November 18th, 1999 – 10:00 AM
For the first time in a long time my father was in a pleasant mood, he and Kai were already out tending the vines. I couldn't make-out what they were saying but our new hire seemed memorized by every word coming from the old man's mouth, like he were some kind of sage.
He obviously wasn't the most discerning of men, he probably didn't have any idea as to exactly the kind of person my father was… Honestly I didn't even know how our family was going to afford having an employee. What sort of cheap deal had my father sold him?
I tried to restrain my disgust breaking away my stare with a shudder. I needed to get away from it all. I could visit Ann, but she was likely busy caring for their new colt. I wouldn't want to impose on a busy day of work. I shook my head….
Who else could I visit? I thought about it as I headed down the lane and into town. I wandered down the streets uncertain until I found myself in front of the local tool shop.
I smiled as I remembered the faces of Rod and Iroha, growing-up my mother had taken me over frequently to spend time with them. Iroha was always looked so stern but she'd always soften-up in private. I remember the warm cookies she'd bake and the countless little pets that Rod had owned.
And then there was their son Rick... He'd been my first play-mate in childhood though I hadn't seen him in years. The two of us would always sneak back into the woods together and wrestle, every time I beat him I'd bite him as hard as I could on the shoulder, but sometimes I'd pin him down so he couldn't move and plant a big wet kiss on him right-smack on the lips. I blushed now at the memory.
"I wonder if they're home…" I thought aloud as I entered the little shop. The shop was mostly empty but held many farming supplies.
"I'll be out in a moment!" Came a nasally male voice from behind the counter, it certainly wasn't Rod. The curtains to the back parted and a scrawny bespectacled red-head emerged carrying a tray filled with wires and other knick-knacks.
"Hey Rick, thought I'd just stop in. How is everyone? Where's Iroha?" I asked. He gawked at me for a second, his eyes dilated and his face flushed beet red. He looked like he was about to bolt.
"Are you okay? Earth to Rick!" I waved my hand in front of his face.
"Oh, so-sorry Karen. I wasn't e-e-expecting you to… uh… be vi-sit-ing. What brings you to… uh… these parts?" He stuttered nervously.
"I was just passing through the area and was thinking about you and your folks. Was wondering how you were all doing?" I said, smiling at the every socially awkward kid I had grown-up with.
"They're, um… out. They've, well, been gone for awhile so I've taken over the shop in their stead." He said, scratching his head and glancing about nervously like a deer in headlights.
"Would you like something to drink? I haven't had any customer's all day. What do you say we head down to the bakery? It'll be my treat, to old times." He asked.
I laughed, "Sure that sounds great."
He started to head for the door only to trip over the tray he'd dropped. "Here, let me help you with that." I offered.
Once we'd cleaned-up the mess of wires that had fallen on the floor and locked-up shop we settled down at the bakery.
"Good afternoon, Jeff!" I said feeling suddenly very cheery.
He smiled back with those sad eyes I could never quite interpret, "Welcome. What can I get for you today?" He said politely as his eyes glazed over. I'd always felt like he didn't like me, though I couldn't say why.
"We'll get two slices of cake and some sweet tea for me and the lady." He said with a dopey smile. Sometimes I felt bad for the dude; he'd always had the appearance and behavior of a dork.
He paid and the two of us settled down at the table while we waited for our order. I stared at the clock as it ticked by while Rick spaced out. An awkward silence grew between the two of us…
"So you said your parents are out, what are they up to?" I asked, trying to break the silence.
He blinked abruptly as though waking from a dream. "Well, I'm not exactly sure honestly. They just left a note one day telling me that had something important to take-care of and to attend the shop…" He looked a little sad that I'd brought it up so I changed the subject.
"What've you been-up to then, other than running the tool shop?" I asked.
"Well, I've been working on creating a new tool that will revolutionize farming across the world. Basically you've got this mechanized cart that you ride on and it plucks your fruits and vegetables off the vines and puts them into a cart in the back. I've only finished designing the proto-type but I'm certain that it could do a lot to revolutionize the industry. Other than that I've also been working on this new sort of system for turning on-and-off electronics more effectively, and I've also been working on optimizing this new device that powers devices based on your motion as you're wal-" Rick was cut short from his… fascinating… elaboration when Jeff set-down two mugs of steaming hot sweet tea.
"They you go," He said, "the cakes are on their way."
"Thank you Jeff." Rick said completely forgetting his former rant and blowing heavily on his tea. Jeff neared our table with our cake slices.
"So how are things with your family Karen?" Rick asked, suddenly more interested in my life.
I stared at the wall remembering the other morning, "It's been getting a lot better." I said, feeling suddenly distant. Jeff placed down the cakes in front of us.
"Yeah, your family was always rather boring. Nothing interesting ever happens up at that the vineyard. Haha, sorry I even asked. So what about you? How are you doing?" He asked.
"I'm alright. I sent in some applications for dance school in the city but I don't know if I'll get in…" I said, "I've been practicing almost every day but if I don't make it in, what'll be the point?" I asked.
"I'm sure you'll get in Karen. You're very talented! They'd be blind not to see your potential." He said looking worried.
"Thanks." I answered.
The rest of the evening went by in a blur. We wandered down the beach and reminisced on old times and he insisted on walking home because no proper gentleman lets a lady walk herself home in the dark.
I laughed as he insisted he'd be better suited to fend off wild dogs than me. My father and Kai were by the fence as we ascended the hills drinking. "Karen, doll! Welcome home, come drink with our new house guest!" My father hollered.
Kai looked worried, his own wine glass barely touched. "Please sir, you don't want to be waking the neighbors."
"I take it he showed you the cellar and was showing the vintages." I said, almost knowingly. Honestly, my father was always a better man when he drank; it was sobriety that brought out his brutal side. If he went a day without drinking we wouldn't have the problems that we do. Or at least that's how I feel about it.
"That would indeed be the case Miss Karen." He said, locking eyes with Rick. "Ah, Kai! May I introduce you to my childhood friend Rick and Rick, this is Kai. He moved in relatively recently and is our latest worker on the vineyard." I said.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Rick." Kai said extending a hand stiffly.
"And you." Responded Rick with a deadpan expression. The two of them shook.
Author's Note: Introducing some tension between the love interests that are currently in the town. :) I'm still not really cemented on who I want her to be with but for now I think she's at least having a nicer day than she has been of recent.