AUTHOR'S NOTE: No, it is the cursed writers block! It burns us! Well I'm just going to start typing here and whatever comes out, comes out. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Oh, look where we are, lucky 13!

Chapter 13: Made in Mineral Village.

Winter 15

I did not sleep well at all last night, but that's not exactly surprising. I don't seem to have much of an appetite, either. Mother ask if I was feeling sick after I spent a good seven minutes just picking at my breakfast. I suppose I do feel sick in a way. A lot has just happened to me at once and I'm still trying to get my head strait. I'm no where near being able to start sorting these things out. I'm in love with Jack, but I'm not sure how he feels about me and Gray just might be in love with me, but I don't know how I feel about him. How does that saying go? 'When it rains, it pours'? That sounds about right.

The library is closed today so I don't have to see either Gray or Jack today. Leaving the house doesn't sound like a good idea anyway. I really don't want to see or talk to anybody. I just want to relax and clear my head. This is my future that I'm juggling before me, my entire life! I shouldn't have to make this kind of decision! This isn't fair! Why me? This is supposed to be the most magical and enchanting time of my life, but it's not. This is nothing like the stories I grew up with. When you fall in love there is just that one person and no one else. And there's supposed to be angels and fireworks and everything is just supposed to be perfect. So why is it that I feel so bad?

I've thought about talking to Karen about this, but I've already involved her in so much already. This is something that I need to figure out myself, but it just seems like no matter what I do, someone will end up being hurt. There's no way around it. This can end one of three ways, I suppose. I can end up with Jack, with Gray, or with no one and I will be alone. That's the last thing I want. I can't avoid this forever. I have to make up my mind, somehow.

-Mary-

Leo never knew that this had ever happened. Neither his mother or father ever talked about that part. He asked his parents about how they met and the story was simple enough for their point of view. So why did everything seem so bunched up and confusing on paper? A thought occurred to Leo, that maybe his father never knew about this, that Mary never told him about Gray's feelings, about the choices she had to make.

At this point, Leo wasn't sure what to do. He wanted to read on, even though he knew the general outcome, that was obvious enough. He was living proof of the decision his mother made, but it was what actions transpired that interested him most. It still felt wrong to be doing this, but maybe just shutting away what was left of his own mom would be worse.

Leo sighed and placed to book on the bed, making sure not to the lose the page. The stiffness had returned to his neck and legs and again he needed to clear his head. He stood up walking from one end of the room to the other, circling the table and avoiding the book shelf and the two beds. One was for his parents and the other was his back when-

"Back when I lived here." He finished.

A quick glance at the clock showed him that the hour where all of reality would come crashing down upon him was approaching fast. His body still wasn't feeling to great yet, but he would survive. Leo grabbed the book up and laid down on his own bed, by this time, he had outgrown. He rested one arm about the back of his head like a pillow and held up the book in the to there. After a quick page flip, he was on to the next piece.

Winter 16

Both Jack and Gray came into the library today, but both at different times, thankfully. And neither one was a special visit in any way. In my mind, I thought that the next time I saw them, that would mark that time was up and I had to choose, but it didn't. By some luck all that happened was a little small talk then they were on their ways to do what they do. I should mark that as a blessing, I guess.

-Mary-

Winter 20

Today, diary is my birthday. I can't believe that the day is already here. It seems as though I just celebrated. Dad says that's a sign that I'm becoming old. I should hope not! I'd like to think that I'm still a young girl. We had a big breakfast this morning in honor of today. It was nice. I was able to take my mind of my problems for a bit. However, I still had to work today, birthday or no.

Karen stopped by to wish me a happy birthday and even gave me a little gift. It was a necklace that she made from seashells on the beach. It's not exactly my style, but she made it herself and I love it because of that. She was kind enough to keep me company and spend the day with me.

It was a little after twelve when Jack came walking in with a wrapped gift in his hands. Karen took that time to excuse herself and left the building with a simple wave over she shoulder. Jack approached the counter and placed the gift down, pushing it toward me.

"Happy Birthday, Mary. I hope you like it."

I asked him how he knew about today, I know that I didn't tell him. I don't like big commotions over my birthday, in fact I don't think even half of the villagers know when it is.

"You're mother told me." He explained. "She told me awhile back and I've been racking my brain trying to think of what to get you. This was the best I could do."

He had me wondering what it was. I opened the present carefully, as I always do. Even as a kid I could never bring myself to just rip open a present. Inside was Tempura with turnips, cabbage, corn, potatoes, carrots, and green pepper. All of them home grown in his garden.

"Jack I-I don't know what to say."

"Try a bite."

There was even a fork sitting beside the plate. I picked it up and took a taste. It was delicious! Probably one of the greatest things I have ever eaten. I took more then a bite, that's for sure.

"I had no idea you were such a great cook!" I said after I had almost half of it.

I felt like such a pig eating so fast in front of his like that, but he didn't seem to mind. He was happy that I liked it. I offered some to him, but he refused. He said that it was my gift.

"This is kinda my way of saying thanks for the cake, Mary. And for, you know, going out of your way for me."

"It wasn't going out of my way. I make that cake for you because I wanted to."

"Thank you. This is the best."

There was a pause there as we just looked at each other. He was the first to break the silence.

"Well. I should get going. I still have a lot of work to do." He said while gathering the plate, fork, and wrapping paper.

"Thank you, Jack. This was the best present I've gotten all day."

"You're welcome. Goodbye."

The rest of the day went by normally. When I stepped outside I saw Gray. He was standing on the other side of the road, leaning on a street light. In his hand was a small package that looked as though it were wrapped in a hurry.

"Mary. Great. I thought that I had missed you."

"Gray, why didn't you just come inside?"

"Oh, well….um…no-no reason. It's just nice out here is all."

"It's freezing cold."

"This is for you, Mary."

He handed me the package and I took it, gratefully. I asked him if he wanted to go inside to open it, but he refused. I gave up and opened the present. Inside was a necklace, not a seashell one, but an actual necklace. It was perfectly smooth and clean and was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

"Here, let me put it on you."

Gray took the gift from my hand and walk behind me, attaching the clasp and allowing the gift to drop around my neck.

"Gray. I-I can accept this! It's too much. There's no way I could-"

"Nonsense. It took me weeks to get it crafted just perfectly."

"You made this?"

"Yea. Pretty good, huh?"

"Gray, it's amazing! I don't know what to say."

"Then don't bother with words, Mary."

"What do you mean?"

"Huh? Oh n-nothing. Don't worry about. I-um-I have to go do….things so I'll, um, I'll see you later. Happy Birthday."

With that he ran off. And there I was standing out in the cold, my shoes wet from the snow with a beautiful necklace handcrafted by Gray. I thought back to Jack's gift, the Tempura. Jack had made that himself too. Both of them had put hard work into their gifts for me. Well, so did Karen, now that I think of it, but that's not really the same. Seashells don't exactly add up to a handmade necklace and a wonderful diner, go they? Now I'm right back where I started, no more well off then before. I think I'm getting a headache just thinking about it.

-Mary-

Winter 21

A new shipment of books came in today from the supply ship so I spent a good amount of the day going through each one, making sure the orders were correct and then finding room for them on the shelves. Actually the books I order every few months are for me, mostly. Since so few people come and visit the library I've gotten into the habit of picking up books that interest me. It seems that I went a little overboard this time though. I had what seemed like a never ending amount of stacks of books sitting on the desk and floor. Looking at them, I knew that I would be busy all day and probably have to work into the night to get it done. I suppose I could have left whatever I didn't get done for the morning, but I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing I felt a job half done. Yes, that is another one of the millions of quirks I have.

I was very lucky though, I finished the job fine and in time for supper and the only reason is Jack. He stopped by today as he often does, but I guess I have made that clear by now. He saw the sea of literature and asked if there was anything to do to help. I told him if he wanted to spend the rest of the day ordering and re-ordering books on the shelf and floor then he could be by guest. And do you know what he did? He went right to work. I was so shocked that I asked him what he was doing. He said:

"You said you needed help, so that's what I'm doing."

I tried to tell him that his chores were more important, but he kept at it and I admitted defeat and worked right along side of him. I had a great time. A task that was so dull and tedious suddenly became fun. He and I talked and laughed the entire time. Before I knew it, we finished.

He made a comment about the necklace, I was still wearing it. He said that Gray did a nice job.

"How did you know Gray made this?"

"Oh, I ran into him this morning. We got to talking and he brought up the necklace. He did a fine job. It's blows my gift away. If I would have know you got such nice presents, I would have found something better then just meal. You get those every day."

He spoke with a smile, but inside I think that he actually felt bad about what he gave me. It hurt me to see him like that.

"Jack, I loved your gift. I said it was the best and I still stand by it."

"Do-do you really mean that? You're not just saying that?"

"No. I would never lie to you. I loved it. It meant a lot more to me then a necklace."

And that was no lie. I feel bad, thought. Jack spent a few hours on his gift to make it perfect, but Gray spent weeks. Weeks! But I still feel that Jack's gift was the best, don't ask me why, it just was. I think I'm starting to make up my mind.

The sun had set and it was time for me to close up for the night. I know I've mentioned how I lose myself around him before, and now I'm going to tell you something that just proves the point. We had left and went outside where a light dusting of snow was falling. I locked the door same as always and Jack and I were about to go our separate ways when I asked him about his plans on the twenty-forth. He said nothing that he knew of and asked why. I told him about the Starry Night Festival and how every year on that day in winter, families sit down for a large dinner together (sometimes even relatives from outside the village travel over to feast too). And since he had no family here I asked if he wanted to join me and my parents. He agreed and I told him to come at six. It wasn't until I was inside that I realized that I had just asked Jack over for dinner without a second thought, like it was something I did all the time, no problem. So as you can guess, now I am super worried about the twenty-forth and I hope that all goes well. Oh please let it! Please let me cash this one break!

Winter 24

Today is the day. It's still early morning, but mom is already fixing the dinner. I've gone through half of my clothes trying to pick out what to wear and I still can't find anything nice enough. So here I am in my underwear writing, and feeling like a complete loser for making things so hard on myself. Alright, I'm just going to close my eyes and whatever I grab, I'll wear.

-Mary-

Winter 24 (cont.)

But not that one. Bad choice.

-Mary-

Winter 24 (cont.)

Okay, this time I mean it! Whatever I grab, I wear!

-Mary-

Winter 24 (cont.)

This is going to take awhile………

-Mary-

Winter 24 (cont.)

It's night now, the dishes have been cleaned and Jack has just left and I feel as though I ate too much. I finally settled for a long, black dress with white lace around the bottom, neck, and sleeves. I forgot that I even owned that dress. It was the nicest I own and I wore it only once in a blue moon. Mom took notice of it when I changed from ym regular clothes that evening. She smiled and raised an eyebrow.

"We're quite dressed up tonight, aren't we?"

"I just wanted to look nice tonight, that's all."

"For Jack?"

"Mom!"

"Just asking. Don't mind your mother."

She giggled a bit and then returned the food on the stove. I was setting the places as the door opened. I was greeted by a clod blast of night air. My heart skipped a beat, but it was only dad, coming back in from the hill.

"Let's eat!" He cheered.

Mother turned around and shook a wooden spoon at him.

"You're not eating anything, mister until you change out of those wet clothes and mop up the mess you made on my nice clean floors!"

"I love you, honey."

Mom sighed and rubbed her eyes.

"I love you too. Now move!"

"Yes, teacher." Dad joked and went upstairs.

"I swear, your father. Some days I just want to hit him upside the head to see if there's really a brain in that skull of his."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. I love watching my mother and father together. They care so deeply about each other. I keep wishing that some day I can have that same type of relationship, maybe it will even be with Jack. I took it on myself to clean the water left by the snow, by the way.

Soon after Jack arrived just as dad was coming down the stairs and mom was serving the food. I was surprised to see that Jack had dressed up as well. He was wearing nice shoes, not the boots he wore so often. Clean tan pants, a white shirt that looked new, a tan jacket that must have gone with the pants, and on top of all of that, there still was the blue and yellow hat. It clashed so badly with the suit, but somehow, it worked for Jack. I've never seen him without that cap on, and I wonder if I ever will.

He apologized for being late, but dad told him he was just on time. We all sat down at the table (mom and dad at the top left corner, Jack and myself were bottom left) and we passed around the food and ate. Right away dad started up with Jack about crops and flora, mom swatted him on the wrist and told him that there were other topics other then plants. Jack laughed and even I chuckled a bit. Jack said he didn't mind talking about that.

The night went smoothly, we all chatted and laughed and all felt right with the world. I only wished that time would just stop, that I could live forever in that moment. However, such wishes can not be granted and the dinner ended. And Jack even helped clean up. As soon as he finished mom turned to dad and said:

"Basil, why don't we go upstairs and you show me that thing you were talking about."

"What are you talking about, Anna?"

"You know, the thing."

"Noooooo."

"Oh, just come on."

She then took him by the arm and dragged him up into the next floor, leaving me alone with Jack.

"I think your mom was trying to get us alone." He joked.

"Yea, my mom……"

"Mary, thank you for tonight. I had a great time and that was the best dinner I've had in a good amount time."

"I'm glad you liked it, Jack. That means a lot, coming from you."

"Mary I……"

"Y-yes, Jack?"

"I….um……I……I need to be going."

"Oh. Alright. Can I walk you home?"

"That sounds great, but no. It's snowing pretty hard out there and I wouldn't want you to ruin that nice dress."

"Do you really like it?"

"I love it. Goodnight."

"Sweet dreams." I whispered.

And with a smile he was gone into the night. I went up the stairs and mom and dad scrambled to look like they weren't listening. I just smiled and shook my head and said goodnight to them both. So now here I am, finishing up my thoughts on the evening. Tonight, I am a very happy girl. I think I'll sleep very well.

-Mary-

TO BE CONTINUED