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You looked down on your hands, fluffy soap was clinging onto them, there was a raw feeling to it. You scrubed the plate. It was already clean, but, who knew? You put it to the side, taking the cup you just used, you turned it in your hand and smiled.
Your thumb dragged over the small crack leading towards the caricature of a cowboy.
"Stupid.", you mumbled with a smile, cleaning the remaining honey out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your fingers traced the rim of the cup, it was one among many with little drawings on it, some were already gone, but the most of them still stood. You took it out, turned it in your hand. The sweat that clinged onto your skin had cooled, leaving you with a chilling feel.
You looked towards the cash register where Argus stood, fishing out the petty pennies for her cigarettes. You moved towards her, the cup hanging from one hand, while the other grabbed into your bag that was hanging from her shoulder.
"Cup and cigs."
You put the money down and hear the 'ching' of the register seconds later.
As you are back in the car, she turns it around, her face blank.
"Reminded me of you.", you said, seizing her reaction.
She huffed and your shoulders visibly relaxed. "Stupid."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You secure it next to the plate without looking, your gaze set on the far horizon colored in oranges and reds that was rising above the winter fields. A sigh slips your lips and your head drops back down, meet with the dirty water and the smell of chemicals. You turned away from it all, facing the living room. Away from the baren lands, riddled with everything that wasn't her.
That stupid woman had stopped sending you letters three days ago, or maybe they just arrived later? You were biting your wedding ring. Would you know it when she died? Would you wake up in the middle of the nigth, knowing? Would you be sent a letter, would there be a body to be buried, would there- you moved into the living room with no purpose. You looked at the clock. Five fiftysix. Your shoulders dropped and your hand raked through your greasy hair.
The post man would get here at six.
"A few minutes..." you mumbled, and the Rooster crowed, two minutes to early. Two minutes to know if she has died or not. No, she isn't dead. But she has never been away for so long since you said yes to eachother. Your eyes focused on the long black arm of it. Tick, tick, ticking away. You draped the green blanket over your shoulders to protect yourself against the chilly wind, it reminded you a bit of her, your fingers went over the seams, gently and you sighed. How much you missed her.
Your hand trails down the railing, splintered and woody, you migth have to think about painting it again.
There it was, behind the picked fence and in front of you.
The Mail Box, yet to have its red flag be put up by the Mail man, you looked upon the horizon, it had lost its fire and cooled down with a blue. Your finger tapped upon its metal. Where was she. You stood on your tip toes, looking for that big white van. Where was he? You noticed a shillouette, not car shaped, but human instead. You crocked a brow. Had his car broken down? You hissed in pain for him, walking all the way out here, when he was there you'd get him a glass of water and maybe some-
You squeezed your eyes, noticing a cowboy hat. You gasped. It couldn't be. You clutched the mail box closer, trying to make out a few more detail, the hair, the clothes. Wretched darkness. The gun.
"Argus...?", you mumbled and she looked up as if she had heard you.
"Argus."
You opened small gate and ran, stumbling over stones and your own feet on the way, she seemed to be tired, her feet lazy, you could care less, reaching her after not even a minute, jumping into her arms, making her fall.
"Hello would not have been enough?", she asked as you hid within the crock of her neck. You could only shake your head, breathing her scent in. "Do you want to unclutch me?", the question was rhetorical, she knew your answer already.
You shake your head again and she chuckles. "Of course not."
But she did not even make an effort in getting up, apparently deciding the dirty road was more comfortable, patting your back and kissing your head.
"We should go in.", she groaned, already trying to heave the both of you up. "Could you let go of me, darlin'?"
You breath her in a last time before moving to the side, giving her space to get up.
"Now look at you.", she said with a grin. You were still on the floor, blanket secured over your shoulders, your eyes a bit watery. "Come here, baby.", her calloused hand extended towards you and you swung yourself back into her arms. "There we go."
She slung one around your waist, her boots heaving as she led you back towards the cottage. "How are the animals holding up?"
"Good...they've been missing you."
"Have they?"
She leaned her body on yours, crickets played their violins in the high grass and the horizon was layered in blues. Why'd it remind you of your wedding day?
You put your head on her shoulder. "So very much."
She threw her gun on her shoulder as she chuckled. "I missed ya'll too."
She put her weapon against the big mirror in the hallway "Do we have food?"
You played around with your wedding band. "I will warm it up for you."
She was rigth on your heels as you did, her hand finding your waist.
"Looks good.", she sticked her finger into it, leading it into her mouth. "Tastes pretty good, too. As expected."
You shake your head, turning the food in the pan. "You should not stick your fingers inside your food."
She crocked a brow. "You said something else entirely just two weeks ago."
You threaten her with the spatula, holding it high. She grinned, patting your hip before moving into the living room. You whined a bit, watching her leave. She snorted. "I just need to sit down, baby. Been on my feet for too long."
You sighed, starting to turn the flame up as she got comfortable. Soon after you were able to hand over her plate.
"Thank you sweetheart."
You dropped next to her, pulling the green blanket over the both of you.
"I've missed you..." you tell her.
She chuckles while chewing. "I've missed you too." Her head drops onto your shoulder and her hand slides around your waist. It was awkward, but nice.
"Tastes good?"
She nods, then groans and leans back, as if she had a thougth she didn't like. "The Rooster will wake us tommorow, won't he?"
"I'd guess so, it's what he has always done.", you chuckle and she gives you a side eye.
"Why can't we just kill him?", she mumbles under her breath and it makes you laugh.
"You know why.", you say as you move to take out her braid, her braid has gone frizzy in the last few weeks. "It just is too expensive to buy new hens every few years." She grunts, but it turns into a hum when you have your hands comb through her hair, despite the frizz, it still feels silky and nice, her empty plate clatters onto the table and she makes you fall into the couch. You wrap your legs around her as your hands comb through her hair. You finally had her back.