Chapter 605: The Commons

Tuesday, March 7th, Afternoon

She sat at a table in the commons after practice. She waited for Keni, who was in the restroom. She had a book open and was reading it. Finally, she looked up at someone watching her.

Sawyer nodded and studied him. "Hello, Kier," she said.

"Sawyer," Kier Hammel said.

"What brings you here?" Sawyer asked.

"Getting ready for baseball," Kier said, "I could ask you the same thing."

"Waiting for Keni," Sawyer said.

"You mind if I join you?" Kier asked.

"Free country," Sawyer said.

Kier sat down. "I feel bad for what Jack did," he said.

"Did you make Jackin or Gareth throw a punch?" Sawyer asked.

"No," Kier said.

"So, nothing to feel sorry about," Sawyer said.

"I heard you and Gareth are going through something," Kier said.

"I'd rather not talk about it," Sawyer said.

"Okay," Kier said.

"Thank you," Sawyer said.

"You're welcome," Kier said, "What are you reading?"

"One of my brother's books, it sounded interesting," Sawyer said.

"What's it called?" Kier asked.

"A Hundred Miles Of Bad Road, it's the manner of Dwight Birdwell," Sawyer said.

"Who is Dwight Birdwell?" Kier asked.

"A Vietnam Vet and Medal of Honor recipient who is a member of the Cherokee Nation," Sawyer said.

"Oh, I see," Kier said.

"Yeah," Sawyer said.

"You like that tank stuff?" Kier asked, looking at the cover of the book.

"It's a hobby I share with my brother," Sawyer said.

"Oh," Kier said.

"Yeah, he used to watch after me; my dad joked my first word was Keith, and my second was tank," Sawyer said.

"Cute, I guess. Isn't your brother in Europe?" Kier asked.

"Yeah, he's deployed overseas; last I heard, he's a tank gunner," Sawyer said.

"Gunner?" Kier asked.

"He shoots the big gun," Sawyer said.

"Sounds fun," Kier said.

Sawyer shrugged, "I don't know, never tried it. Hold on one minute," she said, putting the book down, pulling out her phone, and swiping through the pictures, "This was me at one of Keith's family day events."

Kier looked at a picture; it was Sawyer sitting high in an M1's hatch wearing a CVC. Her face was all smiling.

"Nice picture," Kier said.

"Thanks," Sawyer said.

"I do have one unrelated question," Kier said.

"Okay," Sawyer said.

'What is the story of your backpack?" Kier asked.

"Oh, my Tardis?" Sawyer asked.

"Yeah, I guess," Kier said.

"I like it because it's bigger on the inside," Sawyer said.

"Alright? I have no idea what that means," Kier said.

"It's from Doctor Who," Sawyer said.

"Who?" Kier asked.

"Exactly," Sawyer said.

"I'm lost," Kier said.

"It's a science fiction TV show," Sawyer said.

"Oh, something you did with your brother, also?" Kier asked.

"No, Keni's brother," Sawyer said.

"Keni has a brother?" Kier asked.

"Yeah, he's into Sci-fi and stuff," Sawyer said.

"Where is he? I've never seen him around," Kier said.

"He's on tour with Nordwind," Sawyer said.

"Musician?" Kier asked.

"Filmmaker," Sawyer said.

"Why is he on tour with a band then?" Kier asked.

"They are making a video about the tour," Sawyer said.

"Oh, cool," Kier said.

"I guess," Sawyer said.

"What do you do for fun?" Kier asked.

"I've already said a few things," Sawyer said.

"When you're not home," Kier said.

"Well, the usual, I guess, but there is one thing I do like to play," Sawyer said.

"What?" Kier asked.

"No, it's stupid," Sawyer said.

"I won't make fun of you," Kier said.

"Are you sure?" Sawyer asked.

"Positive," Kier said.

"I like playing horse," Sawyer said.

"Horse? As in basketball horse?" Kier asked.

"Yes, what other types of Horse are there?" Sawyer asked.

"At first, I thought horseback riding," Kier said.

"No, do I look horsey to you?" Sawyer asked.

"No, well, I don't know; what does horsey look like?" Kier asked.

"Well…" Sawyer started to say; then she saw Keni approaching, "Time to go?"

Keni nodded, "Yeah, Mina texted impatiently," she said.

"Okay," Sawyer said, "Well, Kier, a nice conversation; we'll have to do this again sometime."

"I'd like that," Kier said.

Sawyer got up and followed Keni out of the building. About halfway to the limo, Keni turned to Sawyer.

"I'm glad to see you're moving on," Keni said.

"What? Kier? We're just killing time," Sawyer said.

"Okay," Keni said.

"What is it, Keni?" Sawyer asked.

"Just be careful," Keni said.

"Okay?" Sawyer asked, confused, but Keni didn't answer. They got into the limo and were soon off to Beaulieu Manor.