For The First Time

A high maintenance high used jeep is so uncomfortable as it bounces across even the smoothest of roads, but this wasn’t a well maintained road. It was full of broken down refilled pot holes and bog shifting mounds. Jim’s head hit off the roof a few times as he tried to grip the side of the shaking carriage. And he was watching the passenger, wondering how this was going to end.

Only two hours ago Jim was sitting in the small open fire heated pub that was the place he always hated until he had seen her. His mind just went wow, as the door opened and Mary Cullen, who he knew, walked in laughing and followed by an image he could not believe with a laugh that hit him right between the eyes, shoulders and places he wouldn’t have thought of. She had short fair hair, wasn’t terribly tall, seemed to have a waist that just said hold me and a smile crowned with brown eyes that stunned him.

“Well Jimmy, how are you?” asked Mary.

“Well I thought,” answered Jim

“Do I know you?” asked her friend.

“I don’t think so,” Jim mumbled.

“Jean, this is Jim! Wow, there you go, Jean and Jim!! What a ring!”

Jim looked at her and couldn’t move.

She slowly reached out a hand and smiled. After a moment he reached forward and touched her hand.

“Nice to meet you for the first time Jim,” she said sweetly.

“Hi Jean,” he replied and as he did so he felt like kicking himself. What a lousy response.

“I’ll get the drinks in Mary, this is a good place!” said Jean as she spun around and headed to the bar.

Mary looked at Jim, “Eh, hello? what’s with the puppy eyes?”

“What? Get lost.” Jim responded.

Snow Storm Bringeth – Part 4

Link to Part 3

Jill looked at Karl, “It’s in the house now?  What’s it?”

Karl looked at Cathy, “What Cathy saw.”

Jill gripped Cathy and Robbie tighter.

“Listen to me, I’ll handle this, don’t worry,” said Karl as he placed his hand on Robbie’s shoulder.

“I don’t know any of you, I don’t understand why we are here, I just want to go home,” pleaded Jill.

“You will, please, trust me. Stay here.”

Karl left the kitchen and slowly approached the stairway. He could hear movement upstairs but no talking. He lowered the shotgun so it was by his side and under his right shoulder, and slowly started to walk up the stairs. When he reached the second return, he could feel the cold air blowing through the broken window and saw the glass scattered across the floor. He hesitated, looked back downstairs at the front door, and then turned back to the door he knew Mark was behind.

Once he reached the landing he stopped and waited, listening, but there was no sound. He moved to the door and reached forward gripping the small brass handle. He pushed the door open. He could only make out the shape of the bed and slowly stepped in. As he moved further into the room he noticed the outline of someone sitting in the corner and could see puffs of breath in the icy air.

“Marcie? Philip? is that you.”

Snow Storm Bringeth – Part 3

Link to Part 2

Jill was holding Cathy in her arms when suddenly the door opened. Marcie looked around frantically.

“What’s wrong now?”

Karl looked at her, “Cathy saw someone at the window.”

“He only had eyes, no mouth and no nose,” she whimpered.

“Nonsense. Keep quiet, my brother’s not well.”

“Hey, wait a second, that’s my daughter you’re talking to and you’re frightening her,” snapped Jill.

“Marcie, I wanna talk to you outside,” said Karl.

They stepped into the hall and Marcie closed the door.

“Open it slightly, they’re frightened,” said Karl pointing.

Marcie opened it and Karl could see the three of them in the corner. He nodded sympathetically.

“I want to know what’s going on here. What’s wrong with Mark, and what’s wrong with you? “

“Nothing, he’s just being difficult, he’ll be better soon.”

Karl felt someone watching him and he looked up. Philip was standing on the landing, motionless, watching. There was another groan from the bed room and then a load animal screech and roar. Karl heard the children crying.

“What is that noise? Is there some sort of wild animal outside? And who are those people I saw?” Karl asked.

“I don’t know,” replied Marcie looking at the ground.

“I’m getting a drink for those kids and then we’ve got to make a decision what we are going to do.”

Karl went back into the room.  He walked over to Jill. She was sitting on the floor with her arms around both Cathy and Robbie. Karl went down on his knees.

Snow Storm Bringeth – Part 2

Link to Part 1

Karl was trembling as he pushed Marcie further in the hall and eventually arriving at the old back kitchen.

“What’s wrong Karl? What’s going on?”

He looked back towards the door. Philip was standing near the range, head stooped slightly, trying not to be noticed.

“I saw someone out there, more than one,” responded Karl.

Marcie put her arm around Karl, “What’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong? It’s snowing, you did see that, it’s snowing and it’s June, what do you mean what’s wrong?”

Philip started to laugh.

“Shut-up you moron!” snapped Marcie.

Karl recoiled at the sharp retort.

“Sorry, it’s just everything seems a bit strained, yes?”

“I saw four people at he end of the driveway, there’s something really strange going on here,” Karl murmured.

“Go see to your brother,” Marcie gestured to Philip.

As Philip left the kitchen, Karl slowly followed. He walked down the hallway and placed his hands on the front door. There wasn’t a sound, nothing. As he moved the narrow net curtain from the side of the door he could see the snow still falling, even heavier. He strained to see if there was any movement, but slowly let the curtain fall back.

“What are you looking for?” Marcie asked.

“I’m telling you, there were four people at the end of the driveway as we came in, something really strange going on, I don’t understand it. What’s with your brothers? I think we need to get out of here.”

The Corner Bar

A bar counter should always be of fine dark wood. Its not that it affects the flavour of the drink, but it does effect the mood of the drinker.

She didn’t have to ask if he was there, she could see the quarter filled glass beyond the divider. Clever or not so clever wooden or glass dividers allowed those who wanted some solitude an element of hope.

“Don’t make a scene Claire” pleaded Jeff.

“Will it make a difference?”

Jeff slowly nodded.

Claire walked along the bar counter and reached the shadow she had been seeking for two days.

“Hello,” she said calmly.

“I think it’s Tuesday, is that right, or maybe Monday?” replied Mark.

“Why are you doing this again? You know things are a mess at the moment, we can’t keep doing this.”

Mark looked at her and smiled, “you’ll have a Coors Light, yep?”

Claire stared at him and then gave a slight nod.