Capricorn Season - Jimmy Page

Chapter 16 Part 2

The sun hid behind thick, grey clouds. Although it was mid-morning the world was still washed in muddy blue with edges of sharp white. I was hit by cold air as I stepped into the wet grass just beyond the front door.

Carmen rushed out past me with Maureen following suit. I was left with Jimmy in the doorway, looking out at the expanse of green and grey. The earth was awakening today, blinking and bright. Flowers were popping open like eyes of sleepy children in the premature morning. Dew misted the blanket of grass that covered the glacial dirt.

Just days ago, flakes of snow coated limbs of trees that coiled and snaked into the ground. Now pops of green and orange created sparks in contrast to the terrible monotony of the spiritless British climate.

I was happiest here, it seemed. I was happier here than I'd been in months. Working endlessly was killing me, stripping the paint off my walls. I longed for a break and peace, stamina was making my bones ache.

Like the rising of a beautiful song, Spring erupted around me. The grass tickled my ankles as I made my way to the middle of the yard, a tangle of picnic items in my arms, and I laid out the quilted comforter that Jimmy found in the tiny closet by his room. As it fluttered to the ground I saw the patterned squares of galloping horses, pink roses, and green taffeta. The stitching that held each square together was tight, showing the neat craftsmanship of the creator. I wondered who made it, assuming it was the same person who made the afghan in the parlor.

Carmen scurried underneath before the blanket could settle. I smiled and started flapping it up and down. Her giggles filled my ears. She screamed with glee and her little face flashed as I lifted the blanket, then disappeared as it sunk back to the ground around her frame.

"More!" She cried, her voice desperate with laughter.

Strider joined Carmen under the blanket and I poked my head in. "We're supposed to sit on top of it, my dear."

"More!" She demanded.

I crawled underneath with her and sat up, creating a fort. "More? More of what? More of this?" I began tickling her sides. She squealed in delight. Her face was doused in a warm, golden haze from the sun shining through the thin quilt. Her round cheeks were soft and rosy, I'd never seen a face so sweet.

Maureen sat a basket down in the grass and grinned, she knelt to take out the victuals. "I don't know who's is whos'," She pulled out four sandwiches and a bowl of cut-up melon and grapes.

"Juice!" Carmen wiggled out of my grasp and crawled out from under the blanket.

"Use your words, love," Maureen held the sippy cup.

"I get juice now, please."

"Good enough," Maureen sighed.

Carmen grabbed it and furiously suckled the cup, stopping to catch her breath and then back to the juice."Slow down, you'll make yourself sick drinking it that fast," Maureen scolded.

I flattened the blanket. "You're a thirsty, lass, that's all!" I patted her back as she chugged away.

The bubbling of the nearby creek sounded in my ears, "That stream must be thawing, how about a swim?" I grinned at Maureen.

"Yay, swim!" Carmen cheered.

"Oh no no no, don't put that idea into her head, it's too cold!"

"I'm sure it isn't," I argued.

Jimmy appeared around the opening of trees holding his guitar and 8-track, then sat down on the blanket next to Carmen and me. Maureen passed out the sandwiches and they all tried to enjoy the chirping and bubbling around them while Carmen was momentarily silenced.