Author: Theodore

"Here ya go. That'll be $24.50."

Large, work calloused hands deal out the bills and hand them over to the cab driver. "Thank ya kindly, sir." The cabbie didn't blink at the thick country accent, only waited for the man to pull his bags free and get out so he could move on down the road to the next fare.

The house was a neat little one. Practically brand new and in a neighborhood that was ideal for small families or couples just starting out, it was a good place to start over. It wasn't large, only about 1200 square feet. There was a master bedroom with an attached bath, and two smaller bed rooms with a full bath in the middle. New paint. New vinyl. The previous owners had planted delicate trees in the modest sized (read small) lawn and a water garden in back, a privacy fence ensuring that no ones toddler got in there by mistake.

"And by the time you get there, the rest of the back yard should be taken up by a dome green house. It'll be crowded, but you can continue to grow your own herbs and such. Hey, cheer up, Teddy. After all, you aren't some starving hill billy from the mountains any longer. No need to keep living in shacks with no water or power. This will be a good starter home for you." Nicky's words still rang in his ears.

He still wasn't sure about this.

The key fit perfectly and he turned it with a twist of his wrist. The door swung open on well oiled hinges, and his feet carried him into his new home. Nicky and Galen had brought his few meager possessions with them when they had flown out the choose this place. Teddy himself was lost about such things as buying houses and such, so they volunteered to help him. They even picked out what furniture he needed and didn't already have. A brand new living room suit greeted his eyes, in shades of cream and hunter green, complete with those little pillows that everyone seemed to use, but only to look at. He explored the rest of the place. The bedroom was fully set up, the large bed he had found in some barn a year ago and refinished himself was assembled. Galen had even found some other furniture to compliment it. The man looked at the thread bare quilts that clothed it though, and smiled. At least he wouldn't feel like a stranger in his own bed tonight.

Hunger forced him into the kitchen. He hadn't been able to eat on the plane, too much up and down movement, and being that far off the ground made him nervous. If men were supposed to fly, he figured the good lord would have given them wings. He blinked and looks at the modern appliances offered to him now, though. The flat top electric range, the large refridgerator with the water and ice dispensers in the door, the dish washer. Why would he ever need all of this? Opening the fridge he found it fully stocked and shook his head again.

He certainly wasn't used to this sort of thing.

Making a simple sandwhich for himself, the man sat down at his new kitchen table and sighed. Already he was homesick for Indy. He never thought he would have ever thought of that city as home, but he did. He missed his little clinic and the animals that were brought there. He hoped Dr. Runyon had as much luck with it as he had. He missed his greenhouse tacked onto the back of the little servants quarters he had renovated using scrap materials he collected from construction jobs he worked on. He missed Professor Anothy and the way the man always encouraged him to continue in his efforts to finish his education. He missed a good many things.

With a frown, the man shook his head. He mustn't dwell on the past. His life was here now, or would be soon. He had to move on with his world. This place wasn't so bad. It was a bit small, but he didn't need much room yet. Nicky had set things up so that he wouldn't have to worry too much about money for a while. He could finish his education and perhaps work for a clinic here in New Hampshire, if not open his own. All the ghosts of the past left behind him, he could get on with his life and start anew.

Then why did he feel this loneliness inside?

On the kitchen table was one of those welcome wagon packets that get sent through the mail. Full of coupons and special offers from local merchants. On the outside of the yellow envelope, in bold black print, was a cheerful little message: Welcome to Manchester. We're so glad to have you.