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Post by BorderWolf on Apr 11, 2008 11:37:36 GMT -5
Ummmmm, playing HM:DS and HM:DSCute.
I know, I know, not good enough. I didn't mean to be lazy and not get the chapters I have rough drafts for typed up. I'll do my best to get chapters 71 and 72 typed up in the next few days.
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Post by May on Apr 11, 2008 15:27:00 GMT -5
Yay! Moreee! ^.^
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Post by BorderWolf on Apr 15, 2008 11:19:53 GMT -5
Chapter 71
After having a few cups of tea with Elli, Jack walked back to his farm.
*I’m getting confused about who I made the promise to twelve years ago. I was beginning to think it was Karen, but after that kiss I got from Elli today, I’m now thinking that it could be her.*
As he entered his farm he saw Hilda sitting on the shipping bin.
“Hello Hilda, how are you?”
“Hello Jack, I’m fine thanks for asking. Are you ok? You look troubled about something.”
Jack sighed, “There are some things I’m troubled about.”
“Would you like to talk about them? Back in the spring I helped Karen with some problems she had.”
Jack smiled, “That’s right she told me that you helped her. I told her that I could guess it was most likely about guys.”
Hilda raised an eyebrow and grinned slightly, “What was her reply to your guess?”
“She grinned and told me I was right. I said that I would keep quiet about it unless I get permission from you two to tell anybody else.”
Hilda chuckled, “Let me guess what her reply was…… Something about your nice guy status being revoked?”
“Until further notice, yes. While I’m finishing with today’s harvest, I’ll tell you what is troubling me.”
“Ok, would you like some help?”
“Wouldn’t that get your dress dirty?”
Hilda winked an eye, “Don’t worry, this dress cleans up easily.”
“Ok, but how much should I pay you for the help?”
Hilda smiled, “I’ll be nice and just ask for one of the sweet potatoes.”
“But….”
Hilda held up a hand, “It will be enough. Now please tell me what is troubling you.”
“What is on the front burner right now is, a few hours ago Rick and Popuri were fighting. Lillia came out of the house upset that her kids were fighting. After yelling at them she collapsed to the ground. Rick and Popuri were in shock and didn’t know what to do. So Gray and I got her to the Clinic. From what Elli could say to us, Lillia is ok. I hope she is, so that her husband finds and returns that rare medical flower that can cure her.”
“You sound worried about her.”
“I am, Lillia is nice. If I had a choice in mothers, she would be in the top five.”
Hilda chuckled, “Your own mother is of course in that top five.”
Jack laughed and nodded, “Yes, along with my aunt.”
“So who are the other two?”
“I would have to say Sasha, the other is still in debate.”
“I see.”
“Anyway I wonder if the Harvest Goddess would be ok if I ask if she could keep Lillia alive enough for a cure to be found. If it is too much to ask for, for just one sweet potato, if taking ten years off my lifespan would help…”
“You wouldn’t need to do that.”
Jack looked surprised, “What? How do you know this?”
Hilda laid a hand on Jack’s arm, “I think that the Harvest Goddess would be ok with just the sweet potato. She is not that mean or demanding.”
Jack had the feeling that Hilda was telling the truth.
Hilda smiled, “Now since you said this problem is on the front burner, there must be something on the back burner.”
“Yes, until today it was on the front burner. It is about a promise I made with a girl twelve years ago. I promised I wouldn’t forget her.”
“Is it a girl from around here?”
“Yes. Now and then I have had dreams about here. The dreams for some odd reason have been in black and white, and they tend to end just before her name is mentioned.”
“You want to know her name? Can I ask why?”
“I want to apologize to her that I forgot her. I think she will forgive me.”
“She should, you are a nice person.”
“Thanks Hilda.”
“You’re welcome. You know you could offer one of these sweet potatoes to m… the Harvest Goddess. She could help you figure out who the girl is.”
Jack nodded, “Yeah, but I think I’ll wait to do that with my next harvest. I do want Lillia to stay alive for her husband to come back with that rare flower that will cure her. I don’t want to put my needs before others.”
When the last load of sweet potatoes was placed in the shipping bin, Jack handed Hilda one of the two he had kept aside.
“Thank you Jack, so you are going to go ask m… the Harvest Goddess to help Lillia stay healthy enough for Rod to return with the flower that can cure her?”
“Yes. Thank you for helping me.”
“You’re welcome Jack.”
Jack headed to the Goddess Pond. Hilda watched him walk away.
*Jack don’t worry. Rod is on his way back. Lillia will stay healthy for his return. I’ll just use this sweet potato as the offering for giving you another hint on who it was you made the promise to.*
In a flash Hilda vanished.
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Post by Juxapose on Apr 15, 2008 12:03:46 GMT -5
71 chapters? Does this story ever end?
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Post by May on Apr 15, 2008 19:30:27 GMT -5
Yay! Nice chapter ^.^
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Post by BorderWolf on Apr 16, 2008 1:04:11 GMT -5
71 chapters? Does this story ever end? I'm starting to wind this story down.
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Post by Pickle on Apr 17, 2008 20:34:56 GMT -5
I like the whole thing with the sweet potatoe.
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Post by BorderWolf on Apr 18, 2008 22:21:21 GMT -5
Chapter 72
Elli walked into her bedroom and picked up a teddy bear from her bookcase. Crossing the room she flopped onto her bed.
“Oh Teddy, I hope that Jack really doesn’t think badly of me after I lost my temper. I did ask him a second time while were having some tea. He chuckled and said that he doesn’t. I guess that Jack wouldn’t lie to me. He is a very nice guy, and I’m starting to have strong feelings for him. I feel that I’m going to steal him away from Karen, she deserves a nice guy since Rick is being an idiot. I’m wondering if I should just show Jack the photo of Ann, Karen, Gina and me wearing only towels for capes and grinning. But that might make Karen angry, and I don’t want to lose her as a friend.”
Half an hour later Elli got up from the bed. She placed Teddy next to another teddy bear on the same shelf. Shaking her head, she felt sad that her brother didn’t want his teddy bear anymore.
“I hope that Stu will change his mind and want you again Pookie.”
Elli went downstairs to see if Lillia was awake and hungry. Peeking into the room where Lillia was, Elli saw that Lillia had her eyes closed.
Elli softly asked, “Lillia are you awake?”
Lillia opened her eyes and turned to face Elli, “Yes. How are my kids doing?”
Stepping in and walking over to stand next to the bed Elli said, “They are a little shaken up, but Popuri is handling it ok.”
“What about Rick?”
“I think he is handling ok, but I lost my temper and let it out on him.”
Lillia chuckled, “He did bring me here, didn’t he?”
Elli shook her head, “No it was Gray who carried you here, with help from Jack who opened the door and calmly told me what happened.”
Lillia sat up slowly, “I see, did my kids try to say what happened?”
“They tried to, but they were very shaken up and it wasn’t coming out enough for Tim and me to work with. Oh, before I forget, are you hungry?”
“Yes, but it can wait. My motherly instinct tells me that there is something troubling you. Would you like to talk about, even if we’re not related?”
A soft smile appeared on Elli’s face, “Yes.”
Elli pulled up a chair next to the bed and sat down, “It’s about Jack.”
Elli talked for half an hour. Lillia nodded every now and then.
After Elli finished Lillia said, “It looks like quite a love triangle you three have. That is a bold idea for the three of you to bathe together, so that Jack can see yours and Karen’s birthmarks.”
“Yeah I know.”
“Elli, you don’t need to worry. I don’t disapprove of your idea. Since I was good friends with your mother, I know that she would approve as well.”
Elli smiled, “Yeah, that’s true.”
Lillia nodded, “Plus if she were still alive and she knew you were learning to be a doctor, she would most likely joke and say that you could ask Jack if you could use him for training purposes.”
Elli blushed, “Lillia!!!”
Lillia chuckled, “I know that you liked to play doctor when you were a kid, now you can do it for real. Maybe Jack would ask if he could have you for his doctor after you pass the test.”
“Wouldn’t Jack want Tim to be his doctor? After all there are some medical problems that guys have that they would feel more comfortable telling a male doctor then a woman doctor.”
Lillia nodded, “True, but there are some guys that don’t mind if the doctor is a woman. Some might even add on to that old saying.”
A puzzled look crossed Elli face, “What old saying?”
Lillia giggled, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
“So what would they add to that?”
Lillia giggled again, “But if the doctor is cute, forget the fruit.”
Elli giggled, “They better not forget to eat their apples, or else I’ll take their temperature the way you would with a baby.”
Lillia laughed, “Oh my, that would be an evil thing to do.”
Elli laughed, “True, but evil spelled backwards is live.”
Lillia chuckled, “That’s right. I do hope that Jack does figure out if it was you or Karen, that he made that promise to. Both of you are nice girls.”
“I know. I feel if it was me, Jack should date Karen instead.”
Lillia raised an eyebrow, “Why?”
Elli sighed, “I don’t mean any disrespect, but since Rick has been….”
“Seeing Karen as a childhood friend instead of a mature woman?”
Elli slumped, “Ummm, yes.”
“Elli, don’t feel bad. I’ve tried to give Rick hints that Karen would like a deeper relationship with him. But it doesn’t seem to be working. I wonder if I need to shake him to see if there is anything rattling around in his head.”
Elli giggled, “Maybe my outburst at him helped shake him up.”
Lillia smiled, “Maybe it did.”
Elli stood up, “Well I’ll go get you some lunch. Would you like some tomato soup?”
“That sounds nice, yes please.”
“Ok, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Lillia closed her eyes for a minute.
*Maybe Rick will finally grow up. There might be a chance for him to make amends with Karen, so that they could start dating. But Jack is a nice guy, so if he were to start dating Karen, that wouldn’t be bad.*
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Post by Pickle on Apr 24, 2008 3:23:00 GMT -5
“But if the doctor is cute, forget the fruit.”
“True, but evil spelled backwards is live.”
These are awesome
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rachel
Large Milk
[M:2]
Kindness isn't something you have to do, it's something you should want to do.
Posts: 123
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Post by rachel on Apr 24, 2008 12:07:48 GMT -5
Wonderful Chapter! Elli and Lillia are two of my favorites.
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Post by May on Apr 29, 2008 16:12:24 GMT -5
Really good chapter! You make Elli look very wise, which is good ^.^
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Post by BorderWolf on May 1, 2008 5:23:42 GMT -5
Chapter 73
Last day of fall, Jack could feel the weather was getting colder as he stepped out of his house.
“Good morning Jack.”
Jack turned to see May walking to him carrying a bag.
“Good morning May. What brings you to my farm?”
“Today is the Pumpkin Festival, you give candy to kids.”
Jack smiled, “That’s right, well then let me see if there is a candy bar for you on my dinning table.”
A moment later Jack handed May a candy bar.
“Thank you Jack, you are very nice.”
“You’re welcome May. While you are here would you like to see Zephyr?”
“Oh! Yes please. Does he like it here?”
“I think so, he looks happier then he was when your grandfather brought him here.”
Jack and May entered the stable. Zephyr looked up from the hay he was chewing on. Nickering he walked over and looked down at May.
May reached up and gently stroked Zephyr’s nose, “Hello Zephyr, you are very pretty.”
Zephyr lightly shook his head and snorted lightly.
May giggled, “Yes you are, because you are a good boy.”
After another light stroking Zephyr’s nose, May left to continue her quest for candy.
Sometime later Stu ran in and stopped in front of Jack.
Opening his bag Stu bellowed, “Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat!”
“Hello to you too Stu.”
After Jack handed Stu a candy bar Stu ran off.
Jack shook his head.
*At least May showed some manners. Hopefully Stu will learn them.*
At noon Jack heard his stomach rumble. Since he was due for another free meal at the Inn, he headed into town.
Ann looked up from wiping the bar top, “Hi Jack, I guess you came for your free meal.”
“Hello Ann, and yes please for my free meal.”
As Ann placed Jack’s lunch in front of him she asked, “Did Popuri show up at your farm asking for candy?”
“No, why would she do that?”
“Remember back in the spring, Karen said that Popuri still goes around asking for candy on the Pumpkin Festival.”
“That’s right, I forgot about that.”
“Well she hasn’t come by here yet. Whoops! Here she comes.”
Popuri entered the Inn, “Hi Ann, Jack.”
Ann smiled and softly sighed before saying, “Hi Popuri, just a moment and I’ll get your candy bar.”
“No thank you, I’m not going to ask for candy anymore.”
Ann narrowed her eyes and walked over to Popuri. She then folded her arms across her chest, “Alright, you are you and what have you done to the real Popuri?”
“Huh? What do you mean the real Popuri?”
“The Popuri I know goes around asking for candy on the Pumpkin Festival. She should have stopped doing that when she was thirteen.”
Popuri closed her eyes, “Eight days ago, my mom got upset because Rick and I were fighting. She collapsed to the ground. Gray and Jack got her to the Clinic. Rick and I followed. After mom was examined, Elli came out and yelled at Rick to grow up.”
Ann softened her expression, “I know, Elli told me that Lillia was in the Clinic.”
Popuri nodded, “I had the feeling she would. Anyway I had the feeling she wanted to tell me that I should grow up as well.”
“I don’t know if she would say that. But I think I’m going to miss you showing up for candy on the Pumpkin Festival. Hey! How about a cup of hot chocolate? It will be my treat.”
Popuri giggled, “Ok, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Popuri came over and sat down next to Jack.
“What are you doing here Jack?”
“I’m having some lunch, since I don’t have that great of a kitchen to cook in.”
“Oh, ok. How is Henny doing?”
“She is laying eggs again. You and Rick were right that it would take a few days for her to get used to a new home.”
Popuri nodded, “That’s good to hear. I think I saw that you have an incubator in your coop. If you want more chickens, just place an egg in there.”
“Sounds like a good idea, thank you.”
Popuri blinked here eyes, “Ummm, you’re welcome Jack.”
“You’re not used to people thanking you?”
“Mostly it has been my mom. Kai did that me when I helped open the windows of his snack shack on the second of summer.”
“What about your brother?”
“Rick has when I made meals for us while mom was at the Clinic.”
“That’s good to hear.”
After Popuri finished her hot chocolate, she excused herself and left the Inn.
Ann came over and collected the dirty mug, “So you bought a chicken from Popuri?”
“No, she and Rick gave me Henny and a season’s worth of chicken feed for helping get Lillia to the Clinic.”
Ann smiled, That’s nice of them.”
“It is. Maybe I will use that incubator, then give them the first chicken that hatches.”
“What would you name it?”
“Hmmm, how does Penny sound?”
Ann shook her head, “Henny, Penny? That sounds straight out of a children’s story.”
“Anything wrong with that?”
Ann chuckled, “No. But I would name the one being given away something else.”
“Why?”
Ann shrugged her shoulders, “So I could keep chickens with similar sounding names.”
Jack rubbed his chin, “Hmmm, let’s see…. Jenny, Kenny, Benny, Denny, Annie…”
Ann narrowed her eyes and glared at Jack, “You’re going to name a chicken after me?”
Jack smiled, “Your name is Ann not Annie.”
Ann chuckled, “True, but it does sound like my name.”
“Would you be upset if I did name a chicken, cow or sheep after you?”
Ann shook her head, “No, though I would prefer a cow or sheep to share my name, since they live longer then chickens.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. I was thinking of naming my first cow Butter.”
“Butter?”
Jack grinned, “You do get butter from milk, right?”
Ann burst out laughing, “That’s cleaver Jack. So what would you name your first sheep?”
“Well from what I have heard, sheep do like to eat clover, so I thought…”
“Clover would be a good name. It even sounds cute.”
“Well if it’s a boy sheep I can name him Baathoven.”
Ann closed her eyes and gave a groan, “That’s a bad pun Jack.”
“Come on it is funny.”
“No it isn’t.”
After Jack finished his lunch he headed back to his farm. Ann collected the dirty dishes. As she set the dishes in the sink, she shook her head and gave another groan. Then an image of a sheep baaing Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony popped in her mind. She burst out laughing.
*Ok, ok Jack. It is funny.*
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Post by Pickle on May 4, 2008 6:36:40 GMT -5
Yes, it's hallarious.
I spell it wrong on purpose because...I can. Yah, that's it.
Looks better, too. Cute chapter, though it feels fillery. But that's okay. Because it's cute.
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Hawkfire
Small Milk
Bring a little peace into the world.
Posts: 7
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Post by Hawkfire on May 23, 2008 15:34:56 GMT -5
wow this is really good! keep writing
=^.^=
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Post by BorderWolf on Jun 9, 2008 12:39:20 GMT -5
Chapter 74
Several days later Jack stepped out of his house and looked up at the falling snow.
*I like it here. I don’t have to worry about people that don’t know how to drive cars on snow covered streets.*
After feeding his chicken, Jack got his fishing rod and headed to the pier. As he approached the pier Zack stepped out of his building.
“Good morning Jack, going to do some fishing?”
“Good morning Zack. Yes, since I can’t work in my field with all of the snow covering it.”
Zack laughed, “True. Just be careful, in about two hours the ferry will be showing up.”
“Ok, I’ll fish until I see it approaching.”
Jack sat down at the end of the pier and cast his line out.
*I wonder how many fish I’ll catch.*
An hour and a half later, Jack looked up and saw the ferry on the horizon. After reeling in his line, he decided to head home. As he entered Rose Plaza, he saw that Cliff was standing in the center, staring up at the falling snow.
“Hey Cliff, aren’t you cold with out a coat on?”
Cliff continued looking up at the snow, “The snow was falling just like this the day I left home.”
Jack heard the slight sadness in Cliff’s voice, “You could write a letter to your family, to let them know how you are doing.”
“Why did I have to leave home?”
Jack was unsure how to answer, “Cliff, let’s head to the Inn and get something hot to eat and drink.”
“I should never have left home.”
A piece of paper slipped out of Cliff’s hand. A slight gust of wind caused it to drift away.
“I’ll get that for you Cliff.”
Jack dashed after the paper. As he grabbed it he heard a thump behind him. Spinning around he saw that Cliff had collapsed in a heap.
“Oh no, please don’t be dead.”
Jack stuffed the paper in a pocket as he dashed back to Cliff. He saw the tell-tale signs that Cliff was still breathing. Scooping up Cliff Jack hastily walked to the Clinic.
*Even if it is Wednesday, I hope that Elli or Tim is there.*
Elli stepped out of the supermarket with two bags of groceries. Out of the corner of her eye she saw that someone walking quickly to the Clinic. Turning she saw it was Jack carrying someone.
“Jack what happened? Who is…….. Is that Cliff?”
“Yes. Cliff was in Rose Plaza looking at the falling snow. He’s upset about something, something about leaving home.”
“Let’s get him inside the Clinic.”
Elli got her key out and unlocked the door. After they stepped inside Elli said, “Go put Cliff on a bed just off the examination room.”
“Ok.”
“I think Tim is out looking for the medicinal grass that grows in winter. I’ll see if he took a pager with him.”
As Jack finished placing Cliff on the bed, Elli dashed in the room.
“Tim didn’t take a pager with him, so could I trouble you by…..”
“Yes, I’ll go look for Tim. Where would he be?”
“He goes to Mother’s Hill to look for the grass. Sometimes he’ll stop at the Inn afterwards to get something hot to drink.”
“Ok, I’ll check the Inn first then take the path he would take to get to Mother’s Hill.”
“Thank you Jack. Good luck.”
“You’re welcome.”
Jack dashed out of the room. Elli heard the front door open and close. Looking up at the ceiling Elli gave a sigh.
*Please Goddess, don’t let Cliff die. Ann will be very broken hearted if he did. He is the other guy she really likes.*
Jack sprinted to the Inn. When he entered he saw that Tim was at one of the tables with Duke.
“Tim, you’re needed at the Clinic. Cliff collapsed in Rose Plaza, most likely for not wearing a coat. I got him to the Clinic, and Elli let me in.”
Tim set his coffee mug down, “Alright, I’ll go now.”
Ann came out of the kitchen, “What’s this about Cliff?”
With a worried look Jack said, “He collapsed in Rose Plaza, he forgot to wear a coat. I got him to the Clinic. I hope he is going to be ok.”
Tears started to well up in Ann’s eyes, “He can’t die.” Then Ann started to bolt passed Jack, only to be stopped by Duke.
“Ann, you know that Tim and Elli will make sure Cliff doesn’t die.”
Sobbing Ann threw a punch into Duke’s stomach. Duke released Ann as he staggered back.
Doug ran over to Duke, “Duke, are you ok?”
“Yeah, your daughter sure can throw a mean punch.”
Doug nodded, “I know. Jack can you go after Ann, and try to bring her back here?”
Jack nodded, “I’m on my way.”
When Jack approached the Clinic again, he saw Ann pounding on the door.
“Elli, please let me in.”
A moment later the door opened and Elli stepped out.
“Ann, what are you doing here?”
“I want to see Cliff!”
“No, Cliff needs to rest.”
“Please Elli.”
“Listen to me, Cliff will be alright. Jack got him here in time. You can come see him in the morning.”
“But….”
“No, I know you like Cliff, but he does need to rest. Now let Jack take you back to the Inn.”
Ann looked over her shoulder and saw Jack. Turning back, “Ok, I’ll be back when you open.”
After Jack took Ann back to the Inn, he returned home. He sat down at his dinning table and pulled the piece of paper that Cliff dropped. It was a photo that had a younger looking Cliff and two women.
*It looks like it is his mother and sister.*
An hour later there was a knock on the front door. Opening the door Jack saw that it was Elli.
“Hello Elli, is Cliff better?”
“Hello Jack. Yes, Cliff will make it, thanks to you. I came by because my intuition tells me that there was something you weren’t telling me, when you brought Cliff to the Clinic.”
A smile crossed Jack’s face, “There is, come inside and I’ll make us some coffee while I tell you.”
Elli stepped in and looked around, “Karen’s right, your house is small.”
Jack chuckled, “I will have Gotz expand the kitchen and bedroom.”
Elli chuckled, “I don’t disapprove. I like houses that are cozy. So what was it that you weren’t telling me?”
Jack sighed, “Just before he collapsed, he dropped this.”
Jack handed Elli the photo.
Elli looked at it then back at Jack, “A family photo.”
“Yes. If Cliff was aware enough when I told him I would get that before the wind carried it away. I would like to return it to him.”
“You said that he was upset about leaving home.”
“Yes. From what I heard him say, the weather was just like today’s weather when he left.”
Jack poured two mugs of coffee, and handed one to Elli.
After taking a sip, Elli set the mug down and started to lightly tap the side of the mug. After a minute Elli said, “What time do you get up?”
“Well since it winter, I get up at seven.”
“The Clinic opens at nine. I could let you in if you showed up at eight, so you could talk to Cliff privately.”
“Would you get into trouble for letting me in early?”
Elli shook her head, “No.”
“Ok. I’ll be there.”
“Cliff is very lucky to have you for a friend. You helped him get a job, and you just saved his life.”
“I have a feeling that he would have done the same for me.”
Elli nodded, “Yeah, I think you’re right. Well I need to get back to the Clinic. Thank you for the coffee.”
“You’re welcome. Would you like me to escort you back? I want to check that Duke will let Cliff stay on.”
“You’re worried that he will fire Cliff?”
“Yes.”
“He won’t, he came by the Clinic to say that Cliff can stay to recover for the next three days.”
“That’s good, but what about the escort home?”
Elli smiled, “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine.”
“Ok, then I’ll see you at eight.”
The next day Jack arrived at the Clinic.
“Good morning Jack, let’s see if Cliff is awake.”
Elli looked into the room Cliff was in, “Cliff, are you awake?”
Cliff stirred, “Yes. What is it Elli?”
“Well Jack has stopped by to see how you are doing. Would it be ok for him to talk to you?”
“I guess so.”
Elli turned and signaled to Jack to enter the room.
Stepping into the room Jack pulled over a chair, “Hello Cliff, I heard from Elli that you are doing better.”
“Because you brought me here, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You would have done the same for me.”
A slight smile crept on Cliff’s face, “Yeah, I would.”
“I wanted to come by because just before you collapsed, you dropped this photo.” Jack then handed the photo to Cliff.
“I didn’t lose it after all. You must be wondering who is with me in the photo.”
“Elli and I guess that it is family, mother and sister, right?”
“You showed this to Elli?”
“Yes, if I wasn’t supposed to, I’m sorry. It’s just I had to tell Elli what happened when you collapsed.”
Cliff was silent for a moment, “It is ok Jack. You are right. It is my mother and sister. I started to travel four years ago. I felt that I should see the world, but return every year. But when I came back for the first time, I found out that my mother had died, and my sister had left town. I don’t know where she went to. I just knew I wouldn’t be happy alone with any family members in town.”
With a slight sad look Jack asked, “What about your father?”
Cliff was silent for several minutes, “He, ummm, he died when I was very young.”
“Cliff, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Cliff gave a nod.
Jack scratched an ear, “Elli told me that Duke won’t fire you, so you can rest here for three days.”
Cliff just nodded.
Jack stood up, “Well I’m going to see if today’s fishing will be better then yesterday’s fishing.”
Cliff didn’t say anything or nod his head. Jack looked closer and saw that Cliff was asleep again. Stepping out of the room Jack saw Elli was next to the door, her back was against the wall, and tears were trickling from her eyes.
“Elli?”
“That’s sad that Cliff’s parents are gone, and his sister left with no word to where she was going.”
Jack walked over and hugged Elli, “Yes. I wasn’t sure what to say.”
Elli wiped the tears away, “You did ok. I think I’ll wash my face before Ann shows up. No sense in her getting the wrong idea about Cliff’s condition.”
“Alright, I’ll head on out so Ann doesn’t see that I got special treatment.”
Elli giggled, “She wouldn’t get mad. She would figure that you wanted to talk to Cliff privately. We girls know you boys have a hard time showing feelings of thanks.”
Jack grinned, “Yeah, we boys are idiots when it comes to showing feelings.”
Elli smiled, “You’re not idiots. You boys are just shy. Now go catch a fish or two.”
Jack laughed, “Ok… You know, Cliff’s sister looks a little like Ann.”
“Except for one thing, Ann doesn’t wear dresses.”
“She doesn’t?”
“Nope, a few years ago there was a boy that tried to give Ann a dress to wear.”
Jack raised an eyebrow, “What did she do?”
A wide grin crept on Elli’s face, “She thumped the box with the dress on the boy’s head. So don’t ever give Ann a dress.”
“I won’t. If I do give clothes, it will be either overalls like she wears, or the type of shirts she wears.”
Elli continued her grin, “That would be a very wise thing to do.”
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