Fin fills his glass and finishes it in a handful of gulps. “That really hits the spot,” Fin says as he pours more from the pitcher. Finto and Jules sit for some while enjoying the day. Stone did the same. This lasts until the rain clouds, they observed earlier that day, brought its storm winds that move all the trees back and forth. Before the rain falls, Fin and Jules carry the pitcher and glasses into the house with a curious follower. Stone slinks in behind them without them noticing. Fin makes his way back to the door to slide it shut, and look for Stone. To his dismay, Stone was out of sight. Still looking outside, Fin speaks loud enough for Jules to hear him, “Well I guess our friend took off.”
Jules, in a giggling tone responds,“Are you sure about that?” Fin turns to Jules who was standing in the kitchen. Still, about what she noticed, Jules points to the living area where Stone was laying on the carpet.
“Well I’ll be.” Fin is intrigued by the dog’s comfort with them. “He just made himself right at home, good. I’ll need to remember to get some food for him at the store.” Fin walks to the kitchen to kiss Jules, and to find something to put water in for Stone. He does this then sets a bowl full of water on the tile floor.
“What should we make,” Jules asks with excitement.
“How about spaghetti?” Fin suggests.
Stone made his way over to the bowl of water almost emptying it then making small puddles on the tile near the bowl. Turning back to where he just came from laying back down on the carpet. Jules and Fin watched this before Jules agreed with the spaghetti. “That sounds delicious.” They make enough even for Stone, cleaning what cooking utensils they use along the way to minimize their work after eating. Once dinner was through the rain stopped. Stone made his way over to the backdoors looking outward with perked ears.
“He might need to use the bathroom,” Jules suggests. “You might be on to something.” Fin gets out of his chair
leaving the table to open the doors. Stone bolts out making his way across the back field in the direction of the woods. “He must need to go, I wonder if he will be coming back.”
Jules stacks the dishes on top of one another then carries the stack over to the sink. “Oh I’m sure he will.”
Fin watches Stone run to the edge of the woods before vanishing. “Well I hope so.”
After cleaning the kitchen together, they decide to take a drive down to the spring to watch the sun go down. They walk together to the barn where everything is kept for country living. Jules gets in the gas-powered cart they use for such an occasion. As they take the usual path, Jules closes her eyes for a moment tilting her head back and spreading her arms. She inhales the aroma a rain unlocks which also cools her skin right at the surface. The rain was needed due to several days of heat leading up to that afternoon. The night was falling as the spring appeared. Flying bugs were taping the top of the water when the cart slowed to a stop. Fin and Jules walk over to a log Fin cut for the best seat in the house. An occasional fish would swirl the water’s surface attempting to catch one of the flying bugs. As it got darker the sounds of the spring were getting louder. As they sat the sun went down while frogs gulped and creatures called. The smell was a fresh clean that breezed by. Fin and Jules kept quiet, not talking. They get back in the cart to drive back toward the barn. Finto flicks the lights on, as they drive through the refreshing evening air with the temperature seeming to drop cooler when they pass by trees. They get to the house and fall asleep.
CHAPTER 5
The following morning is early rising so they could make their way to the city. Finto does his early-morning rituals of prayer and pledge’s his allegiance to his country. Breakfast is eggs, bacon, and fruit. Fin follows Jules in the black rumbler leaving the farm. Jules has plenty to do that day, and Finto wants to question the court summons he received in the mail the day before. Dressed in a suit which is unusual attire for the Rassi, worn out of respect, he gets out in front of the courthouse. Without wasting any time, Mr. Negrassi goes to the front entrance. He walks directly to Drexel Sprine’s office. Finto approaches a portly woman sitting behind a desk who fumbles over her desk’s contents to press the intercom announcing that Mr. Sprine was needed by someone.
“Uhurrrum…Mr. Sprine?” “Yes, what is it.”
Finto stands at attention in front of the secretary’s desk, arms behind back, watching the woman work the intercom with her curl-ended grin. With a practiced pitched tone, the high squeal woman says, “A Mr. Negrassi is here.” The sound of rapid motion comes from the office. “Send him in.” The woman stands, and opens the door for the Rassi who has yet to speak. Fin enters the uncomfortable office that smells of coffee and poor hygiene.
“Please sit, Finny, ole buddy, ole pal.” Drexel Sprine goes to the only window to let some light in through the blinds.
The Rassi does not sit, but keeps his posture as before. “I received a note from you in the mail, Sprine. And I want to know why?”
Drexel walks back to his brown leather chair. Reaching for his steaming coffee mug, Drexel uses a hand to hold back his tie leaning forward. “Well, we can discuss whatever it is you would like to discuss.”
Finto was prepared for the usual games, so he pulls the envelope from his pocket stepping forward, and placing it on Sprine’s desk. “You know why I’m here.”
Drexel Sprine takes a sip of his coffee. “How’s Jules, is she feeling well?”
“Come on Sprine, don’t waste my time, I’m not wasting yours. What is this?”
Drexel smiles and looks at the folded-over envelope on his desk. “I’m guessing you read what was sent to you in the mail. So I’ll see you on the scheduled court date.”
Finto doesn’t stay any longer than that he just leaves. Drexel is somewhat surprised by the Rassi’s brief exit. Fin doesn’t make too many visits to the courthouse, and is wondering more about the progress of the ring. So he makes his way to Charles Haskins shop. He goes in to say “hello” to Mr. Haskins. By chance, the storeowner operator was diligently working his trade. Charles was shaping the ring band to fit the approximate size Fin gave him.
“Well hello there,” Mr. Haskins looks up from what he was doing to welcome Finto. “Come and take a look.”
Fin handles the ring band rotating it under the light. The work resembled that of a veteran hand, “Fantastic Mr. Haskins,” Finto hands the ring back.
Mr. Haskins takes a look for himself. “Should be done in well…about a week.”
Finto goes over an imaginary calendar in his head. He wonders where he will be in a week. Ah yes, court, he thinks to himself. “Splendid,” Fin says, “much sooner than what I would have guessed.”
After leaving an envelope of a certain amount, Finto announces his departure. “Well off I go Mr. Haskins, have a good day.”
Mr. Haskins does not pay any heed to the amount sitting next to him. Instead, he falls into focus over the ring he begins to work on again. Charles couldn’t think of anything else he’d rather be doing. “Good-bye, Finto Negrassi, oh wait a minute.” Charles Haskins stops the Rassi from exiting the store. “Is there a match tonight?”
Fin smiles, “Yes there is, and a good one it’ll be. This reminds me.” Fin makes his way back over to the work area. “Seems someone found out about my precious cargo. I received a court summons deeming the pearl an illegal transport.”
Mr. Haskins raises a hand and says, “No one will ever know it was here.” Then lowering it back to what he was doing.
Finto turns and leaves.
The black rumbler sits between two white lines at Park Lake. The Rassi stretches beside his trusty transport. He ties his trainers with a double knot before the last article of clothing change. He swaps his buttoned shirt and tie for a comfortable cotton short sleeve. It’s a hot one already, Fin
could