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 Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 11:21 pm
 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxｗｅ＇ｌｌ xx ｄｒｉｖｅ xx ｕｎｔｉｌ xx ｔｈｅ xx ｃｉｔｙ xx ｌｉｇｈｔｓ
xxxxx _________ xxxxxturn into clear country skies - all for you
No matter a person's looks; no matter their background - tall, skinny, short, muscular. There is always a home for that person in the heart of another. In the gazes of a lover. In the soft touches of a partner. Each day of our lives we search for our home. Each day of our lives we return to a place where our hearts can take a deep breathe and rest. Rest for another day of searching, of longing. A home away from home.
But there are times where our tiny hearts give and can only take so much to be greeted with nothing in return. We get cast out of a home we've made for ourselves, only to find it was a resting place in our journey. Two hearts; one place. The singing of cicadas and birds greet your ears, here. The company is warm and small, but they make you appreciate all that you have. The people make you stop for a moment a wonder where they've been your entire life, here. Here is where you smile despite the adversity, despite the longing.
But somewhere along the way, you forget when - you're no longer trying to smile. Because you meet a person that can make your heart smile with you.
A city's lover and field's child will never be the same again, not after this summer. For their souls will find a home in new experiences and feelings, ones that pave a path to an unexpected home away from home.
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Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 12:26 am
❝ If there every comes a day where we can't be together
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx - keep me in your heart.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I'll stay there ｆｏｒｅｖｅｒ. ❞
Up in the morning at the crack of dawn, awoken not by an alarm clock, but the crow of a rooster. It might've just been habit, too. Jude sucked in a deep breath and pulled the thin covers away from his bare body, running a hand through his messy hair. He went into his tiny bathroom and urinated, then started the hot water. Ol' Bessy, their heater - bless her heart but she was getting slow and there wasn't anything Jude's father could do about it. After three or four minutes, the water began steaming. The farm boy took off his sterling silver cross necklace and began brushing his teeth when he stepped in, letting the hot water ease his tense muscles and tousled hair. After a lifetime of work and being busy, the man had learned to shower quickly. He took care of his business and stepped out, wrapping a towel around his waist, going into the kitchen for some milk. As always, he was greeted by his old mother.
"Good morning, Jude. Are you well?" She asked. He smiled and gave her a hug, nodding. "I slept well. I'm going over to Susan's house this morning to give her the rest of that Gel pappy bought home a few nights ago. Is this alright? She was complaining of some back pains the last time I gave her some sugar and I figure it must be hard for her, all alone." Anna smiled lovingly at her son and kissed his cheek. "You're a dear. Of course. Don't forget to bring her some eggs and fresh pancakes. I'm sure she'll enjoy those." Jude hummed quietly and drank down his milk, returning to his room to get dressed in a grey flannel and blue jeans, along with his customary work boots and straw hat to shield his head from the burning sun on this hot, bright day. Lastly, he put on his cross necklace and returned to the kitchen to see his father bringing in the eggs and oranges. The two men got settled at the table as Anna worked on the food. When all was well and done, pancakes made, oranges squeezed, butter & jams brought out, they said grace and dove in.
"The food is great, ma," Jude commented as he cut into his pancakes. "Aye," His father agreed, kissing the palm of his wife's hand. The farm boy smiled at the warm gesture, swallowed his food and then asked, "How is the ointment treating y'all? Is it helping any?" "Jud, it's workin' wonders on my back. Anna feels 10 years younger." Jude grinned and nodded. "Well, alright then. The next time I see Lucy I'll tell her we'll get some more. She seemed to enjoy our apple-butter jam last time I saw 'er," Another fork of pancake was deposited into his mouth. "She's a dear. Her niece is thinking about bringing her family, that seems like fun." His mother said this absentmindedly, drinking her orange juice. "I'm sure it will be, dear. Always nice to have some company." They all smiled and conversed among themselves until the food was finished, and Jude's mother handed him a basket. "Be sure to pick Susan some fruit. She says your apples are sweeter than your smile." He smiled flushed lightly. "Now, I ain't so sure about that..."
The basket was soon filled with a mason jar of fresh apricot jelly, oranges, lemons, apples, and mint. Along with them were pancakes wrapped in aluminum foil, and a vial of light green topical ointment. Jude double inspected everything to make sure he didn't forget any produce, and set off on the moderate walk to their primary neighbor, Susan's house. He crossed a corn field and grain silo owned by the old woman's family, then rounded the front porch, rapping lightly on the door. "Mammy Susie?" Jude called. The woman inside let out a coo hearing the voice on the other side of the door. "Jud! Come in, my boy!" He opened the door to see the woman hobbling slowly around the kitchen, preparing all sorts of things.
"You look awfully busy, ma'am. You want me to come back later?" "Heaven's, no! I'm preparing for a new guest. My granddaughter is coming to stay with me for a while. It's going to be so exciting. I haven't seen little Maddie in too long. She should be here soon!" The old woman looked so incredibly ecstatic, with her cheeks rosy and clothing gilded in the morning sun. Jude smiled at her, and set his basket of things on the table. He knew Susie had a granddaughter, she'd mentioned it before to him once or twice. He couldn't remember how old she was, though. By the way she spoke of them, they seemed like a child.
Coming out of his thoughts, Jude blinked in surprise to see Susan pointing to his basket of things. "What've you brought this morning, darling?" His charming smile was back. "Just the usual. It's good you're getting a guest. I brought a little more than what I normally do - you can share with her. Mom made that apricot jam you like s'much. And it's great with the flapjacks." The old woman cooed again and hugged Jude. He pat her back. "Help me put them away, darling? Or do you have things to do?"
The farm boy shook his head. "I worked late yesterday so I could have a day off. I'm all yours if ya need me, Mammy Susie." "Ooh, goody! Hm, what's this?" She pointed to the tropical cream. "Ah!" Jude nodded and opened it up, offering it up for her to smell. It was pepperminty with a hint of lemon. "Lucy's daughter makes lotions and creams, remember? Well, she just sent in a big box of these joint gels. Mom and Pop tried em', said they feel 10 years younger. You're always groanin' bout' yer back, ma'am, I thought I should bring some to you."
She hugged him again. "Phip, you are just as thoughtful as ever. Bless your heart! I heard on the telly it's going to be awfully hot today. Would you like some lemonade? We can go out on the porch and listen to ol' Johnny while my little Maddie makes her way over. It'll be grand. How bout' it?"
Jude affirmed happily, helping her get some fancy glasses off of the top shelf to put the lemonade in. From there, she brought a tray of lemon squares and served them on the table next to the paint faded parlor chairs overlooking her front porch, both filled with flowers. While she sat and got comfortable, Jude reached over to her telly and flipped through the static channels, stopping when he heard Dolly Parton's voice. He paused on the radio there, knowing Susan loved Dolly Parton. Jolene played faintly in the background while Jude's company hummed quietly along, sipping at her lemonade and nibbling on a tart.
"I think you'll like 'er, Jude. She's a beauty. Shame 'er father had to pass s'young, God bless em'." The farm boy nodded and took a gulp of his lemonade, finding it incredibly refreshing. The old woman continued. "She just turned 20. I think it'll be fine for her to get away from that hossle and tossle of the city. Darlin' don't know her own family like the back of 'er perfect meenicure hand." She mispronounced 'manicure' because she didn't know any better. She had never gotten one.
Jude smiled softly and simply said, "Now, I ain't so sure what all this meenicure business is, but I know there ain't nothing prettier n' a pair a dainty little calloused hands wet and dirty from some garden work." Susan smiled and shook her head. "Jude Phillips, you are too much. You could teach her a thing or two. Maybe she'll listen to a handsome young man rather than a gran' old mammy." He simply shook his head, absentmindedly clutching his cross necklace. "Y'ain't old, mammy. It's just like em' city folk say, yer 'finely aged.' Like em' fancy wines they drank all the time. Me, I prefer a nice beer after some work in the corn silo, but I wouldn't mind tastin' some grape juice gone bad once in a while."
The woman began to howl in laughter and slapped her leg, giggling. "Oh, my lord Jud. I think you both will get together just fine. Just try not to be too charmin'! You'll have 'er drop dead with that smile a'yours!" Jude's flush from earlier came back and he timidly took another sip of his lemonade, eating a lemon square in one bite. "Little darlin'll be here to spend time with her mammy, not me, Susie. I ain't so interesting to them city-folk. I just work with my family and pray the lord will bless us and give us strength to do well another day." His words were muttered softly, and it caused the woman to lay a gentle hand on his shoulder. She smiled kindly. "God bless ya, child. Maddie is a honest soul. She ain't deserve lotta the things goin' in her life now, but I know 'fer sure she take any affection with open arms. It's hard for her family, just like it's hard for the lot of us here. But we's happy. That's all that matters." Jude nodded, and Conway Twitty's Hello Darlin came on the telly, making him grin. "Oh, my Lord, what a man with a voice," Susan chimed, whistling. The farm boy chuckled huskily, eyes resting on the lovely flowers in her yard.
New company...It sounded foreign to him, but just as he'd been taught, it was a gift of a new experience, which meant he needed to treasure and accept it. Gifts on the farm were rare, so when you received, you were thankful for it. He just wasn't so sure what to expect, is all. Jude never met city-folk. He heard the rumors of their high noses, fancy technology, and strange fashion. Of course, it was obvious people just were picking fun at all of them. Jude didn't take any of those words with a grain of salt, he wasn't judgmental like that. Beyond that, though, he still looked forward to meeting someone his age for once. For miles and miles, the only company he had were middle aged to elderly women and men. The occasional toddler, too. But no one in the "prime years," so to speak.
It made it incredibly lonely, and his parents knew that. His parents always hugged him and apologized for not having anyone there to truly speak to him, to hold his hand and spend some nights with. But he'd always smile and hug them back, and tell them that it was alright. That he had his family and God, and that was really all that mattered. But even he knew, along with everyone else, that it was hard, in that sense. That each Sunday, after church, when everyone gets together for bingo in the house, when Jude is left alone in his barn, he'd open up a beer and toast it to his lonesome self, and silently pray for a companion. Though, it was hard to say if "a companion" could be made out of this girl's visit. As it was simply that, a visit. He reckoned a town girl wouldn't make much out of his mannerisms in the first place, that it'd be kind of hard to get along if they were so different. But still, he held out hope. Even if it was just a cute girl to talk to once in a while, that'd be alright.
___________________________________________
How lucky I am
xxxxxxxxx to have someone
that makes saying
"「goodbye」"
so hard. xxx x
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Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 6:42 pm
 Madison gasped as she woke up, struggling a bit, she then relaxed as she remembered where she was. Currently she was sitting on a plane, on her way to her grandmother's farm. Grabbing her backpack, she hugged it a bit before she looked out the window of the airplane. Looking at the clouds made her smile a little bit. She had been on an airplane once before when her family went on a vacation just a few months before her dad passed away. Her smile faltered a little bit before it reappeared again as she focused on the good memories instead of the sad. The young woman had to get up at three in the morning to catch her flight. She had triple checked her bags, but was still worried that she might have forgotten something. She had packed away all of her clothes and bathroom supplies in her suitcase. In her carry-on bag she had her laptop, one of her books, and her wallet which had her ID, her debit card, and some cash that her mother had given her. Resting her head against the cool glass, she sighed a bit and closed her eyes lightly. The woman in the seat next to hers had thankfully remained asleep when Madison had woke up and was currently snoring kind of loudly.
Keeping her eyes closed, Madison started thinking of when she had left this morning. Her mother had said goodbye to her and told her that she was going to miss her very much. Her mother also reassured her that going to the country would be good for her, despite the fact her mother never lived on a farm in her entire life. Her father had been the one from the country, her mother had only been in the small town to attend collage. Her mother was one of the types that was always complaining about the dirt and bugs. After putting on a smile just for her mother's sake Madison told her that she was sure things would be fine and that she would see her soon. Her step-father on the other hand didn't even bother to get out of bed to say goodbye to her.
Shaking her head a little bit, Madison opened her eyes just as the pilot came on the speakers and announced that they would reach their destination in a half hour. Sighing a bit, Madison was relieved to be able to stretch her legs out. Standing up, she set her bags down and squeezed her way past the two others in the seats. Walking down the aisle, she then stepped into one of the small bathrooms. Looking at the toilet, she grimaced a bit and lined the seat with toilet paper before sitting down. Using her foot to flush the toilet, she washed her hands before returning to her seat.
When she returned, she noticed that the flight attendants were going around asking people if they wanted anything. When they reached her row, she nodded and asked for a soda and one of the baggies of peanuts. The flight attendant came back a few seconds later and handed the girl her things. "Thank you." She said, opening the bottle of soda, she took a drink before eating some of the peanuts. She would have preferred them to be honey-roasted as well as salted, but she could deal with just salted. Finishing off the peanuts rather quickly, the young woman then leaned against the window a bit more as she could start to see the ground as the plane got closer to the airport. There wasn't really much to see, just grass and more grass.
No big cities for a long while, no malls, this was going to be a strange experience for her, that was for sure. Rubbing her arm a little bit, she then forced herself to yawn in attempt to make her ears pop. Shaking her head hard, she grunted a little as the plane touched the ground. Looking over at the woman that had been sleeping next to her, she hid a smirk as the woman made a face at how much she had drooled. Clutching onto her bag, she then sat in her seat and waited for her row's turn to stand up and exit the plane.
When it finally was their turn, she wobbled a little bit as she stepped forward, her legs tingling a bit as they had fallen asleep. Holding onto the seats as she walked. Once off the plane and in the lobby, she looked around, having to stop and ask one of the employees how to get to the baggage claim. Riding the escalator, she glanced around a bit before she went over to the baggage claim area, watching until she noticed a dark purple suitcase. Grabbing it, she lifted the suitcase, and rolled it behind her.
Stepping outside of the airport, she took in a deep breath and was almost startled by how different the air was here. Shaking her head a bit, she then looked down at the bus ticket she had in her bag. She wasn't old enough to rent a car, and not to mention she had never gotten her license, but that wasn't uncommon for people in the big city. She could just ride her bike or take the bus. Speaking of the bus, she looked around until she found the right bus, handing the driver her ticket, she climbed on and looked around for an empty seat.
Finding a seat in the back, she glanced out the window, not that there was much to look at. It was going to be another hour, but at least the bus ride would bring her to the town close to where her grandma lived. When she had spoken to her grandmother on the phone the woman had spoken of how one of her neighbors was going to bring Madison to her home from there. Madison wasn't too sure how she felt about being in a stranger's vehicle, but if her grandmother trusted them and she was guessing that these country folk were more friendly than the people in the city. She just hoped that it would be an actual car ride and not a horse and buggy. No, she knew that probably wasn't right and was probably just a stereotype, but she had never really been to the country and the few times she had been here to visit, she was too young to remember.
The bus ride would have been boring if it hadn't been for the book she brought with her. Opening it up, her eyes scanned over the words. Getting lost in the book, she was a bit startled when she was tapped on the shoulder. "Sorry to startle you miss, but we reached your stop." The driver said. Wait, her stop? Blinking and looking around Madison was surprised. She must have really gotten into her book to not notice any of the stops or people getting on and off.
"Thank you." Madison said as she put her stuff in her bag and stood up. Stepping out of the bus, she looked around, raising an eyebrow as she saw the town. It was quite small. She noticed one gas station, a general store, and a veterinary station. Sucking in a breath, she noticed that the smell here was different as well. It smelled clean, but with a hint of horses and hay. It was weird, but at the same time, she actually kind of liked it. Stretching her arms out in front of her, she started walking only to have to stop as a group of kids ran out of the shop she was walking past, one of them nearly hitting her with the door. What really startled her though was that the kids stopped to apologize to her. Back home they never would have done that. Smiling at them softly, she then looked at the piece of paper she had written her instructions on.
After getting off the bus she should look for a Lee's General Store and that was where she would find the person that would drive her to her grandmother's home. As she walked and looked around, she noticed a few people glancing at her and talking. Feeling a bit self conscious, she wondered if maybe it was her clothes or if she had messy hair. Tugging on her sleeve a bit, she then remembered her mother telling her about how news travels fast in small towns, but she didn't think that the whole town would have known about her!
Shaking her head a little bit, she adjusted her backpack on her shoulder and looked at the signs on the buildings, she then noticed one with Lee's written on a large sign. "That must be it." She said to herself as she ran across the street. Pushing the door open, a few bells that were tied to the door tinged a little bit to let whomever was working know someone had entered the store. The store looked to be empty before an older woman came out from one of the back rooms. "Howdy welcome to- Oh my... Ya must be Madison, Susan's granddaughter. You're a spittin' image of your ma, but ya have yer daddy's hair and eyes." Madison smiled a little bit as she looked at the woman. "Yeah.. It is nice to meet you." She said softly.
The woman smiled at the girl and chuckled a little. "Yer quiet like your daddy as well. He was always hidin behind your grandmother's skirt." Madison chuckled softly. "Yeah. My mom tells me often that I am a lot like him." She said before she fidgeted a little. "I bet you're itching to get to your grandmother's house. I'm just gonna close up shop then drive you there." Madison nodded and watched the woman. Stepping outside with her, she was relieved to see the car they had approached. Sure it was a little beat up, but at least it was a car.
Smiling at the woman as she opened the back door, Madison put her bags in there before she got in as well. Pulling her phone out of her pocket, she finally turned it off airplane mode. There was only one bar, but she guessed she was thankful there was a signal at all. As the woman started the car, she started making small talk with Madison. Madison learned that the woman's name was Nichole and that her father had owned the shop that Madison had met her in. She also learned that she had known Madison's grandmother for years. "Your grandma's house is on the left here. Be sure to stop by the store once in a while." Nichole said as she pulled into the drive way.
"I will. It was very nice to meet you." Madison said before she got out of the car and grabbed her stuff. Standing on the gravel road, she looked towards the house and swallowed hard. Her heart was beating so fast and she was feeling quite nervous about this. Clutching onto her backpack, she realized it was hard to pull the bag on the gravel, so she picked up the bag, struggling to carry it a little as she approached the house.
Pedestriane This is just gonna be a temporary layout until I have a better one.
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Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 7:26 pm
❝ If there every comes a day where we can't be together
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx - keep me in your heart.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I'll stay there ｆｏｒｅｖｅｒ. ❞
Jude was too busy listening to the music and tracing his eyes along the scenery to notice a car pull into the driveway. The noise is what garnered his attention. Also, Susan's squeal. "Baby girl!" She shouted, grabbing her cane and practically running down the porch steps to give her a gushing hug. Nichole chuckled from the car and was pulling out, but stopped in surprise seeing a familiar man. "Jud Phipps? Is that you, boy?" The farm boy offered an awkward wave, stepping down and into the yard. "Good Heavens! Look at the arms on ya! What've you been drankin' these past years? You're even more handsome than your pappy! C'mere so's I can get a good lookit yer' face."
Jude chuckled and shruggled, approaching and recognizing this woman now. Nichole was Susan's bingo buddy. He remembered because they'd make him handle all the chips and count them when he was seven. Then, Nichole had to take over the General Store outback, and Susie would only talk to her occasionally. They were still extremely close, though, it seemed. "How you been, aunt Nichole?"
"I been pretty good, reckon I'd be better if I had a little of what yer' havin'." She whistled and raised an eyebrow, looking over at Susan. "You keep a leash on that boy, Susie." Both women laughed but Jude only flushed and shook his head. "How yer' parents been? Anna still doin' alright?" "God willing, yes ma'am." Jude answered very politely, nodding his head proudly. She smiled and stuck out her hand from the truck's window, rubbing his smooth olive cheek with her calloused hands. "I'm happy for y'all. Come down to Lee's once in a while. I wanna see that purty face s'more. Long wit yer' new friend Maddie here, too. Treat her well now, y'hear? I still got my leather belt, I ain't fraid' to use it, no sir not even on a warhorse like 'yerself."
He only pat her head in response, biting back a blush. "Yes'um." Luckily, Susan saved him from his embarassment.
"Don't you be like that, Nikky. A grizzy teddy bear's all he is - just like his diddy. Smiles like his mama. You seen it, 'member?" "Yeah, yeah. Anyway, I gotta get back to the store. Y'all take care now, y'hear?" Jude waved her off until she disappeared, turning to the two women next to the mailbox giggling and conversing.
"Maddie my darlin', how are you? I remember yer' tiny little face when you were just a cute bundle in yer' pappy's arms...You've grown so much! How was your schoolin'? You know your maths?" She hugged her tight. "Do you like lemon squares, hun? I've got em' served with some juice if yer' hungry." It was then the old woman noticed her difficulty with her bags. "Oh, my goodness. Jude, get over here and help this poor girl, she's dyin' tryna' carry her fittins'!"
He grinned and pat the woman on the back, approaching Madison and holding out a firm hand for her. "Howdy, it's nice to meet you. My name is Jude, I live right across the street." There wasn't really "street." More of a corn field. "Mind if I help you out with your bags there? I don't want Mammy Susie to skin me," The woman clicked her teeth and gave his muscly arms a light slap.
Susan wrapped her arm around Madison's while leading her inside, blabbing on and on. "Oooh, I wish Jimmy was here to see you. Bless his heart yer' grandpappy would've been so happy. I brought out the baby pictures for you to see, it's gon' be so excitin'!" Now the woman left the girl to hobble around with her cane to go into the house, trying to find said pictures.
Jude watched her go, smiling. He followed Madison inside, the girl's heavy bag nothing to him as he hoisted it on his broad shoulders. "Never seen 'er so peppy fore'...I reckon 'yer one special girly, Mads." The charming smile was back, but then Jude realized something and corrected himself. "Oh, pardon me, if yer' okay with me's calling you Mads? I don't wanna be disrespectful or nuthin'."
___________________________________________
How lucky I am
xxxxxxxxx to have someone
that makes saying
"「goodbye」"
so hard. xxx x
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Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 10:22 pm
Madison had barely made it a few steps from the truck when she heard a squeal. Looking up, a smile appeared on her face as she saw her grandmother quickly heading towards her. It had been such a long time since she had seen her. Her grandmother looked much older than she remembered, but still pretty much looked the same. Smiling even more as she was hugged, Madison wrapped her free arm around her grandmother. She was just so happy to see the woman that she hadn't even noticed the male that had approached behind her or that he and Nichole had stopped to speak to each other.
When her grandmother spoke was when Madison turned her head towards the truck that she had just exited. Noticing the man that was standing there, the young woman tilted her head to the side curiously as she didn't recognize him. Curiously looking between the man and the two older women, Madison was quick to notice how closely they spoke to each other, as if they were all family. Back in the city people would look at you funny if you as much as smiled at them. It was kind of nice in a way, though Madison wasn't sure how well she would be able to jump into that sort of thing, especially since she could be quite shy around new people.
Blinking, the blue-eyes young woman then looked over at her grandmother and smiled. "I'm doing fine. It's been a long time." She said, though she hadn't grown that much considering she was a bit on the short side, which confused her since her dad had been close to six feet tall and even her mother was a few inches taller than her. "School was good. Yeah." She said. She had gotten mostly B's and a few A's back when she was in high school, but that was probably because she didn't have a lot of friends or go out partying much like the kids her age did. Hugging her grandmother back, she then nodded her head. "Yeah, I like lemon squares." She could remember her dad making them back when she was a kid. Her mother attempted to make them, but they never ended up as good as how her father made them.
When her grandmother noticed her struggling with her bags and told the male that Madison had temporarily forgotten about to carry them, she flushed a little bit. "I-It's okay Gran, I can carry them." She said in a slightly embarrassed voice, but the male was already in front of her. Looking up at him, she flushed a bit more as she looked into his green eyes. She'd always thought green eyes looked the nicest. "U-Um." She stuttered a little bit before she realized she should shake his hand. Weakly grabbing his hand, she shook it. "It's nice to meet you." She said. She was almost tempted to say no thanks, but her grandmother had already wrapped an arm around her waist. "Oh. Um. Sure. Thanks." She said, glancing back over her shoulder at him as she was led into the house.
Looking at her grandmother, she smiled at her as she spoke. She vaguely remembered her grandfather. She could remember the smell of the freshly cut grass on his pants as he would have her sit on his lap while he told her a story. She also remembered the time she had begged her parents to let her try some coffee but they kept saying no and as soon as they weren't looking her grandfather let her try some of his. Of course the young girl didn't like the taste. Watching her grandmother for a moment, she then turned to Jude as he spoke, smiling a bit.
"It's been such a long time since I've visited this place. It looks just like how I remember it, though I think the walls are a different color though." She said before she blushed a little bit. "I wouldn't say I'm that special." She said softly, mostly feeling shy because of the dazzling smile he had given her. The brunette then tilted her head a little before she smiled. "Yeah. I'm okay with that. My dad used to call me Mads all the time." She had actually missed being called that, so it was kind of nice to hear someone call her that again.
Madison felt a little awkward standing next to the male, she had spent a lot of time n her house reading and didn't really have much experience talking to people. In the other room, she could hear her grandmother digging around for the old photo albums before the woman made a cheerful "Ah-Ha!" When she found them. Smiling as the older woman excitedly made her way to the kitchen with the box of old pictures.
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Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:06 pm
❝ If there every comes a day where we can't be together
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx - keep me in your heart.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I'll stay there ｆｏｒｅｖｅｒ. ❞
"Maddie, you are positively going to love these. I was lookin' through em' just yesterday, seein' ya now I just can't believe how much you've grown!" The lady felt the top of her head and frowned slightly, turning around. "Oh, darn. I must've left my glasses upstairs. Jude, could ya? And be a dear and put Maddie's thangs up in er' room, too, please."
Jude nodded and politely answered with a, "Yes ma'am," before heading up the stairs and to do such. While he was up there, Susan opened up the photo album and squinted at the pictures inside of there. The farm boy was back within the minute, holding out a pair of thick rimmed reading glasses for his friend. "Bless you, dear." She pat his chest and returned her attention to Maddie. "This'n was taken durin' your baptism," She pointed out at soaking wet white dressed young Maddie crying in the arms of her young father. Jude smiled. "Jud, you know you and Maddie were both baptized by pastor Jonah?" He blinked in surprise. "Ain't that so? Well, I'll be darned."
Susan hummed pleasantly in affirmation, showing some more pictures. "Maddie, here you are with your pappy and his pappy. Lookit y'all, covered in mud! Oh, Jude! Could you fetch the tarts and lemonade from the porch?"
"Yes ma'am." He returned with them and offered Maddie a beverage and pastry. "Best lemon square you'll ever taste. D'you know them lemons came from a generation of trees, darlin'? Jude's pappy grew the ones I ate when I was his age, and here y'are, eatin' the one's he's sweat n' grown. Ain't seen thangs like that in the city m'dear, no ma'am!" Susan nagged on to herself, part of her older charm. The farm boy could only smile in return.
She continued on. "That boy's family been' helping ours longer I can 'member." Jude pat Susan's head. "My diddy and mammy wouldn't be nothin' weren't for your makin' em meet, auntie. Our family, I even. We owe you lots more than just some eggs and oranges every mornin'."
Jude said those words and then suddenly panicked. "Eggs! Dernit, mammy told me to bring you some eggs, auntie. I'm sorry, I forgot to bring em' over when I was puttin' the flapjacks in the basket." Susan laughed. "That's alright. You can make up for it by givin' my darling Maddie here some company. I thinks that's a fair trade, ain't it darlin'?" The old woman grabbed her grandaughter's hand endearingly. Jude's face was lit with flames. "I'm sure you'll have more fun with someone your age than me. Your father was like that, too. An old, curious soul. Always lookin' for someone like him to speak with. It was a blessin' he met your mammy. 'Specially since she came from the city."
Jude literally just stared at this interaction, unsure of what to say. He wasn't about to burst out and tell her he didn't want the extra company; that was a flat out lie. But he wasn't going to admit that either, especially when the girl had come for her grandmother, not some random stranger neighbor she'd happened to meet the first day. He also couldn't speak for Maddie. The woman looked at him expectantly, wanting him to say something. Jude could only gulp and scratch his cheek. "Ehr, well," He began, sipping nervously at some lemonade. "I ain't mind spendin' some time with Mads, showin' 'er the ropes. If it's okay with her, I think I'd like that. Long as it don't take away 'er time spent with her mammy. " He smiled at Madison awkwardly.
Susan clapped her hands together and rubbed Maddie's shoulders excitedly. "Great, Darlin'! You'll love it! All thems fruit y'loved so much when you's were younger, them apples, apricots, them jellies? Grown by our neighbors. Wouldn't it be nice to see how it's done? Jud, you still keep them horses outback? My Darlin' Maddie used to love ridin' horses...I reckon she still does."
Jude smiled and nodded. "We got two and a pony; 'case she too small for 'em. I could teach ya how to ride, if you'd like. Much easier'n gettin' round here than a car, if ya ask me." He scrunched his nose up comically and adjusted his straw hat, the outside light casting a shadow on his verdant green eyes that revealed golden layered specks dotting his irises.
___________________________________________
How lucky I am
xxxxxxxxx to have someone
that makes saying
"「goodbye」"
so hard. xxx x oOo Tragic Melody OoO Edited b/c I fooked up my post style. redface
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Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 8:04 pm
  Watching as her grandmother dug through the photos, the young woman smiled a bit. It was nice to see her grandmother so happy. Watching the older woman, she then glanced over at Jude as he right away agreed to bring her bag upstairs and get her grandmother's glasses. He seemed to be such a nice person. Smiling softly, she looked at her grandmother again and stepped closer to the table, her head tilted to the side curiously. She had never seen these pictures before or maybe she had when she was younger. She couldn't really remember. Looking at the baptism picture, she smiled more. She remembered her dad had that picture in one of his picture books. Of course she couldn't remember the baptism, but she believed that her mother still had the baptism dress somewhere safely put away along with all the projects she had done in school as a child.
Looking at the next picture, she chuckled softly. Her father loved to wrestle with her and play in the mud. She remembered her mother would get so annoyed when the two of them came home covered in mud. Glancing over at Jude as he came back with the lemon squares, she smiled at him. "Thank you." She said as she took the square and beverage. Looking over at her grandmother, she tilted her head. "Is that so?" She said before she giggled softly. "Dad would always make lemon squares, but often said that he would never be able to make them as well as you could." She said as she looked at the lemon square in her hand.
Bringing it up to her lips, she took a large bite. It was very good! Her father was right, her grandmother could make amazing lemon squares. Chewing slowly, she glanced between her grandmother and Jude as the two of them spoke, taking a few more bites of the lemon square. Her grandmother was right, she had inherited her father's love for learning new things. After swallowing the bite she had taken, she gave a small smile. "I wouldn't mind spending some time with you." She said before she blushed a little bit. Taking a sip of the lemonade, she then looked at her grandmother and nodded. "I would very much enjoy that. I didn't get a chance to go riding much in the city, but I still like horses." She said as it had been years since she had ridden a horse.
Finishing off her lemon square and drinking the last of her lemonade, the brunette turned to Jude and looked up at him, smiling a bit. "Getting a few riding pointers would probably be a good idea." She said, chuckling softly. She actually didn't know how to drive a car too well. Sure she had her learner's permit, but her mother was always too busy too take her out to practice. Looking into Jude's green eyes for a bit, she then forced herself to look away. Setting her cup on the table, she then picked up a picture and smiled. It was of her as a child, holding one of the cats that used to live in the barn. She loved cats and dogs and had always wanted one as a pet, but her mother always said no.
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Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2016 8:52 pm
❝ If there every comes a day where we can't be together
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx - keep me in your heart.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I'll stay there ｆｏｒｅｖｅｒ. ❞
"Don't mention' it," Jude replied to Maddie when she thanked him for bringing the tray. While the two ladies spoke, he couldn't help but to lean in a bit closer a take a look at the girl, not used to seeing someone his age, let alone a cutey. Luckily for him, he was quite a bit taller, and all it took was a slight leaning to glance over her shoulder at the pictures. Also, by extension, her features. She had these gorgeous, light blue eyes that reflected everything she saw. They reminded him of fresh rain puddles gleamed with light in early March. Her light brown hair and fair skin was another story entirely. They were quite a bit more foreign than what he felt and sawwhen looking into her eyes. Pretty much everyone in the countryside had a tan due to working outside so regularly, so this girl's light skin shone like porcelain. But it still entranced him, in that way. She seemed to perfect, without a blemish or scar. Even on her face. He could always tell when she was blushing because her face was so light, and he'd only caught her smile once but he knew he wanted to see it again. She had beautiful straight teeth and the pinkest lips.
Thinking so much about the tiny girl below him, Jude missed much of the dialogue shared between her and her grandmother, only being brought out of his thoughts by her shoulder grazing his when she turned to look up and speak to him. Horses? Oh, that was right. Susan had mentioned that Maddie liked horses and he offered to show her how to ride. The family of horses they had out back were fairly new, as they had finally decided to clean out part of the barn and expand it to allow for the horses to live. Shortly after getting the two, one female one male, they eloped, giving birth to a very pretty mixed foal. It seemed to Jude by Madison's comments that she wasn't to keen on riding, not since she was younger. Jude thought that just fine. He was pretty good at handling them.
It was then the farm boy noticed Madison gazing very happily at a photograph with her holding a kitten. He recognized the girl in the photo immediately. Same eyes, same hair, same perfect smile. So, she liked animals, huh? Shame they didn't have any. But he did recall the neighbors on the other side owning cats...
"Oh, my. Look at the time. I should be startin' on Lunch," Susan said, starling him. He had been lost, thinking to himself. "D'you need any help?" Jude asked, shoving his hands in his pockets. The woman smiled and shook her head. "Naaaw, I ain't need any. You and Mads go get em' horses, I gotta get to work." He nodded and turned away from Maddie, opening the door for the girl. "We're just on the other side of the field, shouldn't take to long. Plus, I promise they're awful friendly. Give em' an apple and they'll be happier n' ol' Blue layin' on the porch chewin' on a big ol' catfish head," He grinned after he said this to maddie, thinking his joke funny. Susan laughed from the kitchen. "You quit your piddlin' and get outta here, you two. Skedaddle."
"We's fixin' ta. See ya later, Ma'am." The two of them waved her off and began their walk across the dusty gravel road. Jude pointed out their surroundings. "Mammy Lucile's place is just about a mile off'a there, that right there is where we live, next to that is Sally's, after Sally's is Virginia's, and right across from Virginia's is the church. Beyond that the fields. There ain't more out there fer' miles. Sometimes I like to walk 'round there when I can't sleep. It's nice to watch the glowbugs dancin' round...You should see it 'fore you go. Ain't nothin' purttier. Well, almost." He cast another look at her beautiful eyes and smiled, flushing and looking in the other direction nonchalantly.
"But anyway...You alright with ridin' bareback? We ain't got no saddles or nothin', though If ya really need it I'm sure I could fix ya somethin'. Which reminds me, what part of the city'd you come from? All this way just to spend some time with your mammy? Sounds awfully nice a ya."
___________________________________________
How lucky I am
xxxxxxxxx to have someone
that makes saying
"「goodbye」"
so hard. xxx x
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