Citlali had expected to find Miguel on the other side of the door, running back to grab a pencil or to seek reassurance for first-day nerves.
But it wasn’t Miguel.
“Citlali! Just the person I was hoping to see.” Carl’s tone startled her almost as much as his appearance on her doorstep. She knew that tone--that sincerity with an undercurrent of wry humor, that animated drawl. He was standing on her doorstep, and he must have heard about what she’d done, he must have, but he sounded just the same as always. Maybe what Leonor and her mother had been telling her was true—maybe most people really didn’t care. She wanted it to be true.
Carl’s eyes traveled from her tightly clasped hands to her downcast face. Her skin prickled under his gaze. He had a way, sometimes, of making you feel uncomfortably perceived. It wasn’t entirely unpleasant.
“I stopped by a time or two before, but your sisters told me you didn’t want to see anyone.” His voice sounded graver now. “Truth is, I was worried about you.”
He was waiting for her to say something. If she thought about it for too long she would reconsider, she would scurry back to her burrow like the skittish subterranean creature she’d become. So instead, she asked, quickly, “Do you want to take a walk?”
She didn’t wait for a response, barely waited long enough to call over her shoulder to her mother that they should head to the store without her.
If this was just some perfunctory visit then Carl would make an excuse and slip away, and she would take a brief walk down one of Panorama’s more deserted streets and then slink back home to recover her nerves until she was ready to try again. It would at least be a first step.
If he decided to follow, then maybe, maybe, it might mean the rest of the world didn’t despise her. She hoped Carl didn’t despise her.
He followed.
They didn’t speak, but the quiet between them felt surprisingly comfortable. It was good to be out of the house, to walk beneath the colorful fall foliage, to feel the cool air raising goosebumps on her bare arms.
There was a little-used path through the woods that she remembered, so she turned them toward it and then onto it, following its lazy contours deeper into the forest.
“Do you mind if I sit for a minute?” Carl asked. It was the first time either had spoken since leaving her house. They had reached a small clearing in the underbrush and Carl was already easing himself to the ground. “I could use a rest. That’s what happens when you get old, I’m sorry to say.”
“You’re not old,” Citlali said automatically, seating herself on the ground across from him. She wondered idly just how old he really was. If you ignored the receding hairline, he could be the same age as Peter.
“You’re too kind. I am, though. I guess that’s why I’m looking to settle down here, as soon as I get a few last things squared away. I’m too old for the road.” Carl surveyed her thoughtfully. “I missed seeing you around town,” he said. “And our little chats. You know, Citlali, I hope you see me as a friend. If you need anyone to talk to... I like to think I’m a good listener.”
“Oh. I... I don’t know...”
He leaned forward, not to be put off by her diffidence. “Mind if I ask you what happened?”
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stuck in the time loop but i just use it as a free day off. im not even trying to get out. i am teaching myself to knit. i am crocheting. i am cooking. not even doing anything crazy. just escaping capitalism for a week. day 375 and im not sure what lesson it's trying to teach but i've taught myself to handmake lace so all is well
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Everyone wants to talk about how Senshi is a tumblr sexyman but...Senshi is actually attractive. Like even aside from the fact that he's pretty good-looking he's a nice, sweet guy and he can cook and loves doing it. He's a perfectly eligible candidate for marriage, which kind of goes against the spirit of a tumblr sexyman.
Chilchuck, however? Chilchuck is a tumblr sexyman. What the fuck do you people see in him
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Screw terfs n all but are you normal about transgirls who don't want to medically transition? Are you normal about transguys with boobs who don't wear binders? Are you normal about the trans people who only want to socially transition because that's what's right for them? Are you normal about the transgirls with beards? Are you normal about the transguys who love their curves? Screw terfs, but are you normal about trans people?
Important Edit!!!!!
I don't mean to piggyback off of the success of this post but
A trans person is in need of your financial help
My friend @the-fab-fox is struggling and is in need of help
If you can, please consider donating to him, lord knows he needs it right now
Finley is at risk of losing his living situation, vet bills piling up, and much more
Please consider donating to his fundraiser (linked below) or donating via PayPal (
[email protected]) with a note that it's for the GoFundMe
Edit 2
Thank you for those who have donated so far, it means the world to him and to me!
If you could, please donate further so Finley is able to get the products that he needs!
Please follow this link to understand what and why
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