Chapter 2: Puppy Love
Jack awoke with the raindrops softly tapping on his windowsill. The refreshing rain motioning him to begin his new day with a genial smile. Always ready to succeed, he quickly got up from a well-deserved nightly sleep. Jack went to the window and looked out at the large field with a small patch of grass wet with the rain. He smiled and his eyes kindled with a warm glow. Jack almost laughed when he remembered how hard it was to plant that simple patch of grass. It was his first time working with farming tools, he ached and sweated every ounce of his body. Jack knew it would be difficult tending the land, but he expected too much of his stamina. Jack nodded to himself approvingly when he finished, wiping the sweat off his brow.
Jack pulled himself from the window and started his fireplace a bit because it was going to rain all day, and the house would get extremely cold. He was lucky enough to try out his ax the day before. When he stepped outside, he began by heading out into the forest to find things to forage. It was springtime, so Blue Grass and Bamboo Shoots were plentiful in the mountainous forests where he explored. Jack had been busy, the first season was going to be rough. He was still trying to get used to the routes and was planning his daily schedule. Jack was being introduced to the townsfolk even now, and he learned new things about the village everyday. When he finally reached the outskirts of the farm, he heard a faint rustling from a bush outside of the fence. He quickly turned around and crept towards the sound. Jack saw a small furry creature shivering in the bush.
Jack slowly picked up the quivering creature and was surprised it was a Golden Retriever. He knew it was a little puppy, it even had a soft white belly. It must have been out all night, Jack thought, a stray as small as this must be sick. Jack thought for a moment, he decided to keep and tend to the puppy since it didn't have a collar. He grasped the puppy to his chest to keep it warm, he ran as fast as he could to the house. When Jack went inside, he got some towels and formed a basket shaped mound. Placing the puppy in the middle, it curled up and began immediately in basking the warmth of the fireplace. Jack wished it well before leaving to start his farmwork.
With the rain pouring even harder, Jack was careful not to slip from the muddy roads. He was thinking about the shivering puppy, Jack had the image in his mind ever since he left the house. A crackle of twigs snapped Jack from his gaze, he turned to see a drenched fox slipping away from the surprising noise it had just made. Watching the fox disappear from sight, he caught a speckle of blue from the corner of his eye. Jack sauntered slowly over expecting something that was fairly common in the forest. He was right, he found a Blue Grass and quickly deposited it in his rucksack. Jack continued to hike for an hour or two, foraging as he went. He soon became tired and cold, and stopped by at Gotz's house. Not only was it a refuge for a traveler of the mountains, the place was also the carpentry. "The pup will be fine, I bet it was from that stray's litter. I caught a glimpse of her 2 weeks ago and she seemed pregnant." Said Gotz. "I haven't seen her since, it's best for the pup that you keep it. I mean, the pup could be a help when it grows up."
Jack skipped along the wet, muddy road. Gotz encouraging words lifted his spirits, his thoughts of the puppy was now good ones. He crossed the tiny bridge that separated the mountains from the resident farms. Jack saw the Poultry Farm on the left and the Yodel Farm on the right. He decided to visit Barley and May first. Before he took the right turn on the T shaped road, he looked left and smiled. The Poultry Farm was home to Popuri, he remembered she lived with Lillia and Rick. He blushed when thinking of Popuri's beautiful smile. Her silky pink hair fluttered gracefully when she skipped away in that cute little way of hers. A sudden cluck and a bellowing moo snapped Jack back to reality. He then sprinted off to the Ranch.
Jack entered the Yodel Ranch dripping wet. He saw Barley reading a book and May lying on the floor playing with Hana, their family pooch. Barley saw Jack first; he gave a welcoming smile and motioned him to come closer. Jack came and sat down next to Barley. May then came over and addressed him like always, with a shy smile and a tiny wave. "You should come and buy a sheep or cow, but make sure to have a brush and other livestock tools. You need those to take care of them." Explained Barley. "Don't come to buy livestock on bad weather like today though, I refuse to sell them. Always did, always will." May nodded upholding her grandfather's every word. The three had a nice conversation until Jack decided it was time for him to go. "See you later Jack, come back whenever you can." Said a more relaxed, happy May.
Lillia was busy making dinner when Jack came in through the front door. Rick gave his usual backward wave and smile while lounging on the couch. The evening was his time off and he barely pulled away unless he had to eat or go to bed. Lillia gave Jack a warm smile. "Do you want to stay for dinner?" she asked politely. "No thanks, how are you Lil?" Jack answered cordially in return. His eyes were wandering from room to room looking for Popuri. Lillia noticed this and giggled, "Popuri is upstairs, she will be down in a minute." Jack reddened and rubbed his toes to the floor. Rick didn't notice at all, he was busy yelling at a TV show he was watching. When he caught what he had done he turned towards Jack and Lillia, and scratched his head. "Hehe, sorry. These football games drive you crazy." Jack laughed and Lillia shook her head with a smile. "Hey mom, what's for dinner?" Jacked turned around immediately, he knew that efficacious, lovely voice anywhere.
Popuri descended from the stairs like an angel came down from heaven. Her hair was lithe and ever flowing through the air. Her eyes glittered, her well-formed body moved with a natural grace. Jack's eyes widened, he tried closing them. He was not going to drool or faint and humiliate himself. Popuri looked spectacular, all the villagers said she was gorgeous but to Jack, she seemed more than that. Popuri saw Jack and gave an amiable smile, she giggled and twirled her finger in her hair. "Well, hello Jack. I didn't know you came in." Popuri gave another genuine grin; then she tilted her head and stared at him. "Um. Jack? Are you there?" Jack snapped out of his fervent trance on Popuri. "Uh. Yeah, how are you. Po-Popur-ri." Jack managed to stutter. Lillia was watching the two for a bit until she shook her head and tried not to laugh.
"Well Jack, I really hope you stay for dinner. Mom always cook something nice." Popuri exclaimed. Jack refused considerately but Lillia also urged him again. Finally, Jack gave in and sat down with the family a few minutes later. Rick was busy devouring the food with heavy bites. Popuri was looking at Jack with interest while quietly nibbling on her food. Lillia was glancing sideways at both of them. Jack was busy eating but took occasional stares at Popuri. Soon, everyone relaxed and had intimate conversations. Jack finally mentioned the puppy from the morning; everyone began to speak at once. "What kind is it?" asked Lillia. "You better be good to it, animals know these things." Advised Rick. "Will you let me see it?" asked Popuri. The last thing Popuri said made Jack look up. "Please Jack?" Popuri had a pleasant smile while she tilted her head to the side. From that Jack almost melted, "Sure thing Popuri, come over anytime." Popuri cheered and she clasped her hands together and gave a silly grin to Jack. Rick and Lillia laughed too, soon even the nervous Jack laughed. Then Popuri thought for awhile and exclaimed, ". Actually Jack, I want to go right after dinner." The other three were silent, but then Rick broke it. "Yeah go now Popuri, its better since you'll be talking about it nonstop until you see it." Popuri and Lillia looked at Rick with surprised expressions. Rick scratched his head and laughed fidgety, "I'm sure Jack will take good care of you Popuri. Nevertheless, be good and always careful Popuri." Popuri rolled her eyes and gave a whatever look towards Rick. Lillia nodded approvingly at Rick and gave the A-OK. The chickens were clucking softly at the hen house and the Poultry Farmhouse were full of laughs and that of concord.
The rain had stopped and the night air was cool and refreshing but nonetheless a bit chilly. Popuri seemed unaffected by it; she skipped along the road with boundless energy and full of smiles. Jack was alot calmer than he was earlier and began to converse more freely. Jack had his hands in his pockets and tried to keep up with Popuri. She stopped and turned around. Popuri had a deep, thoughtful look on her face. "You know Jack, my brother Rick must be really fond of you. He would have never let me out alone with any guy before. It's even at night!" Popuri then beamed, "I'm glad, you're a great guy and Rick is lucky to have a friend like you." Jack flushed and looked down at the road. Soon they reached the house and Popuri commented on how nice the patch of grass was growing.
The hearth radiated comely light in the house. The fireplace that Jack prepared was still glowing, and they stepped into the house. When they got in both turned their heads scanning the house for the puppy. They noticed the towels made for the puppy was scattered around the house. Jack was worried and he began to pace. Suddenly, a blur of brownish gold and white flashed right in front of them. Then it stopped at Jack's feet and began barking at him. It was the puppy from the morning, and it seemed glad to see Jack. "Aww. It's so cute!" Popuri exclaimed while scratching behind its ears. Jack was relieved to see the puppy has regained its strength. The once shivering and dainty pup was now full of vim. "Well, what are you going to call it?" Popuri looked up from her crouching position. Jack began thinking up a name but then the puppy began snapping playfully at the bottom of his overalls. Popuri laughed and she said, "You know what? Its name should be Snap, yeah, it's perfect. Hey Snappy!" She began cooing at it and giggled playfully. The house was glowing that night. Not only from the fiery hearth of a fireplace but from Jack's heart. A puppy's delightful bark sounded the beginning of an ember. An ember of love that made Jack feel a piece of himself coming alive. It was beyond words, a man's whole was being discovered that night.
Jack awoke with the raindrops softly tapping on his windowsill. The refreshing rain motioning him to begin his new day with a genial smile. Always ready to succeed, he quickly got up from a well-deserved nightly sleep. Jack went to the window and looked out at the large field with a small patch of grass wet with the rain. He smiled and his eyes kindled with a warm glow. Jack almost laughed when he remembered how hard it was to plant that simple patch of grass. It was his first time working with farming tools, he ached and sweated every ounce of his body. Jack knew it would be difficult tending the land, but he expected too much of his stamina. Jack nodded to himself approvingly when he finished, wiping the sweat off his brow.
Jack pulled himself from the window and started his fireplace a bit because it was going to rain all day, and the house would get extremely cold. He was lucky enough to try out his ax the day before. When he stepped outside, he began by heading out into the forest to find things to forage. It was springtime, so Blue Grass and Bamboo Shoots were plentiful in the mountainous forests where he explored. Jack had been busy, the first season was going to be rough. He was still trying to get used to the routes and was planning his daily schedule. Jack was being introduced to the townsfolk even now, and he learned new things about the village everyday. When he finally reached the outskirts of the farm, he heard a faint rustling from a bush outside of the fence. He quickly turned around and crept towards the sound. Jack saw a small furry creature shivering in the bush.
Jack slowly picked up the quivering creature and was surprised it was a Golden Retriever. He knew it was a little puppy, it even had a soft white belly. It must have been out all night, Jack thought, a stray as small as this must be sick. Jack thought for a moment, he decided to keep and tend to the puppy since it didn't have a collar. He grasped the puppy to his chest to keep it warm, he ran as fast as he could to the house. When Jack went inside, he got some towels and formed a basket shaped mound. Placing the puppy in the middle, it curled up and began immediately in basking the warmth of the fireplace. Jack wished it well before leaving to start his farmwork.
With the rain pouring even harder, Jack was careful not to slip from the muddy roads. He was thinking about the shivering puppy, Jack had the image in his mind ever since he left the house. A crackle of twigs snapped Jack from his gaze, he turned to see a drenched fox slipping away from the surprising noise it had just made. Watching the fox disappear from sight, he caught a speckle of blue from the corner of his eye. Jack sauntered slowly over expecting something that was fairly common in the forest. He was right, he found a Blue Grass and quickly deposited it in his rucksack. Jack continued to hike for an hour or two, foraging as he went. He soon became tired and cold, and stopped by at Gotz's house. Not only was it a refuge for a traveler of the mountains, the place was also the carpentry. "The pup will be fine, I bet it was from that stray's litter. I caught a glimpse of her 2 weeks ago and she seemed pregnant." Said Gotz. "I haven't seen her since, it's best for the pup that you keep it. I mean, the pup could be a help when it grows up."
Jack skipped along the wet, muddy road. Gotz encouraging words lifted his spirits, his thoughts of the puppy was now good ones. He crossed the tiny bridge that separated the mountains from the resident farms. Jack saw the Poultry Farm on the left and the Yodel Farm on the right. He decided to visit Barley and May first. Before he took the right turn on the T shaped road, he looked left and smiled. The Poultry Farm was home to Popuri, he remembered she lived with Lillia and Rick. He blushed when thinking of Popuri's beautiful smile. Her silky pink hair fluttered gracefully when she skipped away in that cute little way of hers. A sudden cluck and a bellowing moo snapped Jack back to reality. He then sprinted off to the Ranch.
Jack entered the Yodel Ranch dripping wet. He saw Barley reading a book and May lying on the floor playing with Hana, their family pooch. Barley saw Jack first; he gave a welcoming smile and motioned him to come closer. Jack came and sat down next to Barley. May then came over and addressed him like always, with a shy smile and a tiny wave. "You should come and buy a sheep or cow, but make sure to have a brush and other livestock tools. You need those to take care of them." Explained Barley. "Don't come to buy livestock on bad weather like today though, I refuse to sell them. Always did, always will." May nodded upholding her grandfather's every word. The three had a nice conversation until Jack decided it was time for him to go. "See you later Jack, come back whenever you can." Said a more relaxed, happy May.
Lillia was busy making dinner when Jack came in through the front door. Rick gave his usual backward wave and smile while lounging on the couch. The evening was his time off and he barely pulled away unless he had to eat or go to bed. Lillia gave Jack a warm smile. "Do you want to stay for dinner?" she asked politely. "No thanks, how are you Lil?" Jack answered cordially in return. His eyes were wandering from room to room looking for Popuri. Lillia noticed this and giggled, "Popuri is upstairs, she will be down in a minute." Jack reddened and rubbed his toes to the floor. Rick didn't notice at all, he was busy yelling at a TV show he was watching. When he caught what he had done he turned towards Jack and Lillia, and scratched his head. "Hehe, sorry. These football games drive you crazy." Jack laughed and Lillia shook her head with a smile. "Hey mom, what's for dinner?" Jacked turned around immediately, he knew that efficacious, lovely voice anywhere.
Popuri descended from the stairs like an angel came down from heaven. Her hair was lithe and ever flowing through the air. Her eyes glittered, her well-formed body moved with a natural grace. Jack's eyes widened, he tried closing them. He was not going to drool or faint and humiliate himself. Popuri looked spectacular, all the villagers said she was gorgeous but to Jack, she seemed more than that. Popuri saw Jack and gave an amiable smile, she giggled and twirled her finger in her hair. "Well, hello Jack. I didn't know you came in." Popuri gave another genuine grin; then she tilted her head and stared at him. "Um. Jack? Are you there?" Jack snapped out of his fervent trance on Popuri. "Uh. Yeah, how are you. Po-Popur-ri." Jack managed to stutter. Lillia was watching the two for a bit until she shook her head and tried not to laugh.
"Well Jack, I really hope you stay for dinner. Mom always cook something nice." Popuri exclaimed. Jack refused considerately but Lillia also urged him again. Finally, Jack gave in and sat down with the family a few minutes later. Rick was busy devouring the food with heavy bites. Popuri was looking at Jack with interest while quietly nibbling on her food. Lillia was glancing sideways at both of them. Jack was busy eating but took occasional stares at Popuri. Soon, everyone relaxed and had intimate conversations. Jack finally mentioned the puppy from the morning; everyone began to speak at once. "What kind is it?" asked Lillia. "You better be good to it, animals know these things." Advised Rick. "Will you let me see it?" asked Popuri. The last thing Popuri said made Jack look up. "Please Jack?" Popuri had a pleasant smile while she tilted her head to the side. From that Jack almost melted, "Sure thing Popuri, come over anytime." Popuri cheered and she clasped her hands together and gave a silly grin to Jack. Rick and Lillia laughed too, soon even the nervous Jack laughed. Then Popuri thought for awhile and exclaimed, ". Actually Jack, I want to go right after dinner." The other three were silent, but then Rick broke it. "Yeah go now Popuri, its better since you'll be talking about it nonstop until you see it." Popuri and Lillia looked at Rick with surprised expressions. Rick scratched his head and laughed fidgety, "I'm sure Jack will take good care of you Popuri. Nevertheless, be good and always careful Popuri." Popuri rolled her eyes and gave a whatever look towards Rick. Lillia nodded approvingly at Rick and gave the A-OK. The chickens were clucking softly at the hen house and the Poultry Farmhouse were full of laughs and that of concord.
The rain had stopped and the night air was cool and refreshing but nonetheless a bit chilly. Popuri seemed unaffected by it; she skipped along the road with boundless energy and full of smiles. Jack was alot calmer than he was earlier and began to converse more freely. Jack had his hands in his pockets and tried to keep up with Popuri. She stopped and turned around. Popuri had a deep, thoughtful look on her face. "You know Jack, my brother Rick must be really fond of you. He would have never let me out alone with any guy before. It's even at night!" Popuri then beamed, "I'm glad, you're a great guy and Rick is lucky to have a friend like you." Jack flushed and looked down at the road. Soon they reached the house and Popuri commented on how nice the patch of grass was growing.
The hearth radiated comely light in the house. The fireplace that Jack prepared was still glowing, and they stepped into the house. When they got in both turned their heads scanning the house for the puppy. They noticed the towels made for the puppy was scattered around the house. Jack was worried and he began to pace. Suddenly, a blur of brownish gold and white flashed right in front of them. Then it stopped at Jack's feet and began barking at him. It was the puppy from the morning, and it seemed glad to see Jack. "Aww. It's so cute!" Popuri exclaimed while scratching behind its ears. Jack was relieved to see the puppy has regained its strength. The once shivering and dainty pup was now full of vim. "Well, what are you going to call it?" Popuri looked up from her crouching position. Jack began thinking up a name but then the puppy began snapping playfully at the bottom of his overalls. Popuri laughed and she said, "You know what? Its name should be Snap, yeah, it's perfect. Hey Snappy!" She began cooing at it and giggled playfully. The house was glowing that night. Not only from the fiery hearth of a fireplace but from Jack's heart. A puppy's delightful bark sounded the beginning of an ember. An ember of love that made Jack feel a piece of himself coming alive. It was beyond words, a man's whole was being discovered that night.