the novel part 9

[BrenanMommy]

"Yes, I remember. But I am thinking Muriel is nothing like that one." I said, remembering the circumstances in which that took place. She was fast, that was for sure.

 

"Either way, I am going to give her such a great next couple of says, she won't even remember the unicorns!" I truly hoped he was right. I also hoped very strongly that he didn't just end up pissing her off. She had softened a bit in the last couple days, but I know how Rufus can sometimes get a little too anxious on things he liked and wanted, and it would probably only take a bit too much pushing to get the opposite of the desired effect with her.

 

 

Morning broke and the start of our scheme was on. I knew she would get getting up soon, so I made a point to be under the carriage when she came out. I had some tools strewn about and had taken some time earlier (which was difficult since I didn't want to wake her up) to make the wheel look broken. I couldn't actually break the wheel since how then would be get home or to the Forbidden Forest (both of course still destinations, but we were hoping that we would only have one)? I made sure to look all greasy and filthy so that she could see that I had been working on it all morning.

 

She stepped out and almost stepped on me. I guess I was a little too chose to her door. But I wanted to make sure I could hear when she was coming out, and I wanted her to see me there.

 

"Oh! I am so sorry! Did I get you?" she asked, as she helped me to my feet. She came within a few inches of taking out an ear, but all worth it in the long run, I figured.

 

"Nah, all is good. Clearly my ears are not particularly useful if I didn't even hear you come down so I could get out of your way." Ahh, yes, the sucking up was beginning.

 

She laughed and then looked behind me at the mess I had made.

 

"What is going on?" She looked concerned. I guess my plan was working since she didn't seem to suspect foul play.

 

"This one wheel must have cracked when we hit a rock. And with the drop in temperature last night, it split a bit. We could probably keep going, but I want to get some repairs on it, first, to make sure we don't lose the wheel completely. When these wheels crack, it is amazing how much damage it can do to the axle and other parts under here. But not to worry. I can't imagine it will take more than a couple of days to repair it.

 

"No problem at all!" she replied, cheerfully. "It is beautiful here, and actually, it will give us, I mean, me, a chance to kind of get to see the place more. Not saying you and Rufus won't want to look around, too, I am just saying I don't want to speculate whether or not you want to see the sites like I want to see the sites, that's all!"  She was almost nervous in her speech, and I wondered what that was all about. But I was so nervous about her being upset, I didn't pay it too much attention. I was thrilled at she didn't seem to mind whatsoever!

 

Muriel and Rufus decided to go exploring in the surrounding areas since they now had been given a day pass for fun. This left me alone at camp. I couldn't very well go along for two pretty good reasons. One, of course being that I was supposed to be "fixing" the carriage. Couldn't very well be off gallivanting around when there was work to be done. Second, I am pretty sure I would be the ultimate in third wheels. Even though it is very possible that Muriel would like a bit of a buffer, I couldn't do that to Rufus. Here he was, actually pursuing a woman for something other than a one night stand. I was so proud of him!

 

I started to daydream about what life would be like if Rufus was married to Muriel. I suppose I wouldn't have to take care of him as much as I did now. Let's face it, this guy needed someone to look out for him. If he had a wife, a good chunk of the things I have to do for him. What will I do with all my free time? Wouldn't it be grand if I could maybe go out some night down to the local pub and maybe I could chat up a nice lady? I am tired of being the wing man. I get tired of being the one making sure these poor girls have a way home. I am always the really nice guy that they all cry to when Rufus doesn't even escort them to the door. And it is always the same line. "You are such a sweetheart. Why can't I meet someone like you?" Um, hello? I am right here! But of course, I certainly don't want Rufus's castoffs, and I really am just not in a position to be in a relationship. I guess you could say I have a bit invested if Rufus takes a wife since it means I get to have some of my life to myself. I feel a little bad thinking about it, but I am only human.

 

My thoughts are interrupted when the two reemerge from the woods, both all smiles and giggles. They hardly even see me when they return. They were so busy laughing with one another, they were both actually a bit startled when I said hello.

 

They proceeded to tell me what was so funny. Apparently they had been off exploring when Muriel started tripping. She just couldn't see to stand up right. It was more comical than anything, and both found it endlessly amusing that she couldn't get her footing. Rufus was teasing her, pointing out that if anyone should be able to handle the woods, it was her. He then was just teasing him saying that it was because of these silly legs that she still wasn't used to that made things hard. They both were teasing each other's species and laughing the whole time. At one point, they even were making fun of themselves. I guess you had to be there.

 

"Did you bump your head during one of your falls?" I asked. I noticed that the bump on her forehead was even more prominent than yesterday. But it didn't look like a bump as much as it looked like something was trying to escape her head. It was kind of white and gold. When she said she had not, I felt bad pointing out since I wondered then if perhaps it was just some giant zit. How rude of me to point that out! So I played it off, just trying to say that her crazy laughter must be the result of a head injury since no way was Rufus that funny. They both laughed more, and I was relieved.

 

I also happened to glance at her feet since I wondered what kind of shoes she was wearing to make her so clumsy. I didn't think of her as awkward at all, so despite the humor in seeing her fall down repeatedly, I was a little worried. Her shoes almost looked a bit too big on her tiny feet. That would certainly explain some of the tumbles, but there didn't seem to be any logical explanation to her having such large shoes compared to her petite foot size. Another thing to just note and not comment on. No reason at this point to possibly agitate a good thing. Muriel seemed truly happy with Rufus right now. Who was I to mess that up?

 

We ate lunch and all hung out around camp. There was still plenty of laughter and it looked as though Rufus was really turning on the charm. But even though it looked as though Rufus couldn't take his eyes off of her, I couldn't take my eyes of that bump. I swear, it was getting bigger! How was it not weighing her down? I would try not to stare, and my eyes would fall to her feet, and once again, I found myself staring since something didn't look right there. It was crazy! So I spent a lot of time staring at nothing, which I am sure didn't look good, either. So I tried to look at Rufus. He looked concerned, which I wasn't sure why. I looked again and noticed his concern was with something he was looking at. He, too, was staring at her emerging bump.

 

"Hey, Muriel, what's that b.." he started to say when I quickly stood up.

 

"That bird? Oh, that is just a bluebird. You know that, silly Rufus. Hey, Rufus, can I see you over here for a sec? I need your help with the wheel real quick!" and I grabbed him by the arm and drug him away.

 

"What the heck?" he asked, slightly agitated.

 

"You saw it too?" I asked, concerned that he wouldn't be able to keep his voice down.

 

"The bird?"

 

"No, you twit! The bump on Muriel's head!" I hissed. My god, he really was dumb at times.

 

"Oh my gosh, yes! That thing is huge! I so just want to poke it." He started gesturing how he would poke it with his finger and I slapped down his hand. "Ow!"

 

"Don't you dare!" I whispered sternly. "You need to not mention it. No girl wants to hear about some grotesque thing sprouting from her head, and they certainly don't want you poking it. Besides, she has got to know about it by now. I think it is casting a shadow it is so big. She is trying to ignore it, so we will, too. Don't you stare at it or god forbid, poke it!" I once again had to pull his hand down as he was almost involuntarily poking an imaginary bump in the air.

 

"Ok, I will try, but it will be hard. It is crazy! What is really funny, though, is that it doesn't make her look funny. This is going to sound odd, but she almost looks prettier with it. Can't I tell her that? Girls like it when you tell them they are pretty despite some nasty thing sticking out of their head."

 

I sighed. "Rufus, you can't say anything at all. I have this strange feeling it is something we are not supposed to interfere with. Whether it be a bump, a growth or who knows what, we need to just pretend it doesn't exist." I couldn't explain the feeling. I understood what he was saying about how she almost looked like it belonged. It was hypnotic. You looked at it, and all was right with the universe. Of course then you realized you were staring at this weird bump sticking of this pretty girl's forehead, and you wondered what kind of backwards universe were you living in if this made everything right.

 

Rufus gave his word and we went back and joined Muriel. I made sure to put some dirt on Rufus's hands in order to make it look as though he had in fact helped me out. Not that she seemed to notice we were even gone. She was sitting peacefully, stroking her long, silvery hair. She was in this strange zen like moment. When Rufus approached, she snapped out of it, and smiled when he sat down. So far so good, I thought. Now let's see if Rufus had any self control.