Chapter 24
Angela quickly got dressed in an instant, so that she could go and retrieve Mark from the bitter cold and doing chores as well. For the most part she was rather really impressed. I mean he really did a really good spot on job with clearing out the snow. From a hundred yards away from the house on the main drive, she easily spots him coming back her way as he continues to shovel the last of the snow.
To Mark however he really didn't notice Strike at all since he was really concentrated on the task at hand. Yet the cold was started to get to him again, especially near his feet. After all he only has his pit issued combat boots with him. Though he did do the smart thing and double up on his socks to keep his feet toasty and somewhat less than a couple of feet to go, he looked up to see someone coming to him. Upon further inspection, it turned out to be Strike. "Good morning Angela," Mark said happily. "Yeah good morning to you Mark."" You know Mark you're a guest here, you do know that right?"" Yeah, I know Angela, but I wanted to get in some kind of a workout in."" Yeah, I know my mom told me all about it."" By the way breakfast is about ready, so why don't you come on in now."
I took off with Strike quickly since we both wanted to get out of the bitter cold. Yet Angela still had something on her mind as we were walking back to the house. "You know Mark, you're on vacation you know, that right?"" Yeah, I know Angela."" So, you could relax if you want to."" All I'm saying is you can slack off for a bit from the pt that's all." "Sure, thing Angela whatever you want."
We both made it back inside to have breakfast together. But before I ate anything I made my way back upstairs to change out of my boots. I started to wadded up some old newspaper and stuff if in my boots. This method works pretty well in absorbing water from your boots, so it could dry up a bit , Strike's family pretty much have already ate their fills, while me and Angela where outside having our small conversation. None the less it still was a pretty dame good breakfast. Possibly even better than what the pit serves. I never had pumpkin flavor pancakes before, but all I can say is yum.
After breakfast I made it back upstairs to take a nice hot shower and get dressed for the day at hand. Sure, enough my boots were fairly dry as I removed the old wet newspaper from them. Unexpectedly I got a knock from my door. As soon as I answered it, it was none other than Angela."Hey Mark, I was wondering if you wanted to come into town with me, so I could help you out in buying a new wardrobe."" Uh…..sure Angela, it's not like I got anything better to do today"". Good then I'll see you downstairs in five then." Once Angela left, I quickly got dressed in my all greens, while I don on my pit issue wool jacket.
As soon as I made it outside, Angela already had the car all warmed up and ready to go. So, I quickly make it to the passenger side getting ready to go with Angela. Of course, when I made it in first, I didn't realize that her little brother TJ was in the back. I quickly turned around and noticed him sitting there rather silently.I looked over to Angela, as she just told me that he wanted to tag along, but mainly so he could go to the hobby shop. I was about to ask Angela on what a hobby shop was, until my eyes caught the sea of white once again. Again, I could stare at the sea of white all day if I could, but I could tell that Angela and even her little brother were looking at me as if something was wrong with me. So, to easy the mood I started up a short conversation with Angela.
"So, Angela, are all these other houses that we pass on by are farms as well?"" In a way they are Mark."" I guess I forgot to tell you that Silver Keep is a small farming community." Yes, I know it was a rather short conversation, but it did its job in keeping the awkwardness at bay. The wonderful thing about Strike's home, is that town was actually close by.
I started to look around from the inside of the car seeing the many small buildings in the town. Everything seem so close and bunched together. Even with the chilly weather a lot of people were out and about. Soon enough Angela started to slow down to find a good parking space. She did inform me that even though her town was small, it still had the necessary shops, like clothing stores, general stores, and other things.
Right after Angela found a good parking spot, that's when her little brother Tj started to get out immediately to go his own way. But not before Angela had anything to say about it. "Tj where are you going?"" I'm just going to the hobby shop that's all Angela."" Oh no you don't, at least not by yourself." "Awe come on Angela, I'm twelve and a half."
"Be that as it may Tj, I'm still responsible for you."" Besides we'll go once we get done with Mark's shopping. "" That's not fair, you're going to take all day."" And why should I hang around with you and your boyfriend."" TJ!, you mind your manners in front of me and Mark, or I'll turn around right now and take you back home! "" I'm sorry Angela, but it's not fair you treat me like a child."
I sat here silently while I let Angela duke it out with TJ. Yet in a way I could feel for Tj. To be treated like a kid, when all you wanted is to feel equal amongst everyone around you. So, I sighed a bit softly to get Angela's attention. In a way it worked as Angela then veered her attention towards me. She didn't say anything and neither did I. But the way I looked at her when Tj said about how he is being treated like a child, did remind her about something between us.
Angela remembers all too well when she was bickering with Mark many months back about how he too felt like being treated like a child. In that moment she finally came to terms of what it meant to be treated unfairly. She sighed a bit to herself and started to explain a few things.
Sigh, "I'm sorry I snapped at you like Tj, I don't want to treat you like a kid."" But you're still my little brother." So how about this you come along with us while we shop for some clothes for Mark. And when we are done, I let you go and do whatever you want. Since I got to go the bank to take care of business for mom and dad.
In a way Tj started to lift his head up a bit in hopefulness from her sister's proposal." You mean it Angela?"" Sure, thing kiddo, but Mark will have to tag along with you to make sure you'll stay out of trouble."" Awe…. Does he have to come along?"" Yes, Tj he does, besides Mark here has never seen a hobby shop before. ""Oh, all right Angela, it's a deal."
Once common ground was gain between the two, that's when we started to make our way out of the car. As far as shopping is concern, I'm sort of at a loss. I mean my clothing in general was always provided to me. So, buying clothes was a rather strange new concept to me, yet with Angela's help she did make it a bit easy for me. All in all, I bought a couple of pair of jeans, some dress shirts, a nice warm leather jacket, some sneakers, and a few other items. The important thing about it was that it was rather modest in it's price. So, I only spent about hundred and fifty dollar's worth of clothes. Once that was done we head back to the car to put my clothes up in the car.
And as always Angela did hold up her end of the bargain, to let Tj to go off have to his time at the hobby shop, of course with me coming along. For me this place that Angela's little brother wanted to go wasn't really that far off. At least Tj was being obedient about our situation, as he didn't try to run away from me.
After walking for about five minutes we were here. Of course, once I come inside I started to look around. To me this place was filled with lots of toys. "What is this place Tj?"" It's a hobby shop Mr. Mark."" So, you buy toys here then?" I could tell that Tj was looking at me a bit strangely. "Well Mr. Mark, you can sort of say that they are toy's, buy not really."" Have you never seen a hobby shop before?" I nodded my head no to him.
"Huh that's odd I suppose," Tj said. "But if you want I could explain it to you." I smiled to him while nodding my head to him approval. For a small child, Tj actually did explain a few things to me in intricate detail. Basically, this place had everything from rockets, to radio control planes, to model car sets that you could put together and paint.
To me Tj told me that his favorite item in here was the Co2 rockets, mainly because he often inspires to be an astronaut when he grows up. When it came time to purchase his new rocket that he wanted, he was a bit short. So, to encourage him in his endeavor of what he wanted to do with his life I spared him a few dollars extra to help him out. To me the priceless part to it was seeing his eyes gleamed at the new rocket. Of course, he gave me a big hug, while giving me many thanks.
I look to my watch to see what time it was. Angela gave her little brother at least two hours to do his hobby shopping. Yet from the time it took to get here plus the shopping part, we only spent about an hour. So, to kill more time me and Tj continued to look around the shop. The shop alone was a fairly big store to say the least, yet my attention was drawing to another area. I asked Tj what it was, only for him to tell me that it was some sort of boutique store.
Naturally I wanted to check it out, but Tj seemed less interested. So, I made a deal to him. I basically told him to stay in the confines of the hobby shop, while I checked this place out. Of course, he agreed to my wish.
So, I quickly went inside to see what this place was. As I went in the first thing that I notice was the smell. To me it had a smell of cinnamon and apples. Sure, enough I found a candle that was lit to where the smell was originating from. Yet this place that I was in was rather small to say the least. It sort of had some various items for sell.
The that I saw ranged from cards to ceramic items to even some candles as well. It sort of reminded me of Strikes house, in that it had some homey touches to it. Many of the items looked as it had that woman sort of touch to it. As I continued to walk around, I didn't realize that my head bumped into these metal rods. When they hit each other they sounded off with various lite dings to it. It almost sounded like it had a melody to it.
Needless to say, the sound enough alerts the shop owner. To my surprise it was rather older woman. She had very long white hair with some grey highlights. Her face alone sported many wrinkles, I guess it came with much age for her I suppose. None the less she greeted me with a nice warm smile. "Why hello their young man, do you need help with anything?"" No ma'am, I'm just browsing around. ""Oh, very well then."
As I continue to browse the small shop myself I couldn't help but notice that this old woman was following me around. I really didn't mind it at all. As I continued to walk around I started to notice this rather odd machine near the rear of the store. The machine itself had all these pins and thin metal rods all around it that looked like it was in a specific pattern. The other thing I noticed was that there all these various colors of semi thick string in some sort of spools.
I continue to look at it with more curiosity, that I started to notice some items that were handing from the wall next it. From the looks of it, the items looked like some sort of garments. Some were hats, as well as gloves, and some even looked like long piece of cloth that Mrs. Baker gave to me to cover my face when I was shoveling snow earlier this morning. I lost my train of thought as to what it was, so I decided to ask the old woman as to what it was.
"Ma'am what is this over here by the back wall. ""Well young that is a knitting machine."" So, what do you use it for?"" Hmm… have you never seen a knitting machine before young man?" I shook my head no to her, but then explained a few things to her. "No ma'am I haven't seen one before, I'm only visiting for a short while with some friends of mine here in Silver Keep."" Oh, I see then well young man this machine can make various garment items from yarn, with any kind of pattern you desire." I can make some gloves, some hats, and even scarfs."
That's it as I thought to myself, it was a scarf that Mrs. Baker lone to me this morning. Then another idea popped into my head. Hmm I bet this would make the perfect gift for Strike as I thought to myself. "Ma'am do you make scarfs as well."" Why of course young man, do you wish to purchase one from me."" Well let me check the time first before I decide."
As I looked to my watch I sighed a bit out loud. "Awe I only got twenty minutes left before I have to go, I'm sorry ma'am."" Twenty minutes you say, well I only need ten minutes to make you the item that you want." I skeptically looked at her, after all she did looked rather frail to me. "So, you doubt me then young man?"
I really didn't say anything to her after that, but she did reassure me that she could get the item done within the time frame with much confidence. So, I chose for her to make me a scarf, in the length of four feet long. The colors I chose was a rather dark forest green, with some yellow. Her price for all this was about twenty dollars in total.
Again, I was rather skeptical when she first took my money and then walked over slowly to her machine. But once her shaking hands touched the machine, that when I saw a different woman entirely. She moved along with much ease and stroke the buttons and nobs with pure accuracy. And as true to her word she was done in the span of ten minutes. I looked over the scarf at hand with much approval. The kind old woman did wrap it up nicely in some wrapping paper. I gave her an extra twenty dollars for a job well done with much thanks as well. I took the gift and tucked within my jacket as I bided good bye the old woman.
A take another gander at my watch to see that in fact we now have ten minutes left to go to get back to Angela. So, I collected Tj and we were off.
Again, we met up with Angela and once again Tj loaded up his stuff now to the trunk of the car. As a special treat Angela decided to treat me and Tj with some lunch at the local diner in town. Once that was done we headed back to the homestead.
During the next week and a half, I got to do a lot of things with Angela and her family. I celebrated Christmas with her family, and even got to spend new years with them. Some of things that Angela got to experience when she was growing up here, I got to experience myself. For instance, we got to make a snow man, make some snow angels, and I even got to catch a snow flurry in my mouth. I really enjoyed my time here with Angela her family.
Yet it was a bitter sweet feeling to me. I mean it was sweet that I got to experience spending Christmas with Angela, yet bitter that we have to be back in the pit in a day or so. So, on the eve of the day we had to head back to the pit I was sitting at the porch looking up to the night sky. I sat here looking at the stars and the bright moon. That is until I felt small tingle of cold near my right ear.
I look to my right and up a bit only to see Angela looking at me with a nice smile. "So, what are you doing out here in the cold Mark."" Nothing much Angela, just doing a little bit of star gazing."" Huh you don't mind if I join you? "" Not at all." Angela chose to literally sit right next to, she also had a blanket with her as well. We both continue to sit here looking at the stars, while curling up inside the blanket that kept us somewhat warm.
As I continue to star gaze, I didn't notice that Angela was pouring something out of her thermos. She gave me a slight nudge to arm to get my attention, as she handed the cup to me." Awe thanks Angela, is it heated up water?"" Actually, Mark its hot chocolate. "" Wow really, as I'm about to take my first gulp." "Yeah it sure is Mark, but be careful ok, it's pretty hot."
I waited for my chocolate to simmer a bit for I take my first sip. We both sat here drinking chocolate while looking at the stars. Just like looking at the snow fall here at Angela's home; star gazing is just as peaceful. We sat here for a good ten minutes. I decided to break the silence myself when I spoke to Angela.
"Angela," Mark said softly. "Yeah Mark."" I just wanted to say thank you for inviting me to spend Christmas with you and your family." Angela smiled back saying," thanks Mark I'm glad you came."" It's not too often that I get company from the pit to come along with me." I just smiled back to her as I started to cuddle up next to her mostly for warmth as we continue to sit here, until we grew tired of freezing our butts off.
The next day came by quick just as the night before. I woke up a bit early to pack my stuff up. I chose to wear my greens today, after all me and Angela have to hit the road early today. We only have 48 hours left on our liberty passes till we have to be back to the pit. If were not there by 0900 then we'll be listed as AWOL. Me and Angela ate breakfast rather quickly, after all she made it pretty clear that we had to be on the road before morning rush hour.
I quickly took my stuff along with Angela's as I started to stuff it in the trunk of the rental. As for Angela she started to say her good byes to her mother and father. Yet for her little brother Tj he took it the hardest. I could literally hear him beg and plead tearfully for her big sister to stay a bit longer. She did her best to comfort him, but it got to the point that he started to run off back to house in tears.
When it came to my turn, I started to say my good byes to them as well and thank them for letting me celebrate the holidays with them. I was about to get in, till Angela told me to check one more time to see if I got everything before we left. I quickly nodded to her as I went back in to the house. Once I got inside I started to make my way up stairs to double check it. Once I was satisfied I started to make my way down stairs to head out. That's is until I hear the voice of Tj calling to me near the kitchen. When he came by to see him, his eyes were really red. The poor kid was really upset to see her sister go.
Angela stood there next to her running car along with her parents as she waited for Mark to come back. She annoying looked at her watch, only to sigh to herself. What' taking Mark so long, as Angela thought to herself. He knows that we have to hit the road soon. So as a last-ditch effort she decided to see what's the hold up.
Angela started to make her way up the porch to the front of the house near the back of the rear entrance near the kitchen, she noticed that Mark was standing near the hall way with his back turned. She was about to knock on the window, until she noticed that Mark started to take a knee. Upon further inspection, she finally noticed that Tj was in front of him talking to him.
She really couldn't make out anything of their conversation. But from the looks of it Mark was listening to every word that he had to say, as Angela noticed him nodded to every word. He then finally started to pat Tj's shoulder and the side of his head gently. Finally, Tj gave him a big, as Mark started to wrap his arms around him. To Angela she started to smiled to herself, as her little brother Tj was now finally starting to accept her friend Mark.
From that point on Angela started to walk back to her car. In the span of a couple of minutes Mark finally made his way over. He then continued to say good bye to Angela's parents. As soon as Angela started to drive off with Mark inside, he still made the extra effort to say goodbye from the window of his car. Yet odd enough to him, he could see from the second-floor window of his guest room that Tj was there looking over to him. So, he made an even bigger effort to wave goodbye to him. Not knowing if he even noticed it.
Several hours pass on by, as we started to drive through Kansas. For the most part our drive was rather a silent one. I was pretty much in deep thought, as I was fairly certain that Angela was as well. To break the boredom, I started to switched on my satellite radio to listen to some more EDM. It went on for good couple of hours, until Angela started to turn down the volume. In a way it sort of got me out of my listing groove as I started to look over to her to see what gives.
"So, what did you and Tj talked about?" When Angela asked me a question at first, I wasn't really paying any attention. "I'm sorry what was that Strike?"" Hmm…, well that's good at least you remember to call me by my code name and not my personal."" But back to what I was asking. ""I just wondering what you and Tj were talking about."
"Wait a minute you were in the house, I thought you were by the car."" Oh yeah speaking of that, I did wait for you for about five minutes, until I grew bored a bit, after all we had to hit the road early."" But I wasn't in the house per say, I just saw you by the kitchen window. "" Oh so you were spying on me then."" Well I guess if you want to say so," Strike said sheepishly.
"So, what were you two talking about then," Strike asked. "We were just saying our goodbyes, that's about all."" Yeah well somehow, I don't believe that was all that you two were talking about."" Huh I guess I can't fool you then huh?"" Nope, not around me you can't." There was silence between up for a few seconds, till Strike spoke again.
"Well aren't you going to tell me what you two were talking about then?" I sighed a bit to myself, but answer none the less." I can't Strike. "" What do you mean you can't? "" I promised Tj I wouldn't discuss it."" Hmm I see then."" Well can I at least try and guess what it is?"" You can, but regardless I'm not going to divulge or acknowledge what it is."
"Oh, ok well, I'm still going to try just so you know."" Hmm, did Tj ask for money from you as a gift." "Nope," Mark replied." "Ok, ah was it for you to help him get another rocket from the hobby shop?"" No Strike," Mark said plainly. Strike sighed a little bit more, while giving it some thought.
In a concern tone she asked a little bit more of a serious question. "Tj didn't ask for you to bring him any souvenirs from work by any chance did he."" Work, you mean the pit, "Mark said confusingly. "Yeah, did he ask for anything like a grenade or some munitions as a souvenir for the next time. "" What!?, no of course not Strike, nothing like that at all."
Strike sighed in such huge relief after that. And that was only because had Tj asked for something similar a couple of Christmases ago. "Shoo that's good to know Mark."" Well any who this looks like a good place to stop for the night to get some dinner and some sleep." As Strike started to pull over to the next town. "But this doesn't mean that I have given up on the matter ok Mark."" I'm just tired and a bit hungry that's all."
I smiled a bit to her, as we started to pull on over near the inn/dinner. But before I could let Strike out of the car, I started to untuck the gift out that I had bought for Strike from that boutique shop a few days ago. Her head was turned when as she didn't notice that I was taking my gift out for her. As she was about to get out, I called out to her.
"Hey Strike." She turned her head to see what's up. "Yeah, what is it Mark. "" I uh…., um…. I got you this few days ago, so um merry Christmas." Strike took my gift that I handed her rather slowly while saying," for…for me?" I nodded my head gently. I smiled a bit myself hoping that Strike would like the gift.
And she did not disappoint, as I saw her unwrapping it and giving me a huge smile. "Well I can say for one that this is the greenest longest scarf I have ever gotten."" Wait a minute there is something stitched in, with yellow yarn." As Strike held it before herself she gave even bigger smile, as the yellow stitching had her rank of corporal with her code name right next to it. She immediately started to wear it, as it felt really warm around her neck. Strike was about to say thank you once again to Mark, only to notice that he started to make his way towards the diner. He's not getting away from her that easily, as Strike started to follow behind covertly.
By that time mark started to get out of the car while heading over to the diner. But not before he got a hug from behind him from Strike. "Did you like the scarf Strike?"" Like, I love it thank you Mark." "It was really a thoughtful gift." We both smiled to each other as we continue to head on to the diner to get some dinner.