Chapter 34: Merrigold.

"Hey Thomas!!"

"...morning..."

"How are you doing today?" I said as enthusiastic as possible. With a sigh, he tied the horse and moved away to the next.

"I said how are you doing today Thomas?" I followed along.

"...fine thank you."

"Star gave birth again.." I tried to make a conversation.

"...as you can see..."

"Mhm...they must be the cutest, may I see them?"

"...I'm working, Merri...you should get back to your own swindle..."

Swindle? Cheating, stealing, blackmailing... the word could mean so many things but it still made me upset. It made me feel unworthy of being in his presence. Everything was tense, it had never been this way... it felt odd not speaking to Thomas about anything or whenever I wished to.

"I see you got some new pair of shoes..." I smiled, sidling behind him as he walked away with a bucket of manure. I followed along eagerly.

"...borrowed from Grover... suppose it's from all the pity..."

"Oh... they're really nice, must be comfy too."