Mary Kendall, A Ghost Story
A Memorable Day, part 2
Jamie wants to get to know Bekka better and invites her to help him construct an igloo. Working together it is built in record time. Bekka seems shy and a little bit sad to Jamie. She doesn't seem to want to talk about herself. She answers briefly and changes the subject off of her. Jamie tries to draw her out by asking questions about growing up in Hidden Springs and has she gotten tired of the snow.
"Oh, no!" She tells him. "I love it here. I don't know if I could live anywhere else. This will always be home. I love our long winters, and the snow doesn't bother me."
He talks about some of the fun times he had growing up in Riverview and how he travels around with his job. When they finish building the igloo, he grins up at her and innocently tells her they should see how warm and comfortable it is inside the igloo.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50551573822_b40930d3f5_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50551445731_7265ba2c9e_b.jpgJamie is shocked at how quickly Bekka changes from a shy young woman to an angry offended one. "How dare you suggest that to me! I'm not woohooing with you in an igloo!" she exclaims in an outraged voice. "I am not that kind of girl and I don't want to be part of the harem you seem to be setting up in town. I've seen you around town flirting with so many other females including a few of the married women!"
Bekka's knowledge of what can happen inside of an igloo stems from last winter. She discovered her boyfriend in an igloo at one of the town parks, naked as the day he was born with a tourist who was also naked. They were so busy they didn't notice her at first until she shrieked. Bekka gained her revenge. While they were trying to get dressed, she used her knowledge as an architect and quickly damaged a few areas of the igloo. It came crashing down and blocked the exit. She left them to get out on their own and said boyfriend found that certain body parts like toes, fingers, and ahem others don't like freezing weather! Can anyone say frostbite? Luckily, neither were seriously hurt and no one suspected the igloo crash was related to her tampering. Bekka has a hard time trusting men since then and has not dated at all.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50550713823_692be3d0cb_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50551573662_1ff3ace896_b.jpgShe finally slows down long enough for Jamie to respond back. "How dare you accuse me of something like that! I was definitely not suggesting anything like what you are apparently imagining. I barely know you well enough to suggest that, if I was willing to freeze my jewels off and publicly woohoo with a stranger. You've got some peculiar idea's lady! When Francesca introduced us, I thought you would be a delightful person to get to know. You are a beautiful woman but apparently have some issues that I would rather not deal with. As far as encountering women around town. I expect I've met as many women as men in town. I'm new here and trying to get to know people. I plan on making this town my home and base for my business. Are you some kind of stalker following me around and examining my interactions with people? You don't have to worry about seeing me again. I'll stay out of your way, and you stay out of mine."
Jamie turns and leaves before she has a chance to respond back to him. Jamie might be a charmer and at times a jokester. He might be a little arrogant about being excellent at his job but he is not the type of man to suggest what she imagined. He is also not allowing anyone to imply he would. He doesn't understand why she would think that of him. He is still distressed and figures he better leave before he says anything else that would make the situation worse. He cannot believe how angry her comments made him. He was very attracted to her before all that. He takes several deep breaths as he tries to calm down before getting on his motorcycle.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50550713753_79a8b849d6_b.jpgBekka turns bright red with embarrassment and shame. She tries calling him back, but he throws his arm up in the air in dismissal and doesn't even turn around as he stalks away. She cannot believe all that came out of her mouth. Obviously what happened last year still bothers her more than she realizes. Bekka wants to run after him and plead for him to listen to her and apologize for what was said and thought. She hopes she can find out from Francesca more information about him like where he lives. Leaving the park she rides the roads on her motorcycle trying to clear her mind and soothe her nerves. The ride does not help as it usually would. She turns towards home and arrives still very much in distress. She hurries inside and curls up on the love seat trying to figure out what to do next. Her cats Rani and Sari both sense she is upset and try to comfort her.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50550713703_4e1be7728d_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50580273461_08bf2c0cdc_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50580406632_c5778e2334_b.jpgDamien and Mary sit at one of the firepits and warm up after enjoying several hours at the festival. Jamie joins them at the firepit and pulls out a bag of marshmallows. Damien can tell Jamie is troubled but leaves him alone when he says he doesn't want to talk about it. "I've got a couple of jobs to do tonight but wanted to share my bag of goodies with you two before going off to hunt poltergeists. Jamie wasn't paying attention and burned his first marshmallow, but he didn't mind as it tasted pretty good anyway. Jamie relaxes with his friends and calms down, feeling himself let go from the anger he experienced. He laughs at their descriptions of the snowboarding and how Mary loved zooming around so fast on the snowboards. "Mary, we need to get you a motorcycle!" Jamie exclaims. "If you love speed, you will love the feeling of being one with your ride." Her eyes sparkle with enthusiasm and agrees it would be fun to have a motorcycle. "I'll have to go collecting and see if I can find a few more of the really valuable stones up in the woods. I'm sure motorbikes are expensive."
"The superior ones are," Damien informs her, "but well worth it. I'll let you ride mine tomorrow and see if you like it."
Jamie tells them goodnight as he heads off to work. "Have fun!" Damien is still concerned about his friend but he can see he is not as upset as he was. Perhaps he will talk with him tomorrow.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50449436368_6a5e9d7b9d_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50450307552_a9050b5c17_b.jpgDamien wants to visit Hans Tavern and Cafe before returning home. "I read in the paper it reopened in time for the holidays. Perhaps it is not too busy." The bar area was deserted but neither wanted drinks. They went upstairs, and Liam was there with his girlfriend Cassidy Earthsong. Introductions were made, and the four of them chatted. Mary was surprised at how friendly Cassidy was and she found her very easy to talk with. Liam and Damien enjoyed several games of darts and enjoyed getting to know each other while they played. Damien discovered that Liam had a wicked sense of humor and was an excellent darts player. Mary and Damien enjoy a snack at the bar before heading home.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50449436313_170211b5ef_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50449436243_3fdeecaac7_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50498275151_312fb89358_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50497560333_2e5e21ab4a_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50498274836_583182cc94_b.jpgBefore going upstairs Mary reaches out and squeezes Damien's hands, thanking him for the delightful day. "It was another enjoyable day and a memorable one. I can't thank you enough."
"It was my pleasure to share this day with you, Mary."
She reaches out and hugs him, and he watches her go upstairs with a hopeful smile on his face.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50497560038_b962e3d29d_b.jpghttps://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50498422537_44963d6d1e_b.jpgJamie arrives home from work and is greeted by Lia who stretches up to be picked up. Jamie obliges and pets and loves her. "Who needs an angry but beautiful lady in their life when I have you, Lia? But please tell me, why I can't get her off my mind? I have a feeling this day will be stuck in my memory for a long time, Lia" Jamie sighs and heads upstairs to bed.
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