Best Friends, Remember?

A new home

“Now, we can finally make some money. We wouldn’t be able to survive any longer” commented Jared, after he and Genevieve had left Ed’s shop. The rain stopped falling down and a small ray of sunshine appeared in the sky. It lit it and made the day bit more optimistic for everyone. People started coming from different directions and moving around Foggy Corner. The town seemed to live again, as far as at the very beginning Jared and Genevieve thought, that it had to be abandoned or forgotten. No wonder why – there was almost not a living soul in here and now, it doesn’t remind Foggy Corner from the morning.

Genevieve and Jared have put their new-bought t-shirts and jeans into their: backpack and bag, and moved to the opposite side of the street. They walked on the dusty pavement and started looking for a proper place to work in. There were some options, but it seemed that everyone had their full staff. That would be weird considering the previous Foggy Corner. This one probably has more surprises for Jared and Genevieve. They went to the grocery, post office, laundry service and finally decided to step into the library.

“Great, I love books” said Genevieve to Jared.

Jared pulled the handle and let Genevieve go first, as a gentleman. She thanked and they both entered the building. The hall was quite big, when it comes to other amities in Foggy Corner. Jared and Genevieve walked through a maroon carpet and came closer to the desk. “That’s where you talk to the owner” they thought. Genevieve pressed the golden bell lying on the desk and waited for somebody to show up. After a few seconds some smiled lady in her thirties appeared behind the core and came to them. She was wearing a smart, white shirt and grey trousers which matched the jacket she also had on her arms. She had glasses hanging on

a string on her neck. She put them on her nose while sitting behind the desk and fixed her wavy hair, which by the way were stylised thirties. She looked stunning, like she ran away from a historical film about World War II.

“Hello, I’m Mrs. Grandy – welcome to the Foggy Corner Library. How can I help you?” she said with an amazingly calm and mature voice.

“Hello, we would like to ask if you need some help in your library” explained Genevieve, as politely as she was able to.

“Oh, I see. Of course. If you are interested, there is always help needed in here” responded Mrs. Grandy, so Genevieve cheered noticeably.

“I’m very glad. So we are willing for this place” informed officially, but friendlily Genevieve.

Mrs. Grandy put some indigo binder out of the desk drawer and opened it at the very beginning. “Indeed, Mrs. Grandy said, that they always needed help in here. And no wonder why – this place is huge…” thought amazed Genevieve.

Mrs. Grandy put some pen out and then Genevieve and Jared could see, that Mrs. Grandy’s left hand was covered with some black cloth.

“Your names?”

“Genevieve Coleman” responded she.

“Jared Williams” responded he.

Mrs. Grandy took a short, but very intensive look at them and when she ended writing down their names in table on her piece of paper, she closed the binder and put the pen she was holding in her hand on it.

“Welcome to the Foggy Corner Library” she said warmly with a smile on her face; “your work time starts at ten and finishes at one. If you happen to have any questions, you will be able to find me here. Do you want to look around?” she offered.

Jared took a look on Genevieve. She seemed to be extremely happy about it, that’s why after he saw her face, he smiled and responded:

“Of course, we do”

“Lovely. Enjoy yourselves. Oh, but remember not to turn left, when you entered the first floor. It’s closed. A huge mess, papers, folders, old notebooks and other unneeded things we haven’t had time to clean up”

“We?” asked Genevieve.

“Yes. There is also one other person who works here. Timothée. Today, he has day off, but I’m sure you’ll make friends with him. Judging by how kind you are, you will all get along” said Mrs. Grandy.

“Thank you” responded Jared, but a bit worried. He didn’t know what made him more upset: the forbidden area in the library or the stranger working here…

“Come on!” said excited Genevieve and took Jared’s hand. He calmed himself down a bit – if Genevieve didn’t feel anything for him, she wouldn’t hold hands with him like that. Jared felt warm in this gesture and something more, that reminded him sense of safety. Safety, he wanted to last as long as it would be possible.

But there was some concerning thought in Jared’s head, that couldn’t get out of it. This new guy interrupted Jared’s inner peace. Even if just a little. He knew, that Genevieve wasn’t so naive to get into some toxic and suspicious company.

“I’m not so dangerous, right? Oh, wait. I am…”

“But it doesn’t matter, what have I done in my past. It’s over. I left this part of my life behind and I should never go back there. That will be hard, when Genevieve asks me about that someday, and I won’t be able to refuse, as far as she’s very important to me. I can’t always beam her, every time she tries to find out more about me, my past, my family, my future… Gosh, life is hard and there’s nothing I can do about it. Damn it!…”

Jared and Genevieve, who was guiding him, went through a long hall. Its walls were all covered in shelves, full of various books. Then, they opened a small door and entered a room behind it.

The room was small as well. Its walls were in light purple colour and its floor was covered by a green carpet. There were some small chairs and tables spotted in different places of the room. Some lamps, chests of drawers and desks full with paper cards and crayons. There were also some drawings hanging on the walls.

“What is this place?…” Genevieve ran her finger across books’ backs and started reading their titles out loud: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Charlotte’s Web, The Cat in the Hat… This must be…”

“A room for children” they both ended the sentence. That made them blush and smile delicately to each other.

“That’s right” admitted Genevieve; “that’s cute they have a particular place for children. People should encourage their children to read books from the very beginning. They are the key to the world. I think that was my grandma’s quote. I recall her talking like that one time, but I don’t know when… Oh! I remember! That was at Christmas Eve when all my family members were opening only one gift for them. I got a book. Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone. I remember. Like it was yesterday. Then grandma Emma told me her famous quote. I will never forget, because it’s just true, you know? There are so many information and clues in books, that I cannot even name them all right now. But they help go through life”

“Wow…” amazed Jared; “you really believe it. I mean, I would believe too if someone that wise from my family shared such a strong thought with me”

“Jared…” started shyly Genevieve.

Jared knew exactly what she was going to ask.

“Did anyone in your family care about your education?”

He just stood in silence with his head lowered.

“About you?”

He swallowed saliva and still didn’t give any sound out of his mouth.

“Jared, you scare me. Please, say something” begged Genevieve.

He finally understood, that he shouldn’t worry her like that any more.

“No…”

“What?”

“Only my grandpa” he answered her finally; “the rest of my family didn’t care. They always had more important things. I mean, they were farmers.

I get it – a lot of work. But for God’s sake…” and he stopped, as he thought he had got too much emotional.

Genevieve came closer and started stroking his arm.

“You know we can hold that conversation any time? Talk about it with me. Don’t bottle it up. Best friends, remember?” she tried to cheer him up; “or should I just shut up not get it any worse?”

Jared made a sound of quietly pushing the air from his nose. He laughed, thanks to Genevieve.

“I like when you’re talking…” he responded shyly and that calmed Genevieve down. Jared smiled to her, so did she and they both hugged.

“I’m so glad, I have you” he confessed honestly.

That was a rapid injection of happiness. Genevieve was positively thrilled about hearing these words, but she tried her best to stay cool.

“And I am grateful for having you next to me” she responded and that was Jared’s turn to be thrilled. Of course – in positive meaning of it.

When their big hug had ended, they continued to look around the library.

At first, when you looked at it from the outside, it didn’t seem big. But when you happen to enter it, you’ll see it was unexpectedly huge. Maybe not like libraries in big cities, New York, etcetera, but you got this feeling, that you’re ant’s size, being inside such kind of a place. That’s how Jared and Genevieve felt.

Two little ants.

Two little souls, happening to feel something for each other, from the very beginning. The sparkle between them was noticeable and sensible. Metaphorically speaking – even touchable.

Walking around halls and separate rooms of the Foggy Corner Library, they were having great time. That was perfect moment for Genevieve to convince Jared to finally open up.

“So… you said, you hadn’t had enough support in your family?” started Genevieve as gently as she was able to.

“Yeah…” responded Jared calmly.

“You want to talk about it?” asked Genevieve, insecure of how Jared was going to react for this question.

“There’s no much I can say, Genevieve. Just that they didn’t care about me as much as they were ought to. Only my grandpa did. He tried to teach me everything he knew. He was an English teacher. And an amateur writer”

“Really? Wow, that’s awesome. I’m honestly impressed. What was his name?”

“Bill. William”

“That’s a lovely name” commented Genevieve.

“You think so?”

“Yeah… Just think. Prince William. William Shatner. William Shakespeare…”

“… Will Smith…” joked Jared and they laughed; “but Shakespeare convinced me the most” said Jared.

“Really? Why?” asked Genevieve, very curious.

“Because my grandpa liked him the most. He said, that he had been and always will be an English icon. In all its meaning. A splendid poet, thinker…”

“Lover…?”

“Probably” laughed Jared; “with such swank quotes” he added, so they both started laughing; “I’m sure he hit on many women in his life”

Genevieve laughed once again, truly amused, and they turned into another hall. They were walking around and talking, meanwhile everywhere they went, there was a dead silence.

“And how about your parents? Grandma? You can tell, you know I’m going to keep a secret for you” begged Genevieve politely, not to make Jared uncomfortable.

“My parents…” he sighed; “my parents were always busy with their farm. They would work from the dawn to dusk. They didn’t have time for their…” he stopped rapidly; “kid… And I just don’t like to talk about them, cause they weren’t responsible for me enough. They were not bad parents, as they gave me space, but… that’s not how you raise a kid – by just not giving a f… sorry… Great parents are interested in their child’s life, they support it. Besides, my mum started to act strangely when I was like seventeen. Like… she was always stressed and nervous and she sometimes sneaked out during the day and came back at night. I still don’t know why. I don’t know if my father knew about it or not, but now… it’s not important any more. When it comes to my grandma – she did what her daughter had told her – that it was none of her business to tell her, how she was ought to raise her son. So she gave up. But grandpa didn’t. He had taught me everything he knew, before he passed away. And that’s a lot. Maybe I look like an airhead, but believe – it’s not that empty”

Genevieve laughed, so did Jared.

“Anyway, I was tired of that life, so I… abandoned it. I ran away”

“Really? How old were you?”

“Nineteen”

“Oh, God…. And you’ve been all by yourself through all that time?” worried Genevieve.

“Sometimes there were some nice people on my way, and some weren’t…” he said and reminded himself the marriage he had met few days ago – Derek and Amber. The Freaks. Bonnie and Clyde… “But you know, these nice ones had their own, happy life, so every time push came to shove, I had to leave them. I didn’t want to trouble them. I’m not this toxic kind of person”

“I know” Genevieve said quietly and held Jared’s hand.

After such a kind gesture he looked at her, (amazed) and sent a beautiful, cheerful smile to her. They both blushed incredibly.

“And how about your parents? I mean… before they… you know…” asked Jared, when they both had chilled a bit.

“Everything was fine with them except from their divorce”

“I’m sorry”

“That’s fine. They preferred to live separately in peace, than together and always fighting with each other. I got used to that, since they have been divorced for eight years. Anyway, when they finally decided to spend time together, because my dad came for Halloween, THAT thing happened to them”

“I am really sorry” repeated Jared.

“Don’t be – that’s not your fault, Jared. Cheer up… You know…” she started shyly; “don’t misunderstand me or take me for heartless…”

“God, no!” panicked Jared.

“But I wasn’t so close with parents to feel some deep pain because of their loss… I know, that it sounds terribly, but… if they only hadn’t divorced, this connection between us would have been tighter, stronger… The only person I miss from head to toe is Giselle. She has always been a support for me. She is the best sister in a world. This long distance is killing me.

I cannot even call to her…”

“Wait!” Jared came up with some idea; “you can”

“What? How? My phone disappeared. Don’t you remember?”

“Phone booth! I saw some phone booth in town!” said Jared proudly.

“Really? Why haven’t you told me earlier?”

“I didn’t know it matters for you that much” he opposed.

“Well, it does, Jared! Come one, hurry!” she took his hand again and they both ran away from the library, passing by Mrs. Grandy and calling “Goodbye!” when they left.

They went outside and immediately started to search for the phone booth, that Jared mentioned.

“It is supposed be near in here… Somewhere…”

“There!” shouted Genevieve, when she had seen a tall, red spot about one block away from the place, they were standing in.

They crossed the street, passed some pedestrians and opened the glass door. Genevieve and Jared went inside and pick the telephone receiver.

“You have a coin?” asked Jared and Genevieve shook his head as “no”. Jared put his hand into his pocket and gave a silver coin to Genevieve.

“Thanks” she said grateful. She dialled the number to her sister, Giselle, and waited for the answer. First signal. Second signal… And a familiar voice…

“Hello?”

“Giselle?!”

“Genevieve?!”

And a squeak. Some noise. Crackle. And a sound of an ending call.

“It has hung up” complained Genevieve.

“Try again” suggested Jared.

Genevieve did all the things, she has done before a minute. Everything repeated: two signals, Giselle’s voice, a squeak, a noise, a crackle and

a sound of an ending call.

“Damn it!” cursed Genevieve and put the telephone receiver down on its initial placement.

“I’m out of coins” said Jared; “I’m sorry”

“Don’t be, it’s okay…” sighed Genevieve, not blaming Jared; “well, it’s not gonna happen. I have no idea, why”

“We’ll come up with something, don’t worry” Jared cheered her up.

“But what can we do? And running out of coins is not the problem, Jared. This place. This is our problem. We’re stuck. We’re deep in this…”

“…shit” finished Jared.

“Exactly”

“How about talking with someone? Maybe some educated and civilised person from this town will know, what’s wrong?” proposed Jared.

“I guess, it’s a good idea” admitted Genevieve; “but whom shall we ask?”

“And… another problem…” commented Jared with irony in his voice.

“Oh, how about Mrs. Grandy?” suggested Genevieve.

“Well… she seemed to know this place as her own pocket, didn’t she?” said Jared; “but after all, there was something in her… I can’t even describe it in right way. You know, what I mean? Like: “Don’t turn left… we have a mess in there”… Bullshit”

“Right. Something is not right. But of course, I’m excited to work there with you. And besides, we have to earn some money if we are going to stay here any longer. Let’s not complain” she laughed.

“We have no choice” added Jared and laughed too.

“Come on. Oh, and by the way – what time is it?” asked Genevieve and turned her head to look for some clock. Jared turned his head too and they spotted a big clock in the horizon.

“It’s too far. We have to ask someone. Excuse me…” said Jared to some pedestrian passing them by; “do you happen to know, what time is it?” he asked politely.

“It’s two PM, my dear” responded the lady, he had asked. It was an elderly woman with grey hair and green eyes. Her face was wrinkled, but still nice and friendly. She was smiling delicately

“And do you know, what is this place?” asked Genevieve, pointing the mysterious building with her finger.

“Oh, yes, dear. This is Saint Marcus’ church. The only church in Foggy Corner. To be honest, the only church in a long distance.

“Thank you” responded Jared; “thanks for the help”

“Oh, no problem. Are you new in Foggy Corner?” asked the lady.

“Yes, madam” admitted Genevieve; “is this so obvious?” she laughed, so did Jared and the elderly lady.

“Well, I’m no genius, but I do have a great sense, when it comes to people. This is me” she said; Well, bye then…” she said and walked away.

Jared and Genevieve took an astonished a look at each other with faces saying, that it was a weird and unexpected meeting.

“Okay… So in conclusion: does even asking for the time have to be so strange?” joked Jared.

“I guess, that everything here works like that, Jared. Let’s not exaggerate – nothing could astonish us any more at this point”

“We’ll see” he said mysteriously. Genevieve saw, that he was smiling.

“By the way, I’m curious what was her name…”

“It’s Karen, sweetie!” shouted the woman, standing on the other side of the street. She smiled mysteriously and disappeared behind the corner.

Genevieve and Jared froze for a while and stared at the empty wall.

“Okay… what the hell was that?” astonished Jared.

“I have no idea… How did she hear this? With her age? Really?” said Genevieve. There was no difference in their astonishment, showed on their faces. A couple of seconds has passed, when one of them finally said something – it was Jared.

“Well… we better go home”

After saying these words, he realised, how well they sounded. He felt warm in his heart. He looked at Genevieve, who was no less surprised. His words made an impact on her – she saw Jared in a different perspective. By saying “home”, she felt like they were a couple, living together in one, safe place. Jared felt the same, although he didn’t admit it verbally. However, their faces showed every emotion and feeling they had for each other. Stan’s Mist Hill was no their home at first, but then they realised – it actually… was…

Genevieve and Jared have met each other for the first time in there. They have spent the third day with each other there. They enjoyed their company. They even felt something for each other.

That moment felt so magical for both of them, that they didn’t want to spoil it. With amazingly true smiles on their faces, they just decided to go HOME. Jared took Genevieve under his arm and they both walked through the town and went straight to Mist Hill.

The whole way home they were enjoying the view of the countryside, and just at the ending – when they were crossing the dried wheat field, not so far away from the Mist Hill, they were observing a very beautiful sunset scenery. At one point, Jared wanted to give some other topic for their conversation (at first, they were talking about Foggy Corner).

“So… You have told me about your family, school, friends… But

I actually know nothing about you. Only that you’re eighteen”

“And beautiful. And smart. And single…” he also thought.

“Well… there’s no much to talk about, Jared” she said sadly; “I’m not so special”

Jared looked at her worried.

“What? What are saying?”

“You know, I’m a girl teenager from Kingston upon Thames. I like Shakespeare – like many girls, even people, in a world. I have curly, brown hair and brown eyes. I’m a Mulatto. And that’s it” she said blankly. She seemed to worry a bit. Not about her appearance, but that she doesn’t make any impression on Jared, and she liked him so much. How deep she was mistaken.

“I think you’re a really good person” said Jared. Then he was Genevieve putting her head up again.

“Give me a break…” she mocked.

“I mean it. Just look at you. You’re smart, friendly, beautiful, brave… and…” he stopped, cause he had felt, that it was too much. He would have shown all his feelings, but he didn’t want to spoil anything.

When he rapidly stopped, Genevieve looked at him. He was so nervous about what he had said. He just didn’t know, how Genevieve was going to react for that. That was the first time, Jared was confessing like that. Talking like that about her… Okay, maybe there was time, he showed that something moved in his heart, but never admitted it verbally. And now… One rash move, and it’s over.

Genevieve opened her mouth to say something. Eventually she closed them again, but instead of that, she came closer to Jared. He was watching her and couldn’t get his eyes off her. The sunset was beautifully marking on her outfit, on his as well. The sky was warm – orange, purple and pink. The clouds were quite bright, so every ray of sunshine made a heaven look, so the whole picture looked idyllic.

Genevieve stepped just in front of Jared. Their faces were five centimetres apart. This little distance has been shortening and shortening from both sides. Finally, Genevieve and Jared touched their lips and fell in a deep and romantic kiss.

They have been waiting for this moment basically from the very beginning of meeting each other. That kiss felt so good for them, they didn’t seem to stop. It became more passionate from second to second, but in a delicate and gentle way. They both enjoyed the kiss – for both of them, it was the first kiss ever. No matter how insecure Genevieve felt about Jared at first, her all worries and suspicions melted away by that wonderful and blessing kiss. Jared felt, that he could at least make Genevieve’s life sweeter, because of her unfortunate family-situation. They were incredibly thankful for the moment they have both created.

When they took their lips from each other, they stared at each other for some time in silence and then smiled happily.

“What you were saying? You’re not special?” joked eventually Jared.

Genevieve giggled cutely, so did Jared and took her under his arm. She was leaning against him and they both walked towards Mist Hill.

As it was becoming darker, they spent the whole evening inside. They have drawn some tea, sat down with near the fireplace, with Jack lying next to them, and they were talking about their passed day. At the end, when Jack fell asleep again, they decided to go to sleep. Genevieve and Jared were still sleeping in the same bed, but this time – not across each other. That night, they have spent it lying next to each other, with Genevieve putting her hand on Jared’s chest and head in his neck, and Jared holding her in his arms. Cuddling, they fell asleep, hearing every breath they were taking.