id: 331 name: Fixing The Mask author: TwFctr date: 23rd March 2021 text len: 33660 views: 84 >“uuuugh… this sucks” >those were the first words that came out of my mouth as I got out of my truck in front my “new home” >I was going to live here alone whether I wanted to or not >in this shitty barren land my father calls a ranch >he got into trouble with the IRS, so he ran back to Spain and forced me to handle this lot he had just bought >he wants me to have it run perfectly with at least 100 heads of cattle by the end of the year or else I would be disowned >that’s all he told me >I wouldn’t mind being disowned by that old bastard, but he has a fat hoard of money with my name on it once he kicks the bucket >so, I guess got to comply just for now >no problem, 100 cows for just one person is no big deal >the problem is getting this place up and running >the shack that’s supposed to be my new house is pretty much just a big piece of rotting wood, that’s not good >the barn where the cattle are supposed to live in is moments away from turning into a rust cloud being taken away by the wind, that’s not good >the fields are covered with a tall and yellowish grass, that’s not good either >but the worst thing is that this whole place is surrounded by a pine forest >wild animals are going to be harassing my cattle 24/7 in a place like this, that’s pretty not good >this place is going to collapse in any moment now >guess I got to do what I can then >shit… >this inspection is over >I got to go back to retrieve all my shit so I can finally move in >as I got into my truck, I noticed another house in the other side of the dirt road >it looks uncared for but not abandoned >I finally start my truck and head towards the house >the city is the other way, but I want to check if I’m going to have neighbors or not >as I drive past, I notice the field of dying flowers next to the house >there’s a red pickup beater overgrowing with weeds >there’s clean furniture out in the front porch and there seems to be movement inside the house >there are people living here >maybe I should introduce myself… >…later >when I completely move in >that night my father sent me a text message >“I sent you a small loan of 100,000$, you are not getting anymore so don’t waste it” >that’s oddly nice of him >just got to hope it’s enough to put that shanty old place back on its feet >…and enough to get some starting cattle >… >…hold on… >…just making some calculations… >…oh fuck >god damn it, old man! >just half of that is enough to get the 100 heads of cattle >considering the price of cattle is 50$ per hundredweight… >that means I can get 100 cows, each one weighing around 1,000 pounds >no… that’s a bad plan >then I would have to survive the rest of the year with those cows and if something were to happen then I might not have enough money to recuperate >sigh… >I got to play the long game then ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >the next day >I go back, and I brought a moving truck with me >the moving guys help me move everything I need into the house >since I don’t want to pay them extra hours, I just get everything into the living room and tell the moving guys that I would take it from here alone and dismissed them >I wave at the moving truck as it leaves through the dirt road >which reminds me >I turn around to see that lonely little house among the pine trees >I hop on my truck and drive over >the furniture on the front porch is no longer there >definitely >there’s someone living here >I walk to the front porch and knock on the door frame >… >silence >well, I guess they don’t want to meet me >as I turn around to leave back to my truck, I hear the door creak open >I slowly turn around back to the house only to see a pair of eyes looking at me from the darkness from beyond the door >“um… hello?” I asked with a bit of a bad feeling running down my body >the door suddenly slams shut >a cacophony is metallic clinking behind the door reassures my bad feeling >those sound like an unnecessary amount of locks >the door slowly creaks open as the resident of the house makes itself visible >it’s a girl >with triangular ears and a puffy ringed tail >it’s a raccoon girl >she looks very disheveled though >her skin is pale >sunken golden eyes >hair is ungroomed >clothing is wrinkled and dirty >“h-hello?” >her voice is very raspy and tired >“hello ma’am, I recently moved to the lot down the other side of the road and I wanted to introduce myself, I’m really surprised to know there are other people living around here, I thought I was going to be alone out here” >she looks at me puzzled for a couple of seconds >she looks around and behind me before deciding to answer >“he-hello, my name is-is Jessamine… >she takes a deep breath before continuing >…did you rea-lly come alone?” >“…yeeees?” >“w-what’s your n-name?” >“my name is Anon de- >the moment the word anon escapes my mouth she begins to have a very violent coughing fit >she puts her hand over her chest as she leans on the door frame >“m-ma’am! are you ok?!” >she grabs the door and hides behind it >she waves me off as her coughs die down >“d-don’t come any closer!” >her voice sounds worse than before >I raise my open palms and back off >“m-miss? what’s the matter? are you ok?” >“yes! Anon what?!” >what’s wrong with this woman?! >“a-Anon de San Ustillo Segundo… b-but you can just call me Anon” >she peeks her head from the side of the door >she looks at me from head to toes >I think I can see a tear forming in one of her eyes >she sighs before opening the door again >“I’m sorry about that, it’s just that I’m really sick right now” >“no problem, everybody gets sick from time to time” >she gives me a little smile >a little smile that lasted a whole 0.00002 seconds before her face turned back into sadness >“so you are m-my new neighbor?” >“yeah, and it’s a pleasure to meet you miss Jessamine” >I extend my hand towards her >she takes a full two seconds to react and shake my hand >she gives me another flash smile >I pull out my wallet and give her a card with my info on it >“I’m going to be working on some remodeling on my new property, if you need anything you can call me, ok?” >she nods and takes the card >“it’s been a pleasure to meet you miss Jessamine” >she simply nods again and slowly retrieves herself back to her house >the clinking of the several locks is heard from behind the door once again >I walk back to my truck and drive off to my home >…phew… >…that was awkward as fuck, holy shit ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >the next four days go by without much incident >I have bought a pack of 10 grown cows that should be arriving in a few days along with some basic supplies >I also had some nerds from an agricultural college come take a look at the place >they charged me hell for making them come half a state only to look at bunch of dry grass >so at least I know it’s not the chemicals in the soil making my grass funky >but the fact that this place has stayed dried even though we are surrounded by a green and prosperous forest is kind of weird >speaking of which >remember what I said about wild animals harassing my cattle? >yeah, I saw a pack coyotes wandering the edge of the tree lines >by the time I got my rifle ready they had already left >from now on I’m going to need to keep an eye out for those fuckers at all time >don’t want them chewing on my beef >I’m halfway through installing one of the open field feeders when I spot the pack of coyotes coming back >luckily for me I had my rifle handy this time >I take aim and as one of the yotes spots me I pull the trigger >with a loud bang, the bullet rips a new orifice into the fucker >right where the lungs should be >it drops dead, being throw to its side by the might of my 30-30 Winchester and my skillful aim >I have the power of gunpowder bitches! >unsurprisingly the rest of the little shits scurry away into the woods >hopefully that will keep them away some time >now to deal with the body >I cross the fence and grab the dead coyote by its hind legs >I chuck it back over the fence and begin dragging it through my field >I’m going to take it to where I left my tools and bury it right outside my property >yes, I know I could have buried where I dropped it but that would mean I’d had to walk double the distance in going for my shovel and bringing it back >I’m lazy as shit so that’s a no go >the thin trail of blood the body leaves will dry and disappear with time >also, I think it’s good for the ground or some bullshit like that >don’t quote me on that though >I’m halfway through when I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket >I drop the yote and answer my phone >it’s an unidentified number but it’s local code so it may be someone I know >“hello? This is mister Anon, who’s calling?” >I hear a very loud gulp and shaky breathing before a familiar voice replies >“h-ello mister Anon, it’s y-your neighbor” >oh >it’s the raccoon girl >what was her name?... >Jessamine? >yeah it was Jessamine >“hello miss Jessamine, how can I help you?” >“I heard a l-loud bang a few minutes ago, I tried calling you once b-before but the signal w-asn’t good e-enough” >“yes, it was me. I had to take care of some vermin you see?” >“oh… o-ok, I just got a bit spooked by the noise, that’s all” >“yeah sorry about that, hope I didn’t interrupt anything” >“it’s ok, thanks for answering my call anyway” >“yeah no pro- >she hangs up before I can finish >damn, this girl seems to have some sort of aura of awkwardness around her >even through the phone I feel weird talking to her >not that I displayed it because I’m the fucking boss >I should probably check on that girls more often >she seems lonely and sad >anyway… >where was I? >oh yeah, the dead coyote ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >two days after the coyote incident the cattle I ordered online finally arrive in a truck >they were in pretty good shape >the basic supplies I mentioned in the past are a few instruments to take care of them and some bags of feed for them >the truck loaded them off a ramp into the field >since I’ve been watering it its color got a little more alive >still looks weird but at least it’s getting better >I picked up a bag of the feed and place it on wheelbarrow >they are heavy as shit so I’m not carrying it with my own hands >they follow me to the feeder >they seem to already know what’s up >that’s nice >when I’m done pouring as much of the dried food pellets into the feeder, the cows stick their heads in through the tubes and begin to eat it >since there aren’t enough holes for all of them, they seem to take turns >I go back to my house to let them get used to the place >on the distance I can see a figure standing on the porch of house on the hill >it’s that…? >hmmm >it’s surprising to see her outside >I don’t think I’ve ever seen her come out on her own until now >and that’s a little worrying >she turns to my direction and then walks inside >she probably saw me looking and decided to hide again >hmmm >… >I hop on my truck and close everything >I park on front of her house and knock on her door >she takes a bit but eventually comes out >she is wearing a pretty pink sundress and her ears are poking through a straw hat with a purple ribbon around it >“h-hello anon, what do you need?” >“hey, I see that you don’t go out much… >her cheeks start to blush and retreats a little >…so I was wondering if you would like to go out sometime?” >“like… I mean… thanks, I have plenty of free time but I don’t want to get in the way of- >“plenty of free time? Then why don’t we go out soon?” >“I-I meant that I’m free… uh… right now but I don’t know…” >“then lets go right now!” >“R-IGht… now?” >“mhmm, you already look lovely” >her cheeks goes from slight blush to beet red >“so what do you say?” >slowly nods and closes the door behind her >“o-ok… if you insist” >we both hop on my truck and head out into the city >it’s a decent distance away >the trip is completely quiet >Jessamine only looks forward and stares into the horizon >every time I move or turn to look at her, she becomes stressed >starts breathing more heavily and starts shaking >I break the silence with some casual questions >“how have you been recently?” >she flinches when she hears my voice >“I ah… I’m- I have been…?” >“are you ok?” >she begins to panic >her breathing gets heavier and she starts sweating >“look, if you would have preferred to stay alone, then with all confidence, you can tell me and I’l- >“yes” >well… that was blunt >I slowly bring the truck to a stop and prepare to make a three-point turn to head back to her house >just as I put my feet in the gas, Jessamine has a change of mind >“NO WAIT!” >I step on the brakes and turn to her >“what’s the matter?” >she is covering her face with her eyes >“are you ok?” >“yes, I’m sorry I’m sorry…. let’s go o-out to eat or what you s-said” >I sigh, pull on the parking brake and shut off the engine >“Jess, don’t force yourself, ok?” >“what do you mean?” >“I made you an offer, and that means that you have a choice” >she nods >an unsecure nod but it’s still something >“so, be honest with what you want. You don’t have to choose what will please me. Do what will make you happy, ok?” >she sniffles a bit before nodding again >“so… what do you prefer?” >she starts to breath heavily again >“I… I want to… go out to eat… with you” >“are yo sure?” >she nods again, this time with confidence >“right…” >start the truck and head into the city again >the trip is quiet again, except this time I feel more relaxed >I turn to look at Jess again >she still seems to be on edge >I move my hand from the shifter to her shoulder >she flinches and starts shaking >I start to rub her shoulder and then move to her back >her heavy breathing becomes stammered >“relax, Jess, you don’t have a thig to worry about” >she takes a deep breath and seems to calm down a little >“where do you want to go?” >she doesn’t reply >“I know there’s a nice steakhouse around here” >her breathing becomes stammered again >“n-no..” >“what’s the matter? don’t like the free peanuts? heheh- >I cut my chuckle when I see that she is in quiet distress >she looks like she’s on the verge of tears >I get the point and stop pushing with the steakhouse >“hey, I know about this nice Italian place called Basilico, how’s that sound to you?” >“I- I don’t know…” >“wait, I think they are closed due to remodelation” >“oh…” >man, this is awkward >I’m not good at carrying a conversation all on my own >we pass by the local university >that gives me an idea >there are usually some comfortable small joints around universities like this >and I just spotted a promising one >I stop right in front of the place >“hey, how do you feel about this one? San Biagio’s pizza parlor” >“p-pizza? ok” >“are you sure?” >“I- uh.. yes, yes I’m sure” >although she seems to hesitate on everything, I could sense a little bit of confidence in there >I still feel a bit worried about this girl >I gave her a reassuring smile and she tried her best to give me one >it’s fine >we get out of the truck and enter the restaurant >a waitress welcomes us and takes us to a vacant booth >I sit down and wait for her sit down beside me >instead she sits at the opposite side of the table >ok, if that’s how she’s comfortable >the waitress hands us a menu and tells us that another waiter will come soon to take our order >she then retreats back to the front door to greet any new would be costumers >the joint itself is pretty quiet >there’s plenty of people but everyone keeps to their booth >it’s quite nice actually >I hand Jessamine the menu >“here, you choose what you like” >“a-are you sure?” >“yes, I have a taste for everything” >“b-but what if you don’t like what I want” >“oh I’ll like it, don’t worry” >she gets a bit flustered and nervous >“are you ok Jess?” >“I- yeah it’s just that… uh” >she starts to get visibly frustrated >“what’s the matter?” >“I-I don’t know what I want” >“hold on, let me see” >she hands me the menu over >I open it up and start looking through >“what do you crave Jess?” >“I… uh… ve…ge…tables?” >“vegie burger?” >“y-yea-no! I mean I want some meat in it too” >“ah, look, here’s one you may like” >I give her the menu and point at the pizza I’m talking about >“the all-in-one?” >“mhmm, sounds good right?” >“y-yeah” >“okay, anything else you’d like?” >“I- uh… well I don’t have much money” >I wave my hand in denial >“don’t worry about it, it’s all on me” >“hng, well… you don’t mind if I…” >“absolutely not, go right ahead” >some silent minutes pass >another waiter walks over to us with a little notepad and a pen on her ear >“sorry for taking so long, it’s just that I thought you were already being served” >“oh it’s nothing to worry about, we are in no hurry” >“ok, what would you like?” >I look over and raise my chin at Jess >the waiter looks over to her with a big smile >“I uh… c-an I- we get the a-all in one aand some parmesan br-breadsticks?” >“sure, anything to drink?” >“I- uh” >Jessamine starts to browse through the menu >I raise my finger to get the waiter’s attention >“I’ll get a coke please” >“can or bottle?” >“can” >“I-I’ll get one of those too… p-please” >“sure, one all-in-one, parm breadsticks and two cans of coke” >“aha, thank you very much” >“no problem, your food will be ready soon” >she takes the menu from Jessamine and walks back to where she came from >I look over to Jess to see her breathing heavily and shaking >“h-hey are you ok?” >I see a tear form in one of her eyes >“I... I got scared” >“hmmm” >I stand up and walk around the table to sit beside Jessamine >I wrap my arm around her >she gasps at my touch before steading her breath >“why were you scared?” >“I-I felt like she was judging me” >“who? The waiter?” >she starts shaking again and nods >I start rubbing her back trying to calm her down >“don’t worry, she wasn’t judging you” >“b-but the way she w-walked over to us a-and stared at me, I-I can’t…” >“shhh, it’s her job to take our order, you are fine” >“I-” >“no one here is judging you” >she starts sniffling >I lean down a little to see her face >tears are rolling down her cheeks >oh boy… >I step up and walk around the table to sit beside her >as soon as I wrap my arms around her, she stops sobbing >“it’s ok… it’s ok…” >she stays completely still for a couple of seconds, then leans into me >we stay like this for a couple of minutes >I only break up the hug when I see the waiter coming towards our table with our order on a big platter >she lays it on our table >the pizza is still steaming, the cheese drooping between the slices >she hands us two cans of coke and our plates >good, this place uses proper plates instead of those shitty paper ones >I put one of the plates and a coke in front of Jessamine >for some reason I feel like we’re missing something… >“I’ll bring you the parmesan breadsticks in a minute” >ah, there we go >the waiter leaves for the kitchen again >Jess just stares at the pizza with wide eyes >…but instead of grabbing a piece, she just stares at it >I use my big brain to calculate which piece of the pizza is the biggest one >*bzzz* *pewauauagh* *fshew* *computer noises* >got it, it’s the piece exactly opposite to me >and it also happens to be fully loaded with toppings >I spin the aluminum platter around, burning my finger in the process >ouch worth it >I grab the biggest piece by the crust, burning the rest of my fingers in the process >ouch worth it >I pull the slice up, stretching the cheese >Jessamine follows my hand with her wide-open eyes >I can almost see her mentally saying goodbye to the slice of pizza >she clearly wanted it >I would say something like ‘you snooze, you lose’ >instead I place the big slice on Jessamine’s plate >I’m a generous god >she takes the pizza slice and hesitantly takes a bite out of it >her expression immediately changes >from silent awe to silent joy >she notices me staring and composes herself >pretending as if the last 8 or so seconds didn’t happen >I can’t help but to crack a smile as I grab the second largest slice of pizza and put it on my plate >Jess takes no time to enjoy her slice of pizza >she’s being hasty but clearly enjoying it >her eyes have a glimmer of joy in them >it’s gratifying in a way >to know that I brought her joy with such an improvised plan >hmmm >I think that’s more of a testament to her situation than to my charisma >oh who and what did they do to you girl… >Jess turns to look at me and smiles >still, not a greatly confident smile but it’s her best so far >the waiter comes back with a platter with our sodas and the parmesan breadsticks >Jessamine’s eyes widen as the waitress sets everything on our table >she snatches a bread stick and bites into with her mouth full >she immediately stops and corrects herself >sitting straight and chewing slowly >she got carried away >it’s cute but… >it feels wrong >she shouldn’t feel to act like this >I need to know what happened to this girl >maybe not now >I’ll have to gain her trust >I just hope… >… >I don’t even know what I hope >“a-anon, are you ok?” >“mh? what? yeah I’m okay” >“oh, it’s just that you stared off l-looking sad” >“oh it’s just uh… my thinking face” >“oh… ok” >we continue eating quietly >by the end of the night only a quarter of the pizza remains >all the breadsticks are gone >Jess ate half the pizza, but I don’t know who dug more into the sticks >it was probably me >I like parmesan bread a lot >I call the waitress over >she takes the leftover pizza and then brings it bag in a doggie bag >pay with cash >leave a tip of whocares% >never liked tipping much anyway >that’s one of the few things I got from my dad >we leave the pizza place and get in the truck >streets have gone silent >not many cars on the roads >even less people walking around >good, I’ve heard things don’t tend to go well in this city when the sun goes down >start the truck and head back home >Jess stays quiet for most of the ride >when we get to the outskirts she lifts and hugs her knees >her eyes slowly getting heavier >until she finally falls asleep >I take the rest of the ride slowly >taking the smoothest road towards her house >park outside of her house >I grab the doggie bag and get out >then I walk around the truck and open Jessamine’s door >she doesn’t react at all >she’s out like a brick >I bite on the doggie bag and put my arms around her torso and under her knees >she is incredibly light >even after eating all that pizza >I carefully carry her inside her house >up the stairs and into her room >it’s… >…a mess >things all over the floor >weird stains on the walls >the bed is just a mattress on a wooden frame with curtains thrown over it >no pillows >a nightstand is flipped over and there’s splinters all around it >geez >I lay down Jessamine on her bed >she slowly curls into a fetal position and covers herself with her tail >her ears are pivoting erratically >her breathing gets choppy for a second before going back to normal >I slowly leave her room >grab the doggie bag from my mouth and walk down the stairs quietly >the railing is covered in a thick layer of dust >pass through the living room on my way to kitchen >everything is covered in dust >except the TV >it’s smashed and there’s still glass bits on the floor >the kitchen is just a counter with a sink and a fridge >there’s a space where there once was an oven >now only the grime it left behind remains >I open the fridge >the light inside flickers a bit before going out completely >there’s nothing inside anyway >nothing except a half-eaten jar of peanut butter >I can tell she’s been digging at it with her fingers >not even using a spoon >put the doggie bag in >sigh and scratch my head >well, I can spare some money >I’ll take her grocery shopping one of these days >leave and head to my own house >have a hard time sleeping tonight ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >several days later >the cows have been doing nice >they’ve been packing the pounds nicely >although I noticed one of them has a lame leg >she probably has a cracked hoof >I need to call a specialist to help me with that >in the meantime… >I’ve made sure to keep their barn clean >it avoids infections and makes them happy >I could also get one of those big brushes that have been becoming viral on the internet >they seem to like those >I’m pretty sure if I make them grow healthy and happy, I’ll be able to eventually sell them for more than what they are worth in weight >and all thanks to those special idiots who want to know if they burger had a good life before getting served >ehehehe… >… >fuck, that thought got weird on me… >hmm, maybe it’s not always the people around me that are the cause for those awkward moments that always seem to happen around me >… >no, it’s definitely not my fault >oh! speaking of awkwardness… >I grab some binoculars from the back of my truck and look over to Jessamine’s house >she’s… >…nowhere to be seen… >…of course >I walk over and walk up to her door >before I can knock on the door, I hear a faint sobbing to my left >huh? >I walk around the house to see Jessamine >she’s wearing a light sundress and no shoes >lying down on a bed of dead flowers >is she asleep? >I can’t tell… >is she just having a lie down? >my questions are answered when I step on the patch of dry flowers >they make a crispy crunch under my shoe >Jessamine’s ears shoot up >her tail puffs up and her body starts shaking >she starts to slowly turn her head around >I catch a glimpse of one of her teary eyes >it’s filled with terror >I step back and say softly >“hey, don’t worry, it’s me your neighbor” >she lets out a deep sigh and wipes her face >“h-hello Anon, what are you doing here?” >she sit up but doesn’t turn to face me >instead she looks down at the dead flowers >“I uh… I just came here to check on you” >“that’s… nice… o-of you” >“hey, don’t take this the wrong way but…” >her ears perk up again >“…I noticed that since I took you out to dinner, you have been more uh… you have gone out of your house more” >she finally turns to face me, she is visibly confused >“what I’m trying to say is, would you like to accompany me shopping?” >her visible confusion gets accentuated >“look… you don’t have t- >“ok” >“oh, uh, when do you think you’ll be… available?” >“I… tomorrow?” >“ok” >“…” >“…” >“…so um…” >“…” >“nice flowers?” >“they… they’re dead” >ANON YOU FUCKING IDIOT >she rubs her eyes a bit and stares at me >waiting for a response >“well… uh… we can fix them” >“you think they can be saved?” >I crouch down and touch one of the flowers >it snaps by the stem like a dry twig >the petals disintegrate when they hit the ground >“hmmm… probably not” >“oh…” >“and that wheat field… >I stand up and walk down to the small wheat field >the stems of the plants are drooping >the heads are small and some of them completely lack grain >…I’m a rancher, not a gardener, but I can still tell that these plants are in serious trouble” >“…oh…” >“hmm?” >I look back to see Jessamine running her fingers through the bed of dead flowers >a single tear falling from her eye into the ground >“um uh I mean uh” >fuckfuckfuckfuck >“uh… I will help you” >Jessamine wipes her eyes and stares at me again >“I will help you grow a new flower bed… and save your wheat…” >“you will?” >“…” >“…” >“…yes…” >“thank you Anon…” >she stands up >I expect her to walk up to me and hug me >instead she turns on her heels and heads to her front door >oh… >I start to walk to my land before realizing >“WAIT, JESS!” >Jessamine flinches as I scream >her tail puffing up for a few seconds >she turns around slowly >“we didn’t agree on an hour” >“evening…” >“ok… which hour of the evening?” >“three…?” >“I-” >she retreats into her house >shutting her door behind her >I sigh before turning back and heading home >“three it is then…” ~Next morning~ >the day was sunny >I was sitting on a rocking chair in my front porch >the chill morning breeze blew the steam off my mug of coffee >I took a sip as I was browsing my phone >I came across what I was looking for >a phone number highlighted in blue >I tapped on it, and my phone automatically dialed up >a man with a thick Scottish accent picked up >“hello, this is Jeremy Hander specialist in cattle health and care, what can I help you with?” >“ah, hello mister Jeremy, my name is Anon, I own a small ranch of beef cattle” >“what seems to be the problem sir?” >“you see… yesterday I noticed one of my cows had a lame foot and- >“I’m sorry sir but I won’t be able to attend the animal soon, we are booked for two day you see?” >“yeah that’s okay, I can wait two days” >“right, in the mean time I would recommend keeping an eye on the co- >the man’s voice faded into unintelligible background noise as my attention switched focus towards Jessamine’s house >I grabbed a pair of binoculars that laid on the windowsill behind me and took a closer look >Jessamine’s shadow behind the curtains was moving from one side of the window to the other >and then back >and then forth >she was pacing aimlessly around her house >eventually the shadow stopped on the window >and I saw Jessamine peak out from the curtains >she had a scared look on her face >“sir? sir? are you there?” >“ah! yes wait two days and take care of the cow” >“ok… send me an email with the details and I’ll get back to you soon” >“alright, thanks have a good day” >“good day to you si- >I hang up, lean back on my chair and sigh as my spine pops >the chair starts to rock slightly >I notice some gray clouds in the distance >they are heading towards the city >as if on cue, the breeze began to pick up as well >the trees shook, and loose leaves flew by >oh fuck >I don't have an umbrella >well as long as it doesn’t get as violent as the last rain season >I lean back and take a deep breath before chugging the rest of my coffee >welp, guess it’s back to work for now >I stood up and went about my business >making sure the cattle had feed and that they were healthy >once that was done, I went back inside the house to start making repairs >my main concern is the structure of the house >bits of wood all over the place seem to be rotting away >so I grab my toolbox and some planks and replacing what decaying pieces I could >mainly holes on the floor and walls >I’m gonna need a lot more wood and a lot more hands >or maybe I’ll have the place bulldozed and build a new house >that would probably be easier but a lot more expensive >hmmm >I think to myself as I glance down to my watch >maybe I have enough time to go to the hardware sto-OH SHIT! >oh god it’s almost three o’clock and I’m a sweat stained mess >I quickly take off all of my clothes and sprint to the bathtub >I twist both faucet knobs to fill the tub faster disregarding the temperature >I don’t care if I burn or freeze, I just need to get clean now >as soon as the water level raises halfway, I start squirming around and scrubbing myself with a bar of soap >I hit and chafe my elbows and knees a lot but I don’t care >I made Jessamine a promise and I’m not gonna be late to it >aw fuck my foot >I finish by caking my hair with a ridiculous amount of shampoo before plunging my entire head underwater to wash it off >point in which I accidentally inhale a substation amount of water >breaking the surface with a desperate gargle, I jump out of the tub and slip >hitting my head on the floor >FUCK >I get up and rush to my room where I quickly put on one of my normal outfits >…do I wanna CC today? >the answer is usually yes but honestly, I think guns may freak Jessamine out and I don’t want to cause a scene in public >especially not if guns are involved >fucking city slickers will probably cause a shitstorm >I leave my house, grabbing one of my hats and a leather jacket on the way out >what had started as a few gray clouds hovering over the city has turned into a completely gray sky >fucking hell >I think I can already hear distant thunder from here >“well damn…” I mutter to myself as I look into the distant city >suddenly I feel something grab at my wrist >“do you think we can-” >“OH JESUS CHRIST!” >I jumped in surprise, yanking my hand up >I hear a scream in return, followed by skittering and whimpers >looking over the source of the sound, I see Jessamine’s ears sticking from behind my rocking chair >“j-Jess?” >she peaks over with little tears on the corners of her eyes >“oh my goodness Jess, you… uh… are you ok?” >she takes a deep breath and wipes her eyes >“y-yeah you just… y-you scared me” >“well… um… I’m sorry, you scared me too” >“y-yeah s-sorry” >she stands up to reveal she’s wearing a very baggy outfit >pants about 2 sizes too big for her >she must have a very diligent belt around her waits >a very padded coat, again about a size too big for her >and a pair of dusty ugg boots >she either really can’t stand the cold or… >well… or she’s trying to hide her figure >“well what are you doing here?” >“I um… you d-don’t want me to be h-here?” >she bows her head and her lips quiver >“what? no! that’s not what I meant! I have no problem with you coming over, you are my neighbor after all” >“I uh I mean I’m was uh… I… you said the shopping thing and that it was a at three and it was past three s-so I thought you had f-f-forgotten about it so I c-came over” >“is it already past three?” >I pull on my sleeve and look at my watch >yup, it’s a quarter past three >“ah, sorry Jess, I didn’t forget about it… I just had a lot of work to do” >“it’s o-ok and uh… can w-we go now?” >“sure, hop on the truck, lock should be off”