Swamp coolers

My god has it been HOT. It's not even the end of may and we are experiencing temperatures in the friggin 80's. I hope that this is not an indicator of the summer.

Because of the heat my dad started up the swamp cooler yesterday. Now if you don't know what a swamp cooler is, it is a big humidifier. Since it is so dry out here just adding moisture to the air is usually enough to cool.

Now I said that hope that this heat is not expected all summer. This is because once the rainy season hits the swamp coolers are worth squat. If it is already humid then humidifying is worthless.

I hope it cools down some.

Last chapter of part 2.

Torn

39

The day had turned hot and humid. Eventually they were uncomfortable out on the patio. They retreated to the air conditioning of the house.

Maureen was becoming increasingly frustrated. She was able to control very small pockets of air, and was getting better with air and fire, but still had no success whatsoever with earth or water.

Julius had set the glass of water in front of her again. She stared at it, trying to make it do something.

She thought that she was getting somewhere. The surface of the water appeared to ripple, and then flames erupted on the surface.

She gave up, disgusted. The flames fizzled out.

“I can’t do it.”

Julius merely looked at her. He had argued the statement before and was not in the mood to argue it again.

“I’m telling you Julius, I just can’t do it.”

“Nonsense!”

Maureen was surprised at the sudden forcefulness in Julius’ voice.

“Kyra, I know that you are having a hard time at this. But you need to get past these feelings of inability. You will never get this if you believe that you can’t do it.”

Julius walked out of the room.

Maureen sat in stunned silence. She didn’t know what to say or do.

Soon enough Julius reentered the room. He found Maureen concentrating on the glass of water.

She hadn’t noticed him, so he walked back out to the patio. He sat down in one of the chairs. He was starting to worry, he wondered if she had enough time. Could she learn enough magic to defend herself?

He lost track of time sitting there.

He was brought to the present when he heard her approaching footsteps.

He turned to face her. “Any luck?”

Her scowl and silence were answer enough.

He went into the kitchen, got what he wanted and returned.

He walked up to Maureen and before she knew it she had the contents of a glass of water flying at her.

She was drenched, and understandably angry

“What was that for?”

“To make sure you weren’t faking the inability to work with water.”

“Why in God’s name would I fake something like that?”

“Because you are convinced that you can’t work with water.”

“So are you satisfied now?”

“No.”

“Why the hell not?”

“Because I won’t be until you can work with water. I can see that other methods are failing, so we’re going to teach you how to block water.” He then threw another glass at her.

Doubly drenched Maureen went into the house to look for a towel.

***

It was close to an hour before she returned to the patio.

She had changed to a lightweight summer dress that close fit her body.

Julius couldn’t help but stare.

“Don’t you dare throw more water on me.”

Julius gawked at her. “Are you still upset about that?”

He barely got the question out before his face was dripping.

“Gotcha.”

“I can’t say that I didn’t deserve it, but you still need to work on your water and earth magic.”

“We’ll work on water tomorrow. I have a better idea than throwing glasses of water at each other.”

“So then do you plan to work with earth and air for the rest of today?”

“Maybe later, but while I was inside cooling off I remembered something you said earlier. I want you to clarify.”

Julius thought back to what he had said since he had met her, but could think of nothing right away that she would have questions about.

Finally, “Ok, what is it?”

“When I first met you I asked if you had a family. You said that you had a mate, but no offspring. Is that the truth, or were you trying to protect me?”

Julius walked over to her and with her chin cupped in his hand he raised her face so that he could look into her eyes.

“I would never lie to you. I may omit some truths in order to protect you, but I would never lie.”

“So you really do have a mate back home?”

“Yes, I do.” He let go of her.

“Does she know? Know about… about…?”

He moved back to the chair, and sat down. “Yes. I didn’t feel right not telling her about it. She was aware from the beginning. She knew that there would always be a place in my heart for you.”

“And she still let you come here?”

“Yes. She knows what is in my heart. She knows that I care deeply for her and wouldn’t betray her.”

Maureen smiled.

“Tell me about her.”

Julius was confused. “Why?”

“Because I want to know.”

“Ok.

To start off, she is nothing like you were. You were demure and proper, with a fierce core. She is very opinionated, and doesn’t care who hears. But she hides behind this shell as her she lacks the confidence that you had.”

“Is she from the community?”

“No. Her community was attacked. The situation prevented them from rebuilding and they were forced to scatter to other communities that could take in refugees.”

“Do you love her?”

Julius was shocked at the forwardness of the question. He was silent as her considered how to answer the question.

“She is my mate. I love her as such. I love her as a friend. The love isn’t as strong as ours was, but I am comfortable in it.”

Maureen was satisfied.

“Anything else?”

Maureen shook her head.

“Good, let’s get you ready to fight.”