Introduction
This is the second chapter of this story, it’s being written without a plan. I suppose it’s a mystery by default, because I still don’t know what’s going to happen; though I know a bit more than you do.
You can find the first chapter here:
https://charactercognition.substack.com/p/the-listening-spot
The Listening Spot
C.J. felt amazing when the alarm went off Tuesday morning. He sat up in bed, yawned, and spread his arms as wide as he could. He loved his little spot.
He rented a tiny house which sat on the back-lot of a rich family’s extensively large property. The house was on a flat patch of grass nestled between two perfectly manicured White Oaks. These were massive trees that provided refuge from the sun and a haven for the birds.
In the Fall his windows were always open and most mornings he started his day sitting outside for at least 30 minutes, just thinking and listening.
C.J. liked the feel of the grass blades on his palms. As he waved his hand across the lawn he realized he wasn’t thinking about anything. Then he felt guilty. At his age did he have the luxury of idleness? Strange times indeed, when sitting outside doing nothing is relegated to the status of a guilty pleasure, C.J. thought. He looked down and got a glimpse of his watch and smiled, it was time for his favorite part of the week.
C.J.’s grandparents lived about 15 minutes away from his tiny house. He went to visit them every Tuesday. They were both retired and not mobile enough to take any super long trips, so for the majority of the year they were always around. He really cherished their time together. His grandparents were the only relatives left in the area, the rest of his family moved West after his younger sister graduated from high school.
Nana and Grandpa married 55 years ago. He never asked them their secret, but Grandpa always said, “if you’re going to have a co-captain, it’s best if you can sail together.” Whatever that means, maybe I’ll find out one day, C.J. thought.
Nana was the ultimate pragmatist, quiet, reserved, and very dependable. Also, she could hear everything; if you wanted to keep a secret, you didn’t talk about it in the house. Grandpa was particularly eccentric. His curiosity motivated most of his behaviors.He was C.J.’s muse of thought.
C.J. rushed into the house like he lived there, he almost did once, and maybe he would one day. “Nana, what are you going to be cooking today?!”
Nana smiled, “are you going to eat here all day?”
“If you’re cooking I am!”
“I noticed the yard on my way in, I’ll mow it and then may I have some pancakes, please?”
“Boy, the yard is fine.”
“The grass may not need a cut Nana, but I need to cut it. It relaxes me, I’ll be back in about 30 minutes.”
C.J. finished mowing the lawn, put the lawnmower away and headed inside. Nana had just finished flipping the last flapjack, he smiled. “Hey Grandpa, pancakes are ready!” he yelled.
“Be right up in 10, you better save me some!” Grandpa replied.
By the time Grandpa showed up, Nana was finished with her two pancakes, and C.J. had finished 4, but he wanted more and he was eyeing the stack. Just then Grandpa pulled up a chair, you’re so lucky you got here in time, C.J. thought.
Grandpa grabbed three of the flour disks and tossed them on his plate and then doused them in syrup. Grandpa had a problematic sweet tooth. But right now C.J. was more concerned about that last pancake. Nana didn’t seem interested, so he took it.
“C.J. What was the best part and worst part of your day yesterday?”
“Hmm every Tuesday Grandpa, the same question. Well, the worst part of the day was probably spending all that time inside. I missed a lot of beauty staring at those concrete walls. Let’s see, the best part of the day was seeing Penelope, definitely seeing Penelope.”
“Ahh, Penelope, have you told her how you feel?”
“I left her a note and my phone number, we’ll see.”
Grandpa said laughing, “C.J., what are you telling me right now, you left her a note? You know people need options to make choices, you follow? It’s scary to proffer options, but it’s a requirement. Geez boy, well good luck.”
“I guess you’re right Grandpa, maybe next time.”
C.J.’s Nana touched his hand. “You know C.J., you could start running again.”
“Nana, what does that have to do with anything?”
Nana squinted and tilted her head to the left, the way she always did when she wanted to tell you something without words. “C.J. Penelope enjoys running right?”
C.J. grinned and replied, “Ahh, I follow now.”
Grandpa just finished his last pancake and looked like he was about to lick the leftover syrup off his plate; he really liked sugar. He snapped out of it when he saw Nana watching him. Grandpa shifted in his chair a bit, “C.J. are you still thinking about moving in with us?”
“Not quite Grandpa. I still want to figure some things out on my own. It’s been two years since I graduated and already I know I’m not going to spend my life in a shoe store. I’m thinking about giving my notice.”
Grandpa grinned, “sounds like you’re making progress.”
The three of them shared time and space late into the evening: eating, laughing, and finding distraction in loving company. C.J. felt really relaxed when he got home; he brushed his teeth, grabbed a book and read himself to sleep.
There were no dreams that night. He fell asleep fast and woke up before his alarm, a sign of a good night's rest. C.J. laid there staring at the ceiling listening to the rainfall splash against his roof. After a few moments he decided to turn on the light and flip through his dream journal. He skipped the entries related to the railway. But the Owl dream caught his eye.
I walked in a forest on a gloomy afternoon, and a voice startled me from above. I craned my neck to look up and there I saw an owl, larger than any bird I’d ever seen.
“Peace and despair are born in the death of hope. So, what sets them apart?”
“What does that mean!?” I shouted, as the owl flew away.
C.J. closed his journal and squeezed his eyes shut for three deep breaths. He still had no idea what that riddle meant. He rolled over and checked the clock, it was time to get ready for work.
So wholesome. I love the little dream snippets we've gotten in the last two chapters, very intriguing.,