March 10, 2013
Somewhere overhead a red tailed hawk called to its mate. It was still chilly by Georgia standards but mild for RhyDin and Colt was enjoying it by sitting in a sunny spot on the steps leading up to his front porch. He bounced the green tennis ball in hand against the step beneath him and watched as Molly's eyes never wavered from its path then he threw it into a high arc. The Chocolate Labrador immediately turned on her heels as the ball was launched to follow its path.
It didn't take long for the idyllic quietness to be interrupted, if only briefly, by the sound of tires traveling over rock and dirt. Cheyenne's blue Jeep made an appearance in short order, trundling up the way and coming to a stop where it normally did when she came to visit. The door opened with a slight squeak and she slid down, boots hitting with a slight thud. "Hey, you," she smiled as she made her way over.
"Hey!" A palm on the steps helped him to his feet. Molly made it to Chey first with the captured tennis ball half-hidden beneath her gums. She nudged her wet nose against Chey's palm in a request to be petted.
"Molly!" She said excitedly, bending down to shower the dog with the requested pets, scratching behind her ear and under her chin before placing a kiss on the top of her head. "Are you playing with your daddy?" She asked as she spotted the ball.
"How're you?" Molly was nudged out of the way as Colt reached in with an arm to draw Chey into a hug. "Was hopin' to see you last night. Were you workin'?"
"I'm good." She returned the hug with a good squeeze before looking up at him. "I was, yeah. Super busy. I went home and went right to bed. But! Here I am, fresh as a daisy." She spread her arms wide with a grin.
He squeezed her into a tight embrace for a flicker of a moment before releasing her. "Come on. Walk with me. We're headed that way." He nodded towards a break in the woods the surrounded the home where a narrow footpath led away from the cabin.
"Sure thing." She turned her steps that way, moving beside him. As they walked she looked all around, drawing in a deep breath. She loved it out here- not too far from the city but quiet, peaceful. She'd never been able to pinpoint if it was entirely her enjoyment of nature, or also her background of being a youngest child with siblings that had moved out early that had burgeoned into her enjoyment of solitude. "So what are you going to show me? It's not a dead body, is it?" Still grinning as she asked.
"Nope." But the joke didn't stir his usual humor. It hit too close to home at the moment. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket, changing the subject as the woods engulfed them into their secure arms. "How're things? Seen any of that guy you were hangin' with?"
She wasn't aware of her joke's effect. She'd been thinking of the movie, Stand By Me, when she said it. He changed the subject and she thought nothing of it. She shook her head. "No. Last time I saw him, he said he'd gotten a job. I guess we're both busy? I might text him."
?You should. You should stop takin' care of all of us and set down your own roots." So said the pot to the kettle. His hazel eyes lifted from the ground underfoot to lift towards her, waiting to see how the comment would be taken before proceeding further down the conversational path. Molly trotted along, weaving her way behind, in front, and around them as interesting scents struck her nose.
Her lips pursed. Not in irritation but in a sudden consideration. She looked over to him. "Do you think I worry to much 'bout everyone else?"
"I dunno. Only you can figure that out. But..." His eyes fell once more as he drew in a breath through his nose, taking in the combination of scents that made up Chey. The fuzzball, Mason. Lemon and pomegranate scented shampoo. Peaches and cream scented lotion. Fresh baked goods. "...I think you don't put yourself first enough. Maybe it's time, y'know? Maybe it's time for you to have some space to figure out who you are but still be close enough to the rest of us to keep your roots.
She nodded as he spoke, not interrupting but listening. He was right, and she'd been thinking the same thing over the past few months. Everyone else was moving on with their lives, growing and investigating more into what they wanted. She hadn't stayed completely static, of course- she had derby, a new job, new friends. She'd wanted to become more independent, and it was happening, but she still didn't know what she wanted exactly. She kept herself back.
?I'm hopin' that can start here,? he stated as they broke out of the wilds of the forest separating the two properties to a more manicured look. A stone wall held back the vegetation. Wide inviting steps led up to a porch and then onto a whimsical cabin from there.
Chey looked up from watching the ground as she walked to make sure she didn't trip over anything. When the cabin met her eyes she let out a small gasp- it was beautiful. "Oh my god, Colt!"
"The property here borders mine and Harper's. The three corners all touch in one spot. It came up for sale about a month ago." A key chain emerged from his pocket as they headed up the steps towards the house. He unlocked the double glass doors and opened one, motioning her in first. "It was just a second home for a guy who travels to RhyDin for business but I guess he wanted a place closer in town. I'm a little anxious about security these days. Wasn't thrilled with the idea of someone havin' property that butted up against mine and Harper's.... so I bought it."
"You did?" She seemed giddy, and the fact that he'd mentioned previously she could 'start here' hadn't really made an impression yet. When he unlocked the door and held it open she moved through, casting eyes about.
Warm pine wood walls greeted them in the cozy living room they entered. Exposed beams ran overhead with a pitched ceiling. A stone fireplace dominated one wall. The open floor plan allowed for easy viewing of the kitchen which was large for the size of the house. It was an eclectic mismatch with the warm pine running through it,complimenting the white cabinets and black rustic stove. "Obviously, I don't need it. It's a lil' smaller than my place. And I just had Seth redo my master bath and closet when Ten moved in. Ten and I have talked a lot about what to do with it. We talked 'bout just leavin' it for a place for her brother and sister to stay in when they visit but... seems like a shame to just let it sit. So we thought we might offer it to you."
It was just as beautiful inside as the outside had been. Earthy and homey, it had a good feel to it. It felt comfortable, a place a person could come to unwind and relax. Her feet carried her further into the house, the living room with its fireplace and the kitchen that was cute enough to cause a swoon. She nodded as Colt spoke of Ten and her siblings, but when he made the offer, she all but whirled on her heels to face him. "Are you serious?"
A flicker of a smile formed and he gave a nod, crossing his arms over his chest. Molly took a seat at his feet, her hazel eyes (a match for Colt's) bounced between them as if watching a tennis match. Her ball had been laid to rest outside the door. "Yeah. I know you aren't one for takin' handouts so... we need help at ALWE. Badly. I know you got a job so if you could just work half days Monday and Tuesdays, we'll call it even."
Her mouth opened, and it stayed that way. For a moment all she could do was stare. "Are you serious?!" It was repeated, but this time it came out as a squeak.
"Yeah. Answering phones. Helpin' out with the books. If you think you could handle Wednesdays too that would be great."
"Of course I can!" She crowed, and suddenly she was pouncing him.
He gave a huff of laughter as he caught her in his arms for a tight squeeze. Even though Molly didn't know the cause for the excitement, she pranced around them excitedly, wiggling her entire body with her tail wagging. "Great, because I already told Ford he's gonna need to help you move on Wednesday."
She let out a laugh that turned into a prolonged chuckle, finally regaining her own feet and doing a little wiggling dance around Colt with Molly for moment. With a grin, Colt stretched out the keys to her, giving them a slight shake to let them jingle merrily. "Welcome home, Chey."
((Adapted from live play.))
Somewhere overhead a red tailed hawk called to its mate. It was still chilly by Georgia standards but mild for RhyDin and Colt was enjoying it by sitting in a sunny spot on the steps leading up to his front porch. He bounced the green tennis ball in hand against the step beneath him and watched as Molly's eyes never wavered from its path then he threw it into a high arc. The Chocolate Labrador immediately turned on her heels as the ball was launched to follow its path.
It didn't take long for the idyllic quietness to be interrupted, if only briefly, by the sound of tires traveling over rock and dirt. Cheyenne's blue Jeep made an appearance in short order, trundling up the way and coming to a stop where it normally did when she came to visit. The door opened with a slight squeak and she slid down, boots hitting with a slight thud. "Hey, you," she smiled as she made her way over.
"Hey!" A palm on the steps helped him to his feet. Molly made it to Chey first with the captured tennis ball half-hidden beneath her gums. She nudged her wet nose against Chey's palm in a request to be petted.
"Molly!" She said excitedly, bending down to shower the dog with the requested pets, scratching behind her ear and under her chin before placing a kiss on the top of her head. "Are you playing with your daddy?" She asked as she spotted the ball.
"How're you?" Molly was nudged out of the way as Colt reached in with an arm to draw Chey into a hug. "Was hopin' to see you last night. Were you workin'?"
"I'm good." She returned the hug with a good squeeze before looking up at him. "I was, yeah. Super busy. I went home and went right to bed. But! Here I am, fresh as a daisy." She spread her arms wide with a grin.
He squeezed her into a tight embrace for a flicker of a moment before releasing her. "Come on. Walk with me. We're headed that way." He nodded towards a break in the woods the surrounded the home where a narrow footpath led away from the cabin.
"Sure thing." She turned her steps that way, moving beside him. As they walked she looked all around, drawing in a deep breath. She loved it out here- not too far from the city but quiet, peaceful. She'd never been able to pinpoint if it was entirely her enjoyment of nature, or also her background of being a youngest child with siblings that had moved out early that had burgeoned into her enjoyment of solitude. "So what are you going to show me? It's not a dead body, is it?" Still grinning as she asked.
"Nope." But the joke didn't stir his usual humor. It hit too close to home at the moment. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jacket, changing the subject as the woods engulfed them into their secure arms. "How're things? Seen any of that guy you were hangin' with?"
She wasn't aware of her joke's effect. She'd been thinking of the movie, Stand By Me, when she said it. He changed the subject and she thought nothing of it. She shook her head. "No. Last time I saw him, he said he'd gotten a job. I guess we're both busy? I might text him."
?You should. You should stop takin' care of all of us and set down your own roots." So said the pot to the kettle. His hazel eyes lifted from the ground underfoot to lift towards her, waiting to see how the comment would be taken before proceeding further down the conversational path. Molly trotted along, weaving her way behind, in front, and around them as interesting scents struck her nose.
Her lips pursed. Not in irritation but in a sudden consideration. She looked over to him. "Do you think I worry to much 'bout everyone else?"
"I dunno. Only you can figure that out. But..." His eyes fell once more as he drew in a breath through his nose, taking in the combination of scents that made up Chey. The fuzzball, Mason. Lemon and pomegranate scented shampoo. Peaches and cream scented lotion. Fresh baked goods. "...I think you don't put yourself first enough. Maybe it's time, y'know? Maybe it's time for you to have some space to figure out who you are but still be close enough to the rest of us to keep your roots.
She nodded as he spoke, not interrupting but listening. He was right, and she'd been thinking the same thing over the past few months. Everyone else was moving on with their lives, growing and investigating more into what they wanted. She hadn't stayed completely static, of course- she had derby, a new job, new friends. She'd wanted to become more independent, and it was happening, but she still didn't know what she wanted exactly. She kept herself back.
?I'm hopin' that can start here,? he stated as they broke out of the wilds of the forest separating the two properties to a more manicured look. A stone wall held back the vegetation. Wide inviting steps led up to a porch and then onto a whimsical cabin from there.
Chey looked up from watching the ground as she walked to make sure she didn't trip over anything. When the cabin met her eyes she let out a small gasp- it was beautiful. "Oh my god, Colt!"
"The property here borders mine and Harper's. The three corners all touch in one spot. It came up for sale about a month ago." A key chain emerged from his pocket as they headed up the steps towards the house. He unlocked the double glass doors and opened one, motioning her in first. "It was just a second home for a guy who travels to RhyDin for business but I guess he wanted a place closer in town. I'm a little anxious about security these days. Wasn't thrilled with the idea of someone havin' property that butted up against mine and Harper's.... so I bought it."
"You did?" She seemed giddy, and the fact that he'd mentioned previously she could 'start here' hadn't really made an impression yet. When he unlocked the door and held it open she moved through, casting eyes about.
Warm pine wood walls greeted them in the cozy living room they entered. Exposed beams ran overhead with a pitched ceiling. A stone fireplace dominated one wall. The open floor plan allowed for easy viewing of the kitchen which was large for the size of the house. It was an eclectic mismatch with the warm pine running through it,complimenting the white cabinets and black rustic stove. "Obviously, I don't need it. It's a lil' smaller than my place. And I just had Seth redo my master bath and closet when Ten moved in. Ten and I have talked a lot about what to do with it. We talked 'bout just leavin' it for a place for her brother and sister to stay in when they visit but... seems like a shame to just let it sit. So we thought we might offer it to you."
It was just as beautiful inside as the outside had been. Earthy and homey, it had a good feel to it. It felt comfortable, a place a person could come to unwind and relax. Her feet carried her further into the house, the living room with its fireplace and the kitchen that was cute enough to cause a swoon. She nodded as Colt spoke of Ten and her siblings, but when he made the offer, she all but whirled on her heels to face him. "Are you serious?"
A flicker of a smile formed and he gave a nod, crossing his arms over his chest. Molly took a seat at his feet, her hazel eyes (a match for Colt's) bounced between them as if watching a tennis match. Her ball had been laid to rest outside the door. "Yeah. I know you aren't one for takin' handouts so... we need help at ALWE. Badly. I know you got a job so if you could just work half days Monday and Tuesdays, we'll call it even."
Her mouth opened, and it stayed that way. For a moment all she could do was stare. "Are you serious?!" It was repeated, but this time it came out as a squeak.
"Yeah. Answering phones. Helpin' out with the books. If you think you could handle Wednesdays too that would be great."
"Of course I can!" She crowed, and suddenly she was pouncing him.
He gave a huff of laughter as he caught her in his arms for a tight squeeze. Even though Molly didn't know the cause for the excitement, she pranced around them excitedly, wiggling her entire body with her tail wagging. "Great, because I already told Ford he's gonna need to help you move on Wednesday."
She let out a laugh that turned into a prolonged chuckle, finally regaining her own feet and doing a little wiggling dance around Colt with Molly for moment. With a grin, Colt stretched out the keys to her, giving them a slight shake to let them jingle merrily. "Welcome home, Chey."
((Adapted from live play.))