Chapter 48
Elli spoke up, "So when your cousin let you in on how we girls think, you felt that it was too much of a reward."
Jack nodded, "Yeah, so I let her in on how boys think. Let's not continue this depressing talk, this is someone's birthday and the talk should be happy."
A soft smile crossed Karen's face, "You're right, Jack. Though about your cousin, when is her birthday?"
Jack grinned, "Fall 14."
"Is she the same age as you and me?"
Jack nodded, "Yup."
Everyone burst out laughing.
Karen said, "Did both of you wish your birthdays were the same day?"
"Yeah, we have made the joke that our timing was off."
After another round of laughs, Doug refilled everyone's coffee cups, and brought over the milk and sugar.
A few minutes later Zack entered carrying a bag over his shoulder, "Hey, Doug, here's your mail. Hello, Jack, are you taking a break?"
Jack nodded, "Yes, I missed celebrating Elli's birthday, so I felt that I shouldn't miss celebrating Ann's birthday."
Zack nodded, "Yes, that would be bad. Oh, since you're here, I can deliver your mail here."
Zack dug into the mailbag and handed Jack a letter.
Jack widened his eyes, "Hey! It's from my friend Claire. She was on the same Grand Jury I was on. I wonder why it took almost a whole season to reply to my letter."
Elli smiled, "Well, open it, she might say why."
Jack looked at his the female friends, "You girls don't mind?"
Karen leaned over and rested her hand on Jack's shoulder, "Why would we mind? She is a friend you know."
Ann and Elli nodded in agreement.
Jack softly smiled, "Thanks. I was slightly worried. Even if I'm not dating any of you, I didn't want you to be jealous that another girl is friends with me."
Karen nodded, "Well, while we could be, you have told us in talks that she already has a boyfriend. Also her boyfriend has pen pals, some of then are girls. Claire isn't jealous of them."
Jack nodded, "You're right. Ok, let me see what she has to say." Opening the envelope, Jack pulled out the letter.
Howdy back at you, Jack. Sorry for the lateness in replying, Pete and I have been working hard at the printing company we work for. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend Joe, but I'm glad that he was kind to leave his farm to you. Congrats on your first harvest, I hope you have had more. Pete and I have heard that there is a wonderful fireworks display that happens there on the twenty-fourth of summer. So we will be there to see it, we have put in for a vacation. That's great that there is a hot spring there. The warning about the 'lack of clothing' you gave will be headed. We'll call out, but we wouldn't mind if you saw us naked. I told Pete that you are a nice guy. Have you remembered what it was that you were trying to remember? If you have, please let me know when we arrive. That's great that there is a female deity, and Pete and I will do our best to not bad mouth her, we don't want to end up as crispy critters. See you soon! Sincerely your friend, Claire
Jack sat back with a smile on his face.
Elli leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table and took a sip of coffee, "It looks as if she said something nice."
Jack smiled, "It is. It is also nothing private, if that is what you are wondering. Claire and Pete will be here on vacation, they want to see the fireworks display that will happen soon. I let her know about the Harvest Goddess, to not bad mouth her, unless they want to town to get angry at them. I also told her about the hot spring and the 'lack of clothing', so it sounds like that they will call out. She also asked if I remembered what it was I was trying to remember. I forgot to tell her about the farewell dream with that little girl. So when she gets here, I will tell her, as well as the dreams of the first meeting."
The three girls were grinning and silently giggling.
Ann then asked, "So what does Claire look like?"
"She has the same hair length as Karen, blonde, blue eyes, about as tall as Elli, and a very friendly personality."
Karen asked, "Is her hair the same color as mine?"
Jack shook his head, "No, hers is golden blonde."
Karen ruefully smiled, "While I have dishwater blonde. That's why I do some highlighting, to have some gold in my hair. I have though about maybe doing platinum highlights."
Jack smiled, "I think that it would look good on you."
Elli chuckled, Careful, Jack, there are times that flattery will get you into trouble."
Jack grinned, "I always thought that it would get me out of trouble."
The girls laughed.
Elli said, "True it can, but not all the time."
