Youth's Dew

Chapter 15

Joven

What the Poop Pile in a Compost just happened???

It's like being slapped upside the head, having a giant wedgy from my underwear being pulled over my sore head, and kicked to the curb. Ouch!

I get up to chase her, but no, she said she needed to be away from me. Okay, what do I do? I feel such a need to touch her, kiss her, just being near her makes me feel complete, like our hearts beat in rhythm, but apparently that feeling is one sided. What did she say? Burdened? She's a burden? Not wanted? I've tried voicing my emotions on our wedding day, I've even tried to be affectionate, and be patient. Why would she think I didn't want her?

Running to her side of the bedroom I lift the bed skirt again, and yes, the ring is still there and still in a precise, and very stupid, circle of misery! I plop down onto the floor, head slumped over, chin to chest... I will not cry; I will not cry! I should call my parents? Good golly, no, I'd be stuck with them all day with a ton of stories from their youth. I could call Heif? No, he has zero experience with marriages. I know who to call— just never thought I'd actually turn to her for help.

***********************************************************************

Pann

Walking in to town, my first stop is Perk You Up, for just that, a little something to perk me up! MAC, Hannah, is there and again sits down with me for some quiet time.

"Are you feeling better?" Hannah asks, while making my hot chamomile tea and pushing it towards me.

"Yes, I feel like I finally have a grip on a few things, and even came up with a plan," I say, smiling, and trying my best to look confident. "I'm visiting every store this week and learn as much as I can."

"Great! Joven will be an excellent tour guide, he loves showing off our under-fountain oasis," she smiles and pushes a finger sandwich my way.

"Oh, I'm doing this on my own. Joven has other things to attend to at this time. It will be like a Grand Adventure," as I eat my delicious sandwich. Those things could be deadly for my waistline and pant size.

"Alone? Well, that's great," but her voice seems hesitant and she continues, "You know, I've been wanting a few days off myself; how about I join you?"

Join me? I was really wanting to go solo, but do I really want to upset someone who's only been nothing but nice to me? Nope.

"Sure, when do you want to start?" I ask, while standing up to leave.

"Let me call Bethany. There isn't any school this week and she loves working here and visiting everybody," she turns to go use her phone. Not wanting to be rude and overhear a private conversation, I head to the front door.

"I'll meet you at the bridge at noon," I say and out I go. Turning left, I take a few steps and run into Karmony.

"Hey! Karmony right? I'm fixing to walk to City Hall to put my name on the visitation list to view the ancient tablets, do you want to walk with me?" I ask, desperate for any kind of friend.

"I'd love to," she turns and hooks her arm though mine as we both start our walk across the cavern to the other side. "I'm so glad to see you out and about, I thought maybe Joven would keep you locked away forever, he can be greedy at times." I let her comment go, not feeling like defending him much right now.

"I'm a Dewbie," I say with gritted teeth. "So, might as well embrace it," for some reason I don't want to tell Karmony the state of my marriage, even though I wouldn't mind sharing it with Hannah. Probably because she's older, a mother and had been married for years.

We continue talking as we cross over the bridge and enter the stone building that reads, City Hall. I'm greeted by another pretty girl, Hattie, her nametag says. See! Nametags do work. No reason for acronyms, just her name displayed clearly for all to see.

"Hi, I'd like to enter my name for visitation to see the historical tablets," I say and notice Karmony stare at Hattie and then tap her finger on the countertop.

"Sure, no problem, Pann right?" she asks, but doesn't give me a chance to respond. "I have an opening Thursday around noon, is that okay"?

"Nothing sooner?" she shakes her head no. "Okay, I'll take that date then," wow! Viewing historical tablets must be a favorite past time here.

Karmony and I head back out of the building and start our way back to the center bridge. We continue talking, but nothing very personal, until she says good-bye with a very odd statement.

"I'll see you around," as Karmony starts to leave, "When I was in the Hot Springs Pond with Joven last night, I told him to make sure you got out to meet new people. Just wasn't sure he heard me, with all the people around him. He does attract the girls no matter where he goes," and then she's gone.

He attracts girls wherever he goes??? What does that mean? In UpAbove I KNOW what it means. And it ain't nothing good! Ugh! Now, I'm stomping onto the bridge. I need a good scream, but where? I plop my bottom onto the nearest bench, pull my shirt over my head and scream, and that is exactly how Hannah finds me.

*******************************************************

Author's note: Karmony definitely knows how to stir the pot and make everything worse.  I really enjoyed developing her character; even if I did have several temptations to have her get lost in a tunnel! lol!

Don't forget to hit Like and tell a friend to come join us in Dewstone!