Chapter 3: Wonderer's ready to stop wandering
I've had Gotz build more onto my house. I also bought a few things to spruce it up from the shopping channel. It looks like a real home now. I've gotten quite a few chickens, so many, I had to also bother Gotz again to build an extension onto the chicken's coop…he said he could do the same things for the cow/sheep barn, but I haven't…gotten that far…it seems to be the middle of Fall, and I've found growing sweet potatoes works well for a larger cash flow… and…he…still bothers me.
Claire wrote these things in her diary at the bedside table before blowing out her candle and climbing into bed. Her dog looked sleepy too, Claire invited it onto her bed for a cuddle. The dog jumped up happily and trampled onto the un-used big bed next to her. It laid down and gave a satisfied sigh. Claire patted its ears until she fell asleep.
When she awoke in the morning and headed out for morning chores, she was greeted buy Duke, owner of the Vineyard.
"Claire," He smiled. "I was wondering… if you weren't too busy…if you could come over tomorrow and help with the grape harvest." Claire was a little shocked at his asking. But nodded.
"Of course, Duke," She said sleepily.
"Great," He pounded his fist into his palm, looking triumphant. "Please, if you find anyone else to help, invite them along." He nodded. "We can use all the help we are offered."
"Okay," Claire said.
Duke left her farm, still pleased with himself. Claire shook her head. He was hung-over. Who'd ask someone as busy has her to work for him? She shook her head but thought aloud, "Oh well, I agreed to it, might as well show up. I like helping the villagers…and, I guess If I was old and needed help…" she talked to herself while petting the two cows she had thus far acquired. "I guess I'd ask neighbors too..."
As soon as she finished feeding the cows, she headed over to the chicken coop. The weather forecast had told her it was going to be clear the next day, so Claire scooped out all 8 chickens and let them graze in the pasture. She didn't have grass growing for the cows, so left them inside.
She picked the fresh apples from her tree off the ground, shining each one on her shirt as she went about the job. Then, took the honey from the beehive and placed it in her rucksack with the apples.
She watered the sweet potatoes, and left the farm.
As she walked along the paved road, she saw Ann up ahead. She had become decent friends with Ann in the past few weeks, and greeted her with a smile. Ann looked rather down.
"What's wrong, Ann?" She asked, her smiling face fading, replaced with a distinct look of worry. Ann looked up, her face red.
"Cliff, I can't find Cliff…" She looked terrible. "He told me…he…said…he…"
"He said what?"
"He didn't have any money left. So he's leaving. He wen't towards the docks, and…"
Claire was running passed Ann, and didn't catch her last words. If Claire ever ran faster in her life, it was right then. She ran towards the beach as fast as she could. She heard the roar of a steam engine and pushed harder onward.
"Wait!" She screamed, jumping off the steps as she ran across the sands to the dock. "Wait Cliff, don't leave!"
She tackled the man before he could board the ship. There gave a loud crash as they hit the dock with force.
"Wh…what happened?" Cliff looked up at Claire's flushed face.
"I caught you." Claire panted, getting up off him quickly, offering him a hand up. He took it, and as Claire pulled him upward she apologized, "I'm sorry that was so …violent… I just…we, Ann and I, don't want you to go."
Cliff looked saddened, like a shiver ran through his body.
"Why?" He asked. "I can't stay, I have no job."
"Ah, well, that's where you're wrong. I'm pretty sure that Duke will let you work at his place. All you have to do is show up at about 10:00 AM tomorrow, with me. If you show good work, he might let you work there permanently." She nodded.
"Really? What if he doesn't?"
"Then you can leave ….I suppose…." Claire said. She was positive that wouldn't be the case. "But where would you go?"
"I'm not sure, where the boat takes me. Where the wind goes." Cliff shrugged.
"C'mon, lets go get Ann. We can take the day off together." Claire said, pulling out an apple.
"And since you're short on money, I guess you-"
"Didn't have any breakfast? No, didn't. Even though Ann offered it to me for free. I can't take charity…"
"I think you misunderstood her, she's offering you a gift. Just like I am, so." She deposited the apple into his hand, or, just above it. He flailed to catch it.
"T-thank you…"
They left the beach together.
Claire went home that evening after a long day of picnicking and slacking off with her two best friends, Cliff and Ann. Although, she did sense something, an emotion evolving between them. She couldn't quite place this feeling.
Today was the day.
She squinted at the morning light, the fields looking tired. Soggy. It might have rained the night before (as if she'd noticed). The sweet-potatoes were drooping, a few ripe ones beginning to fall off the plants. Her horse looked cold and wet. Mad. Claire apologized as she led the colt to its own private stable.
She hastily did her morning chores: caring for the animals, tending to the crops. She checked her watch; it was 9:30A.M. She put her tools away and headed for the Vineyard. No one was there to greet her, but the door to Manna's kitchen was open so she peeked inside. Manna was sitting at the table.
"Oh! Claire!" She perked. "Duke's waiting for you, did you bring anyone else?" She stood. Claire came in and closed the door quietly.
"Um, I asked Cliff if he wanted to help, he should be coming soon."
"Great." Manna said, "I'll look after your things so you can pick the grapes without burden."
Claire put her rucksack on the ground, and unclipped her pedometer from the waist band of her overalls. She handed them to Manna, who slouched under the weight. She put them into a closet, and sent Claire outside to work.
The vineyard was beautiful. The rich, ripe grapes looked delicious. Ready to be plucked off the vine, maybe to eat? Claire's stomach rumbled; she'd forgotten to eat breakfast.
She met Duke (who grunted). Cliff arrived a few minutes later, looking determined. Claire smiled at him. She knew he wanted to show his worth today. She, Claire, offhandedly asked Cliff during their picnic, if he wanted to stay at her farm while he got on his feet: to stop spending his money at the inn. Cliff looked shocked at this, but didn't answer. There was a silence before Ann suggested they talk about something else.
"Claire?" Cliff looked at her. She was zoning out. "Time to work!"
"…Uh…what? Oh! Right."
They both walked into the vineyard. All day, they worked at picking the grapes off the vines. The small fruit bundles dropped into baskets, some grapes fell off because of their ripeness.
After a few hours of work, sweat wetting the foreheads of each worker, Claire ran her hand over the branches one last time to make sure that all the grape vines had been picked clean. Then she turned to leave, Cliff making his rounds as well. He pursued the same path, soon after Claire had gone.
Claire went inside the house. Manna was ready with Claire's belongings. Claire took her bag, and slumped under the weight of her rucksack. She fitted her hands underneath the straps and made a painful, but short-lived sound. Cliff opened the door, a worried look flashed across his face, but he soon regained composure.
Manna told them to wait outside. So both nodded submissively, and waited patiently. Soon, Manna came out with sample wine and a traditional piece of cheese.
"Thank you," Claire said. She drank the wine, cool liquid running down her throat…which had been cracked and dry all afternoon. Cliff took his with a small 'Thanks,' added in, too. Despite the Fall-air, it had been a tough day. Duke came out with a large grin painted all over his face. He handed Claire some money, and then turned to Cliff.
"I have a request." He said. Cliff looked at him, while munching on the piece of cheese. He knew he shouldn't have taken a bite so soon. "Would you consider…" Cliff gulped down his cheese quickly, and looked eagerly at the face of Duke.
"Working here? Permanently?" He said. He noticed Cliff's normally dull blue eyes light up with joy. "We don't have an heir…because…of Aja…"
"Aja?" Claire blinked, but nobody said anything. Cliff said something though, and quite blissfully,
"I'd be glad to!"
Claire was caught up in the mystery of Aja, Manna was searching Claire's eyes. But the men both looked like they were enjoying themselves. Claire patted Cliff on the back; Cliff met her gaze and noticed the change in her attitude. When he decided, halfheartedly, to react, though, Claire was already walking down the street, hands in her pocket, looking far off. Duke caught Cliff's attention again, though, and Claire was forgotten. Temporarily.
"Come on," Duke said heartily, "Lets go to the Inn for a light drink!"
Manna, snapped out of her problem suddenly, looked and Duke with a glare in her eye.
"No," She muttered. "We will stay here and celebrate."
Duke looked back at the anger in Manna's eyes and knew that it was no use arguing. He gave up without a fight, putting both hands up to show the white flag. Manna smiled and turned around, going straight into the kitchen to begin preparation.
Cliff looked up at his new boss. He seemed always to be cheerful. But Cliff had seen him drunk before, his cheeks red, his hair messed. No wonder Manna hated Duke drunk. Cliff vowed to watch Duke for her, and make sure he never came home drunk as long as he so lived and breathed.
"Come on in," Manna opened the door, wooden spoon in her hand. She looked pretty festive herself. Duke looked at her in admiration, a rare, doting gaze, before walking in his own house. Cliff had a serious look on his face, before entering the small house as well. The table was set with a red-checkered cloth, there was a beautiful blue flower sitting delicately in a vase of water. Manna may have been a chatterbox, but she was good at setting things up for a party. She seemed to have a natural gift for it.
She hurried Cliff and Duke to the table, and set out a candle or two. One was red, and Cliff thought it smelt of cinnamon…an import…was this really such a special occasion? The other was green, and had a melon-like aura floating around. Manna lit the candles and dimmed the lights. Duke was amazed, his wife hadn't done this since the eve of their wedding, and Aja's 18th birthday. She was stirring something. Cliff could soon tell what it was because the smell of cheese and alcohol was drifting around the room: it was cheese fondue. She handed each of them crunchy bread to dip on the cheese, and put the pot out under an oven-glove to keep from scorching the table. Then she sat down herself and began.
"Cliff, it is an honor to have you join our family-ah, no buts, yes, we'll be taking care of you as you take care of us. We need you, Cliff." She said seriously. Duke looked at her face, now with a look of worry. His usual craziness wasn't escaping as much as before, the change in his wife was too prominent to be ignored.
"I understand." Cliff said simply, although thousands of doubts raced through his mind. Manna smiled a cat-like grin, and dipped the bread into the cheesy goop.
"Good then," She said, taking a bite. Cliff looked around a little nervously, but then his eyes and mood brightened. This was a festive moment, after all. He dug his bread into the cheese as well, and took a bite of his bread. Duke did as well, but his tone was distorted. This was his fault, making Manna welcome Cliff in this way. He didn't know whether to be happy or sad. All he could do was watch in a daze. Cliff didn't know what was going on either but he tried to make the best of it. He was halfway done with his bread when Manna brought out the cider. He was being spoilt for the first time since childhood. But he didn't stop to reminisce, he was too busy drinking the bubbling liquid from its wine-glass.
"Thank you," He said softly, as he finished a little later. Cliff got up and walked toward the door, it was getting late, but Doug was still open. Manna got up quickly and gave him a navy-blue jacket.
"Here," she said. The jacket was a little old…she put it around his arms, it seemed to fit him well.
"It's only-"
The look on her face stopped him, and he thanked her a second time. He turned to leave, waving farewell, and was gone into the darkness. A few minutes later, Manna still standing at the door, Duke sitting at the table with a sorry-look painted on his old face.
"I know why you said those things." He muttered. Manna looked back at him, she had a serene look on her face, to mystified to belong to an old woman. Her expression was of a lost girl's favorite belonging. Worried. Missing something, empty.
"I just miss my daughter," She said. "But I'm not saying those things for her alone, I'm saying them for you and him as well. I've lost a daughter, he's lost his family. We need to show compassion." She turned, going upstairs to bed. Duke sat at the table for many long hours after that, same expression on his face, before blowing out the melted candles, and going to bed as well.
I've had Gotz build more onto my house. I also bought a few things to spruce it up from the shopping channel. It looks like a real home now. I've gotten quite a few chickens, so many, I had to also bother Gotz again to build an extension onto the chicken's coop…he said he could do the same things for the cow/sheep barn, but I haven't…gotten that far…it seems to be the middle of Fall, and I've found growing sweet potatoes works well for a larger cash flow… and…he…still bothers me.
Claire wrote these things in her diary at the bedside table before blowing out her candle and climbing into bed. Her dog looked sleepy too, Claire invited it onto her bed for a cuddle. The dog jumped up happily and trampled onto the un-used big bed next to her. It laid down and gave a satisfied sigh. Claire patted its ears until she fell asleep.
When she awoke in the morning and headed out for morning chores, she was greeted buy Duke, owner of the Vineyard.
"Claire," He smiled. "I was wondering… if you weren't too busy…if you could come over tomorrow and help with the grape harvest." Claire was a little shocked at his asking. But nodded.
"Of course, Duke," She said sleepily.
"Great," He pounded his fist into his palm, looking triumphant. "Please, if you find anyone else to help, invite them along." He nodded. "We can use all the help we are offered."
"Okay," Claire said.
Duke left her farm, still pleased with himself. Claire shook her head. He was hung-over. Who'd ask someone as busy has her to work for him? She shook her head but thought aloud, "Oh well, I agreed to it, might as well show up. I like helping the villagers…and, I guess If I was old and needed help…" she talked to herself while petting the two cows she had thus far acquired. "I guess I'd ask neighbors too..."
As soon as she finished feeding the cows, she headed over to the chicken coop. The weather forecast had told her it was going to be clear the next day, so Claire scooped out all 8 chickens and let them graze in the pasture. She didn't have grass growing for the cows, so left them inside.
She picked the fresh apples from her tree off the ground, shining each one on her shirt as she went about the job. Then, took the honey from the beehive and placed it in her rucksack with the apples.
She watered the sweet potatoes, and left the farm.
As she walked along the paved road, she saw Ann up ahead. She had become decent friends with Ann in the past few weeks, and greeted her with a smile. Ann looked rather down.
"What's wrong, Ann?" She asked, her smiling face fading, replaced with a distinct look of worry. Ann looked up, her face red.
"Cliff, I can't find Cliff…" She looked terrible. "He told me…he…said…he…"
"He said what?"
"He didn't have any money left. So he's leaving. He wen't towards the docks, and…"
Claire was running passed Ann, and didn't catch her last words. If Claire ever ran faster in her life, it was right then. She ran towards the beach as fast as she could. She heard the roar of a steam engine and pushed harder onward.
"Wait!" She screamed, jumping off the steps as she ran across the sands to the dock. "Wait Cliff, don't leave!"
She tackled the man before he could board the ship. There gave a loud crash as they hit the dock with force.
"Wh…what happened?" Cliff looked up at Claire's flushed face.
"I caught you." Claire panted, getting up off him quickly, offering him a hand up. He took it, and as Claire pulled him upward she apologized, "I'm sorry that was so …violent… I just…we, Ann and I, don't want you to go."
Cliff looked saddened, like a shiver ran through his body.
"Why?" He asked. "I can't stay, I have no job."
"Ah, well, that's where you're wrong. I'm pretty sure that Duke will let you work at his place. All you have to do is show up at about 10:00 AM tomorrow, with me. If you show good work, he might let you work there permanently." She nodded.
"Really? What if he doesn't?"
"Then you can leave ….I suppose…." Claire said. She was positive that wouldn't be the case. "But where would you go?"
"I'm not sure, where the boat takes me. Where the wind goes." Cliff shrugged.
"C'mon, lets go get Ann. We can take the day off together." Claire said, pulling out an apple.
"And since you're short on money, I guess you-"
"Didn't have any breakfast? No, didn't. Even though Ann offered it to me for free. I can't take charity…"
"I think you misunderstood her, she's offering you a gift. Just like I am, so." She deposited the apple into his hand, or, just above it. He flailed to catch it.
"T-thank you…"
They left the beach together.
Claire went home that evening after a long day of picnicking and slacking off with her two best friends, Cliff and Ann. Although, she did sense something, an emotion evolving between them. She couldn't quite place this feeling.
Today was the day.
She squinted at the morning light, the fields looking tired. Soggy. It might have rained the night before (as if she'd noticed). The sweet-potatoes were drooping, a few ripe ones beginning to fall off the plants. Her horse looked cold and wet. Mad. Claire apologized as she led the colt to its own private stable.
She hastily did her morning chores: caring for the animals, tending to the crops. She checked her watch; it was 9:30A.M. She put her tools away and headed for the Vineyard. No one was there to greet her, but the door to Manna's kitchen was open so she peeked inside. Manna was sitting at the table.
"Oh! Claire!" She perked. "Duke's waiting for you, did you bring anyone else?" She stood. Claire came in and closed the door quietly.
"Um, I asked Cliff if he wanted to help, he should be coming soon."
"Great." Manna said, "I'll look after your things so you can pick the grapes without burden."
Claire put her rucksack on the ground, and unclipped her pedometer from the waist band of her overalls. She handed them to Manna, who slouched under the weight. She put them into a closet, and sent Claire outside to work.
The vineyard was beautiful. The rich, ripe grapes looked delicious. Ready to be plucked off the vine, maybe to eat? Claire's stomach rumbled; she'd forgotten to eat breakfast.
She met Duke (who grunted). Cliff arrived a few minutes later, looking determined. Claire smiled at him. She knew he wanted to show his worth today. She, Claire, offhandedly asked Cliff during their picnic, if he wanted to stay at her farm while he got on his feet: to stop spending his money at the inn. Cliff looked shocked at this, but didn't answer. There was a silence before Ann suggested they talk about something else.
"Claire?" Cliff looked at her. She was zoning out. "Time to work!"
"…Uh…what? Oh! Right."
They both walked into the vineyard. All day, they worked at picking the grapes off the vines. The small fruit bundles dropped into baskets, some grapes fell off because of their ripeness.
After a few hours of work, sweat wetting the foreheads of each worker, Claire ran her hand over the branches one last time to make sure that all the grape vines had been picked clean. Then she turned to leave, Cliff making his rounds as well. He pursued the same path, soon after Claire had gone.
Claire went inside the house. Manna was ready with Claire's belongings. Claire took her bag, and slumped under the weight of her rucksack. She fitted her hands underneath the straps and made a painful, but short-lived sound. Cliff opened the door, a worried look flashed across his face, but he soon regained composure.
Manna told them to wait outside. So both nodded submissively, and waited patiently. Soon, Manna came out with sample wine and a traditional piece of cheese.
"Thank you," Claire said. She drank the wine, cool liquid running down her throat…which had been cracked and dry all afternoon. Cliff took his with a small 'Thanks,' added in, too. Despite the Fall-air, it had been a tough day. Duke came out with a large grin painted all over his face. He handed Claire some money, and then turned to Cliff.
"I have a request." He said. Cliff looked at him, while munching on the piece of cheese. He knew he shouldn't have taken a bite so soon. "Would you consider…" Cliff gulped down his cheese quickly, and looked eagerly at the face of Duke.
"Working here? Permanently?" He said. He noticed Cliff's normally dull blue eyes light up with joy. "We don't have an heir…because…of Aja…"
"Aja?" Claire blinked, but nobody said anything. Cliff said something though, and quite blissfully,
"I'd be glad to!"
Claire was caught up in the mystery of Aja, Manna was searching Claire's eyes. But the men both looked like they were enjoying themselves. Claire patted Cliff on the back; Cliff met her gaze and noticed the change in her attitude. When he decided, halfheartedly, to react, though, Claire was already walking down the street, hands in her pocket, looking far off. Duke caught Cliff's attention again, though, and Claire was forgotten. Temporarily.
"Come on," Duke said heartily, "Lets go to the Inn for a light drink!"
Manna, snapped out of her problem suddenly, looked and Duke with a glare in her eye.
"No," She muttered. "We will stay here and celebrate."
Duke looked back at the anger in Manna's eyes and knew that it was no use arguing. He gave up without a fight, putting both hands up to show the white flag. Manna smiled and turned around, going straight into the kitchen to begin preparation.
Cliff looked up at his new boss. He seemed always to be cheerful. But Cliff had seen him drunk before, his cheeks red, his hair messed. No wonder Manna hated Duke drunk. Cliff vowed to watch Duke for her, and make sure he never came home drunk as long as he so lived and breathed.
"Come on in," Manna opened the door, wooden spoon in her hand. She looked pretty festive herself. Duke looked at her in admiration, a rare, doting gaze, before walking in his own house. Cliff had a serious look on his face, before entering the small house as well. The table was set with a red-checkered cloth, there was a beautiful blue flower sitting delicately in a vase of water. Manna may have been a chatterbox, but she was good at setting things up for a party. She seemed to have a natural gift for it.
She hurried Cliff and Duke to the table, and set out a candle or two. One was red, and Cliff thought it smelt of cinnamon…an import…was this really such a special occasion? The other was green, and had a melon-like aura floating around. Manna lit the candles and dimmed the lights. Duke was amazed, his wife hadn't done this since the eve of their wedding, and Aja's 18th birthday. She was stirring something. Cliff could soon tell what it was because the smell of cheese and alcohol was drifting around the room: it was cheese fondue. She handed each of them crunchy bread to dip on the cheese, and put the pot out under an oven-glove to keep from scorching the table. Then she sat down herself and began.
"Cliff, it is an honor to have you join our family-ah, no buts, yes, we'll be taking care of you as you take care of us. We need you, Cliff." She said seriously. Duke looked at her face, now with a look of worry. His usual craziness wasn't escaping as much as before, the change in his wife was too prominent to be ignored.
"I understand." Cliff said simply, although thousands of doubts raced through his mind. Manna smiled a cat-like grin, and dipped the bread into the cheesy goop.
"Good then," She said, taking a bite. Cliff looked around a little nervously, but then his eyes and mood brightened. This was a festive moment, after all. He dug his bread into the cheese as well, and took a bite of his bread. Duke did as well, but his tone was distorted. This was his fault, making Manna welcome Cliff in this way. He didn't know whether to be happy or sad. All he could do was watch in a daze. Cliff didn't know what was going on either but he tried to make the best of it. He was halfway done with his bread when Manna brought out the cider. He was being spoilt for the first time since childhood. But he didn't stop to reminisce, he was too busy drinking the bubbling liquid from its wine-glass.
"Thank you," He said softly, as he finished a little later. Cliff got up and walked toward the door, it was getting late, but Doug was still open. Manna got up quickly and gave him a navy-blue jacket.
"Here," she said. The jacket was a little old…she put it around his arms, it seemed to fit him well.
"It's only-"
The look on her face stopped him, and he thanked her a second time. He turned to leave, waving farewell, and was gone into the darkness. A few minutes later, Manna still standing at the door, Duke sitting at the table with a sorry-look painted on his old face.
"I know why you said those things." He muttered. Manna looked back at him, she had a serene look on her face, to mystified to belong to an old woman. Her expression was of a lost girl's favorite belonging. Worried. Missing something, empty.
"I just miss my daughter," She said. "But I'm not saying those things for her alone, I'm saying them for you and him as well. I've lost a daughter, he's lost his family. We need to show compassion." She turned, going upstairs to bed. Duke sat at the table for many long hours after that, same expression on his face, before blowing out the melted candles, and going to bed as well.