Girl Next Door

by Erik Schubach

  I still find it amazing that she is always out in the field like this, she's the head of the Callahan Foundation but she NEEDS to be out with “her people” it is her passion, her calling. Brandye has a hero complex about Sandra and she immerses herself into Sandra's world to get her approval. Why doesn't she understand that Sandra loves her unconditionally? I seriously wish Bran would step back and do things for herself instead of always trying to make everyone happy... except herself.

  I know that she will always have a need to volunteer like this, but it isn't her life like it is for Sandra. Her entire family sees this too, and they try to get her to take time for herself and discover who she is inside. Especially Lessa, she is scary intuitive when it comes to her sister. It must be that twin thing that everyone always talks about. She just seems to be extremely in tune with my girl.

  The man who ran the shelter, Ralph, took Daisy to his office to play with Sandra's dogs as we washed up and got ready to feed the hungry masses. Leo was there, over by the main doors, preparing to let people in. I don't know why but he always hid over there and waited for everyone to go through the line before getting any food for himself.

  Bran knocked me out of my musings and asked, “Toast or eggs?”

  I grinned. “I'll do the toast.” She deposited me in front to the bin with over one hundred slices of toast in it. I really did enjoy this, I got to meet so many different people. I started doing this if Bran promised to take the rest of her weekends for Brandye Time. She readily agreed. I hope it is because she enjoys being with me as much as I do her.

  The homeless people around here have been getting to know me as I am here every other weekend with her. I heard Ralph signal Leo and then I heard the lock thunk and the main doors creek open and the masses flooded in to the room. I grinned to my left at my girl then to Sandra at my right, manning the sausage. She gave a childlike giggle of delight as she said, “Yay!”

  I was smiling more often than not. Most of the people coming through knew my name and would say something to me, and I would greet them and put a single piece of toast on their tray that they would hold out for me. The ones that didn't know me, Bran would bump my hip and I would greet them and hold the toast out so they could put it on their tray themselves. Even with disposable plastic gloves on, nobody wants their food tray groped.

  As usual, I could hear either Leo or Ralph turning a couple people away. They had a strict, no alcohol policy, if they smelled it on anyone they were turned away at the door. They could come back to the soup line the next day if they were sober.

  After a bit I recognized some people returing, it was time for seconds. I swear Sandra started vibrating in excitement. I already knew what that meant, her best friend, Leo, was on his way through the line. I still had five slices so I grabbed two. Leo always got extra. Brandye said in a sweet voice, “Hiiii Leooo.”

  The man is so shy for someone who has such a strong, commanding presence, I swear that all the Callahan girls all melt his heart. He mumbled, “Hey Branflake.”

  I grinned when he murmured in front of me, “Hi Robin.”

  I placed his toast on his tray with a huge grin plastered on my face. “Hi Leo!” I swear I could hear him blush as he moved along.

  After Sandra dished him up she said in a serious tone, “Solid Leo.”

  As he moved along Leo repeated, “Solid Dandelion.” Those two had their secret language of respect between them. Most people would find it strange that the heir to the Callahan Shipping empire and a homeless man are the best of friends. But if you ever met them both, then it would suddenly not seem so strange. They were both heroes in their own ways.

  Once all of our bins were empty, we helped clean up and just kicked back and joined some of the people at their tables to listen to them and discuss the world. It was both heart breaking and fascinating to hear some of their stories. Whenever I ask about Leo's story, everyone told me the same thing. “It is his story to tell, when he's ready he will share it with you.”

  I thought about these people, about how I was so much better off than them and I felt almost guilty. It wasn't often, but there are times that I am feeling particularly frustrated about my lack of sight. I am who I am and accept it and all. In ways I think sighted people are more blind than I am. I feel I am more capable than most sighted people, but there are times of weakness that I wonder what it is that I am missing. I felt that even with my affliction, I was still better off than most in this room... and I knew why Sandra was so adamant about helping them.

  I reached a hand over and found Sandra's arm and gave it a gentle squeeze. This family gave me such inspiration. More and more I found my art being influenced by them... changed by Brandye. She was my muse, the source of my recent burst of creativity. The... object of my affection.

  I leaned the other way and laid my head on her shoulder. She kissed the top of my head and said, “Lets get out of here Goldilocks. I belong to you the rest of the day.” I scrunched up my nose and smiled at her and we stood and gave Sandra hugs.

  My tiny surrogate mom kissed me on the cheek and said, “See you soon. Love you.”

  My smile doubled I wish it were that easy for me to tell Bran. I replied, “Love you too San.”

  I could tell she was beaming, you can just sort of feel the positive energy rolling off that woman. I find myself amazed at times that she is married to Penny Franklin. An intense, scary person if ever there was a scary person. But when they are together, they fit like two puzzle pieces, they were obviously meant to be together. I loved Penny too, she is so friggin protective of the people she loves. Plus, she brought Brandye into this world so that made her extra awesome. Like platypus awesome!

  We retrieved Daisy and made our way back to the car. As we got in, my girl asked, “So what's the plan today? Out to find a new adventure or home and listen to some books on the couch?” We used “home” to refer to both our houses.

  I quirked an eyebrow at her with a sly grin. She giggled, I melted, and she said, “Adventure it is then. Good choice Robin.” Then she asked, “You like to ride horses?”

  I shrugged. “I guess, I mean I rode ponies at carnivals and such as I grew up.”

  I could almost hear her wicked grin as she said, “Oooo you make this too easy for me.” Then we were off. Before I knew it she had us on the freeway heading... I could feel the sun on my face... East.

  We slipped into our easy banter as she absently played with my hand with her free one. Gawd, that always felt so nice, so, right. It did things to me I wish I could share with her.

  Before long we were on a dirt road, then we parked. She grabbed Daisy from my lap and we unloaded. I asked, “So spill woman, where are we?” I could smell trees and a nearby stream. Mmmmm mountain air.

  She didn't say anything, instead she just hugged my hand that was on her arm. We made it into a shop then she finally said, “Taa daa! Welcome to Valentines Cascade Experience, home of Silent Bob.”

  I grinned at her cheesiness then opened my mouth to speak when another familiar voice with a British accent chimed out from across the noisy room. This place was packed. “Bloody hell!”

  My smile blossomed as one of my old friends from college, Samantha Roth, daughter of Skylar and Kimi Roth from Satin Thunder, captured me in a silly side to side hug. “Robin! It is so good to see you! What are you doing here? I mean, I know you live in Seattle and all.”

  I chuckled. “Hi Sammie. When Brandye here told me where we were I was wondering if you'd be around. Small world.”

  She finally released me from the hug and Bran said in a voice that was a little cool, “You two apparently know each other and I don't have to make introductions.” Wait... was she jealous? I placed a hand on her arm and made my way down to grab her hand and lace our fingers. I could feel a tenseness relax in her. Oh my god, she was!

  Then she said more cheerily, “You got a couple horses free? I thought I'd bring Robin out on the trails down to Beggars Creek for a picnic lunch.” Then she added, “Oh,
and do you have a picnic lunch too?”

  This caused both Sammie and Bran to snort. Sammie said, “That's brill. You are in luck, we only have a few horses free today. Any later in the day and they would all be out. Let me call our cafe upstairs and have them assemble a basket for you two.” Her voice came from down low and I could hear her playing with Daisy. I grinned at the thought of the spoiled dog.

  She made the call then led us across a gravel surface, the parking lot, and past another building, then down a little trail to what smelled like a stable. Horse crap has a distinct odor. I don't know why, but I was getting excited. This would be a new experience for me. I had to smile at my girl, she had a knack for sharing these new experiences with me.

  They stepped me through putting a blanket then a saddle on the horse I picked out. Myrtle, she had her mane in little braids. Sam called her a paint. I liked her coarse hair and sturdy build, all sinew and muscle.

  They checked out my attempts and were satisfied then Sammie asked Bran, “Want me to take your puppy or will she be ok riding with you?”

  Brandye replied, “She'll be fine in my bag unless... ahhh I see, a rhetorical question. Puppy lover!” She accused. Just causing Sammie to giggle as Bran said, “Here, take her, but I warn you, her soft belly fur is irresistible.”

  Sammie comically said, “Yay! I win!”

  Chapter 11 – Picnic

  The girls gave me a quick course on how to control the horse, and let me walk her through some paces before Brandye took Myrtle's reins from me and we said goodbye to Sammie and went on our way.

  I have touched a few horses before but this experience was nothing like the ponies I rode when I was younger. The animal beneath me surged with power and grace as we made our way down the trail. I was lulled by the smells and sounds of the forest as I swayed in the saddle. I looked up and took a deep breath of mountain air then I said softly as the breeze rippled gently in my hair, “Tell me about the sky.”

  She slowed our pace as her rich voice started describing what she saw. I savored every moment of it. When most people are asked to describe the sky they will flatly say something like, “It is blue and there are white puffy clouds.” But not my Brandye. Her descriptions are all about giving a feast for your other senses, putting arbitrary concepts like “blue” into vibrant comparisons that can put it into context of my own experiences. She evokes different specific emotions with each description that makes you “see” what it is that she is seeing.

  When a sighted person or someone who has lost their sight pictures something in their mind, they see a picture of what they are imagining. A blind person doesn't have that context since we have never seen anything so a picture is a foreign concept. We associate everything with our experiences with it using our other senses. Instead, imagining how something smells, sounds, feels, or tastes.

  Sight is only one sense and when you rely too heavily upon one sense there is a tendency to ignore the others. That is where I sometimes pity sighted people. They simply see something instead of experiencing them. But Bran... Bran has a unique gift to see things like I can, to experience them and describe that experience in a way that I can vividly imagine what she is describing. I don't know if she even realizes what a phenomenal gift she possesses. It is one of the things I love about her. Dammit, I can't think that way.

  We just chatted about everything as we trotted along. I could smell some wild flowers on the breeze, hints of dirt and water. The sound of a creek gurgling along as water flowed over rocks and other obstacles and the rustling of grass in the wind. I smiled, this must be Beggar's Creek.

  We came to a stop and dismounted. I gave Myrtle a big hug around her long sinewy neck and said, “Thanks for the ride girl.” I liked her musky smell, there is something unique about the way a horse smells.

  My best friend's hand snaked its way into mine and I gave her a little squeeze and shot a smile toward her. She said, “Here we are, Begger's Creek. She moved our clasped hands toward the left a bit and said, “There is a groomed trail over there that leads to Silent Bob's cliff just a quarter mile away, The Skin.”

  I nodded. “That's where she fell right? God, I can't imagine going through all of that. The fear and pain but mostly the thoughts that she'd never see her family again.”

  Brandye murmured, “It was her personal miracle that she survived. Probably the most amazing thing is that she still climbs. She doesn't let her leg braces and crutch slow her down. She loves these mountains.”

  I smiled again. A blanket was thrust into my hand. She chirped out in a playful voice, “Go make yourself useful, I'll grab the food.”

  I chuckled at her and walked carefully a few paces in the calf high grasses and flung out the blanket, holding onto one end. Then I walked around straightening it out and flattening the grass beneath it. Brandye joined me and we sat on the blanket and just relaxed for a bit. Just sitting on the blanket cross-legged facing each other and taking in the environment around us. She never let go of my hands and I reveled in it.

  It was so quiet compared to the city, but the subtle sounds of nature were all around us. I could hear insects clicking and the wind rustling the grass in the clearing and tress that surrounded it. The horses snuffling and chewing as they grazed. The water bubbling and splashing it's way lazily down toward the sea. Brandye's stomach gurgling. I laughed. “Let's get you fed before your stomach organizes a revolt. I smell turkey.”

  The meal was excellent and the company was even better. The turkey sandwiches melted in our mouths and the potato salad was to die for. I had never been to Valentine's before and had no clue they had a cafe slash coffee shop on the second floor of the lodge. We wound up sitting at the creek with Brandye's back to a rock and me laying back in against her with my bare feet dangling in the slowly bubbling creek, cooling them off on this hot summer day.

  I fell asleep holding one of her hands as she ran the fingers of her other hand slowly through my hair. I was in heaven and I never wanted her to stop. Why the hell am I so afraid to tell her?

  After a bit she was gently shaking me awake. She was saying softly, “Hey Goldilocks, we better get back before you start to burn.” Then she kissed the top of my head and I stretched like a cat. A really satisfied cat. She always knew the exact right thing to do to get my motor running.

  I tiled my head back toward her and smiled. “Kay.” I wanted to capture this moment by the creek. I made the decision that I would do exactly that with my next painting. Bran was my muse. She kept inspiring painting after painting. I had been finding it harder and harder to find inspiration before she came into my life, now I have endless possibilities.

  She helped me up and I swayed a little on the uneven ground by the creek and she caught me and steadied me but didn't let go right away as I was against her chest. She just hugged me for a couple seconds and gave me a squeeze then we continued to the picnic blanket. She is always making contact like that, I wonder if it means as much to her as it does to me.

  She packed the remains of our lunch while I folded and rolled up the blanket. Then we mounted up and she said, “This is a pretty big clearing, you want to ride Myrtle around a minute without me? Horses are smart and won't go anywhere they can get hurt.”

  I grinned and nodded and she handed the reins back to me. I started slowly and had Myrtle turn left and right experimentally, then slow and stop. Then I shot a wicked grin in Brandye's direction and had Myrtle start into a gallop. The summer breeze in my face and the powerful ease and surety of the horse beneath me, made me feel like I was on top of the world.

  I would turn back whenever Bran called out that I was close to the forest. After a few minutes, my face was starting to hurt from the permanent smile on it. I finally came to a halt close to where I could hear my neighbor's giggling. I heard her move her horse next to me and she took the reins and whispered, “You looked so happy.”

  I nodded. “I think I will want to do this again soon. I believe you just got me hooked on horseback riding my dear
Bran.”

  She giggled again and my heart melted as she said, “All part of my evil plan.” But then she got quiet.

  I turned toward her. “What is it?”

  She paused a second then just said, “It's nothing. It's stupid. I just feel a little guilty out here having fun when I could be at the hospital or one of the shelters.”

  I cleared my throat expectantly and I could hear the smile in her voice again. “Yes ma'am, I have to take some Brandye time every once in a while. Gawd, what am I going to do with you?”

  Anything you want. I just smiled at her and as we rode back to the lodge to collect Daisy and the car. I said wistfully, “Tell me about black.”

  When we arrived back at the stables, Sammie was waiting for us and then I heard another voice from the past that made my face split into a big grin. “If it isn't Robin Red Breast.”

  My old friend helped me off the horse and I gave her a hug. “Abbey, what are you doing here?”

  She had a conspiratorial tone in her voice as she responded, “Well Sammie called and said you were out with your girl. So I thought I'd cut out of work to come say hi.”

  I stiffened, crap, I didn't know how Bran would take that statement so I started sputtering out, “Actually, Brandye...”

  I was interrupted by that angelic voice saying, “Is very happy to finally meet you. Since I only work nights at Cornfed, I've never caught you in the studio. Brandye Franklin-Callahan. Now that classes are out for the year I'll be putting in some full days there.”

  Abbey said in her ever confident voice, “Well it is a pleasure to meet you. But be careful with this one, she's a handful.”

  I smirked and reached out to touch Abbey, I found her and gave her a playful backhand to her shoulder. “Watch it woman.” Then I turned toward Bran. “Abs here is the only woman I know of who can get a guy to beat himself to a pulp and not understand why.”