Scribes & Archers

Jake is another character from the Memories & Photographs short story series. Unfortunately the story he’s introduced in (Pumpkin Spice & Fallen Leaves) never actually got finished and posted, but he’s briefly mentioned in Rainy Days & Coffee Grounds, if I remember correctly. Anywho… He works for Livi’s grandparents on their farm in Maryland, and the two of them are really good friends. He’s basically a part of her family. I hope you enjoy his interview. :)

---

Jake: *comes in and takes a seat across from the interviewer with a grin* *in a British accent* Hello.

Interviewer: *returns the smile* Hi there. How are you?

Jake: I’m doing quite well. How are you?

Interviewer: I’m good. Are you ready to get started?

Jake: *nods* Ready when you are.

Interviewer: What’s your name?

Jake: Jacob Grisham. Almost everyone calls me Jake.

Interviewer: How old are you?

Jake: Sixteen and a half.

Interviewer: Do you have any siblings?

Jake: No, but I’ve always wanted a little sister. Livi and I used to pretend I was her older brother. *chuckles*

Interviewer: Do you have a job?

Jake: I work as a stablehand for Tori and Frank Beckham. I really love it there. They have a beautiful farm and they’re wonderful people. *smiles*

Interviewer: Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Jake: I think I’m right on the line. I really love people, but I also really love the peace and quiet of the farmland and the surrounding woods and lake and everything.

Interviewer: Do you have a favorite part of the farm?

Jake: Either the lake or the kitchen. Mrs. Beckham makes the best food. *laughs*

Interviewer: Do you have a favorite meal?

Jake: She makes excellent schnitzel and potatoes, but her apple pie definitely takes first place.

Interviewer: Do you have a favorite color?

Jake: Any shade of red or orange. I’m in a good place for that. *ruffles his hair* In addition to this mess, the farm turns all shades of red and orange in the autumn. We grow pumpkins and apples and there are plenty of trees to turn. Although, funny enough, my favorite apple variety isn’t red. *laughs*

Interviewer: Which variety?

Jake: Granny Smith. I love the tart flavor. *grins*

Interviewer: Ooh. *mouth puckers* Sour’s not really my thing.

Jake: Well there would still be plenty of apples for you. *laughs* What’s your favorite?

Interviewer: Pink Ladies.

Jake: Ooh, that’s another good one. Sweet and crisp.

Interviewer: *nods*

Jake: Do you like apple cider?

Interviewer: Usually.

Jake: The Beckham farm is always well-stocked with cider. We actually sell it, but it’s my favorite so Mrs. Beckham makes sure to always save some. *laughs* You should come by sometime. The Beckhams love hosting people. I’m not sure I’ve ever met a more hospitable family. *grins*

Interviewer: The whole place sounds lovely. And it sounds like you’re really at home there.

Jake: *nods* The Beckhams are my godparents and I’ve lived with them since I was twelve. My parents were in a bad car accident… *swallows and forces a smile to displace the pain* Anyway, they’ve been really great. Living with them is really great. And I love the rest of their family, as well. I always look forward to Zach and Livi’s visits over the holidays. *smiles*

Interviewer: I’m really sorry to hear that.

Jake: *shrugs a bit* Thanks. Um, are there more questions?

Interviewer: *nods* We can stop if you need?

Jake: No, I was actually hoping for something else to talk about. *chuckles a bit*

Interviewer: Oh, of course. Um… *glances at questions* Do you prefer movies or books?

Jake: Books. Particularly the Safe Lands books by Jill Williamson.

Interviewer: Oh, I haven’t read those. I’ve wanted to, but I haven’t had a chance to read them yet.

Jake: I’ve really enjoyed them. I hope you have a chance to read them soon.

Interviewer: *nods and looks at list* Do you have a favorite animal?

Jake: Specifically or generically?

Interviewer: Either or both.

Jake: Generally, horses. I work with them all the time. Specifically, my tabby cat Pumpkin. My parents gave him to me for Christmas when I was four and he’s stayed with me through everything. *smiles a bit*

Interviewer: What are your hobbies?

Jake: Reading and drawing, mostly. I really enjoy doing colored pencil drawings of places around the farm at different times of the year. I also enjoy baking, when Mrs. Beckham lets me take over the kitchen for a while. *grins*

Interviewer: That seems like it would be a lot of fun.

Jake: It is. Every year I see my skills get a little bit better. *smiles*

Interviewer: Which of these is most important to you: Kindness, intelligence, or bravery?

Jake: Kindness.

Interviewer: And honesty or selflessness?

Jake: Selflessness.

Interviewer: Is there anything you can’t leave the house without?

Jake: I have a cross-body bag that I take with me that generally has whatever book I’m reading, my art supplies, money and keys, and whatever fruit is in season. Sometimes Pumpkin tags along, too. *chuckles*

Interviewer: Do you have a favorite place outside the farm?

Jake: The college library in town. It’s a really nice library and it’s right next to the pond.

Interviewer: Sounds like a good place to sit and read.

Jake: *nods* It’s a really nice bike ride from the farm to the library, and I can spend whole days there when I’m not working on the farm.

Interviewer: Do you often bike places?

Jake: *nods* I have my license, but pretty much everything we need is within biking distance and I’m more comfortable on my bike.

Interviewer: It seems like living in a small town would be nice.

Jake: *shrugs* I like it. Do you live in a big city, then?

Interviewer: Not super big, but it’s certainly not small. *chuckles* I’ve wanted for a while to live somewhere where there’s more open space to run away to and people you can get to know easier than in a normal-size town like mine.

Jake: Small towns are nice for that, yeah.

Interviewer: *looks down at the question sheet and realizes she’s already asked the last one* Oh. Well, we’re done. *looks back up* It was nice to interview you. Thanks for your time. *smiles and extends a hand*

Jake: You’re welcome. Thanks for the interview. *shakes the interviewer’s hand with a smile* I enjoyed talking with you. *heads out*

(The image used at the beginning of this post is from Pinterest.)