A Life More Ordinary Ch. 02

Caroline gasped in shock as Pierre exploded in laughter.

"I see that Miss Gardner is a bad influence already!" Caroline responded in a fake huff.

"I wouldn't mind seeing that, actually!" Pierre said, a goofy grin on his face. Caroline smacked him in the face with a pillow.

They all laid in the quiet dark for a moment, basking in their shared love.

"Love you!" Abby called over with a yawn.

"Love you!" Pierre and Caroline called back.

*****

Spring 4, Year 1

Kaylia's time at the pier had borne very fishy fruit, indeed, as she collected a sizable purse from the shipping box. She had already watered the parsnips (just about ready for harvest, by the Goddess) and tilled and watered a second 12' by 12' plot for today's acquisitions. She planned to split the second plot in quarters and plant an assortment of other crops. Before she headed out, she returned to the materials chest and pulled out the jars of sap she'd collected from all the felled timber. She had been considering the sticky substance, specifically its dense collection of plant nutrients, and was pretty sure she could thin it out with some water and spray it as a rudimentary fertilizer. She left it out to warm in the morning sun and become more viscous, then headed off to market.

She took her time walking along Red Dragon Road, filling her lungs with the fresh air and stopping to pick a few nearby roots and daffodils. Her thoughts turned to Abigail and the revelations of the previous night. Something about the young lady resonated with her, and not just the wonderful appendage between her legs. She was clearly rocking some BDE when she came to the table last night, and it contrasted with the extremely vulnerable girl who needed a friend that could understand her. Abby was utterly adorable, and Kay was happy to be a friend of similar experience for her. She would also have been happy to give Abby the tit-fucking of her life, but it was absolutely for the best that they had set such lewd ideas aside.

The little clock on the town message board read 8:00 when Kay made it to Pierre's. Taking a quick glance at the community calendar, she noticed someone had posted a request: "LADIES ONLY: Someone please bring me a horseradish root if have one. You know what it's for. -Haley" Kay took the bill and considered. It would be a great way to meet the blonde bombshell in person while avoiding any embarrassment over their previous... encounter. She was also very curious about what the hell Haley meant to do with it.

With an hour to kill, she thought about foraging around for the root and then wandering down Willow Lane to deliver it, until she noticed the mayor heading up past Pierre's. Curious, she followed him up the hill and saw him come to a stop in front of a large, derelict building with a broken clock inset in a gable over the entrance. The walls and roof were covered with ivy as nature attempted to reclaim the structure. Lewis had his arms crossed and was clearly contemplating something as Kay approached.

"Good morning, Mayor Mayer," she greeted him, unable to resist the wordplay. He started out of his thoughts and turned.

"Oh, good morning, Kay! Sorry, I didn't hear you come up."

"You seemed a little distracted."

"Yeah," Lewis turned back to the building, "I'm trying to decide what to do about this eyesore."

Kay walked up next to him. "What is it?"

"The Pelican Town Community Center," Lewis harrumphed, "what's left of it, anyway. Used to be the pride and joy of the town, you know? Bustling with activity, everyone coming together to plan events and festivals. Now look at it." His voice rang with a deep melancholy for those times, now passed and forgotten.

"No offense, but I take it this is where you lament the disengagement and disaffection of the youth?" She was gratified to get a smile and a 'heh' from the Mayor for that.

"Disengagement is right," Lewis agreed, "it's like they live here, but they don't realize they're as much a part of our community as anyone else." He turned to Kay. "I appreciate you letting an old man rant about the kids today."

"So what brings you out here today?" Kay wondered where this was headed. Hopefully not...

"The Joja Corporation has been hounding me to sell the land to them. Morris keeps talking about some state-of-the-art fulfillment center, 'revolutionize the industry and the area' or something to that effect."

Kay raised an eyebrow. "Morris?"

"Local Joja rep, runs the market over that way," he half-heartedly waved eastward. "Yoba knows Pelican Town could use the money for all sorts of things, but something in me keeps putting them off..." He looked up at the clock with a sad smile. "Ah well, if anyone else buys one of those damned Joja memberships, I'll probably pull the trigger. Just... I guess old timers like me get attached to relics of the past."

Kay wiped a tear from her eye. Things were starting to make a little more sense.

"That's not always a bad thing." she said, placing a comforting hand on Lewis's shoulder. He smiled, placing his own hand over hers for a brief moment.

"Kind of you to say." With that, he pulled a set of keys from his vest pocket. "Come on, I'll give you the dime tour."

*****

The doors creaked open and the strong smell of must and mildew assaulted them as they entered. The interior was a complete mess, floor boards rotted away exposing the earth beneath them, windows broken or cracked. In the main foyer, a crumbling fireplace was flanked by an empty, cracked fish tank and a strange little hut of clay and thatching. Lewis walked Kay through the building, pointing out an empty pantry, an activity room, kitchen and dining area, machine room with a non-functioning furnace, and a town office with a massive safe, its door open and hanging off the hinges. They lingered by the old town meeting board, festooned with old requests from townsfolk left unfulfilled.

Lewis seemed surprised by the hut. "Huh! I wonder if Vincent and Jas have been playing in here." He explained that they were the youngest children in town; Vincent Freeman was Jodi and Kurt's youngest, born right before he shipped out; and Jas Taylor was Shane Anderson's goddaughter, they had come to live with their aunt, Marnie Jones, a few years ago after Jas lost her parents.

"Ugh, this place is worse than I thought," Lewis grumbled, looking around. Kay nodded in agreement as she regarded the fireplace and the little green fluffball behind Lewis smiling and waving at her.

"Yeah, I gu-WHAT." Her eyes went wide as comprehension kicked in. Lewis noticed her reaction and turned to look, the green thing vanishing in a puff of logic before he did so.

"What? What was it?" he asked. Kay stepped past him and stared at the spot that a few seconds ago contained... well, she didn't know what it was but it was definitely something.

"I-... sorry, I just, I thought I saw something." Kay shook her head, wondering if she got enough sleep.

Lewis's mustache bristled as he looked around. "Heh. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if this place was crawling with rats by now."

Rats. Right. Kay did the only sensible thing. "Most likely, it just took me by surPRI-IIII THERE IT IS AGAIN!" This time, it again popped into existence behind Lewis's back and started performing a credible rendition of the Hustle before once again vanishing as Lewis turned. Lewis regarded Kay with a look of skepticism.

"You okay?"

"I guess I'm just a little jumpy."

"Alright. I think I'm going to head home for lunch." They bid each other goodbye and Lewis left. As the door shut behind him, the little green thing reappeared, beckoning Kay to the activity room. She followed and saw something she'd missed previously: there in the middle of the floor was a porcelain plate, its center dominated by an image of a many-branched tree inlaid in gold. The strange plate was further inscribed with a message in a script Kay didn't recognize.

When Kay looked up, she was alone again, any trace of the small creature absent. "Huh" was all she could say as she took her leave of the strange place.

*****

Pierre's was bustling as Kay finally made it back. Just inside, a tall gentleman in a blue polo shirt, tan slacks, and a tight, flat-top crew cut was chatting with a very curvy woman with wild chestnut hair, dressed in a green tunic over a red blouse cinched with a wide leather belt. They turned as she entered, smiling.

"Ah, speak of the devil, and she shall appear!" the man said in a rich baritone, immediately offering a hand which Kay accepted. "I'm Robin's husband."

"I guess that must make you Demetrius?" Kay asked.

"I guess it must. I actually have to thank you, you made quite an impression on my step-son Sebastian last night. Normally, I can barely get two words out of him."

"Let me guess, you got four?"

"No, I got fou-... oh, you are good!" he laughed warmly as the woman next to him politely hip-checked him aside.

"Ah, the inestimable Marnie Jones, I presume?" Kay smiled, taking the offered hand and kissing it gently. Marnie started fanning herself with her free hand.

"You presume rightly and is it suddenly warm in here? I swear, I'm experiencing the vapours."

"Careful, Kay, the mayor may take exception to you putting the moves on his 'special friend'," Demetrius warned.

"Oh, hush," Marnie chided, "it's all just good clean fun, sugah. Now, forgive me for dashing off, but I need to get this shopping done before someone comes looking for animal help at the ranch! We'll catch up later!" With that, Marnie dove back into the aisles.

"Is she always that..." Kay began to ask quietly.

"Exhausting?" Demetrius offered.

"Exuberant," Kay corrected, to which Demetrius nodded.

"Pretty much. Robin says she's a real slave driver at ladies' fitness club."

"I HEARD THAT." came a reply from elsewhere in the shop.

"Say, if you have time later today, you should visit the lab, I don't think you've met my daughter, Maru?"

Kay felt an unmistakable hardening in her pants at the mention of Maru's name. "Uh, no, I haven't."

"Well, come on by! She's pretty excited to meet you!"

Yeah, I bet she is, Kay thought to herself as they parted ways. Her momentary distraction led her right into the path of another patron, who bumped off of Kay's figure and landed with a thud on the floor.

"Oh!" Kay was mortified, rushing to help the poor person up. "I'm sorry, I didn't-"

"We really need to stop meeting like this!" Jodi Freeman laughed as she lifted herself up on Kay's arm. Her laughter intensified on seeing Kay's face turn deeply rose red.

"I'm really sorry, Mrs. Freeman," Kay replied, embarrassed almost beyond words.

"It's no worry, no damage done, and it's Jodi," she replied, giving Kay a warm smile. "Actually, I wanted to apologize myself for getting weird the other day. I, well, I guess you know about my husband, and I wasn't expecting to meet you so soon, so I wasn't really prepared for it."

Kay returned the smile, hopefully with as much warmth. "I'm sorry, too, for a number of reasons."

"I'm very glad I ran into you, too, I was wondering if you were planning on growing any cauliflower?"

"I was, actually, why do you ask?"

"Well, my boys love this cauliflower curry I make in the spring, and it's always best with fresh product, so I was hoping..."

Kay held a hand up. "Say no more, fair lady, you'll have first pick of the crop."

Jodi curtsied. "Thank you, kind mistress. You will, of course, stay for dinner as thanks for this service."

"I would be delighted!"

Jodi returned to her shopping as Kay stepped up to the counter, rapping it with her knuckles. "Good day, monsieur! Service, if you please?" She looked over and nodded to Gus, who returned the greeting with a wave.

Pierre practically glided over behind the counter, whistling a jaunty tune. "Bonsoir, madamoiselle!" Kay was struck by the man's lightness and chanced a guess, leaning over conspiratorially.

"Well! Someone got laid last night," she said quietly, Pierre's blushing a clear confirmation. She'd be blushing herself if she knew the true extent.

"Not so loud," he replied, loudly clearing his throat, "yes, but not just that. Abby's been the happiest I've seen in weeks, and I hear you have something to do with it."

"Just what are you implying, my good man?" Kay gasped in mock indignation.

"Merely that Cari and I are so happy she has someone she feels she can talk to. She's really been under a cloud lately, and we worry."

"I'm glad she could trust me enough to open up, she's a wonderful woman."

"Yes, well-" Pierre was interrupted by the bell at the door and looked over Kay's shoulder. His face immediately darkened. "Oh, what now?" he growled.

Kay turned and saw a large gentleman in horn-rimmed spectacles and black suit, accented with an oversize red bow-tie, stride into Pierre's surrounded by a thick miasma of utter smugness. He stood in about the center of the store, loudly clearing his throat for attention.

"Come and get it, folks!" he said with a broad smile, "Coupons! Good for 50% off your next purchase at JojaMart!" Pierre's customers all looked at each other, conflicted. Kay realized exactly who this was. Morris.

The man took a step forwards, waving a stack of blue coupons in the air. "Well? Any takers? This offer may not last!"

At this urging, Jodi meekly stepped forward first, accepting a coupon and hurrying out of the store. The others quickly followed suit until only Kay, Pierre, and the gentleman Kay now privately thought of as 'The Asshole' remained. As he walked over, Kay shrank herself down, a plan forming in her mind.

"Ah, Pierre," Morris smarmed, "it must be so painful for you, losing all those loyal customers like that." He smirked. "But, really, can you blame them? Joja Corporation is clearly the superior choice. Soon, the whole town will realize it." He turned and seemed to notice Kay for the first time. "Oh, I beg your pardon." He smiled broadly again, holding out one of the blue papers. "Coupon?"

Kay rose to her full height with a growl, instantly towering over the man. "No. Thank you." Morris's face immediately paled and he recoiled from her involuntarily. After a brief moment, he straightened out, pulled his jacket down, turned on his heel, and left.

The voice was a calculated risk; she wasn't technically ordering him to do anything, just declining his offer while implying in the strongest possible terms that he should leave. Now. She figured someone would have to be actively sensing in the area to pick up on it, and they'd likely chalk it up to background radiation, as it were.

Kay shook her head. "What a DICK." She turned to Pierre, who seemed completely unsettled by the entire event.

"50% off?" he said weakly. "I can't afford to match those prices! I'd be selling at a loss!" He looked like he was going into shock. Clearly, decisive action was called for. Kay make a show of taking out her coin purse and dropping onto the counter with a loud *CLANG*. The noise broke Pierre out of his spiral and he turned back to Kay.

"Oh, I'm sorry," he apologized, "that's the first time he's been so blatant about running me out of business."

"What ever happened to friendly competition?"

"Oh, that would be fine, if it was anyone but Joja. You know, they moved in and started throwing their weight around town, talking about 'revitalizing the community' and 'helping everything thrive', but I feel like they want to put a stranglehold on this town and never give it up."

"Seriously, what a dick." Pierre snorted in agreement, then looked with surprise at the daffodil Kay offered. "I noticed your lapel was suspiciously empty."

Pierre looked down, quietly accepting the flower and attaching it to his lapel. "Thanks for that."

"Now," Kay continued, "I have a list and a special request." She handed the list to Pierre and, as he busied himself collecting the items, Kay grabbed one of the specialty catalogs and paged through to the item she had in mind.

"Wait a sec, a hand bug sprayer?" Pierre asked from behind the shelves.

"Yeah, I've got an idea for an improvised liquid fertilizer I want to try."

"Would a herbicide sprayer work?"

"Maybe, it's likely going to be pretty sticky."

She heard Pierre rummaging around before a triumphant "A-ha!" signaled progress.

"Okay, that's taken care of," Pierre said, returning with the bagged items. "I had one of those aluminum weed sprayers that's coated inside with Teflon, for Yoba knows what reason, that should do you. What's this special request?"

"I hear you're a man who knows how to get things." Pierre nodded.

"I've been known to locate certain objects from time to time. What are you looking for?"

Kay found the appropriate page and laid the catalog down, pointing at the item.

"Well, that's a fine piece of equipment."

"I need it tomorrow."

Pierre nodded sagely. "Normally, that would be a problem, but I happen to know a guy. You looking to take on the local champ?"

Kay smirked. "Something like that."

*****

Maru and Penny sat quietly eating their lunches on the bench, taking in the beautiful spring day and enjoying each other's company. They had been friends since they were practically toddlers, and trusted each other implicitly. Which meant that Penny was the only other person (apart from Emily) to know about Maru and Haley's relationship. It didn't come up often, but Penny knew how much it hurt Maru to keep it bottled up, and she would be there for her friend through thick and thin.

This particular day, Maru seemed a little off, and she had asked Penny to wait while she dropped a letter in the Carter sisters' mailbox before rejoining her on the park bench.

"Secret love note?" she asked playfully. Maru blushed, avoiding her eyes.'

"Yeah, sort of." Maru took a bite of her sandwich. "I think the new farmer caught us the other night when we were... you know."

Penny gasped. "Oh no! Are you sure?" Maru nodded. "Oh gosh! Do you think she told anyone?"

"No, and I don't think she will, but we definitely don't need the extra stress, you know?"

Penny wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulders. "Yeah. You're still not ready to tell them?"

"I know I'm being crazy for no reason, but it's terrifying. I don't want to disappoint Dad."

"I know." They sat there in silence for a moment, occasionally taking bites of Maru's sandwich before she noticed and pushed Penny away, laughing.

"You've got your own sandwich, you mooch." Maru said.

"Yeah, but your mom won't tell me where she gets that peanut butter! It's sooo goood." Penny replied.

"Have you met her yet?" Maru asked. She was also nervous about meeting the farmer, for obvious reasons.

"Miss Gardner? No, I haven't, but Mom says she's built like a truck, kind of like Mrs. Gardner when she was younger."

Maru thought about that for a moment. She definitely remembered the Gardners from when she was younger, they were always so nice to everyone, but she couldn't really remember what they looked like. She asked Penny about it, and Penny thought for a moment before coming to the same realization. That's weird, Maru thought to herself. No matter what, though, Maru was sure Mrs. Gardner couldn't have had a big, thick cock. Well, probably not, anyway.

"You going to hang out at the Saloon tomorrow night?" Penny asked. She hated the place, for understandable reasons, but didn't begrudge anyone else spending time there.

Maru pursed her lips. "I mean, maybe? I haven't been a while, I probably should."

"Yeah," Penny agreed, "I'm sure everyone would be happy to have you hang out with them! Just don't let Seb talk you into a game."

"Truth." Maru replied in the squarest way possible, painfully remembering getting cleaned out by the damn shark. He'd bought her dinner and drinks for the rest of the night as an apology, with her own money notwithstanding.