Marigolds in the Kingdom's Memorial //SBI//

2.2

Wilbur opened the door to see Sally holding a woven basket with baked bread.

"Hello!" Wilbur greeted happily.

The first guest arrived, with a couple more coming every ten minutes. Wilbur opened the door, let them in. More and more, people kept wandering in, eventually most everyone who needed to arrive had walked through the door, so Wilbur found a spot next to Sally, Boo, and Toby.

"Hey, some dinner, huh?" Toby smiled, and say closer next to Boo.

Wilbur nodded.

Sally nervously put her fist in front of Wilbur, who sat cross-legged instead of on the bench.

"I.. I thought we could use an upgrade." she stuttered.

Wilbur took her hand, and out came a small ring, warm to the touch from being in her hand so long.

"Sally.. It's very pretty, but-" Wilbur was interrupted by Sally sliding the ring on his finger, an excuse to show she had a matching one.

The ring was better than the prior one, which sat on Wilbur's nightstand like some sort of trophy.

Boo and Toby awed, Toby resting his head on Boo's shoulder.

"You two shut up, look at yourselves-" Wilbur said, clearly embarrassed.

Toby straightened himself up, and bit his cheek.

"Okay and?"

Sally laughed, and saw as Michael came running up to Boo.

"Hey buddy." Boo said, seeing the young boy point over to Tommy, who then walked over slowly with a wet face.

"Hey Tom, what's up with you?"

Tommy shrugged.

"Come here- Wilbur took his jacket off his back and rubbed Tommy's red nose.

"You feeling alright?"

Tommy nodded, quiet, and maybe a bit nervous with all the people.

"Just hot.." he muttered.

"Do you want to go outside and cool off?" Wilbur asked, seeing him shift his posture, almost uncomfortably looking around.

Tommy shook his head, clearly something was up. Wilbur looked to the three others next to him, only for a glimpse.

"Come on lets go out for a second." Tommy nodded.

Wilbur stood, then took Tommy by his hand and walked out the side door on the opposite side of the dining hall.

Boo and Toby followed out, while Sally stayed put watching the guests.

---

The outside area was warmer than the two expected. Besides Tommy's sniffles, the breeze was the only thing you could here. The town lights were all off, since most everyone was inside on this blessed night. Wilbur looked down to Tommy, who had a pale face, and his blue eyes now mixed with a gradient of orange from the lanterns behind them.

"Have I ever told you how pretty your eyes are, Tommy?" Tommy looked up to Wilbur.

"You have." He said, not humble, but also not getting it was a compliment.

Wilbur smiled.

"They remind me of Mom's. You certainly got her genes."

"I have my own pants." Tommy said pointing down to his blue jeans, which have suddenly appeared to have more than one whole on the knees.