Page 9 of Miles. Alton & The 9:04
Thom looked at the woman.He really wanted her to get her stamp-collecting, beekeeping, ghost-hunting ass back on the train and out of his life.This was going poorly, and he didn't understand how so many months of talking each week and finally meeting in person could sour him on any one person, let alone two.Suddenly, in his spirit, a calmness arose.At least he was finding out ahead of the potential nuptials versus afterwards.
“I know a place,” he told her, leading the way to his Jeep.
“This is a rugged vehicle.You do realize once we have kids, this thing will have to go,” Agnes said.
“Or perhaps, Agnes, I have more than one vehicle, and this one is something I worked very hard to earn,” he said.“And what do you drive?”
“I have a minivan,” she told him.“Yeah, I may need something else as well.My van has ghost-hunting equipment and honey all over the seats.”
“Well, you do realize once we have kids, your ghost-hunting time may be cut down until the kids are a bit older,” he said, intentionally wanting to poke the bear.
The bear rose on its hind legs and attempted to eat Thom Brown.The sweet woman who spoke softly of making honey with her honey turned into a honey badger and was trying to eat his face.They arrived at a small bistro that offered a varied fare of fish, chicken and beef.There would be something on the menu to sate her appetite, or at least he hoped.
The light repartee turned into a full joust as she bantered back and forth over the meal that took utterly too long.Thom wanted the entire afternoon to come a rapid close.It didn’t seem to matter what he said.She wanted to countermand his words, or simply challenge him on every single topic they addressed.He didn’t like Agnes Spignew in person.Suddenly, she looked up from the half-gnawed steak, squinting her eyes at him as if she were accusing him of nefarious intentions.
“I want to see this house of yours,” she snapped at Thom.
“Why?You're not going to be living in it,” he said softly, exhaling the breath he’d been holding.
“I heard that.”
“I said it loud enough.”
“Listen,” she said as he settled the check.“This is going all wrong.We have so much in common and there is a possibility for us to work out a pleasant life together.”
“How do you see that happening, Agnes, when we haven't gotten through our first meal without you arguing with me on everything from my choice of the chicken salad to me needing hearty proteins,” he said, trying to keep to his promise and show her the home.“I also feel like you’re taking me for granted, scheduling meetings with others on my dime.”
“Thom, I would never take you for granted.”
“Really?I paid for your train ticket, but you didn't even offer to throw in the tip on the meal.You’ve arranged conversations with other men after our luncheon as if I didn't alter my entire schedule to spend the afternoon and day with you to discuss a potential future together.How are you not taking for granted my feelings of you arriving here, but planning to meet with other men?I might not be cool with that Ms.Agnes.”
They left the bistro, in the Jeep heading towards the property.Agnes seemed emotionally invested in seeing the museum and Thom’s train collection.Each time she opened her mouth to speak at him, because she definitely wasn’t talking to him, he pulled away from the tenuous connection.
“Jeez, calm down.I'm here, aren't I?”she asked, looking at the old train station as they pulled up to the building.“We have a start.Oh, is this the museum?”
Agnes loved the old train station.Her initial desire to investigate soured as she examined her environment.Then she turned on Thom.
Her face was contorted as she looked at him, eyeballing him from head to toe.The snark in her voice began to anger him.“Did you buy all of this stuff?”
“I've been collecting since I was 13,” he said.
“I looked at your financials, I mean you own this building, plus the house.What's the mortgage on this and the home?I would hate to have to empty my savings to help you maintain your little dream here,” she told him, looking about the place.“Who cleans all of this stuff?Are you expecting me to help you clean hundreds of trains and knick-knacks and bobblywobs?”
“Madam, I am expecting absolutely nothing from you,” Thom said, looking at his watch.He was done with Agnes Spignew.“Oh, it's almost time for your next meeting; let's get moving.”
“Oh, so soon?”Agnes asked, looking at the adorable little home with the wide front porch.“I wanted to see the house.”
“We wouldn't want to be late, now would we, Ms.Agnes?”he said, nearly pushing her into the Jeep.
Thom barely came to a full stop to let the woman out of his vehicle.He told her to take care as he tooted his horn twice and rolled away.Normally, he wouldn't do such a thing, but Jerry, the local Beekeeping Queen, was waiting for Agnes at the curb.
“What the hell is going on?”Thom asked as he drove home.
He'd taken out chicken breasts to sear on the grill for supper.There were paint samples in the dining room for choices of wall colors in the home and even a few fabric choices for drapes.
“All I'm asking is to be loved,” he said, feeling forlorn.On the back porch, he stood looking out over the dream he wanted to fulfill.A sound, familiar yet distant, caught his attention.He followed the noise, nearly jumping three feet when he spotted Petr Qwill underneath the new Adirondack chairs he’d recently built.
He took out his phone to call Jiminy.“Petr is here at my house, eating my new chairs.Come get your damned spiky pig before I gut and grill his ignorant ass.”
