Unlovable

Chapter 10: Peaks & Thieves

Darcie spent the next week holed up inside of the cabin. She never turned in the applications she had gathered her first day, but she figured she had enough money left to hold her over for a little while.

Besides, her home was top priority. She had to spend most of her time there. So with careful consideration and an as much of an artist's eye as she could muster, she set to work.

Darcie had painted the living room a sleek, bright blue which complimented the deep brown chair and couch that she had delivered. Darcie stained the small entertainment center and even almost fixed the old radio with the help of a book she had picked up at the Used Book Store in town. She also hung brown and blue modern curtains and picked a collection of wildflowers for three different vase's in the kitchen, the living room and her bedroom.

Her favorite part was hanging a beautiful water color painting she had found in the closet, a picture that resembled her small and wonderful cabin home. As if by miracle, the colors in the painting seemed to complement her style. The artwork pulled the living room together in such a way that it looked as if it could grace the cover of Better Homes and Gardens.

Simply put, Darcie couldn't have been more satisfied with her new home.

She thought of Kim a few times. She tried to remind herself to make the trip into town to call her. She must be worried by now, wondering if Darcie had made it out okay and how she was holding up in a new place.

Harold always made an appearance in her thoughts, too, making her paint quicker and sew faster in determination.

Darcie hated to admit it, but there were many times during the week when she found herself thinking about Roger as well. She wasn't sure what it was about him. He seemed to randomly sneak his way into her thoughts at the strangest times.

She chalked it up to her loneliness.

It had been a while since she had a conversation with anyone. Aside from the sounds on the little radio, she didn't hear any other voices beside her own. That must've been what made her think of him. She had yet to get a phone, or a television. She was pretty much a hermit, and while it suited her fine at first, everyone misses someone sometimes.

On the seventh day, Darcie debated going into town. She could drop off those applications and call Kim, maybe grab a bite to eat. She hadn't eaten all day and her cupboards were beginning to empty. She was bored, anxious to get out, but once she had gotten comfortable on the couch, she had a hard time getting back up. She settled in with a book, telling herself that after the next chapter, she would go.

*~*~*

Roger sat on the front stops of his two story Victorian home, silently debating whether or not he should go check on her. He just couldn't get Darcie,  or Diane as he thought of her, out of his thoughts.

It wasn't for lack of effort. He busied himself all week, trying to do anything he could to get her off of his mind.

Roger couldn't seem to shake the bruised and broken look in her eyes on that first day, and then the exhilarated happiness she wore the next time he saw her. Every time he sat for too long, he thought of her.

"Hey boy. Penny fer yer thoughts.," Lily said as she walked up to her grandson and slowly sat beside him on the steps.

Roger smiled, delighted to see her as always. Leaning over, he kissed her cheek.

"Why ask? I'm sure you've already taken a peak."

She feigned insult before bumping her fragile shoulder against his playfully.

"So ya caught me. Why ain't you gone to see her?"

He smiled, as always amused with the way his Grandma talked with the thick Virginian accent that never diminished.