Jacob, “digging and hauling takes time, it’s a long way up to this roof, such things are a task best traded for.”
I said, “and a load will be at the party, TT may have one last word of cargo I don’t want to move today, I can’t let it go without something heavy.”
Brandy came back in saying, “what’s heavy?”
I said, “what I’m not bringing back with me from the party.”
Brandy, “then it will not be your son, he is getting to be a load.”
I said, “you know me, once I get a load off I don’t want it back.”
Brandy, “don’t write that one down.”
Jacob, “I’m not hearing this, I’ll see you on the line,” and he went up to the roof. I said, “test them all the way there for me.”
Brandy, “was it something I said?”
I said, “you’re driving him crazy, you know that don’t you.”
She said, “he was that way before you meet him, I just never let him forget it.” We were on the roof before he jumped, and he said, “largest load goes first,” then off he went. I helped Brandy into her harness and she was next. He caught her on the other side and I came zipping in as well. Then it was to the other side of that roof and on another zip-line, with him first and me on the line right behind him. As he turned to give Brandy a hand I chest bumped him and said, “don’t kiss me just yet, I have not had that much to drink.”
Then Brandy zipped in and said, “are the two of you going to unhook or make out?” We both stated to laugh and unhook, then ran for the next line. We stopped to see who was on the other side and Brandy got hook and air by the time we saw she was there. On her way she said, “light loads are faster than old feet.”
I was next on the line with Jacob close behind me, and when we got to the other side of the roof Brandy was talking to a guard. We ran up as he said, “she tells me the two of you are loaded, but I see no cargo.”
I said, “that’s not what she was talking about or true, she runs too much to make sense at times.”
He said, “I see the cargo now, those years were behind you but just caught up.” Jacob said, “he’s not talking about me without a hook on the line.”
I said, “years have wisdom, maybe in a few you will as well.”
Brandy, “you men say the nicest things around me, now talk like Sage can understand you.” I said, “he can, look at that smile.”
Billy said, “rooftop guard is not where I want to be right now, send a pretty girl with some food.”
Brandy hooked up and said, “food is not what you want, but I’ll look for a girl for you,” and she was off.
Jacob, “I best be next before she tells the women I have a rash,” and he was off. I said, “people are in such a hurry these days, how is the wolf?”
Billy, “resting well last I saw, with Laurence building a fence inside of the one behind him, it will have a gate to the entryway and full top for shade. I have not seen him make so many things in a long time, and even the water is on.”
I said, “he is as proud of that wolf as I am, nice to hear the news, good luck with what comes your way,” and I was off.
On top of a short roof that overlooked the courtyard Brandy was taking her harness off as Jacob held the baby. I walked over taking mine off and said, “Laurence built a yard for the wolf, with a roof on it, so I guess no dog for the wolf tonight.”
Brandy, “he’s good at those kind of things, or the wolf would have had his goats a long time ago.”
Then we walked down some stairs to the square, where we were greeted by many people wanting to hear about the wolf and the bear. Brandy made her way over to the fire pit as I talked to some of them there, and asked what was out to trade. Seeing the cart of coal she said to the one at the shovel, “where is TT, it’s not like him to hide with so much on?” He said, “dragged over there by another I have not seen for a great time, talking about something in a whisper, but my hands are too busy to listen to whispers.”
Brandy, “that’s a heavy load you have there, I should help you with it by having Nibor move some for you.”
He said, “I’ll move enough to keep this fire right, but move will need moving later, I’m sure you would like it to be the top of your roof.”
Brandy, “that depends on how much I can get him to not move, tell TT when he comes out of the shadows.”
He said, “those words are light to carry and may lighten my load later as well, I will pass them on free of charge.”
Brandy, “any words that can lighten your load are mine to give, and word has it Laurence has a new pet, and he is looking for the right blanket to tuck him in with before coming to the party.” He said, “I doubt he will be tucking that one in, but there has been a lot of banging from over there.”
Brandy, ”word is a new yard, with a roof for the new guard. I only have word in my head about the blanket.”
He said, “a yard with a roof, that’s a lot of work for less than a short time, both in deed and investment. Maybe there is more in his hart than he lets on, and the same goes for your husband.”
Brandy, “giving comes easy for him, both in life and death, both beast got what was in store for them. What comes next is only another day, I hope it brings my man home safe.” He said, “each feels the same, may your travels be safe as well, thanks for the words.” She then went over to talk to some others, as I made my way toward the fire. I saw her move and TT in the background talking to another man, and changed my step to slip behind a wall that ran down this side of the courtyard. A small garden of flowers had a start that was moving in all this, and the torches gave a nice flicker in the light breeze. On a bench I took a seat to rest for a moment to myself, and hear the voices in the wind. From the other side of the wall I could hear TT say, “it’s a lot to ask for, but I think it will work best. If on time, I will pay what is needed in due course and be happy in it, but one delay in a way that proves to cause a loss and there will be none to do business with.”
The other said, “my word is how I trade and stay in trade, if I’m not on time there is none of either.”
They then moved off behind the wall and I just listened to the sound of the party for a moment. The drums were playing a strong beat and horns were blown into the soon night, a flock of ducks came over head on their way to a pond for the night, and the thought of travel was on my mind. The rapping on a steel pipe told of others that were on their way, and the smell of food cooking got my attention. I got up and walked back around the wall to find TT at the end of it waiting for me. He smiled as he said, “you can’t hide from me, I know you too well, you always look for a place you can sit down before you go into battle.”
I said, “who’s sitting? I’m just thinking of things I should not be doing, and trying to drag my feet a bit before not moving more cargo.”
TT, “the sun is about to give its last ray of light for the day, but if keeping your feet from needing to take air can be done, please bleed me with a request that is not coal on its way to your place. Because I already know how well you take care of your family, and with the new batch in for the party it would be a choir on that list. So on its way, before your feet could hear your head, a load is now. What else of me will you ask?”
I said, “two horses, with wings would be nice, and some magic could come in handy.” TT, “is that all you want, I thought a boat or some sky riders were next on your list. I’ll see what I can do with that, but your request tells me your thoughts are of things I have not asked of you, and words about things that may not be.”
I said, “things make words come true, but words are always on the wind, I just sit down and listen to it from time to time.”
TT, “you hear more than most, and are best at keeping it as well, but a trip is in the plans if things go right. When all is known it may be worth a look, if you are up for a few days on land.” I said, “on horse maybe, but not so much on the ground, I still need some speed under me these days.”
TT, “the
trader came on one of more that are not far, if misfortune has not changed the thing. I think if Stan is up to it in the morning, fast hoofs can be under three with ease and I have sent eyes and hands to see to it. How the rest goes is for time and your word to bring out.” I said, “then my last word about cargo, that I don’t want to move before its dark, is thank you for the coal. And if tomorrow cargo is to be got, I will gladly use what is giving to me toward that end.”
We then joined the rest in the yard, and as we got near the fire Brandy came to me and said, “have you been hiding or working behind my back?”
I said, “working, a load of coal is on its way, and I’m sure I will need a drink by the time I don’t get back from delivering it.”
She handed me one and said, “thirsty work, but then you were always fast, even when you’re not going someplace.”
TT, “and keeping his feet on the ground is costing me too much, you can have him for the rest of the night.”
Brandy, “I find the best way to keep his feet on the ground, is to show him a place where he can take them off of it, and a smoke will do that most of the time.”
I said, “if I didn’t know any better, I would think that was his plan at the start of my day, and people are still trying that on me.”
TT, “I think it backfired and will always be that way, I’m now going over here somewhere to trade away more, don’t bother to follow me.”
Brandy, “both your coming and going will always please me TT.”
I said, “don’t forget that I asked for wings before you left.”
And he waved as he stepped away into a crowd of others.
I then said, “what was that you were talking about when you said a place to get my feet off the ground?”
Brandy, “I’ll get your feet off the ground, come with me,” and she pulled me toward the stairs. Up we went and halfway down the wall, to a spot to sit with our legs over the edge. We let our feet get the air as another there passed a pipe, and the people below danced to the beat of the drums. Wine came our way, and we drank then passed the bottle. A poll was raised near me and meat from the BBQ was hot and tasty. Bread to hold it by was handed to me and we enjoyed he party for awhile.
Stan passed below and said, “this town sure knows how to throw a party, thank you for the trip to the pool, it was just what I needed right then,” and he walked off with a different woman. Brandy, “he is making friends tonight, I hope there’s something left of him in the morning.” I said, “a lot is riding on that, or walking if things don’t go right, we will see when the times comes.”
Brandy, “then you are planning a trip?”
I said, “planning is for TT, I just listen to the wind and move my feet when needed, the rest of it becomes the memory.”
Brandy, ”and how long does the wind say I will be left with only the warmth of your memory before your return?”
I said, “the wind is not sure yet, and your job is to keep my feet from the ground for the night.” She said, “I thought it was to keep them on it.”
I said, “you know what it takes either way.”
Brandy, “I would say putting mine in the air, but you may write that down.”
I smiled and took another drink of wine.
Jacob came over and said, “the girl sent to give Billy his food has not been seen in awhile, he may have his eyes on other things than the streets.”
Brandy, “she knows how to take care of herself.”
I said, “it’s Billy he is worried about, a little food is the way to his hart.”
Brandy, “his hart is not what he may lose to that one, she likes him a lot and is looking to hook up with a new way.”
I said, “sounds like the same old way to me, Jacob is right to worry for the boy.” Brandy, “you have not minded more than you to come home to.”
I said, “it’s not the coming home part any will regret, it’s the next morning that takes some by surprise.”
Jacob, “I wonder what Stan will wake up to?”
I said, “never carry another man’s load that’s not yours to carry, the morning will find you as well.”
Jacob, “and I have my eyes on the eyes it may wake up to, until then you can send word on the wind to me, have a great night.”
I said, “I would say the same, but Brandy would hit me too hard.”
Brandy, “and yet you got away with it, one more thing not done and still getting carried by another.”
Jacob, “then take good care of him for me, I’m sure he can take it,“ and he was off to talk to the woman.
Zipping in from the rooftop came Billy saying, “I have been relieved, lets party!” I said, “I think your right about something, but I’m not going to ask what.”
Brandy, “hay Billy! Did she feed your appetite?”
He walked over and said, “thanks for that, I loved what she brought me, I now have some time to get a drink as well.”
Brandy, “and where did she go off to?”
He said, “I told her I would be back soon, just a chance to touch ground then up in the air again.”
Brandy, “she is breaking you in soon, keep up the good work.”
He said, “thank you, I think,” and was off.
I laughed and said, “some trade, one of them will be looking at the morning from a new light, I hope he still has sharp eyes after that.”
Brandy, “he will be lucky to get them closed before the night after.”
I said, “don’t forget to write that down in your notes, I want you to remember who got them together.”
Brandy, “I just lightened my load by dropping a word, he is the one that asked for food.” I said, “this party will have many words to carry for a long time.”
Brandy went over to see our boy, with the others that some had been caring for, and I walked a bit through the party talking to some that asked about the day. I tried to use as few words as I could, so some would be left for another time, then joined Brandy at the nursery. They were talking about when she may have another as I walked up, and she said, “if it’s before this one can swing on its own, someone else will have to carry one or the other.”
I said, “you know my choice.”
The other’s started laughing as we got Sage ready to go, and a little girl asked me if I was wearing the bears claws so I said, “yes, they help me to keep the claws of others off of me.” And Brandy said, “but I got my claws into him first, and he is still wearing their marks now.” And we left with the women saying things like, “keep those feet off the ground” and “no, keep them down!”
We went to the lift and hooked up as the one there said, “light loads go first,” and Brandy replied, “then it’s nothing he’s packing, my feet are air,” and she was gone.
I hooked up and said, “keep an eye out for Billy, that boy will need it tonight.” He said, “from what I’ll seen, it’s already too late, but I’ll pass word,” and I was off. The tow got us up to the top of the six story next, and we travelled across to a tube that ran across for an enclosed ride. The ride boards had small wheels on them and were just right to lay on sitting or face front. I helped Brandy set down on one and gave her a push off. The tube rattled a bit as she rushed though, but was strong and used much. I next hoped on a board face down and rode through, with a twist that turned me on my back and down again by the time I slid out the other side, and rolled off with the board before running into Brandy. Brandy, “fast run, we need more like them.”
I said, “we need a way to send the boards back faster, out of ten we got the last two, and they were not the best. But a new lift is in place on the other side that has not been worn, let’s take that instead of the other zip.”
So we went to a platform big enough for two, and tripped the line. Four lines went up around us and it rose into the air, across the span between the buildings and up another five stories, to come to rest on the next platform. A net keep us in as Brandy yelled, “I can fly, I can fly!” We got out and I sent it back for
the next ones. Then a few more zip lines and we were home again, with Sage laughing all the way, he loved the air. A flag was on another line and I checked to see what it was, a tug latter two more blue barrels came up full of coal, and I swung them over and on the roof.
Brandy, “if you don’t stop working for the day I will run out of places to put cargo.” I said, “I just gave a line a tug, the same way you gave an ear a tug at the party, and now I’m going to tug on my boots.”
So down stairs I went to lighten my load, with Brandy close behind. In the living room I saw three nuts on the table, and the squirrel by the windowsill. I stopped to look, as well as Brandy, and she said, “he heard you were going on a trip and brought you nuts.”
I said, “I think he is trying to just say, “here are three nuts, they reminded me of three men.” Brandy, “do you still think I have a spell on him, or does he have one on you?” I said, “you have one on both of us,” and the squirrel ran off.
I looked at the nuts closely and could see they were from three different parts of town, it was a strange sign, but I let it go and went to my chair. Putting my load down I opened a bottle of wine and had a smoke. The drums were still talkingfrom the party and would be until very late, but the wind had changed and I could feel rain in the air.
I said, “it’s going to rain tonight, we better make the best of it.”
Brandy, “you get your boots off and I’ll set the roof up, most things are where they belong already, we will be ready.”
I said, “the windows in this room are fine and I left others down, do you think we will fill one of the new barrels tonight?”
Brandy, “it may not rain that hard but I will have it in place, lots of time to get to it.” She put Sage in his crib and took a sip of my wine, then into the next room to take off her traveling clothes. I blew some smoke out the window to see which way the wind was going now, and it turned in a circle there until gone. A flute sent a note about the change in the wind and a bird passed by with a few of its friends. Brandy came back out in a string bikini I got for her once and said, “now there is less to get wet.”
The Fell Good Flue Page 9