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Nera - Pumpkins — Description

“Yes, Yes, I understand and I’ll tell her. Yes, thank you.” Blowing out a breath Amenii hung up the phone and pinched her brow hoping it would ward off the impending headache brewing behind her eyes. “Neeeeerrrrra.”
“Uh oh.” Came Nera’s mocking concern from the bathroom as the as she leaned against the door frame and smiled. “I know that tone. What was it this time? Did your mother not like the pies I sent her way?”
“No. It’s – what pies?” Amenii started then held up her hand before Nera could say more, a blooming smile already beginning to spread over her face. “No, never mind – I don’t want to know.”
“So, who was that then?” Nera tugged at her bath robe sinching it tighter around her waist causing the fabric to tug at her bare breasts. “Is sounded serious.”
Cheeks flushing, it took an effort to keep her eyes on the hyena’s face.
“Stop that.” Amenii pointed scowling. “And it is, that was Farmer Maggot.”
“Oh ho!” Nera exclaimed with a smile. “I bet he had a lot to say, how is that old troll doing?”
“He’s fine.” Amenii huffed before jabbing her finger at Nera. “And, and, made it very clear that you are to stay away from his pumpkin patch this year.”
“Awe, he’s planting pumpkins again this year?” Nera grinned savagely. “That’s sweet.”
“He also said and I quote: to tell that spotty ****** that I wont be using rock salt this year.”
Nera let out a snort of laugher.
“Nera, I think he was being serious.”
“Oh, I hopes so.” Nera laughed dabbing at her eyes as she tried to stifle another outburst. “It’ll make the night even more interesting.”
“Nera!”
“Relax dear.” Nera waved dismissively. “Its not like he could hit the broad side of a barn anyways.”
“Nera.”
“Besides, the tree line is only twenty yards away.”
“Nera.”
“And its not like he’s ever filed any charges before either.”
“That’s not the point!” Amenii erupted. “Can you please give this year a rest? Do you know how many calls I have gotten from Farmer Maggot’s wife? She is getting concerted that her husbands blood pressure is going to go through the roof one of these days and he is going to buy the farm!”
“I do keep telling him he should get out more.”
“He does! He’s been going out every night sense the first of October and to quote: the pumpkins are living in terror!”
This time Nera did laugh, explosively as she curled over hugging her sides. It took her almost a minute to recover even under Amenii’s accusing glare.
“So, you are saying I should stop waving to him when I take my morning jog?”
“It probably wouldn’t hurt.” Amenii planted both hands on her hips. “Just, just for one year can you leave farmer Maggot’s pumpkins alone? Please?”
“Then how are we supposed to get a pumpkin for carving?” Nera smiled as she straightened up. “What about pumpkin pies, and squash soups?”
“We can buy a pumpkin like any normal person would!” Amenii exclaimed throwing her arms up in exasperation. “At the store! With money!”
“Sounds boring.” Nera huffed turning her nose up. “Besides, I always compensate Farmer Maggot for the use of his pumpkin patch, stingy old bastard.”
“That is the only reason he hasn’t been pressing charges all these years!” Amenii snapped, her face flushed red. “How much did it cost last year again? Two, three hundred dollars!”
Nera made a tisking nose and looked away. “That was on off year, Maggot deliberately put all the good pumpkins in shotgun range. I don’t know what he was expecting to happen by doing that.”
“He was expecting you to leave them alone!”
“And I did.” Nera smiled. “Sort of.”
“We had to pay for the entire Sothern patch!” Amenii screamed flailing her arms in frantic jerking spurts. “How – what did – No! Don’t tell me I don’t want to know!”
“Good, and farmer Maggot isn’t talking either. At least his wife seemed to think it was funny.”
“Once! Once is funny!” Amenii blurted out. “This – this is psychological warfa-“
A sudden thumping from the ceiling caused Amenii to break off mid-rant.
“I think the neighbors would appreciate it if you lowered your voice a little.” Nera grinned looking at the ceiling. “Unless you really want to give them something to talk about?”
“Oh no you don’t – hey! Hey! Nera! Help! Get away from me you psychotic pumpkin ripper!”

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It is a long standing tradition to seek out a pumpkin for Halloween, sometimes for carving, pies, or just decoration. Nera is very particular about her pumpkins and finding the right one can take some time.