There's A New Horse In Town. "Let's Do Lunch, Pt. 2"
Part 2 of "Let's Do Lunch."
"Oh, yes, you're just a big, scary horse, aren't you?" Kimi teased, grinning at Clay as he pulled back. "And look at you, all up to date on Internet stuff like that -- the way you talk about yourself, I half expected you to show up with a walker or a cane, Gramps!" Kimi turned, heading back to his car. "Come on now, I didn't bring any beer but you're gonna like the lunch I packed. That is IF we ever get to the park, Clay!"
"Yeah, yeah, you young 'uns, always in such a consarned hurry!" Snorting playfully, Claymore trotted along behind Kimi, heading for the passenger side of the stylish, if rather small, car. Though newer, there were a few dings on the side, as though driven too close sometimes to a fence post or telephone pole. "Cozy little buggy you got here, Kimi, but where am I gonna sit?" Clay quipped. There appeared to be little room for Kimi, let alone a passenger in the front seat, although in the tiny luggage compartment there was a large wicker basket covered in a red check cloth.
"Uh, on your butt?" Kimi grinned, opening the door. "C'mon, I've carted my neighbour around, and she's huge Clay -- if she can squeeze in there, I know you can!" Kimi shut the door after Clay pryed himself into the passenger side, then trotted lightly around to the driver's side. Hopping inside, he buckled up and started the engine. "So, where to, old timer?"
"Go west, young man."
"Funny! Now, really, which way to the park?"
"Like I said, go west. You'll turn right, just ahead on Greeley Avenue. Park's a couple of miles west of the diner."
"Oh, like Horace Greeley, go west, okay, I get it!" Kimi noted, easing the vehicle into traffic. Its acceleration was not only much smoother and quieter than Clay was used to, but also slightly more robust than he'd suspected on seeing the 'green' insignia on the bumper. Kimi turned on the radio, tuned to an Indie rock station. "I'm guessing this isn't quite your style, Clay? You can change the station if you like."
"Nah, no worries. It's a short ride, and I'm sure I can handle...this...for a couple of minutes." He was bobbing his head slightly, listening to a sort of ballad that wasn't bad at all. Not Tom Petty, certainly, but worth a listen. The car rolled through the leafy, quiet neighbourhood west of downtown, climbing upward along a gentle slope. As they left the town limits, the trees became slightly thicker, and their short trip took them through the more wooded hilly area of the county.
"Is that it, Clay?" Kimi asked, indicating a large green sign ahead.
"Yup, Cooper Point Reserve, ahead on the left. Pretty fancy name for clearing on top of the hill with a few barbeque pits, but it's a nice place. So, what's in the basket, horse? I haven't eaten in four hours, you know!"
Kimi laughed as he eased into the left hand turn lane to enter the park, "Oh, you'll find out soon enough! Now, where can I park this-oh, nevermind!" He'd spotted the nearly-empty lot and found a shady space under a massive red oak tree, pulling in and setting the brake. He hopped out, putting his hand over his eyes like a visor as he looked around the park. "This is beautiful, Clay, what an amazing view of the valley! I'll bet it's even more spectacular at night."
"It really is. There's a rock quarry just beyond the base of the hill to the west, and you can see quarry lights reflecting in the pond. Beyond that, over the trees the city lights from State College are clearly visible, and it's beautiful on a moonless night. There's a bench over there," Claymore gestured to his right, "sometimes I'll come here and just sit and think for a while. Now, how about we find a table?" His nostrils were flaring as he tried to smell just exactly what Kimi had prepared for lunch.
"C'mon, Clay! It's a PICNIC! Look, I brought a sheet and everything, I want to sit on the ground and eat." Kimi held the large basket up, showing the checked sheet but nothing of the basket's contents.
Claymore huffed, shaking his head. "Share with the ants, huh? All right, if you inisist, just over there should be as good a spot as any then." Pointing to a clearing with a clear view of the valley below, Clay was already heading there.