Jenny and the Beasts

16. Rainstorm Season

August 8, 2022.

After a week of non-stop rain, the sun finally showed itself. Jenny and most of the other city residents went out to enjoy it. Jenny met with Bai and they chatted politely. Jenny's escort today was Mestor, whereas Bai's was both Curtis and Parker.

Jenny noted the same dynamic she knew from her reading experience. Curtis was still a bully and Parker was a pushy male who tried his luck often. Keeping her observations to herself, Jenny insisted that she had stuff to do. She wasn't lying, but she was using the excuse to her full advantage.

Jenny wasn't going to comment about the girl's living situation, but that didn't mean she would stick around to watch it unfold in front of her. No, if Jenny was going to do anything, she would flip the plot on it's head. Or, she would avoid it altogether.

Jenny got Winston and that was already plenty. Her confidence had grown remarkably since she had first come here. It felt like she could accomplish a lot on her own, even if she wasn't technically alone. Her life was still a far cry from what she was used to be, but she was adapting. Jenny would have to make time to recall any little bits of helpful info from books, blogs, her friend's ramblings, and even the few youtube videos she watched. Any little thing could make her day to day living more convenient.

While thinking about things she could try with the little knowledge she had, Jenny went to the cotton field to harvest any last blooms. Both her and Mestor gathered goods and hit the river. Today, they saw no sign of Sieg. Jenny was both glad and a little disappointed. Glad because she didn't want the fuss or chaos that would unwittingly follow the gator. Disappointed because she was starting to find the guy oddly entertaining.

Shaking her head, Jenny went back to accomplishing what she could. Once finished, the two returned with arms and bags full of goods. While they were out, Winston had assembled the coop and Simon went to find short birds to fill it with.

Winston left to hunt while the two of them started cleaning the cotton and organizing the rest of the things they collected. Some time later, Simon came back with three short birds. Jenny was ready to cheer. She loved eggs and now they could have some. "Thanks Simon," Jenny thanked him with unconcealed joy. She really was thrilled. Later, she would make sure to thank Winston for putting the coop together.

Simon felt pride well up inside him and returned Jenny's smile. He was always disappointed in himself for his lack of strength, but he was able to contribute to his family without it. That did make him feel a somewhat better. Even so, he would go train today and see if he could find more birds after. Jenny told him the coop could hold fifteen birds and he wanted to fill it up.

Jenny spent the rest of the day outside. She intended to enjoy the sunlight as much as she could. The garden looked great. Jenny weeded when she needed a break from the other crafts. Once her chores were settled, she exercised, bathed, and got started on dinner.

Jenny and her family had a pleasant evening. Simon started sleep talking from his position on the floor. Jenny chuckled and got a fur to put under his head. 'This guy can really sleep anywhere. The stone floor can't be comfortable,' Jenny thought.

The rest of them eventually settled down for bed. Jenny snuggled up against fluffy fox fur and purposely didn't look at Winston. It was the first time he was sleeping next to her in human form. Jenny tried to quiet her heart, but failed. After much struggle, she fell into fitful sleep.

The rain started up once again. Jenny made the most of the days by going over any helpful ideas she could recall as well as creating things as usual. By the time the rains quit, Jenny would probably have a full set of bamboo furniture, minus a bed.