Promises

[melody]

Very nice, Border.

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 15

Karen leaned back and rested her head on the edge in the deep part of the hot spring. She looked up at the clouds through the rising steam. She thought about Jack, and wondered if she was falling in love with him.

*How can I be falling in love with a guy I just met yesterday? It’s like something straight out of a girl’s manga. This shouldn’t happen in real life.*

The sound of the hot spring’s door opening caused Karen to sit up. She moved an arm to cover her breasts, she was thankful that the bubbling water hid the lower parts.

*That had better not be Jack. If it is then he is not a nice guy he claims to be. If that is Rick, I’m going to slap him so hard that I hope it leaves a mark this time.*

A woman’s voice spoke up, “Hello, can I join you?”

Relaxing a bit, Karen answered, “Yes, if there are no guys with you.”

“Thank you dear, I’ll be in there in a minute.”

The woman entered, she looked beautiful. Karen widened her eyes.

*Green hair?*

The woman smiled, “Is there something wrong dear?”

“No, I was looking at your hair. I’ve never seen anyone with natural green hair before.”

“Oh, it’s a trait that runs in my family.”

“I see, oh I’m Karen.”

“Nice to meet you Karen, I’m Hilda.”

“That name sounds familiar. Do you come here often?”

“I do visit here from time to time. The last time I was here was back at the Starry Night Festival. I visited Carter.”

“Oh, I think he did say that a woman visited him.”

“Is there something troubling you Karen?”

“What makes you say that?”

“Well I sense that you are troubled by something. Also your not wanting any guys when I was joining you.”

“Well there is a few things.”

“Would you like to talk about it? I’m a good listener.”

“I guess I could, I sense that you are trust worthy.”

Hilda grinned, “Because we’re both girls?”

Karen grinned, “That and the feeling that you have heard this before, and gave advice.”

“I might have. So what is the problem?”

“Well it has to do with boys, three of them. I’ve known Rick since we were kids. But now that we are adults, he still sees me as the little girl that he played with. I don’t know if I have to bring him here and let him see me naked, to show him that I’m not a little girl anymore.”

“Rick could be scared of his feelings for you. So he retreats to the memory of the little girl you were.”

“Huh, I never thought of it that way.”

“So who are the other two boys?”

“The next one is Jack, who just moved here. I’ve only known him since yesterday, but for some reason I think I’m falling in love with him. It just shouldn’t happen like that.”

“My dear, it does happen. It’s called ‘love at first sight’, it’s very rare.”

“Oh, ok.”

“So who is the third boy?”

“That would be Gray. I have no interest in him, and he finally admitted his feeling to my friend Mary. But he said something that upset her. He feels that she should start standing up for herself. Her mother still treats her as a child, and just hates guys from the city. That’s where Gray came from.”

“It sounds like Mary’s mother might have been hurt by a guy from the city, and feels that all guys from the city will be that same way.”

“That does sound like it could be it.”

“I’m sure it is it. Does Mary have the same feelings for Gray?”

“Yes. She is in love with him. She came to Ann, Elli, and me for advice. We did tell her that she should start standing up for herself, because her mother will not always be around.”

“Sort of like the baby bird that learns to fly, and leaves the nest?”

“Yes, that’s what Elli said!”

“I guess great minds think alike.”

“Yeah, but one thing about Jack is. I think he not only likes me, but he also likes Ann and Elli.”

“Oh? How do they feel about him?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I think that they might feel the same way.”

“Are you upset that they feel the same way?”

“No, that is the odd thing. If Jack were to start dating Ann or Elli, I wouldn’t be upset. In fact, I wouldn’t mind losing to them. Jack is a nice guy. I think that if Jack were to start dating me, that they wouldn’t mind losing to me.”

“Maybe you three know Jack from somewhere.”

“Well, Jack visited here when he was six.”

“So maybe one of you played with him a lot. That your buried memory of him is coming up.”

“Maybe, us girls did play with some of the kids that visited from the mainland, even if we mainly played with just girls, but there were a few boys in there.”

“Then if Jack chooses one of you, would you still be friends with each other?”

“I think so, we do consider each other as sisters.”

“So then if he marries one of you, the other two could be honorary aunts.”

Karen laughed, “Yeah, I think that would be great. Thanks Hilda. I’m going to get out now, I don’t want to start looking like a prune.”

“Ok dear, I’m glad I could help.”

Karen got out and dried herself off, got dressed and left.

Hilda sighed, *Mortals, they always make mountains out of molehills.*

Hilda rose out of the water to where she was standing on top of the water. In a flash she was wearing an aquamarine colored dress. Then another flash, Hilda vanished.

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 16

Jack decided to make the pasture in the northeast corner of the field. He placed the small stones in the corner. Now and then he had to pull weeds out.

*To bad that I can’t keep these to use as feed for the cows and sheep. But I have a feeling that they would turn their noses up at them.*

He saw Karen crossing the bridge on the south side of his farm. She waved at him and walked over.

“Hi Karen, you’re looking refreshed.”

“Thanks Jack. It looks like you’re in need of a bath. If you are going to go soon, would you announce yourself? There is a woman by the name Hilda up there. She joined me since we are both girls. I don’t know if she would want to bathe with a guy she doesn’t know.”

“Ok, I will do that. I take that you two had a little ‘girl talk’ session?”

“Yeah, and what it was about….”

“Is something that men are not to know.”

Karen laughed, “Yup, but I have the feeling you kind of know what it was about.”

“Yes, it was about boys. Don’t worry I will not tell anyone else unless I get permission from you girls.”

“Ok, otherwise your ‘nice guy’ status is revoked until further notice. Well I need to get home, I think that dinner will be ready.”

“See you around then.”

Jack watched Karen leave.

*There is something familiar about her, but I can’t figure what it is.*

[melody]

Very good, Border. I really liked both chapters.

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 17

A few days later the turnips that were planted were ready for harvesting.

“Well Hero, I hope that I’ll get a good payment from this harvest.”

Hero gave a bark and wagged his tail.

“Let’s head into town and get some more seeds.”

Jack entered the supermarket, he saw Karen dusting the shelves.

“Hi Jack, how are you doing?”

“I’m doing great. Is it ok for Hero to be in here?”

“So long as he doesn’t answer the ‘call of nature’, it’s ok. He is a cutie.”

“Ok, but if he does make a mess, I will gladly clean it up with my shirt. I came in to buy some more seeds.”

“Your first harvest is done?”

“Yes, I hope that it pays well.”

“Well may I recommend that you buy some cucumber seeds. They grow well and they have multiple harvests.”

“Ok, I’ll also buy a few bags of turnips, so that I will have some small flow of money coming in.”

Karen nodded, “Sounds like a smart plan. With the flow from the scavenging, you must have a small fortune.”

Sasha entered from the back of the store, “Who are you talking to Karen? Oh, welcome Jack. Came to buy some more seeds?”

“Yes, Karen recommended I buy some cucumber seeds, as they have more then one harvest.”

“Yes, they do.”

“You have raised a smart woman.”

Karen blushed slightly, while Sasha smiled, “Sweet talking about my daughter will not get you any discounts.”

“I wasn’t expecting any.”

“So who is that cute furry friend by you?”

“This is Hero, he showed up at my farm the day I arrived. Karen did say that it should be ok for him to be in here, so long as he doesn’t make a mess. But if he does I will use my shirt to clean it up.”

“I don’t think you need to go that far Jack, he is still a puppy. So I will forgive him.”

“Thank you.”

“Well I think I’ll let Karen ring up your purchase, I’m off to chat with Manna and Anna. Nice seeing you again Jack.”

“Likewise Sasha.”

After Sasha left, Karen said, “You think that I’m smart?”

“Yes. You definitely are not a ‘dumb blonde’ or a ‘country bumpkin’.”

“Do some people in the city think that?”

“Unfortunately most do. They think most blondes only think about how to make them selves beautiful and have a low intelligence, and that country people have a low intelligence.”

“Did you ever think that way?”

“No, I never did. In fact one of the Grand Jurors I was a part of was a blonde, she happened to be the foreperson for our group.”

“Sounds like you liked her.”

“Yes, she was a nice person to know. I hope that her boyfriend doesn’t breakup with her. If he does then he is an idiot in my opinion. But she was a bit concerned about me, when I had a hard time concentrating on the cases we heard, because I hadn’t heard from Joe. She did give me her address to write to her. So I think that I should write a letter and get it sent.”

“Well Zack does do the mail in addition to the shipping he does.”

“Ok, I’ll get that letter written then. Now as for the seeds I want to buy, I’ll ger one bag of the cucumbers, one bag of turnips, and I think I’ll also get a bag of potatoes. Even if they have one harvest they look like they grow quickly.”

“They do. I will say again, that is a smart idea to have a small flow of money coming in.”

After paying for the seeds Jack left. Karen watched him through the window. Rubbing her chin, she softly said, “Love at first sight. Hmmmm, maybe I’ll get together with Ann and Elli to see if they are feeling the same way. And if they are, will we end up fighting over him to where we will stop being friends? I think of them as my sisters. I don’t want to lose them.”

[Limegreen Queen]

Good job Border! I really like the last 3! I hadn't had time to read them before but they are really good!

[BorderWolf]

Thanks, I'm tring to catch up on getting the chapters typed up on Word, from the written notes that I have done. On paper the story is up to chapter 25. So I will try to get the rest done on Word and get them posted. I'm finally getting my three day weekend, because of the 4th of July.

[Limegreen Queen]

it closer to the 4th of August! how come so late???

[BorderWolf]

There are a lot of people on the janitorial crew at the airport. This time around I'm a part of the last to get the three-day weekend. In May for Memorial Day, I got the three-day weekend three weeks before the holiday.

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 18

The next day with the falling rain, Karen dashed into the clinic. Elli looked up from the medical book she was reading.

“Hi Karen, I don’t think the ‘drowned rat look’ looks good on you.”

Karen grinned, “It doesn’t feel great either. You got a towel I can borrow?”

“Sure, so what brings you here?”, asked Elli as she searched for a towel.

“Well…… it’s about Jack.”

Elli handed a towel to her wet friend, “What about him, aside that he his cute?”

Karen dried herself, but did answer. When the pause lasted a minute later, Elli asked, “Karen, what is wrong?”

“How do you feel about Jack, and I mean really feel?”

Elli sensed that Karen was upset, “I think that I have a crush on him. Why do you ask?”

“I think that I might be falling in love with him.”

“‘Love at first sight’?”

“Yes, sounds silly doesn’t it?”

“No, since that happened with my parents.”

“What? You and your grandmother never said that happened to them.”

Elli shrugged her shoulders, “We only tell a few people about it.”

“I’ll keep quiet about it.”

“Thank you Karen. How does Jack feel about you?”

“I don’t know. I’ve seen him looking at me. But the look looks like someone trying to remember something.”

“Yes, he does that to me. Ann has said the same.”

“What about Mary and Popuri?”

“No, he doesn’t do that to them.”

“I wonder why.”

“You know, I think since he did say that he came here with his parents twelve years ago, he must have played with one of us a lot.”

“But we mainly played with the girls our own age.”

“Yes, but there were a few boys.”

“Well if it was Jack, why doesn’t he remember who it was?”

“Maybe because we had a different body frame, then the current one we have.”

Karen grinned and pointed at her breasts, “Yeah, we didn’t have these.”

“Plus my hair was a bit longer back then.”

“So what do we do, when he remembers which one of us it was that played with him?”

“Well if he remembers who it was, and if it was you or Ann, I won’t take it hard. It will not be professional for me to do it.”

“Professional?”

Elli sighed and held up a hand, “Karen, I’m the towns midwife. I’m also the nurse. I’m training to be another doctor for the town, since there are some women from the mainland that prefer a woman doctor to look at them. So if Jack chooses you or Ann, I really can’t hold a grudge. Besides I consider you and Ann as my sisters.”

Karen grinned, “Yeah, I feel the same way. Thanks Sis.”

Elli smiled, “Now listen to your ‘big sister’, wait here until the rain has stopped. Then go talk with Ann if you haven’t already, and find out if she feels the same way.”

“Ok, but why did you say big sister? You are the youngest of the three of us.”

“Well considering that I’m a bit more caring, and tend to look out for all of you, I think that qualifies as a big sister.”

“Ok, ok ‘big sis’. Since I’ll be waiting here, it might be a good idea to have something hot to drink.”

Elli smiled, “Two coffees coming up. You still take milk and sugar in yours?”

“Yeah, just like you do.”

Elli left to get the coffees. Karen rubbed the towel in her hair again, while looking out at the rain.

*Jack, please don’t be out in this rain. You will have us worried if you get very sick.*

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 19

“Tomorrow’s forecast will be rain.”

Jack sighed, and changed the channel.

“Farmer Fran! Farmer Fran!”

“Yes Timmy?”

“Teach me about what you were going to teach yesterday.”

“About rainy weather?”

“Yes!”

“Well Timmy, when it rains you don’t need to water your crops.”

“Yeah that makes sense.”

“Yes, but it is not a good idea to plant seeds when it rains.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because the rain could wash away the seeds you’re planting.”

“Wow!”

“Also any animals you have don’t like getting wet, because they could get sick.”

“What would I do if they do get sick?”

“That Timmy, will be tomorrow’s lesson.”

“Ahhhhh, that’s not fair!”

Jack hit the off button. Getting up he walked over to the window.

*Great, two days of no work.*

Hero looked up from where has was curled up, and wagged his tail.

“Sorry boy, but we are not going out to work today.”

Hero barked and bounded to the door.


“It’s raining out there you goofball!”

Jack decided that this would be a good time to write that letter to Claire. Getting a piece of paper and a pen, he wrote.

Howdy Claire! Sorry for not responding sooner. My friend Joe did pass away towards the end of fall. I found that he left his farm to me, since he never did marry or had any children. He felt that I could handle running it. Right now it is a chore to get it back in shape, what with the snowstorms that dumped a lot of debris scattered in the field. I’ve gotten a small patch cleared, and just had my first harvest! I went with turnips, since they grow quickly. As of this letter, it is raining and looks like it will rain tomorrow. There is a nice hot spring here, so if you and Pete were to visit I will warn you that the locals here have a ‘clothing optional’ policy, and it mainly is no clothes at all. So if you were to come, do call out before entering. Also the local deity around here is the Harvest Goddess, and the locals are very protective of her. So do not make any mean comments. Anyway, I hope to hear from you soon. Sincerely, Jack

Jack folded and placed the letter in an envelope. After addressing it, he looked out the window again.

*Now to find a way to get this mailed without getting it wet.*

[Ember]

Just read the last five, brill Border.

[BorderWolf]

Thanks. I'll try to get the next chapters typed up. They just changed my work days. Now instead of having Sunday and Monday off, I now have Tuesday and Wednesday off. *groan*

[BorderWolf]

Chapter 20

After the second day of rain, Jack was finally able to get the new bags of seeds planted. Wiping the sweat off his forehead, Jack went into his house and got the letter to Claire. Entering Zack’s shack, he saw that Won was sitting behind a makeshift counter made out of orange crates. Zack looked up from the paper work he was doing.

“Hi Jack, what can I do for you?”

“Well I heard that you’re also the postman for the town.”

“Yes, do you have a letter to be sent?”

“Yes, it needs to be sent to the mainland.”

“Well it can be sent today, the speedboat that the postal worker from the mainland uses will be arriving soon. After the transfer is done, she leaves quickly. So you showed up in enough time.”

As Jack handed the letter to Zack, the door opened and Karen entered.

“Hey Zack, am I in enough time to get this order form sent?”

“Yes Karen, you’re in time.”

Won looked up from the magazine he was reading.

“What a beautiful lady.”

Karen turned and raised an eyebrow, “And who might you be?”

“I am Won. I have set up a shop here to sell things that some of the other stores don’t sell.”

“I see.”

“You have arrived in time for the Golden Service. Each customer gets one free item.”

Karen’s eyes widened, “Really?”

“Yes lovely lady.”

“Zack, Jack, what did you choose for your free item?”

Zack and Jack looked at each other.

“This is the first I have heard of the sale.”

“Yeah, I just came to mail my letter.”

“Then come over here and we’ll all choose our free item.”

A small choking sound came from Won.

Karen looked at Won, “Are you ok?”

“Ye, yes it must have been the fried egg I had for breakfast, I must have put too much spices on it.”

“Ok. Hey Jack, he’s sell pineapple seeds that we don’t sell at our store. I heard that they are a good crop to grow in summer. Why don’t you take that as you’re free item.”

“Ok, that sounds like a good idea.”

“I’ll take this locket for my free item.”

Zack looked over the items that Won had out, “I’ll take this picture frame for my free item.”

Karen grinned and raised an eyebrow, “To hold a picture for the lady you have a crush on?”

Zack blushed slightly, “Yeah.”

“Ok, well I’m going to head home now. Jack are you going to stay here?”

“No, since I have given Zack the letter to be sent, I’m going to head home as well.”

“Then you want to head out with me?”

“Sure.”

When Karen and Jack were at the stairs to the Rose Plaza, Karen glanced at Jack, “I do know that Won only wanted me to have the free item, and not want you and Zack to have one. That choking sound was not the sound of something that has upset a stomach.”

Jack grinned, “Of course, so I will thank you for helping Zack and me.”

“It was my pleasure Jack. Both you and Zack are nice guys. So you should get something.”

When they arrived at the Plaza Karen turned to Jack, “Before we part ways, I want to ask a few things.”

“Ok, what are they?”

Karen had a concerned look on her face, “Did you go up to the Hot Spring the other day?”

“Yes, it was nice. I did call out to see if Hilda was there, but she must have left after you did.”

Karen relaxed, “Thanks Jack. I guess you are a nice guy. Well then since you beat me to answer my second question, I’ll ask the third. Did you stay indoors during the last two days?”

“I only went out to let Hero answer the ‘call of nature’.”

“How did he like the rain?”

“For a while he liked it, but then he gave the look of ‘ok you can turn the water off now’ look.”

Karen chuckled, “Well I guess that I’ll head home then.”

“Ok, and when I get these seeds planted in summer, I’ll save one for you to have.”

“Thanks Jack, I’ll look forward to eating it.”

With a wave goodbye Karen left the north side of the Plaza, while Jack left the south side.

Back at Zack’s shack, Won sat behind his makeshift counter muttering to himself, “How could she know that I only wanted her to have a free item? Aren’t blondes supposed to be dumb?”

Zack placed the picture frame with a recent picture of the woman he has a crush on, next to the other pictures on the wall with picture of the same woman.

[Herfefiny]

Great chapters, Border! zack is so funny! xD
I hope we can get some more soon! ;D