Encounter at Johnson's Creek, Part Two
Originally posted on August 11, 2009
Ben: I was watching from up on the bank, wondering if you were as crazy as you looked.
Muriel: Excuse me? Crazy? Where do you get off calling me that?
Ben: You’re not from around here. How do you know it’s safe to swim?
Muriel: Don’t be silly – I come here all the time.
Ben: You don’t come here all the time, or I would sure know about it.
Muriel: Well, I have been here once before, so obviously you’re not as in-the-know as you think. And I don’t swim anyway, I just go in up to my waist. So don’t be calling me crazy just because I….
Ben: What would you call it? You come down here on your own, and you strip down right where anyone could watch, or even sneak up on you, like I did. You’re lucky I’m a nice guy. They aren’t all nice like me, y’know.
Muriel: Oh, don’t be ridiculous. What could happen out here in Nowhere-Ville?
Ben: Same that could happen anywhere.
Muriel: If you’re going to lecture me and call me names, the least you could do is tell me yours.
Ben: It’s Ben…… what’s yours?
Muriel: Mura………Muriel.
Ben: Mind if I sit down, Muriel?
Muriel: Go ahead. I’m getting a crick in my neck looking way up there anyway.
Muriel: So, Ben, am I trespassing on your property or something?
Ben: Nah, no one really owns Johnson’s Creek. Or if they do, they most likely don’t live around here anymore.
Muriel: I’m glad; I like it here, but my aunt would be upset if she thought I was breaking someone’s rules. She’s really big on rules.
Ben: You visiting here with your aunt? What’s her name? Maybe I know her, or maybe my Mom does.
Muriel: No, we’re both staying here…..living here for a little while…. But I’m not just visiting - I live with her all the time.
Ben: Oh, that’s cool.
Muriel: Is it? Why do you say that?
Ben: Well, you didn’t sound like you hated it or anything.
Muriel: I don’t. Or I wouldn’t, if there weren’t always so many silly rules.
Ben: Bet you’re breaking a bunch of ‘em right now, huh?
Muriel: A few, I guess. *thinks* But not the ones you think, Ben…. *aloud* Want to go in the water with me?
Ben: Don’t think so. But maybe I’ll stick my feet in. It’s already pretty hot this morning.
Ben: So where do you go to school?
Muriel: I don’t.
Ben: Graduate already?
Muriel: In a way. My aunt home-schooled me, since she moves… I mean, we move around a lot. For… for her job. I’m pretty much finished though, at least with high school.
Ben: I take classes at the local community college. Think you might go there next semester?
Muriel: Possibly, although probably not. I don’t know if we will be here long enough to complete a whole semester.
Ben: Too bad.
Muriel: Sure you won’t come in?
Ben: No, not today.
Muriel: But you’ll stay while I swim? *teases* To rescue me if I suddenly forget how?
Ben: *smiles* Thought you didn’t go swimming? Thought you just waded a bit.
Muriel: Maybe today I will, since you’re handy to play lifeguard. Will you stay?
Ben: I’ll stick around for a little while. Have fun. Oh yeah, and if you see a snake? Most of ‘em are harmless.
to be continued…