3

I feel a twinge of jealousy as I watch the conversation taking place below me. I stand on the second floor of the Inn, watching Ann and the farmer converse at one of the tables. I have spoken with Jack a few times before, and he seems nice enough. More worthy of Ann than I. Yet I cannot help wishing I am the one she is smiling at.

Her smile— my favorite thing about her. "She reminds me of my sister," I had told Jack once. "That smile..."

I see Jack and Ann part, and I feel relieved. However, a moment later I see Jack start to make his way up the stairs, and I hurry back into my room. I do not want him to know I have been watching.

Soon after there is a knock on the door. I look up and wonder if I should answer. I do.

"Hey Cliff," he says, standing in the doorway. "Mind if I come in? There's something I would like to talk to you about." I wonder if it is about Ann. I nod.

He comes in and looks around, just as he always does. I do not know why, I never change the place. Finally he looks back at me.

"How are you?" he asks.

"Peachy," I say. He laughs.

"You're such a mystery," he replies. I give him a half, nowhere-near-genuine smile. He takes the hint. "Anyway," he continues, "I wanted to know if you are still looking for work."

I feel embarrassed at this, for I had told him once in a moment of vulnerability that I needed work or else I would leave the village. Yet I want to know what this is about, so I nod.

"Oh, well, that old bartender Duke asked me if I could find anyone willing to come and help out in their vineyard," he says. "The grapes are ready to be harvested, and I assume he wants help picking them. I don't know if he'll need you any longer than that, but he said he'd pay good money, and, well, I thought you might like to take him up on that offer."

I think about it for a moment. I know that I need money, desperately.

"Thanks," I say, finally. "I'll be there."

He smiles. "All right," he says. "I'll let him know you're coming." He exits the room.

I sit on my bed and think. Jack is one of the nicer people in the village. One of the few who sometimes acknowledges me. He moved here earlier this spring, onto the old farm that had previously belonged to an old man, his grandfather, someone whom I had been torn to see die. I felt like I owed something to him now. Perhaps I should stay in this town.

Another knock resounds on the door. "Come in." I call, a bit reluctantly.

The door opens, and Ann steps in. "Hi," she says. I am no longer reluctant. "Did you agree to Jack's offer?"

I figure now that had been what they were discussing downstairs, and I am relieved. Yet I feel her bright blue eyes boring holes into me, as it seems they always do, and I look towards the floor.

"Mmm," I mumble.

"Sorry?" she says, leaning forward.

"Yes."

"Oh, good!" she exclaims, her eyes lighting up. "I was hoping you would."

"Oh," I say. I am curious now. "Why?"

"Because," she hesitates, "I don't think anyone wants you to leave here." I look up at her now. A hint of a blush colors her cheeks.

"I don't think anyone cares," I say.

"My father does. Jack does." She pauses. "I do."

"Oh," I say. What else is there to say? "Thanks."

There is a silence, and I sense her becoming uncomfortable. Finally, she looks up and toward the door. "Well," she says, "I'm glad you've found work, Cliff. See you later, then." I nod.

"Bye."

She leaves.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Now, when you cut, make sure you cut right at the head of the stem, and not one leading to a smaller cluster of grapes. That way you can harvest more of them faster." Duke stands before Jack and I, instructing us. "I'll go ahead and watch from over here. When your bag is full, bring them over here. I'll pay you based on how many grapes you harvest each day."

We nod and get to work. I head over to a long line of grapes, looking for the heads of the stems. I begin to cut. I am determined to make my own way in this town.

Soon my bag is full. I take it over to Duke and empty it. Jack is still working.

"Wow, that's some good work, Cliff!" he says, impressed. "Have you ever done this before?" I shake my head. "Oh, well keep it up!"

The air is warm and breezy. I keep to my work, oblivious to the many villagers walking by. Before I know it, it is five o'clock. Duke calls us over.

"Good work, boys. I'll give you your pay according to how many grapes you've picked today." I see him hand Jack his money. Jack thanks him and leaves.

Duke comes to me. "Here you are," he says, handing me 2000 gold. "I know it's a little extra, but I want you to keep working like that. You've harvested more grapes today than many can harvest in a week. Will you be here again tomorrow?"

I nod.

"Good," he smiles. "Same time tomorrow morning, then."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

It is dark. I am in the confession box once again. Carter speaks slowly and monotonously. It has become routine for him.

"What is it that plagues you?" he asks.

I am silent.

"Lustful thoughts?" he continues.

"No," I say.

"Jealousy?"

I hesitate. "Maybe."

He is encouraged by this. "Over money?"

Silence.

"Possessions?"

"No."

"A woman?"

"Hm," I reply.

"I see. The Goddess forgives you, my child. Now is there anything else?"

"I don't know," I say. I am back to irresolution. I do not feel as if I am being forgiven for anything.

Carter gets up. "Well, then," he says. "Come back when you have made up your mind."

I leave the confessional and the church. It is late. Above me stretches an endless amount of stars. Lights from the houses pour out onto the walkway, illuminating my path. It is a beautiful night on anyone else's terms.

But for me it is a brutal reminder of the past. There is never a place untouched by darkness. I know this. Yet there is something about the town that keeps me here. Something that seems to reach out, asking me to start over. Allowing me a second chance.

Do I deserve a second chance?

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

AN: Well, here it is. Guess that means I'm continuing it. Heh, this chapter is a bunch of randomness, I know... but there's still more to come. Until the next chapter- JustWrite