Fields of Iris

Crossing Paths

Iris's P.O.V

As Jerry and I finished cleaning out the truck back at the farm, I already felt exhausted and it was only two o' clock. "You wanna play cornhole, Iris. We finished early!" Jerry harped as I smiled nodding my head. I was on a deadline, not forgetting about the impending reunion this evening. Jerry didn't have many friends though, so one game wouldn't hurt.

"Yeah, sure. How's your mama doing?" I asked as he smiled, shrugging her shoulders.

"She works a lot at the hospital. I like being here, but I miss mama," he said as I smiled, knowing how much his mother worried about him. Lisa was a kind woman who worked day and night to provide for Jerry. He was older now and this job was the only one he could do because it was close to home, and he felt safe here.

"I know it's hard. I'm glad you're here though, Jerry," I remarked as we finished up and walked to the backyard to play a quick game. As we tossed the bags in fourth, I enjoyed being in Jerry's company and having a moment of peace.

"It's nice havin' Chase around, ain't it," He asked making me smile a bit at the thought of Chase. It was nice... and hectic.

"Yeah, I guess. He'll be leaving soon enough," I replied, knowing he had a place back in the city waiting for him.

"I don't know. He might stay," he asked with a toothy grin as I huffed, wondering if that would ever be a possibility.

"There's nothing keeping him here but his business. Besides we've been doing just fine without him all this time," I responded, trying my best to wash the thought away. With my feelings for him, any daydream of him staying was just too dangerous. I hid how hard of a time I had the first time he left for college, and I didn't want that feeling again.

"Maybe you can talk to him. He always listened to you," Jerry harped as I scoffed, tossing the bag a bit more aggressive than I intended.

"Yeah, very funny, Jerry. He doesn't listen to nobody," I responded back. I was always a vault for Chase's secrets, and I would always give him my opinion, but he was his own person. That's why I loved him so much. We played the rest of the game as time ticked by slowly until it was time to go and pick up the dress from the community center.

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Chase's P.O.V

As I walked into the community center, I saw many looks my way as everyone mingled amongst each other. The mayor was presenting his plan for the city today which meant I had the perfect excuse for being there if I got caught snooping around in the records looking for transaction receipts. As I walked up to the front desk, it was perfect to see Jessie sitting at the front. She looked up and I gave my best charming smile, seeing her sit up and dazzle her eyes back.

"Chase! I was expected to see you today with the Mayor's speech and all," she cheered as I leaned over the desk nodding my head.

"Well, it's nice to run into you as well," I said, seeing her blush.

"So, will you be here for the festival? You were crowned Brooksedge spring king three years in a row," she said, making me cringe a bit at the memory of my mother dragging me to those things.

"Yeah, that was like fifth and sixth grade," I remarked as she chuckled. "Anyway, do you think I could take a look at the filing room? I just wanted to go over some business transactions for the mayor," I said smoothly, seeing her raise an eyebrow.

"Only community employee's are allowed back there," she said as I sighed, biting my lip and leaning further down as she blushed at our distance.

"I'll only be a minute. And I was hoping after this, you could take me on the Brooksedge welcome tour. It has been a while, and I heard you lead them now," I remarked as she perked up with a cheeky smile.