When the World is Running Down, You Make the Best of What’s Still Around

Muriel’s world about to be rocked again. But, that’s not until tomorrow. Let’s focus on today, okay? Today, the old biddies hung out at the river. Muriel, Lewis, and Clyde were fishing and spending another idle day. Aisha sighed and shook her head.

“This isn’t right,” she said. “We need to be out doing something!”

“Why?” Muriel asked. She had a huge smile on her face.

“How long are the kids out this weekend?” Lewis asked.

“All weekend!” her friend bragged. Muriel broke out, laughing. Clyde threw back her head and laughed as well. Aisha rolled her eyes.

“Being is idle is bad for the mind and body!” she said. “Activity is need to better the community! This apathy will rot us all out!”

“Apathy birthday to you! Apathy birthday to you!” the other three old biddies sang. Aisha groaned and pressed her hand against her forehead. Looks like she would have to take charge, again.

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Chris walked up to the Sunny Plum Café. He smiled as he opened the door. Tucker looked up from his work from the counter.

“Hello, Chris,” he said. “Fancy seeing you again.”

“Hello, mate,” the other man said. He noticed that he wasn’t alone. Tre looked up from his coffee.

“Hello, Tre,” Chris said. The younger man lifted his head.

“Sorry, but who are you?” he asked. Chris walked over to his table.

“Don’t you recognize me?” he asked. “I’m Chris. We didn’t see each other that much, but I used to make paper boats with you in the summers while your mum and dad were in the town.” Tre blinked at him.

“Not really…” he said. Chris sat down and shrugged.

“Oh well,” he said. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Okay…” Tre said. Tucker walked over to the table.

“What can I get for you today, Chris?” he asked. The man in black looked up at him.

“Just tea, please,” he said. Tucker wrote down his order.

“Coming up,” he said. The man turned and walked over to the tea machine. Back at the counter, Annie rolled her eyes. Three useless idiots all together. She turned and walked to the kitchen. Tre looked at Chris was a strange look on his face. Meanwhile, the older man grinned.

“Can you stop doing that?” Tre asked. “It’s just creepy.”

“Oh,” Chris said. “Sorry.” Tre tried to look somewhere else.

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Aisha walked over the other old biddies.

“Enough of this!” she said. “Get up! We’re going into town!”

“Why?” Clyde asked. The leader walked over and took the fishing poles out their hands.

“Come on!” she shouted. “Get up! Get up!”

“‘Ey!” Clyde yelled. Aisha gave her a kick in the head before losing her footing and falling backwards into the river. The other old biddies broke down laughing. Aisha gave the evil eye as she splashed about in the water.

“Come back here!” she yelled as they walked away. She frowned and puffed up her cheeks. It would take a long time for her to get up and chase them down through her fury. Aisha balled up her fists and smacked the water as she gritted her teeth.

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Meanwhile, another man got off of the train after it pulled up into the station. Oh buddy…

Calm Before the Storm