Jamie ducked into the general store, the torrential downpour deafening as it thundered against the rooftops, glass windowpanes, and pavement. Water dripped from his dark rain jacket as he pushed the hood back from his unruly grey hair. Bear bounded in behind him, hot on his heels, tongue lolling from the corner of his muzzle as he panted in merriment.
"That was fun, wasn't it, boy?" he grinned down at the black and brown canine, who commenced shaking the deluge from his coat.
Under his arm, he carried a special delivery for the owner of the store. Mark had been a valuable support and mentor ever since Jamie showed up two years ago. The entrepreneur had taken pity on the mysterious newcomer, who had nothing to his name, no known family or friends, no history. Just the clothes on his back.
Jamie never would have made it without Mark doing special favors for him, allowing him to make a home for himself. He had shown kindness with no expectations; it had taken Jamie a long time to let go of the anticipation of the other shoe dropping. He'd allowed the stranger to work in the store in exchange for supplies and other items to get set up on his own.
Being around other people with all the visual and auditory stimuli that entailed most interactions was too much for Jamie. He was easily spooked and always on edge. Customers meeting him for the first time always had questions he couldn't answer and they frequently became too close for comfort. Physical contact was another thing he found intolerable. Mark had allowed him to work stocking the shelves and doing cleaning in the back or during off hours.
Now, two years later, Jamie was thriving. He and Bear took great joy in bringing the fruits of their labor to Mark, who in turn sold the items or made lunches for customers taking a break in their workday to browse the store and partake in a meal. Mark was the closest thing to a friend that Jamie had; he mainly preferred to keep his own company up in the wilderness, tending his many plants and animals, and savoring the simple life with Bear.
Hearing the tinkle of the door chimes, Mark rounded the corner from the back where he had been hard at work making a round of lunches for a rather large group seated around the wooden tables on the far side of the main room. Many of them were older and seated in wheelchairs or had walkers positioned near their tables. He grinned broadly upon seeing this newest visitor.
"Well, look what the river washed in! You both look rather bedraggled today! Come in, come in!" his voice boomed. He was a heavyset man with light brown hair and gentle features. At times, Jamie thought fondly of Ernie, who established strong friendships with so many while working the counter of his juice bar. Memories that far back had taken time to find their place and working with Mark had helped the days of sipping smoothies, teaching martial arts, laughing with friends at the antics of Bulk and Skull come to life in his mind again.
Another thing he would forever be grateful for.
Jamie smiled back warmly.
"Well, it doesn't look like I will have to do any watering today. But I'm worried my chickens might need to learn to swim. Lucky for me, I moved the newest hatchlings inside before it got really bad out there," he laughed.
Mark absentmindedly wiped the counter with the towel he had thrown over his shoulder. He gazed out at the assembled lunch group.
"We've had quite the turn out today. Especially given the weather. But I don't look for them to leave anytime soon. At least until it eases up a bit," he commented. "A lot of the ladies have asked if you plan on making more jewelry anytime soon. Those bracelets were quite the hit. Sold out the same day I put them out."
Jaime's eyes widened behind his black framed glasses.
"Wow, that's amazing. I was just trying out a new hobby," he said, stunned.
Mark laughed.
"I told you. You are a very talented artisan. And plant whisperer."
Jamie leaned against the counter as Bear reclined at his feet.
"Thank you, Mark. For everything. I know you're probably tired of hearing it but I owe you so much. I never pictured my life being like this so long ago. Its funny how things work out in the end."
His face shifted from its serious countenance to one of amusement, ready for a lighter tone.
"That's why I love seeing your face when I bring you these," he announced, placing the package on the counter.
"If this is what I think it is, you are going to be a hero. I've had so many customers ask about these." His eyes twinkled.
Jamie deftly removed his glasses and wiped the lenses on the hem of his cotton shirt.
"Guess you'll have to open it and see," he teased merrily, returning the glasses to their proper place.
Mark's fingers released the latches of the container and lifting the lid, his eyes crinkled with happiness. The soft, fruity aroma was delicious. Brilliantly dark red strawberries filled the box to the brim; their deep green stems contrasted sharply with their flesh.
"You're a master with these, my friend! They're the most gorgeous pieces of fruit I've laid eyes on. Every time I think they can't get any more beautiful." He dramatically placed his hand upon his chest in a mock swoon.
Mark lifted the package in his arms.
"Hey everyone! Great news! Look what my dear friend brought us today!"
Carefully, he tilted the container, showing the richly colored fruit to the assembled customers. Several of the older ladies clapped their hands excitedly.
"So this is the young man who has a way with farming!" one laughed, waving him over. "We were beginning to think Mark made you up!"
Jamie smiled tensely, uneasy with the attention. There were too many eyes on him. He became keenly aware of his breathing deepening, the sharp sounds of forks and knives on glassware, the creaking of the floorboards as people moved about. His chest tightened.
Bear nudged his legs, whining softly. The familiar calming sound brought him back to the present.
"Sorry, buddy," he whispered to the canine, dropping a hand to stroke his ear. "I'm trying."
Gathering his courage, he walked towards the older woman's table, fighting every urge to turn and run back out into the rain. Bear followed closely at his side for support.
"Yes, ma'am. That's me. I usually bring Mark fruits and vegetables and meat for the store. I'm not in town very much being so busy with tending the plants and animals." He stopped near the table and smiled, hoping he didn't look as stiff as he felt.
The woman and her other friends peered closely at him from head to foot. Each was picturing one of their granddaughters on his arm. Jamie squirmed under the scrutiny.
"And are you married, young man?" one finally got to the point.
Stammering, he felt his cheeks color and he self consciously ran a hand through his thick, shaggy hair.
"Uh…um…no. No, I'm not married," he admitted, wishing he had given in to the urge to flee.
The women looked at each other conspiratorially, smiling.
"Ladies, I think Jamie is married to the land. He's not looking to settle down, right?" Mark came to the rescue. "Besides, I think this drab rainy day could use a little color. How about a round of fresh strawberries on the house?"
The patrons perked up at the offer of free desert and in the excitement, Jamie slowly backed away from the table, his hand perched on Bear's head for emotional support.
As he turned to head to the exit and return to the comfort of his home, he caught sight of a man seated in a wheelchair parked at a table by himself. A picked at sandwich lay tumbled over on his plate and the heavily scarred face regarded him with an expression of surprise.
A heavy blanket covered his lap under the table but it was obvious that both lower legs were missing. Jamie recognized the scarring as being related to intense burns; the man's scalp was even damaged to the point that no hair grew. He didn't appear to be as old as the others in his group but, given his condition, Jamie couldn't be sure.
The man's eyes dropped to Bear and he smiled.
"Beautiful dog," he said, his voice rough and gravelly.
"Thanks," Jamie answered as he continued to move towards the glass door.
"Nothing like a loyal pet," the voice continued. "Won't you stay and visit with a lonely cripple for a moment? This is the first time I've been convinced to join the group on an outing and as you can see, here I sit alone."
Jamie turned back to the man, who didn't appear to present a threat. And he was seated apart from the bustle of the rest of his peers. Maybe it would be good for him to interact socially with someone new.
He approached the table and the man gestured for him to sit down.
"Now, what was it they said your name is?" he asked thoughtfully.
"My name is Jamie," he answered as he slid into the chair across the table, aware that the man was looking at him carefully.
He grinned again.
"Is that so?" It almost sounded like a challenge.
"And your name is?" Jamie returned the question, ignoring the comment.
"You can call me David," the man chuckled, seeming to find amusement in something.
"Well, David… you said this was your first outing in town? Where are you from?" Jamie attempted to stumble through the initial stages of appropriate social conversation.
David's eyes gazed up at the ceiling and he inhaled deeply.
"Yes. I usually find such activities boring and a waste of time. I've never been a social butterfly, even before my 'accident'. But I have to admit that I'm glad they made me tag along today."
Jamie looked back at the rest of the group, noting a few medical staff floating between the tables checking in and even giving patients their medications.
"You live in the assisted living center," he prodded, hoping to avoid answering questions about himself.
"Unfortunately, yes," David sighed. "Can't be helped, I'm afraid. No family or friends to be saddled with my decrepit ass."
He laughed.
"I used to be quite the traveler, very independent. As you can imagine, that was a completely different life than the one I now live. With these injuries of mine, I've had to make a few adjustments."
The scarred face peered closely then at Jamie's face; the other man tensed at the scrutiny. A crooked finger pointed towards the dark framed glasses and the milky white left eye.
"I see you have a few battle scars of your own. May I ask what happened for you to lose your vision?"
Trembling fingers dropped to Bears warm coat as Jamie swallowed deeply.
"I had an accident with some chemicals," he offered, feeling his dog's tongue lap his hand.
"How awful," David gasped. "And it doesn't look like its slowed you down at all."
Mark approached the pair with a grin, two bowls of fruit in his hands.
"What about you two? Jamie, have some with us!" he offered.
The corners of David's mouth turned up as he sniffed the air.
"Well, that would be wonderful. I'd love to sample Jamie's wares."
Mark placed the bowl down with flair.
"Jamie?" he asked, frowning. "Going to join us?"
"Um..no.. I'm good, thanks," he waved his friend away.
David bit into a large, fleshy strawberry, the juice running over his lips. His eyes lit up as he savored the sweetness.
"These are wonderful, 'Jamie', he gushed. "I truly appreciate you spending your valuable time with my deformed ass and bringing this lovely gift."
Grinning again, he tilted his head slightly.
"I do have one more question for you. It's a little personal though," he whispered, leaning forward across the tabletop.
The hairs on Jamie's neck were starting to raise and he felt gooseflesh spreading down his back and arms. Alarm bells were starting to go off.
"What?" he asked through numb lips.
"Tell me, 'Jamie', how have you really been? Looks like you have a lot to occupy your mind. Does it help with the nightmares and flashbacks? Or do you still wake in a sweat every night, out of breath and searching the shadows for the boogey man?"
The sounds of the store seemed to fade away and Jamie's mouth moved wordlessly, sure he had misheard the other man.
Finally, he managed a strangled, "What did you say?"
"I love your glasses, by the way. Very sophisticated."
He looked back to Bear and smiled.
"Are you a good boy? I used to have a good boy, too."
Jamie started to leap up from the table when a firm grip snared his wrist.
"Why don't you stay a little longer, 'Jamie'? We have a lot of catching up to do."