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Prince was attempting to sit up when Neil came back in, but his top half had almost fully separated now, and several loops of vines and a big orange growth spilled out. He frowned at his exposed insides. “Oh my gourd.”
Neil snorted out a laugh. “Sorry! I just… I was not expecting you to say that.” He stared at Prince’s innards. “Or to see those hanging out. Uh. Here.” He kneeled beside Prince, dropping the supplies he’d gathered. He rubbed Prince’s shoulder and tried to urge him to lay back down. “Try not to move, okay? Your insides are becoming your outsides and I’m not a doctor, but I’m sure that’s not good. Even for scarecrow people.”
“Where is Maggie?” Prince frowned as he lay back on the cushions. “She has sewn me up before.”
“Maggie?” Neil threaded the needle. “You mean Margaret? My grandmother?”
“Yes.”
“She…” Neil’s shoulders sagged. “She passed away. I’m her grandson. She gave me the farm. I… I just moved in today.”
“You arethatNeil!” Prince’s eyes widened.
“She told you about me?”
“She loved you very much. I have seen your pictures, but you were smaller.” Prince reached for Neil’s arm. “She talked about you more than anything. I am sorry for your loss… and for mine. She was my very dear friend.”
“I’m so sorry. She meant everything to me.” Neil’s eyes grew hot. “She, uh, passed away in her sleep. Hell, she was ninety-four. I couldn’t see her that much, but we wrote to each other all the time. She never got into electronics, I’m sure you know, so not much on texting or email.”
“Computers are the devil.” Prince nodded sagely. “They listen to your thoughts.”
“Yup. That’s what she always said. I mean, she was kinda right about them listening… Anyway.” Neil moved Prince’s jacket out of his way, and he gently pushed one of the large growths back in. “I hope this doesn’t hurt you? I’ll try to be careful.”
“I trust you.” Prince smiled, gazing up at Neil as he squeezed his arm. “It does not feel pleasant, but I will be all right. Go ahead.”
“I…” Neil couldn’t think clearly with Prince touching him, and he was immediately sucked in by Prince’s big dark eyes, his heart thumping heavily. He wasn’t sure why he was experiencing such a rush of emotions, but he wanted to—no.
He was not going to kiss the scarecrow.
No, no, no.
But maybe—no.
“I’ll be super careful, I promise.” Neil took a deep breath and made the first stitch. His hands were shaking, but he tried to take his time and make every swipe of the needle count. He pushed the various vines and possible organs back inside as he went, adding more straw from the little haystack where needed.
Prince groaned. “That feels strange.”
Neil’s face turned twenty shades of red, his mind immediately descending into the gutter from the deep quality of the sound. He sewed faster, stuttering, “I’m sorry. I think I left some of your, uh, guts in the yard? I thought I needed to put more back in.”
“I appreciate it. I’m afraid the wind and crows took much of it while I was stuck.” Prince closed his eyes. “Thank you.”
“Y-you’re welcome. How did that happen anyway? Were you trying to get out of the garden?”
“I’d already gotten out. I was trying to get back in.” Prince frowned. “I was looking for Maggie. I hadn’t seen her in a few days and I was worried.”
“Shit.” Neil paused. “I’m so sorry. How long were you out there? I, I know it took me a day or two to get here—”
“Neil.” Prince patted Neil’s arm. “It is all right. You’re here now.”
“Right.” Neil had reached Prince’s hip. “I, uh… I need to get to your back. Can you roll over?”
“Yes, I believe so.” Prince grunted as he moved, trying to push himself over, but his crooked arm wouldn’t support his weight. He sighed. “I was wrong. I’m very sorry, but I may need your assistance.”
“No problem.” Neil carefully put the needle down where it wouldn’t poke him, and then he looped his arm with Prince’s to help push him forward. He shivered when his bare stomach touched Prince’s hip. “Uh, like this?”
“Yes, thank you.” Prince sighed, successfully turning over onto his stomach.” Your hands are so warm. They feel nice.”
“Are you cold?” Neil frowned and rubbed Prince’s side. “As soon as we’re done, I’ll get you some blankets.” He grabbed the needle again to start the trek of sewing across Prince’s back.
