Ooooookay...was the last part really bad? If so I'm sorry. :( Anywho. Here is the story about this chapter and how I got it up so soon when I didn't think I would:
After I posted chapter 8 I turned off the light and went to bed. It is a Monday night/Tuesday morning. Now the only days I actually have to get up in the morning are Tuesday and Thursday, because I have a morning class. I tried to sleep, but my mind wouldn't turn off; it had actually started brainstorming for the chapters 9 and 10, and out of it I suddenly had an astonishing breakthrough. I had been hoping this writer's block wouldn't last long, but this was a little ridiculous; once my mind started working it out it wouldn't leave me alone. So I warmed my self some hot chocolate and sat back down at my computer to try to get at least some of this down and now here I am. This is one of those days where I hate being a writer. Anywho, I hope this is a good chapter!
8
Michaela stepped out of the church; for the first time since she had arrived Reverend Johnson gave her a real smile when he shook her hand, which she returned. She headed out to where people were setting up their Sunday picnics; she helped Charlotte lay out the blanket and set out the food. Sully and Abigail joined them and the children; Charlotte had jumped on the bandwagon along with Michaela and Sully in trying to make sure that Abigail continued to take it easy for a while longer, at least.
Reverend was setting up games for the congregation; the adults watched with amusement as Matthew and Brian attempted the "wheelbarrow race". Brian was the youngest in the group and did surprisingly well; the two of them came in second.
Colleen teamed up with her friend Becky, whose headaches were much better, in a three-legged race. The two of them proved to be a formidable team and won, beating all the boys and many kids older than them.
The Reverend then announced that there would be a three-legged race for the adults now; some of the more adventurous ones began to head over.
Charlotte eyed Abigail, who was cradling Hanna in her arms, warily. "You ain't gonna try that, are ya?"
Abigail laughed. "Nope. I never was any good at that race." She looked over at Michaela. "But I think Michaela should try."
The doctor gaped at her. "Oh, I couldn't –"
"Nonsense!" her friend cut in, mischief gleaming in her eyes. "Everyone should try it once."
"But – well – I-I don't even have a partner." Michaela grasped at what she could.
"Sully can be your partner."
Her husband looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "An' do I get a say in this?"
"Nope."
Sully rolled his eyes.
"Abigail, it's really alright –"
"Just this once, Michaela." There was still amusement in her eyes.
Michaela narrowed her eyes at her friend, who laughed, before sighing and rolling her eyes. She looked at Sully. "I'll do it if you will."
"Somehow I doubt we have a real choice," he smirked.
The two of them stood up and headed over to where everyone was getting ready for the race; they got a cloth to tie their ankles together and headed over to where the rest of the contestants were.
Most of those who were participating were young couples, but there were also some siblings and the Reverend had paired up with a young widow.
"Not too tight?" Sully glanced up at her; she shook her head.
"No that's fine."
Sully nodded and stood up. They wrapped an arm around each other and headed toward the starting line.
At least that's what they tried to do. Unfortunately they both moved their right foot first and instead ended up falling on the ground.
Sully pulled himself up a bit and looked at her. "Ya ok?"
Michaela raised herself up as well; she was laughing. "Well that wasn't a very good start."
Sully grinned. "Not really."
They helped each other up.
"Ok, middle legs," Michaela pointed to their legs that were tied together, "outside legs," she pointed to their legs that were unbound.
Sully nodded. "Middle legs first?"
"Sounds good to me. Ready?"
They began to move forward toward the line; the other pairs were staring at them.
Charlotte had actually taken Reverend Johnson's place in judging for the race and was standing at the finish line. "On your mark, get set, GO!"
The people on the sidelines began cheering immediately.
Michaela and Sully were actually doing well and were in front along with two other pairs.
Suddenly the pair next to them tripped.
Michaela, who was directly next to them, got tangled up with the other woman and ended up tripping as well. The four of them ended up in a tangled mess on the ground.
Michaela lifted her head and glanced at the other people; her gaze coming to rest on Sully last, who met her gaze.
They both burst out laughing.
The other pair watched them in confusion, until the glanced at themselves and realized how ridiculous they must look and joined them.
Charlotte and Abigail were the first ones there, making sure that they were alright; they all laughed it off and told them they were fine.
Michaela commented that they best get straightened out, since the situation, while amusing, did appear slightly compromising.
Abigail, Charlotte and the children spent the afternoon teasing Michaela and Sully, who for the most part rolled their eyes, teased them right back or just ignored it.
8
Charlotte was carrying fresh linens to one of the bedrooms when she passed an open door and heard voices and pounding inside; she peeked in to find Michaela and Sully. Michaela had decided to rent another room from Charlotte and use it to practice from, since she had yet to receive a reply to her request for permanent lodgings or even a place to practice from.
She watched them. They really were an odd pair, she thought to herself.
Michaela was reading a medical book, while she was placing some of her tools in drawers and carrying on a conversation with Sully.
Sully was participating in the conversation while nailing shelves to the wall, which Charlotte presumed were for medicines and all of the huge books Michaela had brought with her.
The two of them had the strangest relationship. No one seemed to really understand it or knew how to define it. They were close, that much was obvious; most women would have been jealous or suspicious if their husbands had such a relationship with another woman, but Abigail had no such qualms, which demonstrated how much she trusted her husband and best friend.
At any rate they had the town's people baffled.
Charlotte had asked Michaela a few nights ago, on Monday, after dinner, about the relationship. The young doctor had frowned thoughtfully; then shrugged and told her that she had never had such a friendship before, but she was none-the-less grateful for it.
Sully was a good man, very kind, but very privet; he wasn't one to make many friends, and it was strange for him to become so close to someone whom he hadn't known that long, but he didn't seem to mind.
Charlotte continued to watch them for a bit longer before she headed off to change the sheets as she had planned. She shook her head bemusedly.
They were an odd pair indeed.
8
I know that the whole race was unlikely, but I liked it and thought it fun; and I really wanted to do a chapter that didn'treally have todo with DQ having a case, and I was particularly interested in one that was about Dr. Mike and Sully's relationship and other people's reactions to it. I hope that was ok and wasn't boring or anything. I cantell you that I already have the next chapter already halfway done, so that will be up soon too (glances at muse, wondering if she will continue this insane overflow of ideas.) :P :)