Chapter 12
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some years earlier....
Jack and Eva
Jack and Eva rode their tomas into another town, decided to go to a hotel for a room to wash up and to sleep on a bed for a night.
They both took a shower and were out the door, both heading in different directions. Eva wanted some time alone and Jack, respecting his older sister, wandered in another direction for the day. They were going to spend the night in the town and this was a bit of a time to relax before hitting the road again, wandering and drifting though the sands.
Eva stood before a clothing shop, admiring the dresses. The last time she ever wore a dress, was about five years ago. On her sixteenth birthday. Mister Wolfwood took her brother and she out to see a play at the local school and for diner. She gave a smile at the memory. Her dress was nothing compared to these ones; with lace and cleavage allowed.
Even though the dress in the display window was simple, she admired it dearly.
Music came to her ears from across the street. She didn't turn around to look at the musician, for she could see him in the reflection of the glass from the display case. A few people surrounded him as he played out on a baritone saxophone. He wore a white suite and had jet-black hair. His jaw was well formed and his eyes looked brown. She gave a small smile as she tied her hair up and back.
I wish that I had the kind of talent that he has, she envied as she gave a small smile. But I have Jack, and that who and all that I need. She continued to observe the musician from a distance, in the reflection. Her smile faded as she gave a sigh at his playing. It's breath taking, she decided as she turned around to observe him in another way.
His eyes were closed tight now as he started in with sixteenth notes. Flowing from a sharp, to a flat in moments. He kept this up, and flowing in and out of paces without even taking a breath. Eva decided that he was using cycling-breathing as she watched. He then opened his eyes, sweat beaded his brow as he spotted her.
Eva looked away. She didn't want any attention from any man. The man was still playing as she looked at him for one moment before moving on. He hadn't looked away from her, and he gave a wink as she walked. She inclined her head for a moment as their gaze was locked. His eyes then dashed out to in front of her path, back to her gaze, and he gave a nod. She raised an eyebrow at him in question, but then soon found out what he was nodding at.
Eva tripped over a pipe that was sticking out of the ground, and almost went headfirst into a trashcan. She lucky avoided it and landed on her hands. She shot back up and started to walk quickly away from the seen, in a marching manner. The saxophone had stopped playing and she walked even faster in the other direction.
Down right maladroit of me, she thought as she turned a corner and out of sight. She soon recovered from the whole situation, and giggled at herself. She then shook it off and found her way to the town square. She sat down at a bench, near the fountain in the center. Some water lingered in it still. There was a tree overshadowing the bench, making it a nice shady spot to sit and read. She pulled out her book, and opened to a random page.
"DIVISION
You cannot gather every rose,
Nor every pleasures claim,
Nor bask in every breeze that blows,
Nor play in every game.
No millionaire could even own
The world's supple of pearls,
And no man here has ever known
All the pretty girls.
So take what joy may come your way,
And not envy not your brothers;
Enjoy your share of fun each day,
And leave the rest for others.
-Edgar A. Guest"
Eva put on a smile. The book that was in her lap had a copyright date of 1916, earth. Edgar A. Guest was a radio poet, writing poems for the radio, and people loved his work. The book that she received from Mister Wolfwood, was a small collection this mans work, the title of the book faded, but the title being, " A Heap O' Livin' Along Life's Highway". She had read the book many times, but she was always reminded of something that happened that day when she did read that book.
Her thoughts went back to the musician, about how she envied him for his talent. She then remembered her conclusion about Jack. She gave another smile. I don't need something like that to feel happy, she thought as she watched some children play with a dog. But then, besides Jack, what else do I feel like I want? I sometimes feel a bit vacant, from loosing my mother and father in July. It's almost as if I have nothing to live for. She propped her head up on her hand as she looked to a fallen leaf. I wonder what's misplaced sometimes.... She snapped back to reality, her eyes a cold silver again. This always happens to me when I'm left alone. She gave a small smile, shaking her head.
She went to stand, but a little boy came over with a red rose in his fist. She looked at the boy, her face unmoved. She was thinking that this stare would scare him off, but the boy didn't move. She then cocked one eyebrow at him.
This child has some fortitude, she thought as she now started to glare at him. He just smiled at her as he took the rose, and put it in her lap. She was unmoved by his courage. He then pointed to a part of the square, expecting her eyes to follow the direction, but here eyes didn't budge from starring at him.
The boy gave a shrug. "Anyhow, it's from that guy over there." He put his hand down and waved at her. "Later pretty lady!" He then shot off toward his friends.
Eva continued to look at the spot of where the boy had been a moment ago. She stood up and the rose fell from her lap as she still had her stare drawn to the place where the boy had been. She finally looked up to see that musician again. He wasn't playing his interment, for it hung around his strong neck, but he was leaning on the florist booth, a sly grin on his lips. Eva slowly inclined her head as silver orbs locked with brown ones.
His smile grew as he realized that he had Eva's attention.... or so he thought. She then narrowed her eyes at him slightly, turned, and walked away. His expression changed as she turned and he went to walk after her, but his coat was caught by one of the thorns on the roses, ripping the fabric.
Eva heard the musician curse as she ducked into an ally. Way to close, she thought as she made her way back to the hotel.
