"Fly Away to the Clouds of Heaven"
Chapter 2: Cassie
"I still can't get over what your parents pulled on us a few nights ago," Jake went on.
We were now sitting in the barn where I was finishing up some of my daily chores. Even after all the years of the war, and growing older, some things never changed. My parents still had me giving medicine to the animals. Then again, thankfully, the other thing that had never changed was my love for giving the animals medicine.
I soon realized that Jake was speaking, and looked up from the injured bird I was helping.
"You say something Jake," I asked.
Jake just looked at me with an amused smile upon his face shaking his head.
"Sometimes I think you care for these animals more than you care for me," he said with mock sadness.
I looked at him with a pitying smile playing along, with the pills for the bird in my hand.
"Awww Jake, if you want, I can shove pills down your throat too, if it'll make you feel important," I said coming towards him reaching for his face.
"Hey," he yelled, grabbing my arms in a tight playful grip.
Soon Jake and I were just inches from one another as we had been so many times before. Each time it always ended in a soft kiss.
Why should today be any different?
Our faces drew closer as my eyes closed. I just let my lips play across his as-
"So now you've moved your little 'talking' session down into the barn," my father spoke loudly as he entered through the door.
Jake and I quickly broke apart and turned towards my father as he made his way to the operating shed on the wall.
"You and Mom have got to stop doing that," I said in a fake angry voice.
In another case, I was actually happy to see my father. I always was, even if he came at the oddest times.
"Well, don't worry, you and Jake can go back to your 'discussion' as soon as I grab these meds. I'm going into town to pick up some new kits and run some errands," he said, rummaging through the shelves.
"What kind of errands, maybe Jake and I can go with you," I offered.
"Nope, that's okay," he said very quickly, then "besides I don't want you and Jake making-out in the back seat as I drive for a whole hour."
"Dad, you act like Jake and I are some crazed hormonal teens, who can only think of touching and kissing one another," I said becoming slightly offended.
I saw my father look at me for a moment, then back at Jake. For some reason the expression on my father's face turned into amusement. I let my gaze turn from him towards my boyfriend. Suddenly I felt slightly shocked and also amused.
Was Jake checking me out?
He obviously was, I noticed, as he was totally unaware that my father and I were looking at him. He just kept letting his eyes roam over my body with a satisfied, dazed look upon his face.
Suddenly he must have noticed we were also watching him.
"Huh," he said looking up somewhat startled.
"I rest my case," my father said letting out a hardy strong laugh.
I just looked at my father with an amazed expression upon my face. He truly was something else. I've always seen him as an all knowing kind of person. He was strong and secure. Kind of what Jake reminds me of.
Soon my father stepped from the shed and headed towards the door.
"I'm going, I'll be back soon," he said, then turning around showing a grin that lit up his face he went on, "I love you."
"I know you do," I replied as he walked out.
"You and your dad are really close," Jake said as he looked at me.
Suddenly my happy expression turned into that of a fake angry one.
"Don't try to change the subject Jake. You think I didn't notice you checking out my body like I was some kind of object," I said shaking my finger at him.
Jake's face turned slightly red as he bowed his head.
"Um, well, I," he fumbled out as I put my hands on my hips.
Inside I was actually laughing my heart out. At this very moment, Jake reminded me of my father's expression when my mother got on him.
I let my expression soften as I sat down on the table behind me.
"You think we'll be anything like my parents when we get married," I asked.
"I hope so," Jake answered quickly, obviously glad to change the subject.
"Yeah," I said, looking out into the entrance where my father had left out at.
I then turned to Jake letting a smile draw across my lips.
"Want to go in the field and look up at the sky? I hear there could be a meteor shower tonight," I explained.
Jake agreed as we left out of the barn.
As I laid beside Jake upon the grass, I realized that finally my life had truly become normal and simple. I have my family and friends, and a boy that loves me with all of his heart. For once, since the end of the war, I felt as if nothing could go wrong.
I wanted to hold onto this moment forever, but I have learned some things never last.
And forever is no exception.
***
As Jake and I walked back towards my house as the sun began to set I checked my watch. It had been nearly two hours since we left out of the barn, so I concluded that my parents must be home right now.
It was just my luck, they would see Jake and I coming from the field and make assumptions, jokes, and play on our already shy relationship. Sometimes, I believe they truly enjoy embarrassing me.
"Well, I have to get going. I have exams to study for that will probably take the whole night," he said, placing his fingers through my own.
"I'll talk to you tonight then," I said, referring to how he always seemed to end up at my window as I slept.
"Most likely," he said simply with a smile on his face as he kissed me goodnight.
We stayed like that for one of the longest minutes in history as the fall breeze played across our bodies and-
"Cassie," my mother whispered coming from out of the front door.
Sometimes I believe they do that on purpose.
"Mom, you and Dad have got to-" I began turning towards my mother, but stopping.
Her face was withdrawn and her eyes looked as if she had been crying. I was afraid to ask what was wrong. I was afraid of the answer I was going to get.
"What's wrong Mom," I asked, coming up to her concerned.
"Come inside sweetie, I have to talk to you," she said quietly going back into the house.
I turned to Jake with a confused expression upon my face. He nodded his head toward the front door and began walking into the house as I did the same.
Inside, at the table, was the usual setting. My mother was at one end and my father was, as always, at the other.
No. Wait.
My father wasn't there.
"Where's daddy," I asked slowly.
"Sweetheart," my mother said with tears glistening in her eyes as she gathered me in an embrace.
I just stood there for a moment taking in the scene, not believing what my mother hadn't even said. Why didn't she answer me, and why was she calling me sweetheart?
Where was my father?
"Cassie," my mother began slowly stroking my hair, then, "Daddy's in the hospital sweetheart. He got into a really terrible car accident on the way to town, and they don't know if he's going to make it," she finished.
I pulled away from her, stunned at what she had spoken so closely to my ear. I shook my head wildly trying to understand the situation at hand, but all that came to my mind was;
'He might not make it.'
I felt as if, at that very moment, my world had been ripped up from under myself and was closing in on me all at the same time. The walls were spinning, my heart was ripping, and my daddy might be dying as I speak.
"We're going to the hospital honey, get your coat," my mother whispered, gathering her car keys from the table.
I remained in silence as she and Jake led me out into the car as we all got in. I gazed out the window of the back-seat as Jake's arms held me close. I looked into the darkness of the field as we drove off from my home. Away from my now calm and normal life.
Never to return again.
End of Chapter 2:
Ryoko notes: Stick with me now. Stay tuned for Chapter 3. ;-)