A Life Of 'Shine - Lem Fike

29

The following morning Nora was up earlier than needed, packing away foods like what her mother would use to make when she took her and her brothers out on picnics.

"Where did you even get half of this food?" Lem asked as he raised several cans to examine. Nora pointed outside the door, towards the general store for her answer, not talking as she concentrated on packing away the items in a small basket.

"This idea of lunch is weird."

"You'll enjoy it. An evening out with nice people, in the fresh air." She replied, grabbing some cans from Lem as he passed them over to put them away.

"Mother used to take us out, lay down an old blanket we could sit and place the food on and we'd talk for hours at a time. Mostly while father was working, or drinking. But it was nice, I tried proposing the idea but I didn't know how to bring it up without sounding weird." She gave a small smile, checking over the basket of foods to make sure everything was tightly packed away.

"I wouldn't think you sounded weird, just the idea." Lem chuckled, walking into an old closet to pull out a tattered blanket he had no use for. It wasn't a pretty thing and was mostly holes now but a quick judgemental stare and a small nod from Nora was enough to signify it was suitable for their picnic.

"And I would have been the one to offer the weird idea, there for being the weird one."

"Nothing you say makes you any more weirder than you are." To this she couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head with a forced frown that was trying to conceal the smile.

"I'm not as weird as, Marcel? Maybe Cripps."

"Oh, definitely."

The two leaned into eachother, a gentle kiss shared between them before they were interrupted by the door being thrown open. Nora pulled away from the embrace she got caught up in, looking over Lem's shoulder to see Arthur standing there, embarrassed.

"Er- I.. Um, sorry." He let out a nervous cough, turning away to walk outside. When he was far enough away Nora let out a small laugh, amused by the ordeal but happy to see Arthur had taken the girls up on the offer.

She grabbed the basket of food while Lem grabbed the blanket and together they both walked outside to the wagon where the girl's sat. From where Nora stood she noticed Abigail and Jack had both joined them and John had decided to tag along for the ride, not that it had mattered, Nora was rather fond of the company she just didn't think him to be the type to accompany them on a trip.

"Fancy seeing you here, John." She chuckled, to which the male could only offer a small shrug. Both stood behind the wagon, pushing the items they carried onto it before climbing in themselves. Mary-Beth was sat alone, the girls and Jack all deciding to squeeze on the one side for whatever reason. It meant that the only available seats was next to the aspiring author, which neither Lem or Nora had any negative thoughts for, Mary-Beth was excellent company as always, a treat.

"Hello, ladies." Lem charmed, sitting in next to Nora once she was in. Abigail gave a gentle nod.

"Hello, Jackie." Nora said to the young boy, he offered a bright smile but only cuddled into his mother more.

"Since this was your idea, Miss Morgan. Where would you like to go for lunch?" Arthur asked, twisting his body in ways she thought impossible to hear Nora better. She shrugged, not sure on the most suitable location.

"Well, there's a place up north. Real pretty spot, Cottora Springs I believe it's called. I'm not sure, real pretty spot and the water's usually hot." She commented, Arthur raised his hand to scratch his growing beard his eyes narrowing as he thought it over.