Sorry I'm late - fell asleep - chapter 3

Under the canopy of thick jungle over growth Benny walks towards light filtering from an open glade and the sound of water rushing and falling. He finally breaks through the last barrier of brush and weed trees that can only thrive on the edge between darkness and light. He seems to be searching for something... or someone. He sees the waterfall and the deep pool surrounded by boulders except where the creek rushes out to splash down further cascades. He knows the pool is deep by the sound it make when the waterfall plunges into it. A deep baritone roar. As he draws closer to the water he is broiling under the high summer sun. Then he sees her. She is just now swimming out from under the roiling current and the column of the waterfall. Her hair is dark and long, plastered against her head and back. She looks up and sees him approaching her - there is no fear in those dark eyes. Benny walks straight into the water, heedless of his clothes and sandals. She swims towards him and when they meet, neck deep in the icy water, she puts her hands on his shoulders. his encircle her waist.
She says "It's you?" and they kiss hungrily...

Dawn's rosy fingers probe into a yurt shaped tent just large enough for two straw mats and a fire pit. On one mat Benny is sprawled half covered by a tattered wool blanket. a bundle of clothes is his pillow. Benny opens his eyes.

"shatska, just when things were getting interesting."

He rolls over and firmly closes his eyes.

"No good, it's lost now."

He rolls back over and looks at the empty mat beside him.

"Ah well, did ya get lucky Bob? Prolly not since ya got hung up on that britzle Anemone. prolly got drunk and passed out on her lawn again. lovesick calf that ya are."

Benny throws off his blanket and stretches up, nearly touching the roof of the tent. He yawns as if he were ready to swallow the moon.

"Guess I better go find ya or the remains there of."

Benny performs his morning ablutions, sleepily on auto pilot. Then looks at the fire pit.

"Guess coffee and breakfast can wait - you'll need them more than me, unless I miss my guess and I usually don't."

He pulls his tunic over his head and ties on his knife and pouch. Opening the tent flap he peers squinting into the brightening day. He steps out and looking around spots Butch, his neighbor.

"Yo, Butch, ave you seen Bob anywhere about?"

Butch chuckles.

"Ah, you're boyfriend didn't make it home last night eh? mebby he got a better offer."

Benny frowns slightly and walks toward Butch until he is a little too close. His head tilts forward causing his oaken mop to fall forward hanging just above his heavy eye brows. eyes glaring into Butch's beady blues swimming in his well fed face.

"Simple question needs a simple answer."
"Er, uh.. not since yesterday."
"Kay then. that wern't so hard was it."

Benny turns and swaggers languidly toward the main street. Butch points at Benny's receding back with his index and little finger extended. An ancient curse.

Without stopping or turning around Benny says "I saw that."

Butch quickly drops his hand as if Benny really had eyes in the back of his head.
Benny reaches the street and turns toward the center of town. A little girl of about two breaks from her mother and runs out to Butch who stops, smiling broadly now. She stands in front of him with her back to him and her arms stretched upward.

"Swing!"
"OK, OK little one."

Benny takes her hands and swings her upward, her feet kicking up at the top of her arc. Then she swings back down between Benny's widely planted feet. She laughs.

"One, two, three, four, five and there ya go."

He sets her down but she keeps her hands reaching up.

"Again!"
"One more time thimble. ready?"

She nods vigorously.

"One, two, three, four, five!"

The last swing is the highest and she shrieks with laughter.

"Again!"
"Sorry darlin, but I need to go find Bob."

Her mother, watching with an open smile, stands up.

"C'mon thimble, leave Benny to go on his way.
Sorry about that."
"Not a problem Rachael. If I didn't need to find my little delinquent I'd gladly be Thimble's swing till my arms fell off.
Say, you haven't seen Bob anywhere have you?"
"Not since yesterday, but I heard there was quite a commotion over at the Tinker's place last night."
"Thought as much. I told him he would get hiself in hot water mooning over that Tinker girl."
"Aye, she done struck him deep for sure."
"Well, better go see whats left of the boy."

Benny headed off towards the merchant quarters with purpose and a backward wave. Thimble had returned to her mother's arms as Rachael watched Benny stride away.

"Good luck!"
"I'll prolly need it."

---Jerry