1963-07-15 - The Broad Side of a Barn
Summary: Sam picks a spot for his and Nancy's proposed stable. Logan, Jubilee, and Jean show up for refreshments and to debate the merits of keeping horses.
Related: Book Learnin'
Theme Song: None
jubilee cannonball logan jean 


Wearing a light gray Xavier Institute tank top and a pair of school-issued gym shorts, Sam Guthrie has been pacing around in the rear grounds for the better part of half an hour. He'll pick out a fairly large cleared area, then start pacing around its perimeter deliberately, counting out measured steps to outline a defined rectangle. He has gone through this process three times already, each time coming to some obstruction, staring at it for several seconds with his hands on his hips, then moving to another area. Now he's on a very gently sloped grassy area overlooking the lake, pacing and counting once again. Fourth time's the charm?

*

Jubilee decides to do the only sensible thing when it's as humid as… this. WEaring something less school-issued, a simple white and red flower-print wrap, over blue and yellow horizontally-striped bikini, she comes on out onto the ground. On the way toward the lake, wearing big, brown sunglasses and carrying a small cooler, she stops to watch what Sam is doing.

*

School issued! Jean probably was the only one who wasn't wearing anything school issued. The shorts looked like they came from Macy's.. which it did.. and a nice off colored tank top that's all frilly upon the sides. Her hair was up in a high ponytail, her feet bare as all get out and probably collecting dirt. On the tray that she carries was a huge pouring glass of lemonade. Another of ice. A few cups here and there for those to partake, and beneath her arm were a box of muffins. No, Jean didn't make them. She went out and actually bought them.

She settles down upon the middle of the grass not too far from Jubilee; if anyone felt like getting a glass and muffin that was all up to them! Jean was just here to at least get a tan. As much as gingers could.

*

Logan comes down from where he's been working on his cabin, clad in his usual wifebeater, jeans and boots. He has a cheroot at the corner of his mouth, half-chewed and trailing smoke behind him. He sees the girls starting to settle out for some suntanning and shakes his head in amusement. Why anybody'd give a damn what color their skin got, he couldn't figure in the least. But long as they were happy, he guesses.

He swings in the house for a quick moment to grab a beer, coming back out with a longneck and then pausing to stare at Sam, just at the perimeter of whatever he's walking. "What the blazes you up to, country?"

*

Finally, Sam reaches the fourth corner of this rectangle he keeps trying to walk without hitting anything, stops his interminable pacing, and grins, satisfied. Looking up when Logan addresses him, he realizes that he has attracted an audience and goes a bit pink in the face, suddenly aware of just how bizarre his recent activity must have looked. He doesn't even bat an eye at the nickname — a folksy handle isn't anything he's going to object to.

"Ah think we got a spot for the barn," he explains to Logan sheepishly, before cupping his hands over his mouth and repeating the statement, louder, for Jubilee and Jean's benefit. He's not crazy! Honest!

"Nancy 'n me did a little math to figure out how big around it would have to be, so Ah thought Ah'd pace it out and decide where it could go," he continues. The farm boy points to the area whose perimeter he just walked, shading his eyes with the other hand. "Got a real nice view, and it's handy to some lawn we could fence in and turn into a pasture, plus some trees for shade. With a little hard work, Ah reckon it'll be a regular horse heaven."

*

Jubilee is less out to get a tan, than she is to make the most of this sticky weather. She picks a spot, near the others, and settles in. She takes her wrap off, lays out a thin towel, and lays on her back on it. Kicking back, sandals removed, she sighs, and goes into her cooler to get a cold can of coke to crack open. Logan gets a smile and a wave. "Hey big guy, want a Coke. Promise you don't have to tan to do it." Then to Sam. "Same goes for all of you, thought I don't understand why we need a barn here." And finally Jean "But it looks like you brought stuff too."

*

"Eh. It's nothing but some lemonade. Not too sweet though." Jean comments to Jube. But Sam was wanting a barn. This had Jean confused. In fact, there was an eclectic mix going on on the grounds.. so..

"Why do we need a barn?" She asks outloud, scooting herself closer to her lemonade to pour herself a glass, even dropping a few cubes in to chill. She didn't sound accusatory, she was just curious.

*

Logan raises an eyebrow, "I don't mean add to the rain on yer parade, bub, but I gotta agree with Jeannie there - this ain't exactly a farm. I mean, I like horses an' all, but they got these things called automobiles nowadays," he says. "Go a bit faster an' they don't leave shit lyin' around the yard," he says.

To Jubilee's offer, he lifts his beer, "I'm good, darlin', but thanks all the same," he says, "You just got a hankerin' to go ridin', Sammy?"

*

For his part, Sam seems content to stick with his double-decker farmer's tan, with lines at mid upper arm and shoulder delineating tees and sleeveless shirts. Someday, someone might clue him in that this is not the best look, but for now, the boy is as blissfully ignorant as he is devoted to the outdoors.

"Well, Ah was talkin' to the Professor about getting some horses for the school," Guthrie explains to the others. "Ah thought it'd be a fun way to explore all this land, and get some of the kids outside who don't take to it without a nudge. Mr. Xavier said he'd think about it if Ah put together a plan to take care of 'em." Sam's eyebrows inch together and upward and he hesitantly asks, "Ah mean, it ain't just me, right? Wouldn't y'all like to have some horses to ride on a nice day like this?"

Sam's outdoor activities so far today have been pretty leisurely, by his standards, but he's not going to say no to a generous offer of an icy lemonade or a frosty Coke. But, with both on the table, he has to! He looks back and forth between the cooler and the tray a few times, trying to come to a decision.

No need to go into the details: it's probably not a big surprise to anyone present that he ends up with a bottle in one hand and a glass in the other, going through the maximum amount of awkwardness on the way there.

*

Jubilee holds the lid open to let Sam grab a coke, then closes it back up again. Got to try to keep what's left, at least chilled. Then sipping her own, she snickers. "Oh my gosh I'm glad nobody tried to make me ride a horse in school." Then Logan gets a slow, long lok, her face gradually getting a grin. "I should pack more beer and less Coke." Stretching out a bit, laying back, she sighs softly, as the slight breeze there is, helps.

*

The poured glass was lifted and given to Sam with a slight smile, his awkwardness was just highly adorable. Though that does give her a moment of realization. A 'what if'.. as you were. She stands from the ground, reaching for the coke and the glass, beckoning with her fingers. "Let's try mixing it." Is this something new? Who knows. At least the coke would have a lemony kick.

"I think I would love to ride a horse." Jean didn't tell anyone, but she -could- generally talk and sway animals if she could. It was weird. It reminded her of snow white. "I'd like to help with that. I think it'll bring a little bit of calm for the rest of us."

*

Logan raises an eyebrow, "I ain't got a problem with it, it ain't my property. But I ain't gonna be the one shovellin' their shit and balin' their hay. I done my time wit' that particular habit," he says.

He kneels a bit, "I just wanna make sure it ain't like a little kid wantin' a puppy, where it's all cute at first but six months later, the kids get bored and Mama an' Daddy's the ones left gotta feed the thing," he says.

*

"Aw, you gotta be kiddin' me. A girl who don't like horses?" Guthrie puzzles over Jubilee's statement, putting his hands on his hips. "Ain't never heard of such a thing. Y'ever been around a horse?" He shakes his head and grins, continuing with confidence, "Don't ask me why, but girls and cats both get along with horses like you wouldn't believe. Just give it a chance, Jubi — Ah bet you'll love 'em once you meet 'em."

Jean's comment about the calming effect this project could have gets a more solemn nod. Really, that's a good part of why Sam wanted to focus on it now: they could all use something to quiet their nerves after what happened to the Lewistons.

Logan's objections elicit a raised eyebrow from Guthrie. "Seriously, Mr. Logan? Y'think Ah'm gonna shy away from takin' care of a few animals?" he asks. "How exactly d'you think Ah was raised?" With a quick snort, he adds, "After lookin' after ten brothers 'n sisters, a few horses'll be a walk in the park."

The farm boy eyes Jean skeptically, but doesn't object when she reaches out for his drinks. After she works her unholy alchemy with the beverages, he lifts the mixed glass to his lips and takes a tentative sip. "It's—" He was ready with a prepared fib to preserve her feelings, but then blinks in surprise. "Wait, it's actually not terrible," he says with candor. For whatever reason, he expected otherwise from a Jean-proposed recipe.

*

Jubilee laughs aloud, getting back up on her elbows and lifting her sunglasses to tease. "It's actually not terrible. Best complement ever." Then laying back again, sunglasses back in place, she watches Logan, getting very comfortable again. "That's a good point. Start small. Just one horse."

*

Jean grins at Logan, finishing up with that concoction which was soon handed off to Sam. "I'd love to have a puppy too." Puppies could help corral the horses right? Or maybe she was mistaken. But the thoughts that she has now about the horses and the pups were all soothing. And it was Sam and Logan's fault.

"You really like it?" She asks Sam, reaching out to take the glass to take a sip and.. woah. It wasn't the most delicious thing that she's ever had but she certainly is.. well, thinking. "This.. wow. Not bad.." She takes another sip, then hands it right back to Sam. It was like a sort of inspiration to try harder in the kitchen!

*

Logan cocks his head, "I think that you were brought here to learn, not to do chores. I think you're better off usin' your brain in the evenin' instead o' sweatin' yer butt off with a pitchfork," he says. "I ain't accusin' you o' bein' lazy, son. I'm tellin' you there might be better uses o' your time. Matter of fact, if the horse barn does become a thing, I'd rather other kids who can use the experience do it. I'd rather see rich boy Worthington down here shovellin' shit than a kid who done it all his life. Broaden some flamin' horizons," he says.

Content with his beer, he sits and takes a drink, as much to take a breath as anything. He's feelin' a little rambunctious today, and he can't let Sam get him riled up.

*

"Now, y'all, Ah been takin' care of livestock since Ah was big enough to lift a feed bag," Sam protests, all of Jubilee's skepticism starting to leave him a little hurt. "Ain't no call to doubt my ability to take care of a half-dozen horses, and that's assumin' Ah'm the only one in the whole datgum school even botherin'."

He can't help but snicker at the image Logan conjures up, though. "Well… Ah won't say Ah'd object to some assistance from the city kids," he admits with a lopsided grin. Even the possibility of spending more time stuck in the classroom doesn't dull the shine on that prospect.

He grins even wider at Jean's enthusiasm over the drink, letting her have as much of it as she wants. "Y'did good," he agrees with her. Let's just hope it's an inspiration to not only try harder, but do better in the kitchen. He's usually in there before breakfast, and happy to offer up pointers.

*

Jubilee laughs a bit, and sits up again, to lift her glasses once more. "Oh Sam. I'd never accuse you of thinking before you talk, or being bad at taking care of animals. But I don't think that's what he means It's just that… if this is here, then the whole school and Institute are responsible for it. That's a big deal. You're not here to be a farmer are you? You could have done that back home."

*

There was a look towards Jubes and Logan as they both speak, her head shaking as she takes one more sip of the fabled drink, then hands it right back to Sam, done with it for now. She was refreshed, feeling better, and stepping away again to sit crossed legged near by her tray of lemonade. She leans back, one leg crossed along the other.. then shrugs.

"I think if he puts his mind to it, he could do whatever he wants. If he could do his lessons and be a farmer here to take care of horses, why should we say no? I was reading in one of the psychology books that animal companions could help with mental trauma and recovery. They're considered safe havens. Angels almost." She shrugs. "But what do I know, I'm dumb."

*

Logan narrows his eyes, "You ain't dumb," he says to Jean, perhaps a little sharply. He looks out over the water and shrugs, "But hell, what do I know? I ain't even really a teacher here. Just the ol' roughneck who hangs around in case a scrap breaks out. Ain't my decision anyhow," he says.

He finishes up his beer and pushes back to his feet, "Prob'ly best get back to wood choppin'. You kids be good now."

*

Sam gives Logan a friendly wave. "Well, it ain't like Ah'm gonna sneak a barn and a herd of horses onto the Professor's yard in the dead o' night," he says to Jubilee with a smile and a shrug. "Ah asked about it, he said Ah should come up with a proposal, so that's what Ah'm doin'. If he ain't satisfied with my plans, or if he decides he just don't want horses, that's that."

The lanky boy spreads his hands. "Maybe he just asked for a plan to make me think before Ah talk, for once," he suggests, his tone playful. "But c'mon, now, Jean, you know you're smart. We talked about this the other day. You shouldn't say stuff like that about yourself — it just ain't true."

After hefting his drink to take another long sip, he says, "Anyway, Ah better get back inside and sketch in the site on a map, so's Ah won't forget where it was," he says, leaning back to spread his arms in a chest stretch. "See y'all later."

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