WHO: Justine and OPEN WHAT: Exploring! WHEN: Sunday evening, after going to the doctor WHERE: The Streets WARNINGS: TBD STATUS: Open/Ongoing
The medicine the doctor had her on made her feel...loopy. There was no other word for it. So after sitting around in the house for a few hours, Justine decided that maybe some fresh air might be the best antidote to this feeling. Slipping on her shoes, she stepped out into the blast furnace that was Southern Indiana in mid-summer, looking up at the gathering clouds and hoping they'd bring some relief by the end of the day.
The sidewalks were bumpy, but walkable, and it felt good to get some exercise, despite the heat. She still wasn't in any shape to be walking marathons, but a nice slow walk would be good for her.
She walked a bit, ducking inside a Baskin-Robbins to grab some mint-chocolate chip ice cream, before continuing her walk east, towards the rather stately Court House. It was a small place, Madison Valley, but the people she met on the street seemed friendly, and a few even took the time to engage her in casual conversation before continuing on their ways. It was strange, but not uncomfortable.
She turned down towards the river at the courthouse, the sidewalk turning steeper as she did. She walked on, down towards the Post Office, which had a big sign taped on the door stating that all outgoing mail was cancelled, and then the last couple blocks until she reached the River Walk. Across the river a tall hill climbed up out of the valley into Milton, Kentucky, cars drove back and forth, containing people who apparently didn't know about their predicament. How strange it was - it was almost as if they were...veiled.
Sitting on one of the benches donated by a dentist, she sat and finished her ice cream, watching the people walking their dogs, jogging, or pushing baby strollers. It would almost be...picturesque, if not for the underlying quality of strange that surrounded them. She wished beyond all of her wishing that Thomas were here. She wasn't afraid, but she'd certainly be more comfortable if he were. Things just seemed...more right when he was around. But she would make do without him, if she had to. She had for years, and she could for years to come. Looking up, she saw another person coming by without a dog or a stroller, and smiled, wondering if they were one of the refugees, too.