Creatively Harper.

“What’s you’ve dogs name? I’ve thought about getting a studio cat. Maybe you can help me choose one?” A dog seemed like a little too much maintenance for Karna, not that she didn’t love the animals . She just didn’t want to own one. “You seen like a great judge of character.”  A lot of that must’ve come from her adoptive parents. Sometimes, Karna would try to find the similarities between her and Harper.  Not just the physical. they both like dart, and seemed quite passive, but most she had to tribute to her other parents. The ones who raised her to ge such a brilliant young woman. Hopefully, though, she could pass on some of her treats, now that they were together. “ yeah, I’ve had quite a few phases in my life too. Like wearing UGG boots and infinity scarves in the 2000s.” She admitted with a laughm “What should we do for the holidays this year? I’d love to have you for dinner and maybe you could stay over for presents too? I still haven’t decorated my tree. I could use some help.”

“Her name is Jazzy.” Harper explained as she loved that golden retriever fiercely. “Sure, I could help.” She added even though she didn’t know a whole lot about cats. Harper’s knowledge on cats in general was mainly just which ones she thought looked cute and which ones did not. She knew there were more to them than that.  “I would like to think that I am.” Harper said as she often felt that she had good instincts at least. The woman had always been good at observing things that were going on around her. She felt that it went hand in hand with trying to find the beauty in the world. “I am sure that was quite the sight to see.” She said with a chuckle. Harper was too young to remember most of the early 2000s as she’d been born right before the millennium.  “That sounds like it would be lovely. I am not sure if my parents are coming up or not.” Harper added as she’d been hoping they would, but it seemed they were going to likely see her brother instead. “I’d like to help with your tree and things either way.”

Asher was looking for a gif for his aunt, his uncle, his best friend, and Rosemary. It was their first Christmas back as friends, or whatever you’d call them. He wanted to get her something special for Christmas, and knew it needed to be just right. “The problem is, as good as socks are, it needs to be the most perfect gift” he said looking at Harper. “Rosie deserves nothing but the best.” 

Harper nodded at the man’s words. “I guess I can understand wanting to get someone the perfect thing.” She replied as right now she was in that boat when it came to Karna. This was her first Christmas with the woman in her life, and she wanted to get things right. “Maybe you need to get her a really pretty necklace in her favorite color or something?” Harper suggested as she’d seen the woman in question around town with jewelry on before.

“You’re a real life savor, Harp.” Shelby had no idea what she was doing really. Thankfully Harper was there to make sure things went smoothly. “I’ve never really planned one of these.” She was an okay cook, but her skills were being handy around the banana house. Fixing things. “Maybe we should grab one more bottle of wine? I feel like we’re gonna need it. Are you inviting anyone over to join us? We’ve got enough for a couple guests. I invited Jamey’s sister Sophie when I saw her the other day. I hope that’s okay?”

“I am just trying my best.” Harper replied as she’d gone to enough turkey dinners to know what the staple food were. It was when it came to all the cooking of fancy things she had no idea what to do.  “Another bottle of wine is never a bad idea.” Harper said with a nod of her head. “I haven’t invited anyone else over, but the more the merrier.” She replied as she really didn’t have anyone to ask but she was happy to have more people. Her life was just complicated at the moment.

“That sale price is what had me looking at it anyways.” she laughed, looking back at the other for a moment. “Well, actually, a curious four year old is actually what had me looking at lipsticks, but, I won’t lie and say this color didn’t catch my eye. I’ll definitely get one, thank you.” she nodded, offering the other a small smile. She noticed she was standing in front of the foundation and she smiled in her direction, nodding towards them. “Would you like my recommendation for a good foundation?” she questioned. “I don’t want to pry, but, I’ve bought almost every brand in here and I could help you pick one that is worth the money if you’d like.” 

“A good sale can be hard to resist.” Harper said as that was the trap. People always wanted to buy things when they were on sale because they were afraid to lose out on a good deal. However often the things were still more expensive than they should be. She let out a small chuckle. “It seems kids are good at that sort of thing.” She agreed as Harper knew there were times when she was a young kid that she’d done that sort of thing.  “I have been meaning to try something new, so I am open to suggestions.” Harper replied as she hadn’t been happy with the last brand that she had bought. 

Leanne was so proud of Harper and far she’d come into her own since she’d met the reserved young girl who’s come to town trying to piece together her past. It was clear she’d done that and then some. She’d found herself in search of her mother. “You need a better coat.” Her motherly worried came out. “The markets open down town, I was thinking I might take a gander if you’d like to join? I need to pick up something for Rosemary. Maybe we could find something for your mom there too?” The offer was always on the table. Leanne loved spending time with Harper. “Really? That’s incredible. With all this work you’re getting, maybe you should consider opening up your studio. I’m sure your mom could help with that?” Leanne would certainly fund it too. “ I’m really glad. You deserve to feel like you belong and have this with her.  I’m sure she’s really glad to have you too.”

“I guess I had just forgotten how cold winters are here.” Harper replied but it was also just because she was stubborn. The woman didn’t like admitting how cold it was because she felt if she denied it, it wouldn’t be that bad.   “That isn’t a bad idea.” She replied as Harper knew the market had just about anything. It was a good place to start as far as finding gifts and things went.  She just hoped that she would  find something that Karna actually liked. Harper had never considered herself much of a gift giver if she was being honest.  “I’d love to open up a studio, but that’s a huge step.” Harper added as she was still scared to fail. While things were going well now, that didn’t mean they were going to forever. It was a lot of money to put on the line. “It’s just nice to know where I came from.”

“Wait. You leave in Maine and you don’t already own a parka? I thought those were basically a requirement to live in this state,” Sophie joked. Growing up she had always made sure that her and her siblings had warm jackets during the winter even if it meant stealing one. “Yeah. So what’s new with you? I feel like I haven’t seen you for a while.”

“I have been putting it off, but I can’t avoid it any longer.” Harper replied as after living here for two winters now she’s realized it gets colder than she wants to deal with on any given day. Which was fine. “I have been spending a lot of time locked in my house and working on art projects. I am hoping to have an art show soon.”

“They sound wonderful.” There was no malice to her town, but a little bit of sadness. The more she got snow, Harper, and hear about the life she had the harder it made things for Karna. She was glad they’d been so good to her baby, but at times felt like she would never be able to measure up to the perfect adoptive parents that Harper had grown up with. “A cat sounds perrrfect.” She couldn’t resist the pun. “I’ve always wanted a cat honestly. What about you, do you have any pets?” Something else she realize she didn’t know about Harper. “Oh my gosh, I bet you were adorable.” Picturing, Harper, much younger, running around with wings on it was enough to bring tears to the woman’s size. Though she tried to hide them from her daughter. “ I liked pixies when I was younger. Are you still into wings?” She asked, trying to think if she seen any pop up in her art before.

“They really are.” Harper replied as she knew that it took a special type of person to bring someone else’s child into your home. It was something her parents had done three times, and made each of those children into a family. “I have a dog back home, but I don’t have any pets here.” She replied as her parents had always had dogs while she was growing up. Harper had loved having furry companions. “I am sure there are pictures somewhere so I will have to find them.” Harper replied as her parents were the type of people to take  pictures of just about everything. Which might have been annoying when it was happening, but was something she was thankful for now. “I think it was more of a phase than anything.”

Harper walked through the Winter Market as she tried to find gifts for everyone on her list. She felt there was a lot of people she had to shop for this year, and Harper was thankful for the fact that she was growing a little community for herself in Bridgeport. The small town felt like home to her and she imagined staying here for a long time. She found herself looking at a stall that had a variety of warm socks and bumped into someone’s hand as they reached for the same pair. “You know, you really can’t go wrong with a pair of good socks.”

Harper walked through the park and looked at all of the lights that were setup. It seemed the town has gone all out once again, and she was not surprised. Harper had grown used to the festivities that happened every year.  As she looked around she noticed Mic, unsure if he was here to look at the lights or to just cut through the park to go home. Either way, Harper found herself gravitating towards the man. A habit she knew there was no point in denying. “There are so many lights that it would look like Noon even in the middle of the night.” She said as it looked light out due to all the shimmering things. 

WHERE: Any convenience store WITH: Anyone @bridgeporthqstarters​

Anni was browsing the make-up area of the local convenience store, something she didn’t do often as she was good at keeping things on backstock at home. But, with a four year old at home, things didn’t always go as planned as Hallie was a curious child and the curiosity had resulted of her playing in her mother’s make up, ruining the tube of lipstick Anni had just opened. While it had been frustrating, she was thankful that there were places like this in town that she could buy things from when she was desperate. What she hadn’t been expecting was the deal on the lipsticks, so while she had the color she needed to replace in her hand already, she couldn’t help but to take part of the deal and stock up on other colors and branch out a little. Bringing the tester swab up to her lips, she looked in the mirror for a second, making a face of uncertainty. She didn’t quite know if this color was the one she needed to select, and she turned around, offering the person next to her a small smile. “Excuse me?” she asked, looking back in the mirror for a moment. “Do you think this color suits me alright?” 

Harper had come to the store because she had a sudden craving for beef jerky. This was the closest place to her house that she could get it, so she often popped in here for either that or something else. While she was here she figured that she should drop by and get a few more things which was how she had ended up in the makeup aisle.  She was looking at different shades of foundation and trying to find one to match her skin tone when she heard the other woman speak. Harper turned to face her in order to get a better look at what they were working with. “It looks great, you should get it.” Harper told Anni as she felt that the color suited her quite well. She noticed that the lipsticks were on sale. “Especially at that price, it would be a shame not to.”

Sophie grinned when she saw someone familiar. Harper. Her brother’s roommate. Someone who had a good influence on her brother which was something he needed. “As little Rainey told her Uncle Jamey the other day winter is here. You’d think it would get warmer as the day went on, but I think Mother Nature likes to play tricks on us. I just hope she doesn’t give us a blizzard,” she joked.

“It is seeming that way.” Harper replied as she just needed to readjust to the weather again. “I think I am going to buy myself a parka or something this year.” She added as at least then she wouldn’t be overly cold all of the time.  “Yeah, a blizzard wouldn’t be ideal.”  Harper said with a shake of her head.

“Yeah, it definitely makes sense on a fashionable level, but on a comfort level, not so much.” she laughed, shuttering internally of all the materials that made her skin itch with how irritating it was to wear. One thing about New York that Nia never understood was how irritating the fabric was, but, she had to admit that everyone looked great. “Honestly, I can say that with the fancy parties you’re not missing much. Just a bunch of people with money and fancy cocktails that have too much time on their hands. Most people don’t leave those parties unattended. Thankfully though for me I was always married so I never had to worry about that.” she laughed. “Maybe we should throw our own tacky Christmas sweater party. Or, mention it to time square. With two of the people in town having never really experienced it, maybe it’s safe to say that we aren’t the only two.”

“I guess in the big cities people don’t care about being comfy. It is more about impressing people.” Harper replied as it mainly just boiled down to her not caring about fashion that much in general. “Fancy drinks I could get behind, but I am not sure I could handle the rest of it honestly. I feel like a lot of people with money would look down on me.” She replied as it wasn’t as though she had the type of career most of those sort of people found impressive.  “I am sure that is the type of thing Leanne would get behind honestly. Maybe I should mention it to the town planning committee and see what happens.”  Harper replied because she knew that Nia had a point. It was the type of thing that was easy enough to do, and they likely weren’t the only ones who’d never done so before. 

Harper was on her way down the street towards her house when she noticed a familiar face coming towards her. “Hey, how’s it going?” She asked her roommate’s sister. She was not sure if Sophie was on her way home from visiting Jamey, or just out and about.  “I swear it got about ten degrees colder today. Which makes no sense, because isn’t it supposed to get warmer as the day goes on?” 

WHERE: Blush Boutique WITH: @bridgeporthqstarters​

“You know, I was always more of a classic holiday outfit kind of person. You know, sparkles, sequins, anything sparkly as New York hosts a ton of parties that require you to dress up. I’ve always preferred fancy dresses, but this year I thought I might go for a nice sweater. Something holiday feels that I can wear all winter long, but this is the first thing I picked up.” she laughed. “And I think the saddest part of it all is that I don’t even hate it.” she added. “Good thing it’s pretty festive. What do you think. Are you a tacky Christmas sweater person?” 

“I can see why sparkles and sequins would be all the rage in a big city.” Harper replied, not that she’d ever actually spent that much time in one personally. She just knew that cities seemed to have higher-end parties than what she was used to.  “I usually tend to lean towards whatever is the most comfortable. I’ve never been one for fancy dresses and all that jazz.” She added with a shrug.  “Then again, I’ve never really done the tacky Christmas sweater thing either. Maybe I am missing out.” 

“Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” She welcomed the young woman with open arms for a fiercely warm hug she didn’t want to break too soon. She’s missed her too. Her recovery has been hard at first, and it would be a long one but she was finally feeling more like herself. Which meant catching up with those dear to her. The bond she shared with Harper was precious to the woman. “ Ohh! I am frozen to the bone. It sure is pretty out though.” She looked out the windows before turning to the girl.. “ You look wonderful. How have you been? I want to hear how things are going with your art and your mom.” 

Harper returned the hug happily. Leanne had been one of her biggest supporters when she first moved to town, and it wasn’t something that she  was ever going to forget. “Good I am glad.” She replied with a soft smile. Harper was just thankful for the fact that Leanne seemed to be doing a lot better now that her recovery was coming along. “Yeah, it does seem like the cold weather is here to stay now.” She added with a nod. Harper still wasn’t used to the cold, even after two years here.  “I have been doing pretty good. I have commissioned a few more art pieces over the last couple of months, so I feel my art is going well.” Harper said as she was feeling pretty good about her art. “I think things with Karna are going well too.”

Wellerman and sons

Stasus: OPEN

Shelby was picking up a few items for the Friendsgiving for her and her roommates at the Banana house. Considering they were all on a budget, they would be having picante chicken flavored Ramen in place of Turkey as the main course with instant mashed potatoes and can of Cranberry sauce for the sides. After securing some wine she found herself eyeing a container of Whoopie pies in the bakery asle.“Do you think you could pass me one of those?” She asked the fellow shopper, not wanting to reach in front of them.

@bridgeporthqstarters

Harper was looking forward to their Friendsgiving. Which is why she was fine with being here and trying to help Shelby get all the stuff.   “Yeah sure, here you go.” She replied as she handed over the pies. “I think we might have everything we need now.” Harper said as she looked into the cart to make sure they had everything on the list. “Just looking at all of this stuff makes me hungry.”

 “I can see how that can be a little complicated.” Verity  told her as she figured Harper needed to  figure out a lot of logistical aspects on her part. “But I am sure your parents know that it isn’t anything they have done that led you  to want to find your birthmother?”  She asked her out of curiosity. “I think it is natural?” At least she assumed it would be. “Yeah I guess there is that, which is good on my wallet as it allows me to  save and one day hopefully do my makeup course.”

“I know I am probably overthinking it, but it’s hard not to.” Harper replied as she knew that it was something she’d been thinking about her entire life. Now that there was a possibility of it actually happening, it was hard not to overthink everything.  “I think it is probably natural to want to, but most people don’t move across the country to find their mother.”  She replied as Harper had gone to an extreme. “That is very true, it also doesn’t hurt that Leanne gives as a really affordable rent rate.”