Quiet One

Search for Clues

"Ok, Ladies! I will be back soon. Just going to run out and get us dinner. Then we can get to work on this puzzle," Lilly shared as she pulled up in front of her apartment. "Don't start without me!"

"All right, all right. We will wait till you get back to start examining the pictures. Just don't take too long," MC replied getting out of the car with Jessy close behind her.

Opening the apartment door, the two friends kicked off their shoes and made their way to the living room. MC deposited her backpack near the couch before heading to the kitchen, "How about something to drink, Jess?"

"Sure. Just water tonight, please."

MC returned with two glasses of water, passing one to Jessy, before sitting down cross-legged on the sofa, placing the armrest on her back. She sipped her water and got comfortable before speaking.

"What should we talk about while we wait for Lilly to return with the food? She was very clear how upset she would be if we started examining the pictures and clues, we found today, without her." MC chuckled thinking of Lilly's instructions.

"I am really glad you are in Duskwood, MC. These last months have been some of the hardest for me," Jessy opened up.

"I felt quite useless being so far away, Jessy." MC began taking her friend's hands in hers. "I wanted to be here. To hug you. To cry with you. But I wasn't sure if you wanted me here. We went from texting and video chatting all the time to nothing in the course of a few days. I thought maybe that was best, maybe you just needed time, but then it just continued on like that. I just want you to know, Jessy, that I am here. And even when I have to leave Duskwood, I will still be here for you. You are not alone in this."

"Oh, MC. I know I just withdrew from everyone and everything. It felt like the only way to cope at the time. But now. I am just so glad that you are here," Jessy embraced her friend, who once was only words on a screen and a face on a phone, but now was a warm, welcoming real person here in front of her. And their bonds of friendship grew even stronger as they shared their strength with each other.

"Jessy," MC whispered in her ear. "Are you ready for our cow overlords?"

"All power to the cows! Mooo!" Jessy shouted and laughed a real laugh for the first time in way too long.

MC doubled over laughing as well. It was a moment of silliness that was needed as much now, as it had been the first time they thought up that silly joke. As their laughter slowed, they turned the conversation to lighter topics.

"You mentioned that Phil never introduces people to Anna. Who is she?" MC inquired.

"Well, she is kind of many things for him. His relationship with our mother was never very good; after she and our grandmother died, he didn't have any maternal guidance. Well, really any parental guidance. Anna, kind of filled that role for him. She cares about him, doesn't judge him, but also isn't afraid to tell him like it is. To call him out when he is being an ass," Jessy laughed as she said this. "There aren't many people who can do that and get away with it. But Anna can. And does."

"She is also a mentor to him and that is how they first met. The small business owners in Duskwood have an organization and get together a couple of times a year to socialize, share strategies, and learn from different speakers. Besides that, they support each other," she continued. "When Phil took over the bar, he was still quite young and had very little experience in the business side of things. Anna was the one who was there and has been quite the influence as Phil has grown the Aurora and learned the business. He owes her a great deal for the knowledge, encouragement, and support she provided over the years. It was Phil's hard work and vision that made the Aurora a success, but Anna was the one behind him cheering him on."