. Its rather late now…so one last song to close the party, alright?'

'B-but…you s-said…j-just n-now…'

'Aww, c'mon man. They,' Kai gestured to the girls, who all nodded vigorously. 'wanna hear YOU sing. Don't disappoint them, eh?'

'Oh…o-okay…' Cliff sat and thought for a moment, and strummed an old, familiar song.

Mm hmm I want to linger here
Mm hmm A little longer here
A little longer here with you

Mm hmm it's such a perfect night
Mm hmm it doesn't seem quite right
This is my last night here with you

Mm hmm and come September
Mm hmm I will remember
Our lasting friendship true and strong

Mm hmm and as the years go by
Mm hmm I think of you and sigh
Its just good night and not goodbye

credits:

Part of poem from The child by the sea by S. Anna Lewis
Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder
Linger by..? Its a song we used to sing at the end of campfires during my guiding days.