Here and Forwards Again

BANG BANG BANG! “Oh Bilbo! Open up! I’ve got something absolutely hilarious to tell you!” Fresh paint from the door tickled her nose. “You’ll never believe-”

“No, no, no! I don’t want to hear about whatever absurd thing you did or said or why that damn elf blood makes you some kind of god… or. .. Or who knows what. I’ve had quite enough visitors for the day. Leave me alone!” Bilbo spat from the other side. Poor thing was becoming predictable.

“But-” She was about to tell him what she told the Grubb family, but the door’s stench and color made it difficult to concentrate. “Did you repaint the door? With this ghastly green again? I could have helped you choose a far better color that matches your…” She waved her hand dramatically, “boringness.”

There was silence for more time than she would have liked.

“Are you still there?”

“Yes, yes.” Finally, the door opened to reveal a very tired looking Bilbo. He huffed, putting a hand on his hip. “What do you want?”

“You simply must know what I told the Grubb family a moment ago. They all went absolutely red in the face.” She moved closer to him, expecting him to move aside and let her in.

He didn’t move, didn’t say a thing, just stared at her with those tired eyes. It almost looked as if he hadn’t slept in the past few days. Doubtful.

She finally wormed herself past him. “I mean, they were asking for me to tell them off like I did. You know how stupid their daughter walks, the baby is no sweetheart, and Mr. Grubb seems to put on some extra weight, which is surprising, considering how tiny the family tomatoes are. But really, who am I to judge what food he eats.” She sat on the couch as usual.

“You know…” he began in the most patient tone he could probably muster, “As much as our conversations are…riveting, I really have things to do.” He waved his hand in the air lazily.

It was a shame really, it wasn’t like anything interesting ever happened to him.

“Oh come now, your day was certainly better than what you’re saying. Why, nothing bad ever happens to you. I keep track of these sorts of things, you know.” It wasn’t like anything bad could happen in the perfectness that was the Shire. Obviously, he needed her excitement so as not to go mad.

“Just…come back later, please.” His face drooped further into his tired expression.

“But the Grubb-”

“I don’t care! I apologize, but get out!” He stood up, trying to look far more brave than he could ever be. It was sweet in a way, but also pathetic. Mostly pathetic. Seemed as though her little story would have to wait. Shame—what she told Mrs. Grubb was quite funny, at least to Anathema, not so much the Grubb family.

Finally, Ana waltzed towards the door, too soon to her liking. “Fret not, my friend—” She swung her arm dramatically.

“Acquaintance.” Bilbo interjected. Oh, sweet Bilbo, still thinking that.

“Whatever you say.” She sighed, turning away with a bubbly stride. “I’ll be back later on, once you’re in a better and more reasonable mood.”

“N-No I won’t!” Bilbo yelled back, before slamming the door to most likely fix dinner.

As often as she visited, it always astonished Anathema that he never thought to ask if she’d like some supper. He seemed like the type to do those sorts of things, even for people he was rather disgruntled by. She didn’t blame him. For one, what would the town think of it? They were never thrilled by her lack of manners and bluntness. Idiots they were, could never take some criticism, or sarcasm for that matter.

Bah… It wasn’t like she wanted to be around the townsfolk anyways. She was far too intelligent for the likes of them. Except Bilbo, he was alright. The quiet sort of fellow, never interacted much with others. She supposed that’s why they got on so well.

Well, there was always tea tonight for a better conversation. Deep down, he enjoyed their talks. He must have, otherwise, why didn’t he just slam the door on her? Till then, she’d just wrap up whatever needed to be sold at the market for tomorrow. Just like she did every evening, today, tomorrow, and forever. Like clockwork.

Looking over the never-changing horizon from the top of her and Bilbo’s shared hill, she could see everything. Well, not everything. Couldn’t see Buckland. Nevertheless, she could see everything that any functioning hobbit should. And that was the absolute worst.

Moments like this, made her take a breath and just think. Not that she never didn’t think, but this was different. Depressing in a way. There was so much she couldn’t see, so much she wanted to, but there was no way to see it all. Not without being killed in the process. If childhood stories didn’t push someone away from drifting down a path of adventure, then her personal nightmares with their monstrous sounds definitely did. The sad things of life she supposed. But whatever, it wasn’t like disappointing the neighbors wasn’t fun. She supposed that’s what sunsets did to people, made them all sappy.

Hang on, what was that? From the roads, a small figure in some kind of wrap seemed to be getting closer and closer to Bilbo’s home. They didn’t look like any hobbit Ana had ever seen. Perhaps someone from a neighboring town? Nah, too…blocky? Huh, the closer they got to Bilbo’s door, the taller they looked in comparison to any other hobbit. Perhaps one of the Proudfoot children had a growth spurt?

What a great thing! Someone new. And they’re going to…Bilbo’s home? That made no sense. Why in the world would anyone interesting ever think of going to his house—besides her, of course. They must have gotten the wrong address. Probably intended for her. If that was the case, she should go back over. Even better, she should go home, change into something more presentable, then pop over to Bilbo’s and steal the show with all her natural charm.

Off with a skip in her step she went. Even if they meant to go to Bilbo’s, she still wanted to know what this stranger wanted. This could quite possibly be the only real excitement she would get for the week—maybe a month.

She could only hope Bilbo wouldn’t mind the extra company too much.