Chapter 3: Kiss and Run
When I woke up the next morning all I could think about was Cliff. He wasn't like any other guy I had ever met back in the city. For that brief moment I thanked my grandfather for giving me the opportunity. I climbed out of the stiff bed and placed my feet on the cold wooden floor. I walked over to the dresser and picked out a cute little outfit, perfectly chosen for this wonderful day. I was digging at the bottom of the dresser, hoping to find my necklace, but instead I found a small latch.
I lifted up the latch and underneath I found an envelope. The envelope was not labeled, and I felt guilty for opening it. Bet the moment the flap came undone I was glad I did. Inside I found 1000 dollars and a small note.
Dear Genevieve,
This money is for you. When you inherit my farm, I hope that it will help you to understand the meaning of a dollar.
"That's gramps for ya. Teaching me a lesson even when he's not here," I laughed to myself and stuffed the money back into the envelope for safe keeping. Skop was patiently waiting at the door for me to let him out. I opened the door to reveal a beautiful sunrise.
"Wow, this country life really does make you want to get up early in the morning," I said to myself, and watched Skop run across the now cleared fields. "While I wait for cliff, I think I'll go feed the animals," I said, and headed off.
When I had finished, cliff had still not come, so I decided to take a risk. I wanted to go see Epona again. I walked over to the dark stable and opened the door. I looked inside and saw the bright eyes of the beautiful horse. I took out the brush from my rucksack and started to brush her side gently as I talked to her.
"We can be friends, or we can be enemies," I said to her. almost as if I was thinking she was going to answer. But the my surprise, the beautiful horse whinnied, and brushed up against my face.
"Well it's nice to see you two are getting along," A voice said from behind me. Startled, I spun around. It was Cliff.
"Don't do that!" I yelled. All of a sudden I regretted having yelled at him. "I'm sorry I didn't mean that... I was just startled that's all," I replied looking down at the ground.
"No it's my fault, I'm sorry," He said. I packed away the brush and walked outside into the field. We walked back to the house and sat down on the bench.
"Oh Cliff, I forgot to tell you. I found 1000 dollars in the dresser!" I said excitedly.
"That's great... now you can get started on growing some crops," He replied.
"Well... what's on our schedule for today?" I asked him.
"How about I show you around town. I may not know the people, but I know the places," He said, and swung his bag over his shoulder.
"That would be great," I replied staring into his deep emerald green eyes. I ran inside and put away everything that was in my rucksack. "Okay I'm ready," I said showing him the envelope that contained the 1000 dollars.
"Well then let's get started," he replied smiling.
We headed down toward the chicken coop and over the bridge. He showed me the spring and the woodcutter's shop. Then we headed up the mountain to a beautiful meadow. From there we headed to the cliff where I could see the whole town from its throne.
After he had shown we Mother's mountain we headed down to the town where he told me about all the shops and what I could buy there. We stopped in at the chicken ranch where I met popuri, one of the other girls living in the town. And the day continued like this, from the library where I met Mary, the super market where I met Karen, to the hospital where I met Elli.
He brought me to the church, which I was a little hesitant about since I had never been a very religious person. But the minute I stepped inside I was amazed. There were stain glass windows every where, and an alter with hundreds of gleaming candles.
"This is where I spend most of my time," He said to me.
"I can see why," I replied, looking around.
"Maybe if you'd like, you could come to church with me one day," he asked me.
"I'd love to," I told him.
"Great. How about Sunday morning?"
"I'll be there," I said smiling. His green eyes staring right into mine, made me want to spend the rest of my life in that church. Today was Wednesday, and I was already counting down the days.
We left the church. Cliff told me we only had one more place to go. It was already sunset, and I was tired from the days journey. I led me into the town square and down a set of stair. He had led me to the beach!
"Cliff, it's so pretty here!" I exclaimed.
"I thought you might like it," He told me.
"Thank you very much Cliff. Now I can get started on rebuilding that farm," I said holding the bad of seeds we had bought from the super market in my hand.
"And I'll be there to help..." He said to me, staring straight into me eyes. As I stared up into his, I could feel myself leaning into toward him.
"This is too fast," I told myself, but right now, I didn't care. Cliff leaned over and touched his hands to my face. I was surprised at how soft his hands felt against me cheek. I closed my eyes and leaned closer until my lips gently touched his. Everything seemed to lift free from my body, all the stressed released its grip on me, and it was just me and Cliff.
I gently pulled away and looked into his eyes once more. I could say nothing... I was speechless. I turned away, embarrassed of my silence.
"Come on..." He said quietly. "Let's get going." I picked up my rucksack and swung it over my back, and held the bag of seeds in my hand. We walked back up the stairs and into the town square. I looked over toward Cliff, as both he and I slowly walked home. He was smiling. And so was I.
As we walked down the cobblestone path I saw a building up a head with all it's lights on. It was nearly ten p.m. so I figured it was a bar.
"He Cliff Let's stop there!" I said, and ran up ahead.
"Jen... I don't really feel up to it. You must be tired," He said to me.
"Don't be silly, I'm fine. Let's go have some fun," I said grabbing his hand and quickly walked toward the building.
I pushed open the doors and a blast of light flooded into my eyes. Everybody in the town was there. I waved to the few people I knew. Cliff was by my side. I looked around and all of a sudden I saw a girl with red hair in two braids. She looked over to me.
"Hey!" she screamed over toward cliff and I. Smiling she ran over to us. As she approached I realized that she wasn't directing that comment toward me. She ran up and swung her arms around cliff's neck
"Long time no see. Where have you been," and with those few words, she kissed him.
I stared at the two. I could feel the tears swelling up in my eyes, blurring my vision. I dropped my bag and rucksack, and ran as fast as I could out of the bar, slamming the door behind me. Cliff pulled away from the red haired girl.
"Wait Jen!" he yelled, But I was too far away to hear him. I could hear my heart beat in my chest, and I could hardly see as the tears rolled out of my eyes. I ran down the path, my hair streaming behind me. When I finally reached the cottage I swung open the door and slammed it, leaving the cold, cruel night behind me.