Country Mile

TURNING INTO A PUMPKIN

When Genna finally emerged from the den, the kitchen had been cleaned and no one was to be found. A note sat upon the table, which read:

"Genna,
Working outside most of the day with Lilah, if you need anything, just holler. One of us will be within hearing range at all times. Take the day to settle in, or come out if you'd like. If you decide to explore the grounds, leave a note, don't go beyond the wire fencing, and be back for lunch at noon.
-Adam"

Genna ran upstairs and stood in the doorway surveying the work she had ahead of her. Boxes upon boxes cluttered the room with overflow trickling into the hallway.

"Lets get settled in then," she said to herself.

She decided to pull all the boxes into the hall and start the unpacking process by bringing one box in at a time.

It was nearly 10am by the time she finished. She ran her hand along her clothes that were now all hung up in her closet. Scarves, purses, and backpacks were shelved above, while sneakers, heels, flats, flip flops, and her array of ankle to tall boots were all neatly displayed on racks beneath. She had replaced Adam's bedding with her own, tossed her pillows along the headboard, and laid her fluffy rug on the floor beside the bed. Her bean bag was in the corner by the window where she strung her fairy lights to create a little reading nook. Her pictures now adorned the walls, favorite nicknacks and books were upon the shelves, and her laptop, kindle, iPod, and iPhone charging station was set up at the desk. Coral, gold, and teal accents were scattered beautifully throughout the room.

She stepped back to survey her handiwork. "Feels a little more like, dare I even say, ho— ew, no. Can't say it."

She had one box left to unpack. She knew what was inside and she just couldn't bring herself to open it so she made room in the top of her closet and gently placed it among her other belongings.

She walked to the window and felt the warmth radiating in. It was too beautiful outside to be stuck indoors a minute longer.

She changed out of her pjs and replaced them with some cut off denim shorts, a navy and white striped tank top with lace trim work, and a pair of white Nike shoes. She threw her hair up in a top knot, grabbed her iPod, and headed downstairs.

She flipped Adam's note over to write her own.

"Adam,
Gone for a walk. Will abide by his royal majesty's demands. I shall stay within the kingdom's boundaries and return by the strike of noon. FYI, my sense of direction is basically nonexistent, so if I'm a little late I hope this note suffices and you won't turn me into a pumpkin.
-G"

Just as she was heading out the door, Delilah was coming in. They glared at each other and roughly clipped shoulders as they passed by.

"Bitch," they spat in unison.

"I hope you left a note!" Delilah said in a sing-song voice.

Genna turned to face her. "Yep! And I left one of these just for you!" she sang back while giving her the finger for the second time.

She popped in her earbuds and continued on down the porch steps. She could feel Delilah's eyes on her as she went.

Delilah let out a frustrated, "UGH!" and slammed the door. She went to the table and picked up the note. She read it with a roll of her eyes and then placed it back down. She took one step and then stopped. An evil thought caused her lips to turn up into a grin. She slowly turned and picked the note up again; the grin faded and she nervously raked her bottom lip through her teeth as she stared down at the paper in contemplation. Her eyes flitted to the window as she watched Genna walk through the pasture. Anger quickly sparked her confidence.

"Fuck you," she whispered.

And with that, she squeezed her hand into a fist; balling up the note. She stalked over to the trash and threw it away.

Delilah then went to the fridge and grabbed the lemonade, the container of beans from dinner the night before, and a yogurt that sat behind it.

She pulled out a spoon and a glass, fixed herself a nice cold drink, and stared at the trash, contemplating what she had just done while swirling her spoon in the yogurt. The image of Genna flipping her off flashed in her mind. She nodded to herself, stomped over to the trash can and proceeded to dump the entire container of beans ontop of the note and slammed the trash lid with finality.

"Have fun turning into a pumpkin, bitch."