Star Dew

Star awoke the next morning to find that the snow was still falling, but somehow it hadn’t settled? She figures Agatha really must have some sixth sense when it comes to snow in Henford on Bagley.

She opens her refrigerator to see what she can rustle up for breakfast, she finds the Cottage Pie that Michael gave her as a

housewarming gift and not a lot else. Her tummy rumbles so she figures that it will make a hearty breakfast, as she hopes to spend the day out and about trying to find new animal friends.

She is amazed to find that it isn’t even that cold out, so she dons her usual gardening clothes and starts the day in the way that is b e c o m i n g second nature to her, checking on her small veggie patch. She worries that she won’t unlock that next gardening patch this spring, but remembers that she is here for the long haul. She doesn’t intend on returning to San Myshuno, ever.

Star is sure that she remembered seeing some wild rabbits somewhere fairly close to home, she so sets off in that direction. Sure enough, she spots a tiny little black, white and cream bunny scurrying about the countryside. Thinking back to her conversation with Agatha, she starts watching the little guy go about his business in peace. Once she is sure that the rabbit won’t be too startled by her presence, she walks up to him and starts talking with him.

She shows him one of her dance moves, which he seems to like. The conversation moves on to how rabbits move underground. Peter, which he is happy to tell Star is his name, explains all about burrows and the underground city where he lives. Star asks Peter if she could pet him, he hesitates but allows her to gently pet his back, he seems very happy with the attention. Feeling emboldened by this, Star asks if she can hug him and is overwhelmed

when he acquiesces, his fur is just so soft!

She and Peter continue chatting and interacting for a couple of hours and Star is sure that Peter must see her as a friend as he offers to help her with her garden. Star assures Peter that he is welcome in her home whenever he wishes to visit.

Heading home, Star hears the sound of birdsong and follows it. She comes across a

tree stump and a flock of wild birds fluttering about. The birds’ song inspires her to sing back to them and soon she finds that one of the birds must like what they hear as they come and sit on her finger. Star is easily able to converse with the flock, perhaps this is because she has the animal handler trait? Living in San Myshuno all her life, she never had much

opportunity to interact with wild animals, and she finds that she is not only a natural, but that she enjoys it immensely.

She and the birds are soon friends and Star asks if they would be happy to help her with her garden. They all twitter enthusiastically and one bird even comes and sits on Star’s hand while she shows it some affection.

Feeling a t a d p e c k i s h , Star heads to the local pond to see what she can catch for her dinner. The snow seems to have finally stopped as she casts her Grandfather’s rod into the murky waters. The calm solitude gives her time to think about what she wants to get out of her adventures here in Henford.

She knows that at some point she wants to have a family, but she also knows that she is not ready for that yet, not after what happened. Her mind drifts back to San Myshuno. She was so sure that Diedre had loved her. She still feels so foolish for believing her overtures. It was obvious now that she was never going to leave his wife, not for Star, not for anyone. She wishes that she had been stronger when she found out that she was married. But she was insistent that her marriage was over.

Star suddenly feels a tug on her line, bringing her back to the present. She is surprised to reel in a goldfish, she’s never caught one in this pond before.

Glad of the distraction, Star turns her attention back to the sounds of wildlife all around her and of the fish splashing in the pond. She does not want to dwell on the past, after all, it is just that her past. She is happy that she’ll have something to cook at home that evening and is pleased with the things she has achieved today. She is slowly and surely becoming more selfreliable than she ever thought possible.

Follow Star next month when we continue her adventures.