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Vignettes: Chapter 23
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Shane followed Bette towards the dark house, crouching low and darting behind bushes. Mimicking Bettes every move, she snuck behind the house towards the back yard. The pool was still there, but everything around it was overgrown. Flowers were tangled with weeds and bushes towered over the water. The deck had weeds pushing through the boards.
This place looks like it hasnt been lived in for years. Shane whispered.
A year actually. Bette replied in a normal voice.
Shh! Shanes apprehension shook in her hushed tone and Bette smiled and she rummaged around by the pool. She pulled out two rusty garden spades.
Here. She handed one to Shane who looked at her like she was crazy.
Bette, what are you doing? Shane whispered.
You dont need to whisper, Shane. Nobody has lived here in a year. Its an empty house.
Are you sure?
Yes, I made a few calls to find out.
Ok, but what are we doing out here in the middle of the night?
Digging. Bette smiled.
For? A buried treasure?
Something like that. Bette replied, falling to her hands and knees in the dirt. Lets dig some more into your life, too.
I see… literally and figuratively?
Exactly, now lets get to work.
With that last statement from Bette, Shane began to dig and talk, moving her mouth in sync with her hands while Bette hoped to strike gold.
***
Shane walked down the street in the afternoon sunshine reflecting on the argument she just shared with Fred. A conversation had started about their relationship, simply enough. Yet somehow it had turned into a discussion about marriage. Shane made it clear to Fred she wasnt interested in marriage from the first day they met, but Fred felt they should have a commitment ceremony. Shane disagreed. She didnt think they needed to label themselves like straight couples always do. And they went back and forth for a while until Shane left the house to take a walk and think.
She dug her hands deep in her pockets and kicked at loose pebbles as they crossed her path. With her head down, she studied her shadow on the blacktop. She realized her shape hadnt changed much in the years, but inside she had grown immensely. She had let herself love someone and accepted that love from someone else. For the first time in her life she could say she was part of something that she loved and cared for willingly. She looked at her shadow again and thought something was missing. Her other half wasnt there, fulfilling the empty image.
Shane silently wondered what it meant to love someone. To look beyond herself and sacrifice for the other person? To open up her mind and take in another view? To close her eyes and imagine five years down the road? She turned around and headed home to talk to Fred.
Fred? Shane quietly called out as she stepped back into the house. She walked into the bedroom and saw Fred lying on the bed, facing the ceiling. Hi.
What? Fred asked, never moving her eyes.
I was just out walking and thinking. Shane stood in the doorway. I wanted to say that Im sorry for not listening to you and blowing up.
You hurt my feelings, Shane. I was just trying to be honest with you.
I know but I was being honest, too. I just shouldnt have blown up.
Do you love me?
Shane moved to the bed and sat down, resting her hand on Freds stomach. Of course. You dont even need to ask.
Then why not marry me?
I thought a lot when I was walking. And I decided it is important to me that our friends know were in love. What Im trying to say is that Ill marry you as long as its informal. More like a party to celebrate our love. And this isnt about ownership. I dont own you and you dont own me. We just love each other and want to stay in love for as long as we can.
Fred sat up and looked at Shane, a tear forming in her eye. Really?
Shane nodded. Is that ok? Enough?
Fred leaned over and kissed Shane long and hard. More than enough. Are you sure? I dont want you to do anything you dont want to do.
I want this. I want you. And I love you. So with all those things combined theres nothing more I could ask for.
They kissed some more. Youll look so pretty in a white wedding dress. Fred teased.
Shane laughed. Or a tux.
Lets promise to not dress up for this. Casual all the way.
You really are the woman of my dreams, arent you? Shane said as she agreed with Fred.
I love you, Shane.
Right back at you. Shane winked.
***
Who knew you could be such a softy? Bette playfully pushed Shane, getting dirt on her shirt.
Hey! We all have a soft side, even you. Shane pushed her back.
I am loving hearing about your story, Shane. I worried about you over the years.
Shane shrugged. In all honesty I worried about myself for a while. But Fred changed my life.
I can see that.
The continued to dig until Shane hit something solid and looked at Bette. Their eyes widened and Bette excitedly pushed Shane out of the way, digging with her bare hands. Finally, she pulled out a box and brushed off the dirt. Shane looked at the box then at Bette and smiled.
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What’s in the box? What’s in the box?
Fareast, you know that absolutely adore this story, as well as your writing. Now, if I could just find a way to convince you to make the chapters twice as long, there would be dancing in the RV!!!
Buried treasure or Pandura’s box? I’m going with option #1…and hopefully, any buried memories unearthed will renew in Bette a hope for a new future with T, and inspire her to take action to make that happen….well that and Shane too..you write beautifully fareast!
I am a huge far east fan and I love this story so very much. I truly enjoy your writing to the nth degree!
Hey… I think I remember that you are from the New England area, in which case … hurray the snow has finally left and now …
Happy Spring! Enjoy!
Can’t wait for the next post – Thanks for sharing!
I’m with Seven…jumping up and down…what in the box? Damn, I love this story. Its so nice to see this side of Shane. Love can really transform you can’t it?
Glad to see you updated this. I love it. Catching up on Shane is good and seeing her spend this time with Bette–it great. I agree with Seahurst (not that we are greedy) but longer PLEASE.
Love your story so much – love how you are weaving past and present together.
Bette has a lot of memories in that box. They are of all the gang and she and Tina. So glad that Shane is so happy and that she is spending so much time with Bette. They always seen to need each other. Thanks
This story is on top of my list. I am enthralled with your telling of their stories.
fareast, you out do yourself each time. its great.
hey there- i am traveling yet again, but have found the opportunity to read your oh so well done continuing story. thanks for this and like the others, will continue to wish for more.
In my opinion you are by far the best writer on this site. This story has me glued to my computer,please continue!
Really nice series. Hopefully we get a happy flashback for Bette in the next chapter.
This story is amazing. Can”t wait to find out what’s in the box!
God, i just love this story, i just hope B&T find their way back to each other..(i hope there are plenty of happy memories in the box)
Looking forward to next post.
Thank you…
ahhh! so happy you’re back! what’s in the box? your writing and this chapter are great as per usual :)
Joins chorus. “What’s in the box? What’s in the box?”
As always a perfect chapter: the characters are true to themselves yet you have allowed them to grow.
Please, please, please let Bette and Tina see the errors of their ways so they can move on together.
Shane – aww suchs – a gal in lurve. Good to see that she is now willing to take the chance on love.
Still singing “What’s in the box?”
Your answer soon please.
Glad you are back with an update.
NOW what is in the BOX. Maybe pictures of B&T when they were happy or perhaps secrets of Bette´s past lovers. Can´t wait for more. Please post soon
Lovely chapter. Bring on the box. Wonder what Bette put in it?
You can write whatever you want because you’re so excellent. Love your story. Thank you.
These beautiful stories you have each of them telling pull at my heart. They are so fulfilling or wanting Thanks please keep them coming. Are we going to get new memories made between B&T
I have been loving this story from the start…it is so cool to see how much thingshave changed and yet are still the same…thanks and now…WHAT’S IN THE DAMN BOX??
love this story, you have me anxious for the next chapter each time
I liked your first story but this is awesome. Thanks
Nice. Now…what’s in the box? Hmm?
Fareast you are such a tease leaving us like this! I’m gonna ask that you submit to Seahursts request and make your chapters twice as long so we can catch that RV dancing…lol!
I adore this story.. there is so much for us to find out. More please!