Slipping Away
A/N: THANK YOU FOR ALL THOSE WHO REVIEWED . I appreciate it. Blows kisses This chapter will contain a lot of information for the development of the story. Enjoy!
Chapter 1, Love at First Sight
(Last part from last chapter)
"See you Captain," Jack shook John's hand.
"I'll visit you some time to see how you're doing."
"Thank you for everything."
"Don't mention it." The captain untied the rope and sailed away back to the main coasts.
"Well this is my new beginning... let's hope nothing goes wrong."
"Jack, are you ready to drop off your things at your new home?" The mayor asked politely with his hands out, offering to take his luggage, "I would love to help you carry that."
"Thanks Mayor, but I can handle it," Jack replied, "Yes I am ready to see my farm."
"Mind you, it's pretty run-down. It will take time, money, and love to bring it back to what it used to look like."
"No problem at all. I am ready for this challenge."
"That's great, because you won't believe what it looks like now." The mayor chuckled, signaling for Jack to follow him into town.
They arrived at a big stone square with fences on the sides. There were some wooden benches, a garbage can, some street lights, and on one corner, three housewives were chatting loudly and happily.
Thomas whispered, "That's Anna with the big puffy hair, Sasha with the blonde, and Manna with the long black hair. They are the town gossipers and housewives."
"She said what... I can't believe it... Are you serious...You got to be kidding me...?" The lady with long black hair, believed to be Manna, said loudly. Jack's first impression was that she will be annoying, loud, and hard to stand.
"No way... he wouldn't have... will he?" The woman in a blue dress and blonde bun, Sasha, answered, "I don't think so. Do you Anna?"
"Oh please, as if..." The wife with big puffy hair rolled her eyes. When she turned around, she saw Jack and the mayor talking, "Well hi mayor, and that must be Jack?"
Jack nodded and Thomas reassured them with a nod too. The three wives smiled and introduced themselves.
"I am Sasha. I will be working at the Grocery Store with my husband Jeff and daughter Karen. Come by here anytime you hear? You can buy seeds and all your daily needs here."
"I am Manna, I run the Aja Winery with my stupid moronic husband Duke. You are welcome to stop by and purchase some delicious wine."
"I am Anna, my family owns the library. My daughter's Mary and my husband's a plant expert. His name's Basil. You can drop by and learn more about farming and plants here."
They shook hands with Jack. The mayor implied that it was time to move on by tapping Jack on the shoulder. The duo strolled south towards a farm with many cows and sheep.
"That is the Yodel Farm Jack; you can purchase your cows and sheep there. A man named Barley runs this place. His granddaughter is very sweet. Her name's May, she's about eight years old."
Pointing towards the farm with a water mill, the mayor explained, "This is the Poultry Farm. A mother named Lillian, her son Rick and her daughter Popuri own this farm. Lillian's husband left the family in order to find a flower in the dessert that can cure Lillian's sickness. They haven't heard about him since then so don't mention anything about him." Jack nodded silently.
The two arrived at a field full of weed, a broken-roof barn, a small white chicken coop, and a small shack with a mailbox beside it.
"This is a joke right? It must be!" Jack was shocked at what had become of the once so lively farm, "You got to be kidding me!"
"I'm afraid not Jack. I am positive you can revive the life it once had. The townspeople are here to help you. Don't be afraid to ask me for help. I will leave you to unpack your luggage. Before I go, I have to give you this Town Map you can use to locate stores. It even includes the store hours. Tonight at around 7, come by the Inn for a free meal. Don't forget to thank Doug the Inn Keeper and Ann, his daughter. Good night Jack, I shall see you tomorrow!"
Mayor Thomas exited the farm leaving Jack behind with his luggage, a broken down farm, and his shock.
"Boo, guess who?" Someone crept up behind Ann and covered her eyes, "Bet you don't know who!"
"Harris? Is that you?" Ann turned around and hugged Harris, "Why are you here this late? I have to finish baking the chocolate fudge cake before the new farmer comes. I want this to be perfect."
"Why do you have to spend so much time on that stranger you don't even know? Just find some leftover cookies from the night before and serve it to him as dessert. Find some leftovers and reheat it for his dinner. He'll never know. Why stress right?" He held her but she pushed his arm free.
"Harris, look. Our policy is that all our food is freshly made, and this is his first meal! It has to be perfect and delicious so he would have a good impression on this town and Inn. I think you should go." She continued mixing the batter of dough, "I'll see you tomorrow Harris."
"Don't worry Ann, you're just tired. If you're going to do things the stupid way, be that way. I'm going home." He slammed the door behind him. Ann rolled her eyes and sighed.
Somewhere in Town Square
"Watch where you are going!" Harris screamed at a man with a blue baseball cap, "Let me guess, you are Jack."
"Sorry about that, I'm trying to find the Inn but I can't seem to find my way there." Jack frowned folding up his map, "Can you help me?"
"Why do you need to go there anyways? It's just down a few blocks that way," the angry cop pointed at the big building by the Grape Yard, "That's the Inn. Stay safe kid."
"Thanks a lot... your name is?"
"Harris, Officer Harris that is."
"Thank you Officer Harris."
"Stay out of trouble."
"Alright."
10 minutes later
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"JACK IS HERE ANN! HE'S HERE!" Doug screamed as he ran towards the front door.
At the door was a man, several inches taller than Doug. He was dressed in overalls and a t-shirt, somewhat like Ann's outfit. Jack also wore his baseball cap backwards, covering his wavy brown hair.
"Hello, my name is Jack. You must be Doug, a pleasure to meet you sir." He smiled as Doug allowed him to enter the Inn, "Thank you so much for preparing this meal for me."
"You're welcome Jack!" He said cheerfully. 'Guess I shouldn't poison his food, yet." He thought, grinning.
Ann rushed into the room with icing all over her blue overalls. Jack giggled like a young school girl at the sight of Ann.
"What's so funny Jack?" Ann eyed Jack curiously, "Is there something on my face?"
"No, it's all over your pants, shirt, and hair. Oh yeah, it's all over your face too." Jack smiled playfully at her. She got angry.
"Whoops," She blushed so red it was almost impossible to see her freckles, "I'll get cleaned up."
"That's my daughter, always so clumsy. Luckily she's dating Harris. He'll keep her safe." Doug laughed at his daughter.
"You mean that jackass... I mean gentleman that is the town officer?" The new townsfolk inquired the Inn Manager.
"Yes, he is."
"I am all cleaned up," Ann cried from one end of the Inn while holding a big tray of food.
"Smells delicious," Jack couldn't wait. It smelt like the food his mother used to make. It probably wouldn't taste as good as it does back at home, "It sort of like what my mom used to make."
"Probably it is. We hope you enjoy it!" The young woman served fresh red wine to the farmer, "Try this wine, it's from the winery. It tastes amazing... at least my dad thinks it does. I personally hate wine."
"I am not that fond of wine, but I guess it is okay once in a while." By agreeing with Ann, Jack made her very happy.
"Thanks, everyone else in town loves wine except me. Harris loves it to death. He makes me drink it with him. Thank goddess there's someone here who dislikes wine like me." She beamed at Jack.
"Wow, is she beautiful or what? That smile reminds me of something... I just can't think of it." Jack pondered, "Too bad she is dating that stupid selfish moron Harris."
"Jack? Jack?" Doug patted Jack on the back, causing him to jump out of his seat.
"What? What?" Jack snapped back to reality, "Sorry I was so zoned out; I guess I was thinking too much about home."
"Really? Sure..." Ann caught him staring at her, "Eat till you're full! We've got plenty of food and I even baked a special cake for you."
"Took her the whole day," Doug complimented his only daughter, "She is a sweet child isn't she. Harris will be lucky to have a wife like her."
"Dad, shush!" Ann blushed once more.
"I guess they've been together for a long time," Jack faked a smile and started eating.
Throughout dinner, they talked about their lives and the differences between living in a town and a city. Jack enjoyed watching TV, going to the movies and talking walks at nearby parks while Doug takes a walk at the beach or goes visit other town folks.
"The city sure sounds interesting," Ann commented dreamily, "We only have one TV here at the Inn with only four channels."
"Do you have the Sports Network?"
"No, Dad here doesn't enjoy sports. I would love to have that channel."
"Darn, so there are four basic channels here?" Jack was so disappointed. How is he going to watch hockey now?
"We have the fishing show once a week. That's as sporty as it gets." Doug was disappointed about Jack's city attitude but he managed to bear it.
Feeling the tension, Ann changed the subject and the trio happily talked about farming and Mineral Town for the rest of the evening. Time flew by like a speeding car (what a bad simile), it was ten thirty at night and Jack has to wake up early the next day.
"I'll walk you home," Ann offered, Doug nodded, giving a sign of approval. (Parents rolls eyes)
"Thank you," The two walked towards Jack's farm.
"I didn't know you know so much about cooking! It's from a city boy too." The orange head exclaimed, "Wow, we do have so much in common."
"I'm sure we will be great friends." Jack saw as Ann's face started to flush. Even in the dark, he could tell that she had a crush on him. He had developed feelings for her too. They just met!
"Um, I'll see you tomorrow Ann." He gave her a hug. They didn't let go for a long time.
"Oh no, why do I feel so warm inside?" Ann pushed away,"Think about Harris, think about Harris."
"Oh no, she has a boyfriend. Oh well, it's just a friendly hug." Jack snickered inside.
Meanwhile at on the other side of Jack's farm
"Harris, nice talking to, uh, you hehe." Gotz, a man with big muscles and dark grey hair was tipping side to side.
"'I'll take you home, you are a bit drunk," Harris shook his head. He then saw Jack on the farm, hugging a girl, "That wicked boy."
"I smell an affair, uh, yeah..." Gotz fainted.
"Jack..."
End of Chapter 1
A/N - How'd you like that one? Poor Harris... Maybe it's for the best? Please read and review!