Earth, Wind, & Fire

There comes a time when the need for excitement pops up. It always starts with one little thing. Clyde waited outside of her house. It would be six in the morning soon. The dirty old biddy grinned to herself.

It’s just about here.

She turned her head when she heard the door open. Nick Grey stepped out dressed in his work suit with toolbox in hand. Clyde perked up and ran over to him.

“Nicky!” she shouted. The dirty biddy jumped on him and hugged on him wildly. She looked up at me with love in her eyes.

“Get off!” Nicholas said, trying to push the old biddy off.

“But I missed you so much, honey!” Clyde said. “Off to work again?”

“Uh… yes,” he said. “Now can you please let me go?”

“I want to come with you!”

“No!” Nick finally shoved her off. “You are just creepy.” Clyde smiled as she watched him walk away, speeding.

“‘Ave good day, ‘oney!” she shouted. Nicholas took off running as she blew him a big kiss. Clyde threw back her head and laughed.

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Clyde marched and danced her way downtown. She already had one destination in mind. She spotted Lewis, Muriel, and Aisha heading down to the library.

“Oi!” she yelled, waving her arm in the air. “Oi! Oi!” The other three old biddies turned around as Clyde ran up to them. She paused to catch her breath. Aisha scowled at her, shaking her head.

“Must you shout in the street look a homeless tramp?” she asked. Clyde stood up, grinning.

“Whoa!” the old women shouted.

“Please don’t do that,” Muriel said. “You will give me nightmares.”

“Never mind ‘hat!” Clyde said. “We have to get goin’!” Aisha smacked her in the back of the head.

“Ow!” the dirty old biddy shouted.

“Can’t you ever speak properly?” the leader asked. Clyde stuck out her tongue once again. Lewis raised her eyebrow.

“Why do we have to get going?” she asked. “Where are we going?” Clyde turned to her, grinning.

“To the steel factory!” she said.

“Why?” Muriel asked. Clyde twirled around.

“We’re going to see my Nicholas!” she said. Aisha sighed and rolled her eyes.

“Can’t you leave that man alone?” she asked.

“No!” the dirty biddy shouted. “We ‘ave ta get goin’! Come on! Come on!” She took off running down the street.

“Clyde, wait!” Lewis shouted. The dirty old biddy paused and turned her head.

“Wha?” she asked.

“Do you even know where the factory is?” the farmer asked. Clyde paused and tried to think.

“No,” she said. Aisha threw back her head and groaned.

“Unbelievable!” she said. Clyde laughed with her grin.

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Annie looked around the Sunny Plum.

“Is everything ready?” she asked. Tucker froze at the counter and rolled his eyes.

“Yes, dear,” he said. His wife raised her eyebrow.

“Are you sure?” she asked. Tucker looked up and rolled his eyes.

“We go over this every time!” he said. “You saw me cook everything and straighten up the tables.” Annie folded her arms across her chest.

“You know today is a busy day!” she said. “The church crew is coming by for lunch today and I want everything to be just right!”

“Yeah, yeah,” Tucker said.

“I mean it!” his wife shouted. Her husband rolled his eyes.

“Don’t give that look!” Annie said. Tucker turned and walked back into the kitchen. His wife stamped her foot.

“Come back here, Tucker!” she shouted. The door swung closed.

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Clover stood outside of her house, sweeping the front step. Next door, Tre watched her with a pounding heart. When did she grow up like that? The last time he saw her, Clover was a little girl. He watched her and her sister grow up over the years. She followed him around like his little shadow. Back then, she even stated that she was going to marry him. At the time, Tre cringed and tried to push her off. But now, time seemed to be much kinder on her. When did she get so pretty? Tre started to have more questions in his head as he kept looking at the young woman sweeping the steps. Did Clover have a boyfriend now? Was she interested in men? What was she doing now with her life?

The man gulped as another thought crossed his mind. Would it be so bad if he…?

Tre took a breath and opened the door. He opened his mouth as he raised his hand. Suddenly, Clover stopped sweeping and ran down the path. Tre turned to see her running towards Greg and hugging him wildly. The older man lowered his hand as his heart sank.

“Oh,” he said to himself. Tre closed the door and headed into the living room.

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Clyde already made up her mind with her trip to the steel factory. She didn’t know which one he worked in and where it was. Her friends couldn’t stop her. Their logic wouldn’t sink in.

“What do we do?” Muriel asked. Aisha shrugged.

“What else can we do?” she asked. “Let it play out until she gets bored.”

“What if she doesn’t get bored?” Lewis asked. “This is Nicholas Grey we are talking about here?” The leader shook her head and shrugged again. The other two old biddies looked away, whistling.

“What?” Aisha asked.

“Nothing,” Muriel lied.

“Don’t do that!” the leader complained.

“We didn’t say anything,” Lewis said. Aisha sighed and rubbed her forehead. The whole time, Clyde grinned to herself, chuckling.

Journey to the Factory