Turning Leaves (Robin, Uno, Bob, & Lyra)
Quote from Adriana on October 1, 2020, 10:44 pm“Goat meat omelettes, huh..” I reaponded absentmindedly, drawing and discarding.
“Alright, Captain Hypothetical.. let’s say I keep you off those omelettes. You do put in that application and you do pass. You get the Spanish, pirate loving woman. You wouldn’t think twice about making me the best man at the wedding because, lets face it-you’ve got no friends and you’d pay to see me in any kind of formalwear-male or female.”
I shuddered at the thought of anything even vaguely confining, recalling the formalwear our accomodatings hosts had me wear.. it was elegant, but I felt like my ribs were gonna break.
”We’ve been suspended on glass wires for almost our entire lives, you telling me you’re gonna get cold feet now? You should fill out that application-or don’t think I won’t for you. And ask her out on a real date, see where things go.”
“Goat meat omelettes, huh..” I reaponded absentmindedly, drawing and discarding.
“Alright, Captain Hypothetical.. let’s say I keep you off those omelettes. You do put in that application and you do pass. You get the Spanish, pirate loving woman. You wouldn’t think twice about making me the best man at the wedding because, lets face it-you’ve got no friends and you’d pay to see me in any kind of formalwear-male or female.”
I shuddered at the thought of anything even vaguely confining, recalling the formalwear our accomodatings hosts had me wear.. it was elegant, but I felt like my ribs were gonna break.
”We’ve been suspended on glass wires for almost our entire lives, you telling me you’re gonna get cold feet now? You should fill out that application-or don’t think I won’t for you. And ask her out on a real date, see where things go.”
Quote from Indy on October 1, 2020, 11:17 pm"You know," I objected neatly, holding my cards a moment and trying to suppress a snort at the image of Robin a tux, "I really think you're overreaching the year timeline here. But sure, you get to be best man because you're right that I'd pay money to see that".
Another draw and discard. Another lot of nothing.
"I was getting to it.... eventually," or at least, after tax season, since that's when I'd probably think of it again...
I opened my beer but didn't take an immediate sip, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner - to be honest, I knew you'd turn it in for me if I didn't, which is maybe why I didn't but anyways... I've been thinking about it ever since Chapman retired. The old guard is doing just that, getting old"
I glanced casually to the front door, where beyond it lay a lonely gouge on the porch, "It doesn't mean much if you don't pay it forward".
"You know," I objected neatly, holding my cards a moment and trying to suppress a snort at the image of Robin a tux, "I really think you're overreaching the year timeline here. But sure, you get to be best man because you're right that I'd pay money to see that".
Another draw and discard. Another lot of nothing.
"I was getting to it.... eventually," or at least, after tax season, since that's when I'd probably think of it again...
I opened my beer but didn't take an immediate sip, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner - to be honest, I knew you'd turn it in for me if I didn't, which is maybe why I didn't but anyways... I've been thinking about it ever since Chapman retired. The old guard is doing just that, getting old"
I glanced casually to the front door, where beyond it lay a lonely gouge on the porch, "It doesn't mean much if you don't pay it forward".
Quote from Adriana on October 2, 2020, 9:37 amI drew, rearranged, and discarded. Leaning back in my chair, I followed Val's eye to the door.
"Yeah..."
Letting that thought linger for a moment, I leaned forward with my forearms folded on the table. Nothing was comfortable, especially after a full moon. Every tendon, bone, joint, ligament and fiber of my muscles felt tight and achy. My relief was in knowing that the bathroom sported a jaccuzi tub that Rebecca had begged Chapman to put in the cabin. Real smart lady.
"You'd be a good officer, Uno... and he does need the help. On that note,"
I picked up my bottle and swirled it so the contents swished around,
"This isn't exactly free, bunking out here." I met Val's eye and tried to sit up straight, feeling a draft I swear was my mothers spirit telling me to use the spine God gave me.
"I'm taking on part of the family business myself. Technically if you're doing what he did on the force, I'd be collaborating with you.. taking in a lost stray and getting them rehabilitated until they can join society, or giving them a place to shelter while they get out from under, you know, the kind of trouble we'd been in. Chapman said he'd screen them and make sure they're not certifiable, it'd only ever be one at a time, and no longer than a year.. but since we're being honest."
I drew, rearranged, and discarded. Leaning back in my chair, I followed Val's eye to the door.
"Yeah..."
Letting that thought linger for a moment, I leaned forward with my forearms folded on the table. Nothing was comfortable, especially after a full moon. Every tendon, bone, joint, ligament and fiber of my muscles felt tight and achy. My relief was in knowing that the bathroom sported a jaccuzi tub that Rebecca had begged Chapman to put in the cabin. Real smart lady.
"You'd be a good officer, Uno... and he does need the help. On that note,"
I picked up my bottle and swirled it so the contents swished around,
"This isn't exactly free, bunking out here." I met Val's eye and tried to sit up straight, feeling a draft I swear was my mothers spirit telling me to use the spine God gave me.
"I'm taking on part of the family business myself. Technically if you're doing what he did on the force, I'd be collaborating with you.. taking in a lost stray and getting them rehabilitated until they can join society, or giving them a place to shelter while they get out from under, you know, the kind of trouble we'd been in. Chapman said he'd screen them and make sure they're not certifiable, it'd only ever be one at a time, and no longer than a year.. but since we're being honest."
Quote from Indy on October 2, 2020, 12:23 pmI settled in the silence a moment, soaking it in. Some people don't like silence, they think nothing's being said. But the truth is there's plenty said, you just might not know how to listen for it.
I smiled wryly as Robin spoke, leaning back in my chair, "You don't say".
It hadn't smelled right, this whole deal. This cabin had been many things, but it was hard to imagine Robin ever sitting around idly and just raising goats.
"Well, I'd say you trained with the best, and you're welcome for that. I'd say good luck, but you can put the fear in anyone if they tick you off enough so maybe I should wish them luck".
I leaned back, taking a slow, steady sip, "I guess it'll work out alright. But let me know if ever you need help. I may not have your skill, but I have a few..."
I grabbed one of my cards, making it vanish in a fluid motion (up the sleeve of my coat).
"Tricks up my sleeve".
I settled in the silence a moment, soaking it in. Some people don't like silence, they think nothing's being said. But the truth is there's plenty said, you just might not know how to listen for it.
I smiled wryly as Robin spoke, leaning back in my chair, "You don't say".
It hadn't smelled right, this whole deal. This cabin had been many things, but it was hard to imagine Robin ever sitting around idly and just raising goats.
"Well, I'd say you trained with the best, and you're welcome for that. I'd say good luck, but you can put the fear in anyone if they tick you off enough so maybe I should wish them luck".
I leaned back, taking a slow, steady sip, "I guess it'll work out alright. But let me know if ever you need help. I may not have your skill, but I have a few..."
I grabbed one of my cards, making it vanish in a fluid motion (up the sleeve of my coat).
"Tricks up my sleeve".
Quote from Adriana on October 2, 2020, 12:51 pm“Pirate and magician,” I laughed, “and we wonder why you’re still single.”
So the cats were out of their bags. It was both a surprise and not that we’d both leaned to help Chapman. We owed him our lives, and there wasn’t much else I wanted to do with mine.
“Pirate and magician,” I laughed, “and we wonder why you’re still single.”
So the cats were out of their bags. It was both a surprise and not that we’d both leaned to help Chapman. We owed him our lives, and there wasn’t much else I wanted to do with mine.
Quote from Indy on October 2, 2020, 6:46 pm"Maybe you're just jealous I'll be the only magician pirate-bar in town," I grinned.
I rolled and cracked my neck, feeling the fatigue. It was never easy right after a full moon - you go from feeling like you had essentially twelve shots of expresso to the bitter crash thereafter. I had no idea how Robin was still going strong after her early morning shift to boot. Both of us had been up for going on 40 hours. But neither of us were ready to call it yet, minding our cards and beer with gentle jibes.
For just one night we could pretend it was just like old times - or at least, the good old times. Come sunrise, it would all change. But everything changes if given long enough. That's the only constant that we're given. And if I couldn't have predicted the last eight years of my life, then I wasn't even going to pretend I could predict the next.
Robin took the game. It's because she's a cheater, although she'd never say it. I accepted my utter defeat with a nod and took the cards. It had to be about 3 am, but I was ready for retribution.
"Alright, we're down to our last three brain cells. Let's play Uno".
"Maybe you're just jealous I'll be the only magician pirate-bar in town," I grinned.
I rolled and cracked my neck, feeling the fatigue. It was never easy right after a full moon - you go from feeling like you had essentially twelve shots of expresso to the bitter crash thereafter. I had no idea how Robin was still going strong after her early morning shift to boot. Both of us had been up for going on 40 hours. But neither of us were ready to call it yet, minding our cards and beer with gentle jibes.
For just one night we could pretend it was just like old times - or at least, the good old times. Come sunrise, it would all change. But everything changes if given long enough. That's the only constant that we're given. And if I couldn't have predicted the last eight years of my life, then I wasn't even going to pretend I could predict the next.
Robin took the game. It's because she's a cheater, although she'd never say it. I accepted my utter defeat with a nod and took the cards. It had to be about 3 am, but I was ready for retribution.
"Alright, we're down to our last three brain cells. Let's play Uno".
Quote from Adriana on October 2, 2020, 9:58 pm"Speak for yourself." I laughed.
Uno was one of those card games that could go on forever. Just when you're down to one card in hand, you get hit with a draw four, then another, until you're holding half the entire deck. It took the remainder of the beers, some head noogies to remind Val who was older, wiser and stronger, and many accusations of rigging the game, before we had finished. Uno won, but I admit I was more relieved the game was over than I was upset about losing.
By the time it was all said and done, the sun had come in through the curtains and dust motes were dancing in front of our eyes. I could feel the Sandman lurking behind me, ready to send me off to another realm.
"You gonna gedda nap or just go straight home?" I asked, my voice having that groggy weight to it that could only come from not having slept for two nights.
"Speak for yourself." I laughed.
Uno was one of those card games that could go on forever. Just when you're down to one card in hand, you get hit with a draw four, then another, until you're holding half the entire deck. It took the remainder of the beers, some head noogies to remind Val who was older, wiser and stronger, and many accusations of rigging the game, before we had finished. Uno won, but I admit I was more relieved the game was over than I was upset about losing.
By the time it was all said and done, the sun had come in through the curtains and dust motes were dancing in front of our eyes. I could feel the Sandman lurking behind me, ready to send me off to another realm.
"You gonna gedda nap or just go straight home?" I asked, my voice having that groggy weight to it that could only come from not having slept for two nights.
Quote from Indy on October 3, 2020, 2:06 amMy body groaned in protest as I stood, cracking my neck and back like I was a crinkly old man made of cellophane. I think I had a shift at the mall later this afternoon. I was probably going to call in sick, which wasn't far from the truth.
"Nah," I said finally, squinting at the sun, "If I try to take a nap here, I just won't wake up until tomorrow..."
It wasn't entirely lying -- I probably could hibernate for a couple days -- but it wasn't entirely the truth either. The first morning's light was casting recognizable patterns of shadows across the living space. This place was just too familiar. It worked for Robin, but it would never work for me. I nodded to myself slowly.
"I have cokes in the car, won't be anything to drive back," I shrugged. It was about three hours to drive back, but I'd done a lot worse on a lot less sleep before.
"I'd say I'd call you when I get back, but you'll be passed out by then I'm sure... just let me know when you want me over for brunch".
I started towards the door, and pulled it open. The air was cold and crisp, almost as invigorating as a hot cup of coffee. Faraway, a loon cried. I glanced sidelong to that old gouge on the frame, noting it somehow smaller in the morning light.
"And Robin... I'm not sure I ever said it but... thank you".
My body groaned in protest as I stood, cracking my neck and back like I was a crinkly old man made of cellophane. I think I had a shift at the mall later this afternoon. I was probably going to call in sick, which wasn't far from the truth.
"Nah," I said finally, squinting at the sun, "If I try to take a nap here, I just won't wake up until tomorrow..."
It wasn't entirely lying -- I probably could hibernate for a couple days -- but it wasn't entirely the truth either. The first morning's light was casting recognizable patterns of shadows across the living space. This place was just too familiar. It worked for Robin, but it would never work for me. I nodded to myself slowly.
"I have cokes in the car, won't be anything to drive back," I shrugged. It was about three hours to drive back, but I'd done a lot worse on a lot less sleep before.
"I'd say I'd call you when I get back, but you'll be passed out by then I'm sure... just let me know when you want me over for brunch".
I started towards the door, and pulled it open. The air was cold and crisp, almost as invigorating as a hot cup of coffee. Faraway, a loon cried. I glanced sidelong to that old gouge on the frame, noting it somehow smaller in the morning light.
"And Robin... I'm not sure I ever said it but... thank you".
Quote from Adriana on October 3, 2020, 5:55 amThe cold air crept in and filled the cabin. There was a few days worth of firewood, but until the days got colder I’d hold out.
My eyes wandered past Val and to the first hues of light on the horizon, and I heard him speak but didn’t quite let the moment sink in. I was a straw house against a tornado.
I leaned on the doorframe and met his eye. “Well, someone had to keep you out of trouble.” my voice was too close to cracking. I smiled in spite of myself.
“And look, you best keep on keeping outta trouble. Put that application in. Then we’ll be seeing more of each other than we’d like. You need me, call. If you can’t sleep, call.. this isn’t goodbye so don’t go getting ant ideas. And Val,”
I felt my heart tremble. He was so young when we’d met, and he’d come such a long ways. He’d saved me in spirit and body more than once. I couldn’t find anymore words, but stepped forward and pulled him into a bear hug.
The cold air crept in and filled the cabin. There was a few days worth of firewood, but until the days got colder I’d hold out.
My eyes wandered past Val and to the first hues of light on the horizon, and I heard him speak but didn’t quite let the moment sink in. I was a straw house against a tornado.
I leaned on the doorframe and met his eye. “Well, someone had to keep you out of trouble.” my voice was too close to cracking. I smiled in spite of myself.
“And look, you best keep on keeping outta trouble. Put that application in. Then we’ll be seeing more of each other than we’d like. You need me, call. If you can’t sleep, call.. this isn’t goodbye so don’t go getting ant ideas. And Val,”
I felt my heart tremble. He was so young when we’d met, and he’d come such a long ways. He’d saved me in spirit and body more than once. I couldn’t find anymore words, but stepped forward and pulled him into a bear hug.
Quote from Indy on October 3, 2020, 9:35 amI didn't make it more than a couple of steps past the porch. I stopped cold, dipping my head down. Suddenly Robin pulled me inwards to a massive hug, maybe cracking a few vertebrate in my spine as she did so. I took the assault, and gave her a massive hug in return - it was the least I could do, to return the impromptu chiro session.
And I swear I wasn't crying at all. You'd never catch it on me. But there had been something that flecked in my eye. When we finally pulled away, I dabbed at it with the corner of my sleeve.
"So you couldn't take me as a roommate anymore, but you'll have me as a coworker..." I finally managed, "I see how it is".
I glanced around at the leaves, already turning with the season. It was strange to surmise how much of my life had gone turning like those leaves... I'd been just a child when I'd lost everything. My voice had still been cracking when I'd met Robin and we'd started working for Steele together. I guess it was no wonder she'd stuck so close, little twig that I was, trying to take on the big world all on my own.
"Well, take care of yourself... I will be calling daily," I pulled away willfully, "And if you don't eat your vegetables, I'll come out and make you..."
The sun was above the horizon now, the sky soft, pale, and new through the leaves of the trees. I walked towards my car, name pending, and tossed another wave to Robin. It wasn't goodbye. Just another turning leaf.
I didn't make it more than a couple of steps past the porch. I stopped cold, dipping my head down. Suddenly Robin pulled me inwards to a massive hug, maybe cracking a few vertebrate in my spine as she did so. I took the assault, and gave her a massive hug in return - it was the least I could do, to return the impromptu chiro session.
And I swear I wasn't crying at all. You'd never catch it on me. But there had been something that flecked in my eye. When we finally pulled away, I dabbed at it with the corner of my sleeve.
"So you couldn't take me as a roommate anymore, but you'll have me as a coworker..." I finally managed, "I see how it is".
I glanced around at the leaves, already turning with the season. It was strange to surmise how much of my life had gone turning like those leaves... I'd been just a child when I'd lost everything. My voice had still been cracking when I'd met Robin and we'd started working for Steele together. I guess it was no wonder she'd stuck so close, little twig that I was, trying to take on the big world all on my own.
"Well, take care of yourself... I will be calling daily," I pulled away willfully, "And if you don't eat your vegetables, I'll come out and make you..."
The sun was above the horizon now, the sky soft, pale, and new through the leaves of the trees. I walked towards my car, name pending, and tossed another wave to Robin. It wasn't goodbye. Just another turning leaf.
