A Fine Girl

Chapter 2

Other than the sound of the waves hitting the coastline, seagulls flying and talking among themselves, and several other talking insects, it's a quiet evening. Brandy looks all about her taking it all in. All the lights are off in the neighboring businesses and the houses are dimming their lights. Another quiet night. The neighborhood lamplighter spies her. "Evening, Brandy!" he calls and tips his hat. Brandy twirls around, clearly she hasn't seen him until now.

"Ah, evening! How are things?" she asks sincerely.

"Not too bad. Pretty soon I'll be coming out later. Summer's comin' you know." Brandy nods.

"Not long now!" she replies. "Have good night."

"You too!" She sighs again and looks back towards the dock. Ships still seem to be coming and going, but the bar's closed and it's late. No point in trying to go back; Sid would wonder about her returning before daybreak.

I wonder what it's like out there on the sea.Brandy thinks to herself. I'm sure it's lovely; seeing all the harbors of the world, finding adventure at every turn. Although, I suppose, it could also be rather lonely. You don't see your family very often and it could get dangerous, too. Storms coming out of seemingly no where! No thanks; not for me. I'll stay right here!

As she turns the corner to a cozy, quaint apartment, Brandy sees the light near the door is already on. She looks around briefly before digging into her cloak's pocket and pulling out an antique looking key and unlocking the door. Happily, Brandy sighs as she closes the door behind her. A soft purring is heard in the distance. Brandy hangs up her cloak on a nearby rack. "I'm home!" she calls and a medium Ragdoll cat peeks its head around the corner. Its bright, sapphire-like eyes shine in the semi-darkness. The purring now seems obvious that it had been the cat. Brandy bends down and picks up the ball of fluff. "Yes, Angel. I'm home now." Gingerly the cat makes its way over to Brandy who immediately picks him up. "Let's go to bed!" Carrying the cat over her shoulder, Brandy begins humming again.

As she changes into her pajamas, Angel makes his way into her bathroom. Little by little poor Angel gets buried by the mounds of clothes from Brandy's workday, but he doesn't seem to mind as he nestles himself among them and kneading them. Brandy continues humming her song from earlier in the evening as she braids her hair, pulling it away from her face. Angel rolls around in Brandy's clothes and purrs happily, which draws Brandy's attention. "Are you having fun, Angel?" she laughs. "Hard to believe I've had you now for at least two years." Brandy picks up Angel and her clothes; she makes her way to the bedroom and tosses her clothes in a hamper. "If only you could talk, Angel; and tell me all the places you'd been before making your way to my doorstep that one winter evening when I took you in." She sighs remembering the day as if it were yesterday.

* * * * *

Light snow danced down from the heavens and collected on the pebble stone path. It was starting to collect in mounds on windowsills and street lamps, too. It was nearly impossible to see out the bar window, but Brandy kept polishing it off inside. "Do you think any sailors will come, Sid?" she asked looking out her recently polished window.

"They'd be awfully foolish to be sailing in this weather, Brandy.Not to say it isn't possible, but I'm sure it's going to be a slow day and night." Sid was keeping himself busy by cleaning the various mugs and repeatedly shining the bar.

A cold wind blew Brandy's hair in her face. She turned and faced the door. A sailor covered in snow sauntered in. "Got anything warm here?" he asked hoarsely.

"Welcome, friend! I'll get some soup on for you," Sid quickly said and rushed into the kitchen. "Brandy, fetch a warm drink for our new friend." Brandy stopped polishing the window and grabbed a ceramic mug and poured some hot chocolate.

"What brings you out this way?" she asked offering him the hot chocolate. The sailor grabbed the mug and warmed his hands before taking a sip.

"Fur trading mostly," the sailor finally said. "Say this is great hot chocolate!"

"Thanks," Brandy replied as Sid came in carrying a huge bowl of steaming beef stew. "We got the chocolate as a gift from a Belgian sailor just before winter came."

The sailor set the hot chocolate down and pulled the stew closer fora sniff. "Mm, smells good!" He quickly grabbed the soup spoon and started shoveling it into his mouth.

"So where you from?" asked Brandy pulling up a bar stool.

"Siberia. Heading home for the holidays," the sailor replied between slurps.

"I'm guessing it's even colder in Siberia," Brandy said. "Much further north."

"Brandy!" Sid said firmly. "So is this a pit stop for you?"The sailor nodded.

"Too much ice to make my way home in this. I have to at least wait until the ice thaws somewhat from around my rudder." Brandy's eyes lowered. "You open all year?" Brandy perked up.

"Of course; you never know when you'll find a friend who needs a helping hand," Sid said.

"You wouldn't happen to have any mittens or gloves for loan or sale?" the sailor asked pulling out some threadbare gloves from his pocket.

"Hmm, we might have some. Brandy, check the main closet?" Brandy quickly left the room and Sid took over her bar stool.

"How about these?" she asked a short while later emerging with a pair of heavy woolen mittens. By now the sailor had finished the stew and was working on a second mug of hot chocolate.

"Those look nice a warm!" the sailor mused. "How much?"

Sid shook his head. "Nothing."

"Nothing?!" Sid again shook his head. "Well, then how much do I owe you for supper?" Brandy made her way over to the bar.

"Don't worry about it," Sid replied again.

"Really?" Brandy placed the mittens near the sailor.

"Yes, really. It's Christmastime! It's on me and Brandy." Brandy smiled. At about that moment the snow started letting up.

"Thank you so much!" The sailor smiled, stood up, and hugged bothSid and Brandy simultaneously; as he did, the sailor noticed the snow was stopping. "Lookit that. The snow's stopping, too!" Brandy andSid both looked more than a little squished and their eyes were widening.

"That's good, right?" Brandy strained.

"I can now make it home in time for Christmas!" the sailor rejoiced. "You both are amazing!" He let go of Sid and Brandy.Sid nearly collapsed to the floor.

"Lucky you," Sid mumbled and tried to regain his composure.

"You have sure helped a man in need and I hope you have the most wonderful Christmas ever!" With that the sailor bundled up, including the mittens Brandy found for him, and made his way out the door.

Brandy and Sid stared at each other. Just then a soft purr came from the door. Brandy looked towards the door curiously. Cautiously she made her way over. A medium ball of light orange and white rubbed against her leg letting out another soft purr. "Looks like we have another new friend," Brandy said bending down to pick up the cat.The cat licked her hand as Sid made his way over.

"Looks like you have a new friend, Brandy. It's your Christmas angel." Brandy smiled.

"Then that's what I'll call him; Angel!" Brandy let the cat lick her hand a little more before petting him and finally picking him up."You're a big boy aren't you?!"

* ** * *

 Brandy strokes Angel's fur gently. "And you've been here ever since." Angel purrs and closes his eyes as he nestles next to her onto their full-sized bed. Brandy yawns and stretches. "I think it's time for bed. How 'bout you, Angel?" As if in response Angel stretches and yawns in agreement before spiraling into a little ball of fur next to her. Brandy smiles and turns off the light on her nightstand. While snuggling herself into bed, Brandy looks out her window. I wonder, Brandy thinks. I wonder what it's like to sail the ocean and visit unique worlds out there. As she ponders, eventually Brandy drifts off to sleep.