“It’s goin’ be hot today,” Barley said to Frank, his friend of thirty years. “Yup,” Frank said. “I recon so”.

Frank was a man of few words, just like Barley himself. Probably why they got along so well.

The two men sat on the porch together dressed in nearly matching blue overalls, white tshirts, and workboots. They watched the fog slowly lifting from the meadow below.

Barley sharpened his knife on a stone while Frank practiced playing twinkle twinkle little star on his harmonica.

Barely passed

“I wonder if them space aliens is comin’ today?” Frank pondered as he pulled the new butterfly net closer to his chair.

Barley admired the razor-sharp edge, his first accomplishment of the day.

“I recon not Frank. Leastways not ’fore breakfast.

Frank wasn’t so sure.

Jeanna had come in from her daily excursion to the pond west of town with discouraging news. She hadn’t seen a single beaver today. Not even a slap or two of their big flat tails. The water was flat like a mirror. No sign of ’em anywhere.

Frank didn’t want to alarm the girl or her parents (they’re city folks / real nervous types) but, missin’ beavers is kinda serious. Everyone knows that the beavers tend ta skip town at the first sign of a space alien invasion.

But, Barley was right (as usual). There ain’t been a single alien invasion before breakfast. Not in his lifetime anyway. Unlikely they’ll start now.

Barley’s pickup truck was running now. His signal that it was time to go . If there’s anyone who appreciates a good breakfast more than the space aliens, it’s Barley.

“No, no, no Frank! Din’ I tell ya to leave that stinky ol’ dog a’ home?”

Everyday the same argument. Everyday the same result: Frank’s old dog Bo Bo cuddled up nice and close to Barley as the three of them drove down to Miller’s farm for a hearty breakfast.

“Bo Bo has a little gas this mornin’ Barley. Best keep yo’ distance.”

It was an unnecessary warning. Barley was already sittting as close to the door as he could. He sat with his body half turned sideways; his back crammed in the corner of the seat and the door.

Bo Bo and Barley lookEd. as if they were going to drive the pickup truck together.

“Gas, huh?

“Well I recon’ he can’t smell much worse than he always does”. Barley said.

With that, Bo Bo proved Barley wrong.

“What the hell ya’ feedin’ that thing? Frank. Frank! don’t tell me ya’ gave ’im canned chili again.”

“Okay”

“Ya can’t feed a forty year old dog canned chili.”

“Barley?”

″ Yeah?”

“The beavers is gone.”

“Bad sign Frank?”

“Real bad”.

Barley clapped his old friend on the shoulder And said: “Ain’t nothin we cant handle Frank. Let’s get us some breakfast, then we’ll find them beavers.”

Questions about this chapter

First Impressions

what is your first impression of bar

If I’m loving life...Then why don’t I want to live? Then why don’t I want to carry on? Why don’t I want to get up in the morning? Why don’t I want to work? Why don’t I want to go on trying?

Susannah drives the serrated knife through the crusted bread. It has been a whole week since she was fired. Unfortunately, the town she lived in didn’t really allow for a large number of workers. The supermarket was all she ever knew.

Why did I tell him that I’m loving life? Why did I lie to him, and to myself?

As if her life wasn’t chaotic enough, she got dumped by her boyfriend only three days ago. He met someone else. His new secretary. And he had the guts to ask her if she’s okay with it. If she will be okay. How she feels. All that junk that was just born out of his guilt. Her mind flies back to George. Oh, George...

Pushing him out of her thoughts, she takes the dry slice, throws the egg on top of it, and squirts some ketchup over. Enjoy it, Susannah. Your ketchup is coming to its end. So is your bread and eggs...

Plumping herself down on the sofa, she dives into her meal. Her eye catches the newspaper. Guiltily, she picks it up. She cannot afford a paper anymore. I wonder if my neighbour is missing his...Hopefully I can return it before he gets home.

Stealing really wasn’t in her nature. But, she saw it lying on the floor, and she just felt like taking a peek at the job section. Her eyes scan over the three options.

Mechanic...Nope, I have no expertise in that area...It’s also a very shabby pay compared to what Steven gets...

Babysitter for three. Holy smokes, no way! Kids and I...The pay is good, though...It will be better than nothing...

Janitor for Callie’s Café...Yech. I am allergic to Callie...And her muffins...Definite no.

Sighing, she finishes her meal and picks up the paper to return it to her neighbour’s door. Well then...Babysitter duty it is...If I get it...

William’s signature ‘left eyebrow rise’ comes into effect as he sees his neighbour’s door opening. She emerges, trying to roll up a newspaper. She suddenly notices him and freezes, her whole facing turning white. He is even sure he heard her say something that should never be heard from a lady. Chuckling, he approaches her.

“Excuse me, miss. Is that my paper?” He extends his hand, and blushing she lays the item in his hand.

“I’m sorry...I wasn’t trying to steal it...Just borrow it...” He gives another chuckle.

“It’s fine. I’ve got nothing against borrowing.” He winks. “May I ask why you needed to borrow my paper, though?”

“Uh...I was just...just checking...” Her voice drops to a whisper. “The job section...”

“Ah!” He nods his head sympathetically. “You worked at the supermarket, right?” She nods, and drops her gaze to the ground. They stand in silence. Furrowing his brows, William quickly works through his plan. It’s a good plan...I think.

“Well, I better go...” She offers blushing.

“Wait! What’s your name?”

“Susannah...” He thrusts out his hand to shake hers.

”Enchanté, Susannah. I am William.” She blushes again, but accepts his handshake. “I was actually thinking...What is your specialty?”

“My specialty...?” She asks confused.

“Yes, what are you good at?”

“Well...I’m good at planning and organizing...” He breaks into a smile, his hand clasping hers more firmly.

“Susannah...Could I offer you a job? It’s terrible pay, for the most part, but you can work from your own apartment block, and when I make it big, I can always give you a raise...”

“What...” She stares at him, though a faint smile takes a hold of her lips and hope starts to shine in her eyes again. “What do you do for a living?”

“I’m an artist. Painting, drawing, sculpting; those are my areas of specialty. I’m terrible at organizing my time, my portfolios are always lying everywhere and is in complete disarray, and I am currently losing track of everything that has to get done, since all my reminder notes are disappearing under other junk...In short...I’m a man in desperate need of assistance...”

Susannah looks up from her filing. What’s he doing now? The hammering stops and she returns her attention to her work.

It’s been three months since she started working for William. The pay has truly been terrible, since he himself is a struggling artist. But, she has fallen in love with her job...Among other things.

Here...I can be myself...And I can forget about depression, worry, fears, and troubles...Because William is there to catch me. Her attention is once again interrupted, this time by the devil of a man himself.

“Are you busy?” He asks excitedly, rubbing the paint on his fingers off onto a rag.

“Almost done. Why?”

“Come check out my latest. It’s specifically made for you.”

“Really?!” She rises excitedly and joins him. “Where is it?”

“Follow me.” He leads her to his studio. “Do you remember that we were talking about loving life?”

“Yeessss...”

“Well...Ta-da!” Her ecstatic cry brings a bright smile to his lips.

“It’s beautiful! Simply magnificent.”

“Remember the words, darling. Keep it in your heart, even when I’m not near...Keep it in your mind, even when troubles appear...”

If I’m loving life,

Then why don’t I always appreciate it?

If I’m loving life,

Then why don’t I always try to make the best of it?

If I’m loving life,

Shouldn’t I be spending time with my loved ones?

If I’m loving life,

Shouldn’t I be smiling even when trouble comes?

If I’m loving life,

Trying times are just challenges that have to be conquered.

If I’m loving life,

There’s not much to it but to keep on doing what I’m doing.

If I’m loving life,

I hope that I’ll be smart enough to always love you.

If I’m loving life,

I hope that I will never be as stupid to depart from you.

If I’m loving life,

Then you are the song that I sing to say, “Thank you.”

And if I’m loving life, in conclusion, I’d like to say,

I hope to smile at every day, accepting the troubles, with you by my side.

It hurts that I can’t be

what everyone wants

or what anyone needs

and it hurts that I can’t be

what I want

or what I need

because I’m not enough

and I won’t be enough

and I’ll never be close to enough

and I’m just so damn tired.

And then, the tears start to flow.

.

.

.

.

.

Trust me, I know how it feels.

I know exactly how it feels to cry

in the shower so no one can hear you.

I know what its like to wait for everyone

to be asleep so you can suffer in silence.

For everything to hurt so bad

you want it all to just end.

I know exactly how it feels.

Which explains why every night,

I just lie in bed,

and hope to fall asleep

before I fall apart.

Why not Loki? I wouldn't consider myself the crazy fan, but I have to admit that his performance has thoroughly entranced me. The sass, the smile, the (dare I say?) swagger. When I saw him the first time in Avengers Assemble, my initial thought was, "Down with Loki!!!"

But, I have come a long way since then. I have come to appreciate him. He has his backstory, like we all do. He has his tragedies, and it has influenced him into becoming who he is.

I also remind myself that every bad guy is the good guy in his own story. Same with Loki. Besides...There is still some good left in him, right? There's always potential left in a villain, it just all depends on whether or not it is recognized.

I specifically chose my profile picture to be that exact one of Loki, since I wanted it to be dark, evil, and slightly freaky. Because, there's nothing quite as awesome as a dark, evil, and slightly freaky villain in a story...Also, dark, evil, and slightly freaky pictures can be pretty awesome.

Lastly, Loki is also quite inspiring. He is the perfect inspiration for when I get writer's block. Just imagine how my villains could improve if I have his input every day!