Pepper Poppers
Chapter 9: Slipping
Summary: The farmer is panicking about the situation about Leah and then finds Shane slipping with his mental health again.
The days for Shane progress as usual. Work, drink, sleep. He found himself less angry than what he was before. At least, with the farmer. Joja is an awful company to work for and Morris being his boss is like a cherry on top for disaster.
Today Morris tasked Shane with organizing the magazine display, which made Shane confused because he doesn’t recall anyone ever buying a magazine since he’s worked here. Not that he pays attention to what is being bought beside the few items that run out of stock, but he never had to restock magazines–ever.
The old stack who had been there for who knows how long looked sad and faded. Shane threw those away before taking out the new brightly colored magazines. Most of them were cheesy drama magazines about which celebrity cheated or the latest trend but one caught his eye. The cover was the most delicious looking plate of pepper poppers Shane has ever seen. As he examined the cover he saw “recipe pg 72” and he couldn't help but take a peak. The recipe looked simple enough to achieve so, when no one was looking, he snuck a photo of the page before adding it to his shelf.
The rest of the day went by fast, leaving Shane to take a scroll back to Marnie’s place. On the way there the fall breeze filled his lungs and the sun was warm. For once he found himself in a relaxed state of mind. Then an idea sparked in his head. The farmer made amazing peppers, she would probably make a good Pepper Popper dish. Shane then realized he didn’t have her number to send her the recipe so once he got into Marnie’s home he grabbed a paper and began writing it down.
“Wait, I need to say something- it's weird to just send a recipe with no context.” Shane thought to himself so at the top of the page he wrote
I found this recipe in a magazine and I thought it sounded interesting. Feel free to give me a taste if you make it. Hehe.
- Shane
Shane then took a walk to the farmers farm where the sudden realization of what he was doing struck him.
“This is weird isn’t it. Who brings a recipe to someone you’re barely friends with?” and just like a deer caught in headlights the farmer came out of her house, catching him red handed hesitating putting a letter in her mail box.
“Shane? What are you doing”
“I– uh. Here. I wrote down a recipe I thought you’d like” Shane took a better look at the farmer. She looked tired and stressed
“Are you- are you okay?”
She realized she looked as rough as she felt.
“I- I did something stupid last night and I'm totally freaking out. Oh but thank you for the recipe I’ll take a look at it” her shaky hands took the letter from Shane’s stiff ones. Shane felt a rush of awkwardness flush through him and before he could think he said,
“Do you want to talk about it?”
For a moment the two just stood there in awkward silence. The farmer stood there thinking about something before she finally nodded. She motioned for Shane to come in and he followed. When he entered the house it was nicely decorated, different from the aged look it had on the outside. The farmer cleared off the powder blue throw pillows she had on a yellow couch. Shane took a seat and made a mental note of the carpet also being the same shade of blue. The two sat there in silence before Shane spoke
“Your place looks nice.”
“Thanks. Sorry you had to see me like this.” The farmer looked Shane in the eyes, “You’re not gonna tell anyone what I’m gonna say are you?”
“Like they’d listen to the town drunk. Besides who am I gonna tell? My chickens?”
This made the farmer giggle.
“Well, I spoke with Leah last night about stuff and the conversation went deep. After she comforted me she kissed me and now I’m lost.”
Out of all the things that could upset the farmer this was not the first thing Shane thought of. His brows furrowed and his brain started going a mile a minute trying to wrap his mind around the information.
“What about that bothered you?”
“I don’t want to lose my friendship with her, it’s going to be awkward. I don’t know what came over me and if I lose her as a friend then Elliot won’t want to speak with me and then…” she stopped herself before she could finish that.
“Have you spoke with Leah?”
“No.”
The two sat in an awkward silence. Shane realized he had no clue what to say or how to comfort her.
“I’m sure you can talk it out. You talked about your problem with me and well… I guess we’re friends.”
“So I can call you my friend now” the farmer smiled, temporarily distracted from the previous panic.
“I mean yea. I’m here listening to you and I gave you a top secret stolen Joja recipe.” He laughed, “hey, sorry if i came off as rude when we first met. It takes me a while to warm up to strangers. It’s a lot of effort to be friends with someone. It’s easier to just be alone” Shane continued looking back at that powdery blue rug uncomfortable being slightly vulnerable with no alcohol in his system.
This sudden statement made the farmer smile before Gumbus came up to the both of them grabbing their attention. The fat cat purred against Shane’s leg before hopping onto his lap
“Hey, he likes you!” The farmer laughed, petting the animal. Shane couldn’t ignore the soft warm feeling he got from the innocent animal cozying up next to him
“You’re right Shane. I should talk it out. You’re a good friend.” Shane felt himself get a little pink at the words, he hasn't heard kind words about him in a long time. He kept his gaze focused on the cat to hopefully mask his reaction.
“Thanks.”
“Hey, how about I try to make the recipe while you just relax with Gumbus.”
“What? Are you sure?”
“Yes, besides I’m a control freak in the kitchen it’s better you just relax and enjoy yourself.”
The farmer got up and began collecting the supplies for the dish as Shane now sat with a sleeping cat and realized what happened.
Her and Leah have a thing now? Does that mean Leah will take her attention? Will they still be friends if the Farmer likes Leah?
His thoughts flooded him as he slightly panicked at the idea of possibly losing the friendship of the one person in this town that gave him the time of day.
Out of nowhere a plate of peppers filled with cheese and herbs.
“Okay taste test”
Shane took one of the peppers and the flavor exploded in his mouth. The creamy softness of the cheese and herbs paired with the spice of the peppers flooded his mouth and it was delicious.
“I think you just made my favorite dish” Shane said, going in for a second pepper.
The farmer on the thought hand was struggling with the spice of the pepper, tears in her eyes and only halfway done. She got up and rushed for water.
“Geez, I don't know how you can handle that it’s too spicey.” The farmer leans over in a dramatic defeat, “You can have them all I don’t think I can eat more, here I have a to go container”
“These are mild at best.” Shane laughs before shifting the cat from his lap and onto the couch. He helped the farmer put the remaining peppers in the container.
“Thanks for making these, they’re great”
“Of course, just let me know when you want more, I have a good bit of peppers I doubt I’ll use much for cooking”
“Well, I should be off. Uh- thanks again.” Shane began to walk out the farmer's cabin but stopped at the door, “Just tell Leah what you told me, if she’s a good friend she’d understand.” and then he left.
The farmer stood there, a bit shocked at the good advice Shane blurted before he left. Her heart beat a little faster but she ignored it as she cleaned her kitchen. After the few minutes it took to clean, the farmer decided she should make her way to Leah’s to have the conversation she’s been dreading.
The walk was nerve racking, anxiety building up every step closer she got but before she knew it she was at Leah’s door. She gave a few knocks before waiting. After a while the farmer was going to turn back but of course the click sound of the door stopped her in her tracks.
“[farmer]?” Leah said, looking just as nervous.
“Hey, can we talk about it?”
Leah smiled and motioned the farmer inside where they stood in silence for a bit.
“I’m sorry I kissed you. I don’t know what went through my head, I don’t want this to ruin our friendship.” The farmer blurted.
“I- I should be apologizing for starting it. It’s just-” Leah paused for a moment and looked at the farmer guilty. “I just–I fear I’m attracted to you, but I understand if you just view me as a friend and I value your friendship so much.”
They made eye contact and the farmer breathed for a moment.
“I- oh.” The farmer smiled, “Thank you for telling me. I don’t want to lose you as a friend. I just, I don’t think it’s the right time for me to be in any form of romance right now.”
“Yea I understand, let’s just forget the kiss. It's just us artsy gals being friends.” Leah smiled, she looked slightly sad but she truly does enjoy being friends with the farmer.
“Can I hug you?” The farmer asked looking at Leah, and instead of replying Leah swoops her up in a bear hug.
“Of course, how about the two of us get Elliot and we have a friend's night at the beach?”
The smile returned to the farmer’s face and the weight lifted off of her chest. The rest of the night was spent with Leah and Elliot drinking on the beach and dipping their feet into the water.
The next day the farmer woke up refreshed, no longer feeling the guilt that plagued her mind. She spent most of the day tending to her crops before she went check on her farm animals. As she entered the barn her cows and sheep were happy as can be, some coming up to her waiting for their daily dose of affection. Then she went into the coop where the chickens were more on the annoyed side. Trying to figure out what is upsetting them she realizes they ran out of feed.
“Shoot, I better go get some more, sorry ladies.”
The farmer made her way to Marnie’s store. The sun was bright and warm and the breeze brought a slight shiver down her spine. Autumn in the valley was beautiful, the forest slowly getting ready for winter and the animals are all fattening up.
When the farmer entered Marnie’s home everything felt off, the air was stuff. No one was at the counter but in the corner of her eye she saw Jas in the kitchen. She smiled and walked to Jas before realizing her locked in gaze at Shane's room where she could see Marnie. Marnie's gaze shifted towards the farm and her face looked upset and worried.
“[farmer] can you do something? He’s out cold.”
Then the farmer entered the room and was met with Shane completely knocked out on the floor. Empty beer cans all around him. His hair was a mess and his expression was blank. His stubble was more grown out than what she’s seen before. Before she could think too much, she realized he had her watering can with her and she poured the ice-cold water onto Shane's face, before stooping down to hold his head up.
“Whaaa…” Shane’s eyes finally shot open, and he sat up.
“Shane! What is the matter with you? All you do anymore is mope around your room and drink beer!”
Shane’s eyes went cold, “you wouldn’t get it..”
“What’s your plan? Don’t you ever think about the future? Marnie angrily said, trying to keep a stone face
“Plan? Hopefully I won’t be around long enough to need a ‘plan’...” He grumbled before slowly standing up.
That's when everyone realized Jas entered the room, but was now running out crying, Marnie went after to comfort the girl and the farmer stayed with Shane.
“Jas… I'm sorry.” He said before he sat back down with his hands holding his head trying not to spiral. Then he looked up at the farmer. For the first time the farmer realized he has dark green eyes, not that it was an appropriate moment to bring it up, "I'd like to be alone.” and with that the farmer left Shane and hurried to Jas.
Marnie was holding Jas in her arms in the living room and looked like she was trying not to cry herself.
“I'm sorry baby, you shouldn’t have to see that.”
“I don’t want to l-lose Shane.”
“I know, I don’t either.”
The farmer felt like a fly on the wall, unsure of what to do next. Marnie seemed to have noticed as she turned to face the Farmer.
“I’m sorry you had to see that. Did you need something?”
“Sorry. Ran out of animal feed, but I can come back later.”
“No I can ring you up, it’s still business hours anyway.”
Marnie gave Jas a kiss on the head before trying to ring the farmer up with her shaky hands. The farmer stooped down to Jas and held her hand giving it a tight squeeze.
The sad girl looked up at the farmer before giving her a weak smile.
The farmer got up to go pay and collect the feed.
“I don’t know what to do.” Marnie spoke, “This happens every few months. I truly don’t know what I am supposed to be doing. This can’t be good for Jas either.”
“Is there a therapist near here? I don’t know much about this stuff but a therapist seems like the person to turn to.”
“I suppose you’re right, you can bring the horse to the water but you can’t force it to drink.” Marnie said sadly.
The farmer left the home feeling a heavy sadness consume her. She knew Shane has an alcohol problem but she didn’t realize how bad it really is. How much it affected more people than just him. Her heart felt heavy with hurt thinking about Jas and Marnie, but even more for Shane.
She returned to her farm to feed the now happy chickens and then sat in her kitchen just thinking about what she witnessed.
A/N: Sorry for the hiatus, my work hours doubled last month, and I was dead after every shift. Very rough but I'm a trooper and survived. Everything is peace love and happiness. Not for Shane tho.... xoxo
Prefer ao3? Here
