2024

CAMMEO:
Hullo Brynie.

BRYNE:
Hi Cammeo.

BRYNIE:

…. Neve, when did you get back?

NEVE:
Now.

BRYNIE:
So Tahariel’s horse is here?

NEVE:
Yup. They getting ready to put her away.

BRYNIE:
You mean you didn’t want to watch?

NEVE:
No, I too hungry. ‘Meo’s makin’ me lunch.

CAMMEO:
Would you like a sandwich, Brynie?

BRYNIE:
Maybe later. Right now I wanna go see the horse. 

A little later …

BRYNIE:

Oh wow - she’s a beauty. What’s her name?

TAHARIEL:

Patience.

BRYNIE:

Do you think I can ride her sometime?

TAHARIEL:

Sure, after she’s all settled in.

BRYNIE:
Thanks, that’d be awesome. Where’s Jesse?

TAHARIEL:

Unhitching the trailer.

BRYNIE:
Should I go help?

TAHARIEL:
No, Mez is with him. They should be fine.

BRYNE:
OK. Can I walk her for you?

TAHARIEL:
Do you know how?

BRYNIE:
Sure, I grew up on a farm. We had horses - my grandparents
still do. I love taking care of them.

TAHARIEL:
OK, here. I’ll walk with you until she’s comfortable. 

Later in Cammeo and Tahariel’s room …

CAMMEO:

Hullo. Is Patience is all settled?

TAHARIEL:

Yeah, Brynie’s with her. I’ll check on her later.

CAMMEO:
You look lovely.

TAHARIEL:
Thanks. Aunt Lu’s taking me to dinner. She wants to know how mama’s getting along with daddy. Guess she can’t wait for mama to come back and tell her. And I’m sure she wants to know about my drive back with Jesse and Neve.  

CAMMEO:
I was worried about that. I kept wondering how you and Jesse were getting on. 

I know how difficult he can be, and Neve can be just like him, sometimes.

TAHARIEL:
It wasn’t as bad as I thought it’d be. He’s really good with Neve
- which surprised me. And Patience took right to him - go figure.

CAMMEO:
Did she?

TAHARIEL:
Uh-huh, and that surprised me too. As a matter of fact,
when we were in Alabama, she wouldn’t load.

CAMMEO:
Load?

TAHARIEL:
Get in the trailer. She just refused. So, we took a break and  then
Jesse led her in - and she let him. I couldn’t believe it.

TAHARIEL:
… What?

CAMMEO:
I didn’t utter a word.

TAHARIEL:
No, but you’re looking at me funny. Go on, say what’s on your mind.

CAMMEO:
I’m just pleased you didn’t have an awful time of it.

TAHARIEL:
He really isn’t that bad. Did you know he’s going to culinary school?
And that he taught himself to cook watching TV and YouTube?
I mean, he isn’t exactly stupid.

CAMMEO:
I never said he was.

TAHARIEL:
Ya know,  I thought he was this obnoxious, arrogant pain in the … neck, but, well - he’s actually kind of funny, and so sweet with Neve.

CAMMEO:
So you said.

TAHARIEL:
I did?

CAMMEO:
Look luv, I’ve known Jesse a long while. Mez complains about him
often enough - they share a room, remember? But I’ve also seen
his good side. You don’t have to defend him to me. 

TAHARIEL:
I’m not defending him. I’m just saying he’s not as bad as I thought he was. 

TAHARIEL:
… And actually - he’s really kind of cute.