Chapter 227: Bobbi-Lee's Cottage
Monday, January 23rd, Morning
The weather outside with the winds was cold and bitter by the looks of it. In a rarity, in the Cape Fear Region, there was snow falling. After a considerable pause and a big sigh, Bobbi-Lee Burke turned away from the window and held her coffee mug close.
Snow, snow sucks, Bobbi-Lee reflected. That was what Kayla told her about snow. Her older half-sister would know about snow; Kayla grew up in their Dad's native New England. Kayla said it was beautiful when it fell, but after the plows, it would become dirty, and as it melts, it created mud. The virgin snow would become this weird icy mix of snow-white, icy silver, and muddy black. That was something Bobbi-Lee didn't look forward to seeing it.
A gray tabby cat hopped up onto the sill and rubbed up against Bobbi-Lee.
"Meow! Purr!" The Cat said.
"Yes, Rooney, it's snowing outside," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Purr!" Rooney responded.
"Yeah, it sucks, and I won't be letting you out," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Purr!" Rooney said.
"Yeah, I'm going to have to clear it," Bobbi-Lee said and turned to see the big blue and white bi-colored cat lying on the couch, "What do you think, Custis?"
"Meow," Custis responded.
"I agree," Bobbi-Lee said, put her coffee mug down, and scratched behind Rooney's ears. She nodded, went upstairs, and changed into her warmest clothes. Going downstairs, she pulled on her ski gloves; she was thankful for those few winters she went skiing and snowboarding. She kept the clothes as she planned on going again.
After a quick cough, she slid on a pair of sunglasses and pulled on a watch cap. Bobbi-Lee took a deep breath and stepped outside. Taking a broom with her, she started to get adjusted to the frigid air.
The frigid air burned her lungs during the first few breaths she took. Bobbi-Lee started to sweep off the snow on the porch. The joys of owning her own home, she reflected. J.L. told her to stay out in the cold as long as you can because once you went back inside and warmed up when you returned to the cold, you could only spend about half as long as you did the last time. He called it half-life.
As she swept the snow, she slowly moved down the front walk. The concrete, now exposed, had this dark gray color, showing it was wet. About halfway up the walk, Bobbi-Lee picked up her head. Her neighbor, the indomitable Mrs. Ivanova, Bobbi-Lee, was as always amazed by this woman.
Mrs. Ivanova seemed ageless; she was out at least three times a day, getting mail and tending to her plants and vegetable garden. When Bobbi-Lee worked at home, she would look out and see her work. Bobbi-Lee wished she could bottle Mrs. Ivanova's energy; she would be rich.
Bobbi-Lee watched as Mrs. Ivanova shoveled the snow off her walk. Shaking her head, it seemed that the cold didn't phase Mrs. Ivanova. She just kept moving the snow, like a machine.
Mrs. Ivanova stopped and turned around, looking at Bobbi-Lee. Bobbi-Lee could have sworn that Mrs. Ivanova smiled at Bobbi-Lee, and then she waved at her. Bobbi-Lee waved back to Mrs. Ivanova. Finally, the older woman came stomping over to the fence. Bobbi-Lee walked over to meet Mrs. Ivanova at the fence.
"You should be inside, Mrs. Ivanova," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Nah, Bobbi, this is nothing but a brisk day," Mrs. Ivanova said.
"Mrs. Ivanova, it's not safe for you to be out here, shoveling," Bobbi-Lee said, "What about your son?"
Mrs. Ivanova made a waving motion with her hand, "Ahh! Misha is, how you say it. Bobbi, you are more a man then Misha," she said and smiled, "No, that's not it. How do you say it, Bobbi, Misha is not very rugged?"
"Are you saying I'm manly?" Bobbi-Lee asked.
Mrs. Ivanova shook her head, "No, not at all, Bobbi, you know how to get things done. Like me," she said.
Bobbi-Lee nodded and smiled, "Well, thanks, but you should be inside," she said.
"I have to get ahead of the snow," Mrs. Ivanova said, "But you, young lady, you should have your brother dig you out, or better, a good-looking young man."
"Mrs. Ivanova, J.L. has to take care of his family first," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Da, he has young children, but what about a young man?" Mrs. Ivanova asked.
"Why do I need a young man?" Bobbi-Lee asked.
"Simple Bobbi, to keep you warm at night," Mrs. Ivanova said.
"Mrs. Ivanova!" Bobbi-Lee said.
"What? Am I not a woman? Are you not a woman? What is wrong with having companionship? Unless I am wrong, if I am, change man to woman," Mrs. Ivanova said.
"No, I like guys," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Good, but other than your brother, I don't see other men visiting you," Mrs. Ivanova said.
"I'm in-between right now," Bobbi-Lee said, "And I have the cats, they have to like anyone I date."
"Ahh! Cats aren't the same as children, Bobbi, you're young. You shouldn't be alone," Mrs. Ivanova said.
"Thank you, Mrs. Ivanova, but I have my sisters and brother, and their kids," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Your nieces and nephews are great, but still not the same, Bobbi. You only live once," Mrs. Ivanova said.
Bobbi-Lee nodded, "I appreciate your wisdom," she said.
Mrs. Ivanova nodded, "Good, now finish your walk before you freeze, you're not as robust as I am," Mrs. Ivanova said.
Mrs. Ivanova smiled, "You're welcome, Bobbi, this weather will help my garden," she said.
"Okay, Mrs. Ivanova," Bobbi-Lee said and walked away. She shook her head and finished clearing the sidewalk. Once Bobbi-Lee finished with the sidewalk, she re-did the walkway and the porch.
Once inside her cottage, Bobbi-Lee started removing her frigid weather clothing. Bobbi-Lee looked in the mirror and saw both her cheeks and nose were bright red.
"It was most definitely cold outside," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Meow," one of the cats responded.
"Yeah, Custis, it's freezing, and I was out there too long," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Meow," Custis said.
"Yes, it does call for a fresh cup of coffee," Bobbi-Lee said and walked into the kitchen. Custis just put his head down again. All Bobbi-Lee could think is when will this crazy weather will ever end.
