6.
A whistle blew from the small teapot, carefully perched on the camp stove. Rei turned the burner off, and poured the water into a ceramic mug. She set a teabag in and made for the front door, Miso at her heels. As she walked on the porch, taking in the morning view with her cat weaving around her ankles, she thought, I could get used to this. Her bare feet felt good against the cool wooden porch, and her small garden out front now had ready–to-harvest cauliflower, beans and potatoes. The pond even had some wild birds floating in it, and she swore she saw dragonflies zipping around. There was still a lot of brush to clear and trees. Rei made a mental note to go ask Robin how to properly chop down a tree later. But for now, the peace of the morning stilled her heart in a way that she never learned how to before.
Her mornings in the city were always so rushed. Wake up, shower, make up, yoga, shower again, make up again, wear the perfect outfit, walk out the door to meet some acquaintances for coffee, pose for a picture as she walks, hail her driver, drink a sip of coffee at the shop, check her watch, head to whatever photo shoot and interview she had next, meet her father and his corporate goonies for lunch, go shopping with personal stylist, go home, rest for about two seconds, then get ready for dinner, pose for pictures while waiting for car once more, meet Jake at fancy restaurant, pose for pictures with him at restaurant, go to an exclusive club, pose for more pictures. What a relief when she was back in her bed!
Her fake smiles, her fake attitude, it was all a far cry from where she stood now: barefoot on a rickety porch, steaming mug of tea in her hands and all the time in the world to dream. Farming wasn't so bad when she thought about it. It was hard, but the tasks were all manual labor. She didn't have to think so much about what she acted like, or looked like or the right thing to say, instead she thought about digging holes and watering plants. It felt like meditation, to work so endlessly and have the fruits of your labor reward you. Later that morning, as she pulled weeds, and collected her harvest, she felt an unfamiliar sense of thankfulness wash over her. How strange that when she had everything at her fingertips, she felt completely numb, and yet here, with almost nothing, she could start to feel full.
She set her basket on the porch and noticed her mailbox had the flag up. Who would be sending her mail? She had only been in the valley a month now. A shot of anxiety reached her as she pulled open the box. It couldn't be her father right? He was too busy trying to "Clean Up Her Mess." Then Jake? But she had made sure he didn't know where she was off to.
Turns out it was a letter from Evelyn, the granny who lived in town. She sent a few tips on harvesting and crop rotation for the upcoming seasons. Rei found that useful and made a mental note to bring her some fresh produce and then start researching summer crops. The second note was in an elegant envelope. Her name written in cursive on the front gave her flashbacks to some of the fancier events she attended in the city. However the note inside was not what she expected at all.
A wizard. A real wizard in this small town. Was this some sort of joke? Rei felt a hot rise of anger course through her. It had to be Sebastian messing with her right? He was the only one who knew about her midnight escapade to the community center, and the note mentioned that this "Wizard" could help her.
She stuffed the note in her pocket, grabbed her produce and made her way towards town. If she ran into Sebastian, he was getting an earful.
A few hours, and a few cookies from Evelyn, later, and Rei found herself selling more produce to Pierre. This time, he welcomed it.
"Everyone's been asking if you'll bring in more parsnips. And your fresh fish were the talk of the town. Gus especially loved frying them for fish and chips." He was practically beaming that he had made a profit from her. He gave more gold this time and allowed her to take some strawberry seeds for free.
Rei nodded along, but her mind was still on the note. Where could she find that little sucker? Then a thought.
"Hey Pierre, is Abigail home today?"
"Yeah, she's probably in her room playing videogames. I swear that girl needs to learn how to be a proper young lady." Then, as if a thought just struck him, "Hey, you should teach her some etiquette sometime. I'm sure you know all about being proper."
That stung more than it should have, but Rei swallowed her pride and followed Pierre into his home. After waiting in their absurdly wide living room, Abigail emerged from one end of the hallway, clearly looking annoyed. The look melted when she saw Rei.
"Oh hey" Then she rolled her eyes as her dad passed her on the way to the store. "Sorry, my dad gets annoying sometimes. He's always going on about how I should act."
"Tell me something I don't know. My father is like that as well." Rei felt lighter, like she had someone to share that strange burden with.
"It's so..ugh! Anyways, what's up?"
"Just wondering where I can find that 'Sad Boy' friend of yours. He requested a potato, something about hurling it at a mountain face?"
Abigail chuckled. "How dramatic of him. Come on, at this time, he's probably at his house."
She followed Abigail, not quite believing that apparently Sebastian was known for pulling some weird stunts like that. But if Abigail seemed used to it….then maybe he was just that type of guy.
They walked up a small mountain trail, Rei noting that it passed the community center on the way up. This was Robin's home, and judging by the beautiful woodwork and the telescope set up outside, this family was extremely talented. Abigail pushed the door open and greeted Robin. Rei hung back, checking out the furnishings.
"Oh hello Rei! I was wondering when I'd see you again! How's the cabin?" Robin asked politely.
"It's getting cozier, soon enough I'll be back here asking for an upgrade. Which reminds me, got any tips on swinging an axe?"
Robin grinned. "Sure do. Anyways, what can I do for you two girls?"
"We're looking for Sebastian." Abigail said.
"Oh that boy's in his room, as per usual. Let's go find him." Just then the clock signaled noon.
"OH shit, I was supposed to help Mom with something today!" Abigail suddenly exclaimed. "Sorry Rei, I gotta go. Tell Sebby I said hi, and to not hurt his arm throwing that potato again." She rushed out, while Robin looked bemused.
"That girl is always forgetting her surroundings. She's spacey, but in a cute way. Anyways, follow me."
They walked down some stairs to the basement, where Robin burst through. From behind Robin, Rei could see an irritated face.
"Mom, don't you ever knock?"
"Oh Abigail was looking for you earlier!"
"She knows I have work today."
"Well she came by anyways, but was called off. But Rei's here to deliver something to you!"
Robin practically pushed Rei inside before walking back up the stairs.
His room was clean. Lived in but neat. Stacks of books, comics and games in one corner, a nice black leather couch and where Sebastian sat, glaring at the screen in front of him, a desk with two computers.
"What's this about a delivery?" He asked.
"What's this about a job?" She countered, her irritation with him momentarily suspended by curiosity.
"I'm a programmer. I studied computer science in school. I want to get into video game coding, but right now it's just grunt work. I'm trying to save up to leave this place. But everyone thinks it's just surfing the web." He actually looked like he was pouting.
Rei didn't really know what to say. She was torn between trying to offer him solace, but at the same time, she wanted to wave that fake letter in his face. She settled for diversion once again.
"They seemed to all be okay with you hurling vegetables at a mountain faces."
That got a smile out of the corner of his mouth.
"So what are you really here for?"
She took the letter out and placed it on his keyboard.
"What's with this? I may be a city kid, but I'm not stupid." Crossing her arms, she watched as he read the letter.
"Don't know what to tell you City Girl, this isn't from me."
"Come on don't play games. There's no wizard in this town." But at that, she noticed Sebastian shift a little uncomfortably. "…is there?" She asked.
"Look, there's a tower on the far west side of the lake in the forest. Abi, Sam and I used to explore around there. We always heard strange noises coming from inside, but I don't know what…or who…" He trailed off, looking uncertain.
Rei scanned his face as he talked. He seemed like he was truly recalling a memory. Sighing in exasperation she swept up the letter.
"Fine, not yours. I'm still not ruling this out as a prank though. When I head over there and something jumps out at me, it's not my fault they get a swift kick to the balls."
Sebastian snapped his head up with a grin. "So you do know martial arts."
"No, you holder of stereotypes. I just happen to have fierce reflexes."
"Seriously though Rei, I don't think you should head over there, at least not without one of us with you. It freaked us out as kids, and you've already explored one abandoned place in town."
Rei rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine. Here, for your extracurriculars." Setting the potato on the keyboard she walked towards the door. Then she paused, turned back around with a soft smile and looked directly at Sebastian.
"For what it's worth, I think it's neat that you do programming. I have no idea how to do anything related to that. It'd be a useful skill to have, seeing as I can't even set up Internet at the farm."
His slight blush tickled her, and she stepped away before he could retort.