All Over the World

It’s 1980. Despite that, New Wales will never change. Same thing applies for the old biddies. But, there are new people around. Muriel found that out in the most unpleasant way. It all started with a phone call.

“Hello?” she asked.

“Mama,” a woman’s voice said. That alone woke up the old biddy.

“Juliet?” she asked. “Is that you?”

“Yes, mum,” the younger woman said on the phone.

“Is something wrong?” Muriel asked.

“Nothing,” Juliet said. “I just called to say that I am coming home.” A strange look came across the old biddy’s face.

“Why?” she asked.

“I start work out there tomorrow,” her daughter said. “I just need a place to stay until I can find my own house.”

“Why?” Muriel asked again.

“Housing isn’t ready yet,” Juliet explained. “Plus, your house is near the building that we will be working out of.”

“That’s great, honey!” her mother said with clenched teeth.

“I’ll take the train down to see you,” her daughter said. “I missed you so much.”

“Yeah… Me too.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Juliet.”

“Bye-bye.”

“Bye.” Both women hung up. Muriel looked at her phone and screamed. There went her peace and quiet.

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Muriel wasn’t the only one who was in for a shock from seeing old friends. Lewis had just stepped out for the day when she noticed a man looking around in her neighborhood. He had on a brown leather jacket and messy jeans. His hair was loaded with gel. Lewis tilted her head.

“Hm?” she asked. “That looks like…” The farmer walked over to her wooden fence. Her eyes widened.

“Chris?” she asked. The man looked.

“Lewis?” he asked. The old people stared at each other before the lights came on upstairs. Chris covered his mouth.

“It’s really you!” he said. “How have you been?”

“Good,” Lewis said. “What are you doing here?” The old man chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head.

“Things haven’t been going well in the city since Roxanne left me,” he said. Lewis’ eyes grew big.

“Wait… Roxanne left you?” she asked. “How did that happen?”

“Long story,” Chris said. “Say, can I come in and talk?”

“Uh… sure,” Lewis said. “Sure, sure. Come in.”

“Cheers, mate,” he said. The man followed her into her house. Not how she planned to spend her morning.

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At the Sunny Plum, Annie looked around the café yet to open for the day. She sighed and shook her head. Sometimes, she wondered why she bothered anymore. It was going to be the same thing anyway. Tucker still act lazy and irresponsible, leaving her to pick up the slack. The four old biddies coming along and causing her headaches that she did not need.

Annie sighed aloud.

“What’s the matter now, woman?” Tucker asked. His woman turned to him and frowned.

“I am so bored,” she complained. “Why doesn’t anything ever change around here?” Tucker shrugged.

“What do you want me to say?” he asked. “We live in a small town full of old people. We are old ourselves. Of course there’s going to be nothing to do.” Annie looked over at him, glaring.

“You didn’t have to put it like that,” she said.

“What are you even asking for here?” Tucker asked.

“I don’t know,” Annie said. “Maybe something a little more exciting.” Her husband all but laughed.

“Ha, good luck with that,” he said. Tucker walked back to the kitchen. His wife looked out the locked door to see Clyde, Muriel, Lewis, and Aisha all waiting to get in. Clyde grinned, showing off her crooked, dirty teeth Annie groaned and rolled her eyes. Here they went again. She walked over to the glass.

But, this summer might bring a little bit of excitement.

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