A Haven From the Storm

Chapter 14: A Letter from an Friend

---

I was talking with the lady on the other side of the waterfall as on so many nights before.

"Jack, you are going to enjoy the coming day. For the first time in a while, fortune will be on your side."

"It's good to hear. Is there anything special I should do?"

"You'll know what to do as soon as you need to. I'm confident of your good sense here."

Her voice did not have its usual gravity. I still couldn't see her clearly, but she spoke like someone with a twinkle in their eyes and a spring in their step.

I awoke in bed to the sound of rain falling on the roof. Wowser, smartie that he was, had let himself in overnight and was curled up against my chest sleeping. Well, it was his house and I was just the visitor. You don't believe me; just ask him.

We got up together, him saying 'good morning' in that yipping, tail-wagging doggie manner. We shared a rice-ball and a few minutes in front of the television. Rain again tomorrow which would free up several hours for other things. National news?forget about it. Ah...Life on the Farm..

"Farmer Fran! Farmer Fran!"

"Yes, Jimmy?"

Jimmy was holding an envelope. "Before you tell me more about the shipping bin, here's a letter from a couple of friends that you should read."

I hugged Wowser tightly. "Hey, is that our letter?"

She took the letter and opened it. "Yes Jimmy, please let me read it."

"Yes! It is our letter!" I hugged Wowser tighter - him thoroughly enjoying the extra attention.

"Awww...Farmer Fran, that's really sweet!"

"Yes it is, Jimmy. Thank you very much Jack and Wowser; we certainly will drop in on you next time we're in Mineral Village.

"Now, Jimmy, there's something else about the shipping bin I forgot to tell you..."

The day was off to a very good start indeed. I left Wowser curled up on an old rug and went out to start another day of life on the farm.

---

I don't mind working in the rain. I get wet from sweat anyways and the rain cools you off. Each day, I was getting a little stronger and more experienced. I was thankful that I was not yet getting jaded. Pulling vegetables from the ground and taking them to the shipping bin, planting seeds in cleared ground, clearing a few more squares of junk - it had a rhythm most peaceful and satisfying.

I was almost regretting that Popuri had no use for that life. If she could just grow up...a beautiful farm wife for a beautiful farm... I shook the thought off - weird daydreams, old man. Then I realized there was something odd about the morning - where was Popuri? It was well after ten, she always showed up to visit earlier than that. She just didn't want to come out in the rain, I told myself.

It was almost noon when I gave myself a break and headed up to the hot springs for a soak. I was only modestly tired rather than falling down exhausted, so I didn't fall asleep. Instead, I lay there thinking about the romantic tangles surrounding me. Why was Rick so annoyed with Karen - surely something like the spat at the festival was something they'd done before. More puzzling to me was why Karen was so attached to him. OK, they'd been together just about forever, but what did they really share? Rick was all gritty practicality, while Karen's seemed a matter of necessity - helping out in the family business because there was nobody else to. Underneath was that artistic sensibility and a wild romantic heart. No wonder she got so cranky and drank too much - having to be something she really was not.

The hour for reviving the body was up, and I dressed while wondering how I had come to be thinking of Karen so much. Well, she was my best friend here and she was having such a hard time, so it was natural to be concerned about her. As I entered the farm, I realized that it was past one, and I'd still not seen Popuri. I was getting a little concerned. Yes, she was annoying and cloying and all that, but I didn't hate her and wanted nothing bad for her. I wondered if she was sick. I figured I should go over there anyways to work on the Rick/Karen problem, so I could check on her also while there.

I saw Rick through the window of their house, so I knocked and he opened the door and invited me in. After exchanging greetings, I asked, "I haven't seen Popuri today. Where is she? Is she feeling alright?"

Rick sat back down in front of the fireplace. "She's acting flakey today. She was up at her normal time and went outside as usual. But she came right back in, hurried into her room and locked the door. She hasn't been out since. I knocked on her door just a bit ago and asked if anything was wrong and she just told me to go away."

He rolled his eyes. "She can sure act odd sometimes." He looked at me. "She really needs a man to settle her down. You know, someone solid and steady, preferably living real close by."

I snorted. "You wouldn't happen to know of anyone like that, would you?" I returned his look. "For that matter, you wouldn't happen to know of someone who could care for this beautiful performing artist who's all sad and lonely and lives not far from here?"

He snorted back. "Nothing wrong with that girl that a few glasses of grape liquor won't put right. I'm sure she's working on it as we speak."

"Ah, for Pete's sake, Rick! If she's hitting the bottle, it's because you two are apart. OK, you got your feelings hurt, but don't you think this is enough. You got your revenge, she's been miserable for a couple of days now. Why don't you go to her and make up?"

"Because I don't want to make up with her. You think I was just talking yesterday saying I was glad we broke up? I meant it! These mood swings of hers take too much out of me. When I'm at my best, it's all I can do to keep this family and this place together. When she's dragging me down, I lose big time. You've seen it. Sometimes she can charm the birds out of the trees. Other times she can be a total bi..."

I glared at him. "Don't call her that, Rick."

"Say, she's got you all charmed, right? Got you coming over here trying to talk me around, huh? Well...there's nothing wrong with being friendly with everyone here. You're supposed to be, after all. But be careful with her - don't let her use you for anything, she's good at talking guys around for her own purposes."

He stopped and looked amiable. "Look, Jack, I'm not mad or anything that you're trying to get us back together. You're a nice guy and you think you're trying to help us. But you're new here and you really don't know her. Just let it rest, OK?

"Damn, my sister must know you're here, why is she staying in her room?" He shouted, "Popuri! Jack's here to see you! Come on out of there!"

She shouted back, "I'm not ready to come out yet! Tell him I'll see him later!"

He rolled his eyes again. "That girl!"

I tried again. "Look Rick, Karen wants to help you with your family. She says that your mother and her like each other and that Popuri respects her. If you two got married, she'd be happy to care for them. Wouldn't that make it easier on you? Then all you'd have to worry about is the farm itself."

He sighed. "Karen as a nurse to my mother and a nanny to Popuri? That's not right for her. Not with that artistic bent of hers." He made a face. "She's the one who should be leaving the village for the city. When she was a teen, that was her big dream - to go off to dance school, then join a ballet troupe. I'd be there together with her doing...well, we never thought that out too good."

"Her parents never had the money to send her to school, so she ended up helping out at the store. Odd that she has such a head for figures, isn't it? To be fair to her, that's most of what makes her so difficult - she's frustrated as hell with her life. Well, she does deserve more, and I can't give her anything other than this farm and my folks." He gave me a plaintive look. "So you see, it really is best we separate. Then, she might get some kind of break - or just decide to go and take her chances - and I won't be holding her back."

"So you do still care about her!"

"Yeah, and that's another reason to break it off. It's killing me to see her spirit being slowly crushed by this life. If we got married, it'd just continue and it'd be my fault then. I couldn't take that."

"People usually have to give up childhood dreams. If they've got something worthwhile to replace them with, they still make good lives."

"You didn't give your dreams up! You wanted to send those guys off to another planet, and you did it. That was really something, eh?"

Then I was the one making faces. "Actually, my dream was to be on that ship. Building glorified plumbing fixtures hanging off the side of it was...well, settling for a replacement. And now I have to settle for growing vegetables for a living."

"Well...maybe you could use someone to help you make a good life, then." He shouted, "Popuri! You're being rude to Jack! Come on down!"

Now she was screaming, "Rick, shut up! Leave me alone!"

"Ah, Rick, isn't all that shouting going to disturb your mother? Where is she anyways?"

He looked sad. "She hasn't gotten out of bed yet. She's pretty bad today. Popuri is supposed to take her lunch now, but it looks like I'll have to do it."

"What's she like for lunch?"

"When she's sick in bed? Hot milk with raw egg, and some slices of that turnip you brought...thanks for that! She loves it."

"Shoot, I can fix that. I'd like to visit with her anyways, if she's up to it."

"You'd do that?"

"I'd love to. And with this rain, I've got some slack time. It's not a problem for me."

"Well, OK, go ahead. I appreciate it. Everything's there in the kitchen; ask if you can't find something." He stood up and stretched. "I have to go and clean out the manure in the chicken house." He frowned, "That has to be about my least favorite job here. Next to dealing with Popuri when she's in one of her moods." He was still mumbling as he went out the door.

---

The kitchen was easy to figure out, and I had the milk boiling, the eggs whisked and the turnip sliced thinly in no time. The lap tray for bed-bound meals was there, covered with a yellow cloth. I had the meal all ready to go when I saw on the table the yellow flowers I had brought that had started all this trouble - had it been five days or five years ago? I grimaced and decided to turn them to their original purpose, taking several and putting them in a bud vase which I placed on the tray.

Walking up the stairs and into the second floor hallway, I guessed the closed door to the left was Popuri's. I said, "I brought your mother's lunch. I hope you're all right." She said through the door, "Thanks. I'll see you later at your farm, OK?"

The open door to the right was Lillia's room. I could see her lying in bed, covered with a pink knitted blanket, writing a letter. She looked quite pale and exhausted. She looked up at me as I entered. "Jack, you didn't have to do this. Thank you. But I am glad that you've come to visit; I've wanted to see you for a while. It's a pity you had to come on one of my not so good days" She put away the letter she was writing, and I put the tray over her lap.

"Glad to do it, Lillia. I was here anyways and had the spare time. Is there anything else I can get for you?"

"Thanks, no. It looks like you did it just as I like." As she ate slowly, I looked around the room. It was equipped with rough rural looking furniture - several drawers and a dressing table. On the bed stand was a photograph of a younger and very happy Lillia holding a baby in her arms standing next to a taller man wearing farmer's overalls, with a red-headed toddler sitting at his feet, making a face at the camera. The man was also happy looking, rather handsome and with red hair like Rick's.

Lillia noticed me looking at it and said, "Yes, that's Michael and I a little after we married - that's Popuri I'm holding, and that's Rick sitting in front acting up as usual! Such happy times those were. They were such sweet children and Michael was so good with them.

"Jack, please close the door and sit down. I'd like to talk privately with you."

"Certainly." I did so.

"Jack, I have to apologize about Popuri's behavior today. I can tell that sometimes her ways annoy you. She does act too young for her age. It would be better if Rick would not try to control her so much and let her find her own way. Please excuse me for asking, but I have to know what kind of feelings you have towards her. She's been all wrapped up in you for days, but..." she gave a wry smile "...it's hard to get anything out of her that makes much sense."

I smiled in return. "Well, she's certainly different than any other girl I've known. I like her, but...do you mind if I speak frankly?"

"It wouldn't be of much use otherwise."

"I think she feels more deeply than I do. I like her as a friend, but I'm not really in a position to take on much more in my life now."

"Of course, I can see that. I don't think you're leading her on, then. You seem to respect her and I'm grateful for that."

I felt a pang of guilt over our behavior at the beach.

"Then I suppose we'll just have to see what happens. Thank you for speaking openly. Oh, Jack, there are some pictures I think you'd like to see. Would you mind bringing that red photo album over here?"

I got the album from the dressing table, brought it to her and sat in a chair besides her. She opened the album to a large photo of her, Michael, my grandfather, Rick, Popuri, Karen and Mary. Rick and the girls appeared to be in their early teens. Everyone looked quietly happy.

"This was taken about ten years ago. After your father left the village - shortly after Michael and I married - your grandfather sort of adopted us. Not a day passed when one of us wasn't visiting the other, and he often took meals here - when I was well, I was not too bad of a cook. He would bring things from Erehwon and we would have family dinners together.

"Even then, Rick and Karen were the best of friends. It is common here in the country for a boy and girl to grow up together as friends and marry when they are of age. I think it's the best way. Marriage always has its difficulties; it helps if each already knows the other very well. Michael and I were like that too. I'm disappointed that Rick and Karen's relations have been so stormy in recent years. It's something they just have to work through, I suppose.

"Look at the children! They look so open and untroubled, before the years and events had a chance to disappoint them. Why is Mary there? At the time, Karen and Mary were inseparable. They've been the best of friends since they were small. You may think it odd, Karen so lively and Mary so quiet, but they seem to complement each other. And in those days, Mary was much more outgoing. She and Karen were always exploring the hills and forests." She laughed. "I think the only problem those two ever had was that Mary was obsessed with collecting bugs and Karen always hated them!

"It was only when Mary became a young woman that she became more ingrown, burying herself in books and writing. Sometimes that happens to young ladies, you know. The change scares them and they turn in on themselves, trying to fence the world out.

"Oh, Jack, listen to me ramble on. I must be boring you."

"Not at all, Lillia. I'm truly fascinated. I only know these people as they are now; it helps in understanding them to know how they were. And you're a superb storyteller."

"You're such a polite young man. I wish I had known you when you were younger. I remember when you came to Erehwon for the summer when you were little, but we rarely saw you. Your grandfather said you were shy and you preferred to stay in the farm, or go off alone up Mother's Hill."

"Was I shy? I remember being totally fascinated by the farm animals, and the wild animals in the hills - that was something really new to me. People I knew already!" I chuckled. "Was I rude then? I apologize!"

She laughed back. "I forgive you! Please forgive me, but I really am exhausted now and need to sleep. I enjoyed talking with you and I truly hope you'll come back."

"I enjoyed it also. I hope you are better later. Can I get you something else before I leave?"

"I think not, thank you. Could you please close the door behind you when you leave? I'd rather not hear Rick and Popuri shouting at each other if they decide to start up again. Thank you again, Jack."

"My pleasure, Lillia. Please sleep well and wake up better."

I took the tray and closed her door behind me, then went up to Popuri's door and rapped. "Popuri, your mother's asleep now. I'm going back to the farm."

Dead silence. Maybe she was asleep also. I went back to the kitchen and left the tray there, then went out of the door. Rick was nowhere to be seen - shoveling chicken droppings and cursing under his breath, I supposed. It was after two and the rain was letting up. Going back to the farm and into my fields, I saw that the planted patches were adequately damp, so I got out my hammer and again started matching my will against the large boulder.

---

As usual, the boulder was winning. I stopped for a minute to catch my breath, when I saw Popuri come in the gate. She was looking very troubled, almost in tears. I dropped the hammer and ran up to meet her.

"Popuri, what's wrong? You and Rick again?"

She looked up at me with moist eyes. "No, it's not that. Jack...Oh Jack! You're such a sweet man, you've been so good to me...and now I've got to hurt you and I don't want to!"

Then the tears flowed. The holding her and baby-talking her were another routine I had down cold. "Popuri, what is it? What happened?"

She stopped crying for a moment and looked at me. "Jack, you and I...we can't be together. I...I love someone else!"

Huh? Was I hearing things out of wishful thinking or did she really say...?

"Popuri, Popuri, easy. Tell me all about it."

"It's Kai. You know, last year, last summer - it wasn't just a summer fling like everyone thought. I really and truly loved him, - and he loved me back! He said so! He promised me that when I came of age, we'd get married no matter what Rick or anyone else said. I...I told you a little white lie, I'm really 20...but I'm almost 21! I'll be 21 on the 3rd of summer.

"Well, he went away the end of last summer like always. We wrote each other, but in winter, his letters got fewer, then stopped. That's why I was so lonely when you got here; I thought he had someone else. You've been so good to me; I had almost forgotten him.

"But this morning, I got a letter from him. He said he loved me still and meant to keep his promise. I've been in my room ever since reading and re-reading that letter...and thinking of you.

There was yearning in her eyes. "Jack...he's going to take me out of here. He goes all over the country...sometimes even south of the border. You...you're going to stay on this farm. Right next door. Where I've been all my life."

She started crying again. "Oh Jack, you're going to hate me, I know! But what else can I do?"

I lifted her chin so we were looking in each other's eyes. "Hush! Hush your crying there! Popuri, you know what you're going to do? You're going to go back home and answer Kai's letter. You're going to pour out your heart to him and tell him you're his. That you're waiting for him to come back and take you away."

She looked at me wide-eyed. "Jack...you mean you'd give me up to make me happy?"

"Popuri, what I want for you more than anything is your happiness. If that means I lose you to Kai, so be it! Look, if I tried to hold you, you'd just be all miserable pining for him, right?" She nodded. "Then that's it. I'm young; I can survive. I'll miss you terribly for a while, but I'll always be grateful for the time we had together. You deserve the best life has to offer for you. Go to him."

Then she was hugging me with tears of joy. "Jack! You've got to be one of the nicest guys in the world." She looked at me seriously. "You know, you deserve something special also. You're going to make a wonderful husband to some lucky girl. I wonder who she'll be."

"Hard to say, isn't it. Popuri, I hate long goodbyes. Go, you've got a letter to write. God bless the both of you and your soon to be happy marriage."

"God bless you too! He will too, I just know He will!" She gave me a peck on the cheek and ran off towards her house. I was surprised to feel a pang of regret and loss as I watched her go. She really did have a good heart, underneath all that girlishness. A cheerful, twittering little bird was flying out of my life forever.

The regret only lasted for a moment until it hit me. I was free. Free!

I swear, I actually jumped in the air and clicked my heels together.

---

I just had to share with Karen. I ran at twice my usual pace into town and to the General Store. I burst in the door, surprising Jeff and Karen, who were looking through some catalogs. I went up to Karen, took her hand and started pulling her out the door as she and her father stared at me in amazement. "Karen, we have to talk! Jeff, please excuse us for a bit."

"Why...uh, sure, Jack."

I walked her to our usual spot near the mailbox. She said, "Jack, what's this all about? You look like you just won the lottery."

I put on an exaggerated mock sorrowful face. "Karen, Popuri just dumped me!"

She played along with a falsely concerned expression of her own. "Oh, you poor dear! You must be so heartbroken!"

"I'm devastated!"

We broke out laughing together and high-fived.

"Man, oh man, Karen. You don't know what a load this is off of me. I feel like I just ran a hundred kilometer race wearing concrete blocks on my feet." I told her all about what had just happened.

She listened to me with an expression that looked a lot like respect. "Jack, you played that like it was out of a novel or something. Good job!" She wagged her finger at me. "I said you had to learn something about women - you've been up late studying, right?"

I might have been blushing a little. I hadn't heard much praise lately. Especially from someone whose judgment I really trusted.

"Well, I got a really good break. Give me credit for not fouling it up, if you must." I gave her a questioning look. "But you know, that letter from Kai was just a little too convenient. I can't help but suspect that your hand was behind that."

She looked innocent. "Moi?"

"I seem to remember you speculating about trying something that would only cost a stamp. Now, what could that have been, hmm?"

"Well...I will admit that I did know Kai's down south address. And I suppose some little birdie could have dropped him a line telling him that a new guy in town was poaching Popuri and that if he wanted her company this summer, he'd better reassert his rights."

"Karen, you're golden. Solid gold. I could kiss you!"

She held up her hand, laughing. "Whoa, tiger! That's what almost got you in deep mud in the first place."

"Figure of speech. But I'll tell you what. I'm flush right now. I'm gonna go back in there and carry away that medium backpack and some more seeds. I'll have some cash left over. How 'bout I stand you to a drink or two?"

She smiled. "You just said the magic word. I'd love to! You can meet me at the Inn at six, that's when Doug opens the bar - but wait. I can't. Rick'll be there."

"And so?"

"And so we'll be sitting on opposite ends of the bar pretending hard that we don't see each other. Like a couple of freaking 13 year olds in a snit."

I gave her a sly look. "Little different if I'm there drinking with you, right?"

"What are you getting at?"

"You and him are quits, but he's not really comfortable with that. Trust me. I'll tell you later. Popuri just gave me the heave-ho and I'm all broken up about it." I held up my hand. "Remember, I'll describing it from his point of view. Now, you and I come waltzing into the Inn together and start drinking and consoling each other. You think he knows the word 'rebound?' You think that ol' green-eyed monster might give Rick a few pokes in the side?"

That respectful look again. "Jack, I knew you were a smart guy about whatever it was you were doing with that spaceship..." she held up her hand again "...and don't bore me with the details! Now I'm finding out you're not too shabby with people, either. She looked thoughtful. "It might just work. It might." She shrugged. "In any case, we can catch up on things in a more comfortable environment than we're used to. Problem one is solved. We've still got number two ahead of us. Mary."

"Hold on there! I'm not sure there is a problem number two to be solved."

"What are you talking about? You can turn her around if you're charming and considerate to her. You've just got to work on it."

"Karen, I'm not so sure I want to turn her around. I just got detached from a difficult woman. I'm really not too eager to get attached to another."

"But Mary's not difficult. She's only been acting that way..."

"...because of me." I finished for her. "You see, it's my presence shaking up things in this village again." I noticed her look turning to disappointment. "Look, Karen, maybe I'll see Mary differently after awhile. But things have been moving too fast for me. Too much has happened. I need a breather!"

Her look changed from disappointment to something akin to compassion. "Jack, I'm sorry. I keep forgetting how much you've been through recently. Just two weeks ago you were in that lab in the city happy as a clam doing...whatever it was you were doing." She looked sad. "And your grandfather was still alive."

"Aw, come on, Karen, don't get all blue on my account. Gimme that smile, huh? I've got cash to burn and you're gonna help me do it tonight!"

She did give a thin smile. "All...right. I guess he wouldn't want to see me moping around on his account. He was such a cheerful old bird. I'll tell you some stories about him in the old days." Her smile broadened. "When he was a young man of seventy."

"That's more like it. So what time do you want to go?"

"Rick always opens the place. So why don't you come for me at six-fifteen. He'll be finishing his second when we make our grand entrance."

"You be sitting on go at eighteen plus fifteen because I'm always on time. We'll go in there and dazzle 'em. Well, you will, anyways. I'll amuse 'em. The artiste and the nerd - sounds like a bad TV comedy, right?"

It was the first time I'd heard her giggle. "You sure will amuse them. You're a funny man. Jack, thanks."

"For what?"

"For making me laugh. We all need it and not many people can make me laugh."

"Wanna see me balance three turnips on my nose?"

She sniffed. "Clowns don't make me laugh." She turned me around and started pushing me towards the store entrance. "Get in there and get your stuff, then go home and wash. You smell like a basket of old socks. And pay cash!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

I delighted Jeff by covering his counter with coins. He returned the delight by handing me the most beautiful backpack I'd ever owned. Doubled productivity was mine at last! I bet I was stepping high through the town as I returned to Erehwon proudly wearing it.