Till the Star Blooms

Chapter 9 - Silent apples

Walking into the general store late one afternoon I found the smiling Melissa looking through her stocks. She turned and greeted me.

“Oh hello Cameo, what can I do you for?” she asked taking a seat behind the counter.

“I had some time and well, I haven’t talked to you in a while.” I smiled; I knew Tyrone was out with the others in town. Over the few weeks I had known him, he had turned me right off. I worked hard and was genuinely proud of my efforts while he only thought about himself and lazed about.

“That’s kind of you dear, but I have a bit a dilemma at the moment,” I was about to ask what it was when her eyes lit up with an idea. “I was planning on making an apple pie, but as you know I generally don’t stock fruit and veg. I’m expecting Darryl soon with some new stock, could you possibly pop over to Jessie’s and fetch me a bag full and I’ll let you take a slice home.” She smiled.

“No,” I replied and was amused by the shock painted on her face. “I would rather you teach me how to make it,” I smiled as her face relaxed. “Oh, my dear, why didn’t you say so before, I’d be happy to teach you. Must be hard living by yourself.”

After another few minutes I was off down the road leading out of town to Jessie’s farm. I always seemed to underestimate how far Jessie’s farm actually was, I had been there maybe, three four times? I wish I had a car, walking everywhere were taking its toll on me. My feet were already aching. I would even settle for a bike, as much as I hated it when I lived in the city, it was so necessary here to have some mode of transport.

Pausing on the fence to give my feet a break I looked across the fields. To my surprise I found Leroy tending to something or other. Perching myself a little higher on the fence I called out.

“Hey Leroy!” I waved as he looked up and spotted me. “Do you know where Jes…ah” I toppled into the field below and disappeared to the under growth. I looked up a little stunned from my fall. I could hear the swish of the plants as Leroy came in search for me. It didn’t take long for him to be peering down at me. He offered me a hand and helped me up I groaned as I shifted only now feeling the sliest pain in my body. I leaned against the fence, recovering for a sec.

“Thanks, and Jessie is…er… where?” I managed to get out. Leroy pointed towards the orchid. “Thank you,” I said again this time remembering to smile. I waited a minutes, for my back to straighten up, before I started my little track across the field.

Jessie greeted me with his usual ’howdy’ and a slap on the back, which didn’t do me any good. Come on man, can’t you see I’m in pain here.

“So what can I do for ya?” he asked leaning against the tree. I explained that Mel was going to be teaching me how to cook and that I needed apples.

“Apples? Well I suppose you can have this,” he walked over to the trailer that had been attached to his new John Deer. With one hand he pulled the smallest sack and handed it to me. Almost dropping it he laughed. “I thought you would have gotten some muscles with all the work you’ve been doing,” he chuckled. The only weight lifting I really did was carrying a bucket of water up and down the stairs. He took the sack from my arms and shot a high pitch whistle. “Oi Leroy!” he yelled. A minute later Leroy appeared. How obedient. Jessie chucked the sack of apples to where Leroy caught it. “Be a gentleman and carry these for Cameo,” he smiled at me.

“Oh, I don’t want to be a bother…,” I said startled by the turn of events. Jessie heartedly laugh and slapped my back again knocking the air right out of me.

“Don’t worry about it, anyway you better catch up,” I turned and found Leroy down the road. I said my thanks and raced after Leroy who had slung the sack over his shoulder. Oh I hoped those apples wouldn’t be too bruised by the time they got back to Mel.

The walk was silent, but time seemed to pass quickly and we were soon at the Inn, where Mel did her cooking. He handed me the sack making sure I had a firm grip before letting go.

“Thank you Leroy, I’m sorry that you had to come all this way,” he nodded and turned with his hands in his pockets and strolled out of town again. Well that was rude Not that I had expected much. Huffing I made my way into the Inn. Mel came out and took the sack off me.

“Wow I’m surprised you carried these all the way, they’re quite heavy.” She smiled and led me to her kitchen.

“Leroy helped me,” I mumbled. She looked at me strangely and urged me to continue. “I think he hates me,” I told her.

“Why do you think that Hon?” She placed the sack in the corner and pulled half a dozen apples out.

“It’s like he doesn’t acknowledge me. I thank him and he just wanders off, totally ignoring me,” I sighed. Mel laughed.

“Oh don’t take it to heart kiddo, I’ve known the little tyke since he was born and even now, our conversations are brief. He’ll open up eventually. Now stop dillydallying and peel these apples. The pie isn’t going to make it’s self you know.”