Architect of paradise (PART I: Out of the Ruins)

29. Spring Festival

I talked to Mrs. Jackson about the festival. He agreed to let it take place as usual. He would talk with those that didn't get wounded. They could help with the setting. Mrs. Falcon and Mr. Jackson explained to me how was the festival organized every year, so that I could follow the rules.

I got some volunteers from the high school. Of course, the golden team of six would also help. The boys took over the setting of the benches and the girls took over the decoration. The setting would take place at the center square and would expand for some meters on the roads.

The benches were set on the roads. In those, any family or any club could exhibit their goods which could be the products of their harvest, or their processed goods like food, sweets and souvenirs. New Leaf would have a bench with our goods, jewels, wood crafting and pottery. The girls and some women were making flower bouquets to decorate the roads, the columns, the houses and of course the square. With the flower bouquets, there were a lot of lanterns.

In a corner of the square, there was a place for the local band. Some tables would be setting full with food and drinks. Alice was in charge of the catering. Lily was the one to organize the cooking club. Even though, she couldn't compare with Mrs. Locust, she was doing her best. Her energy and brightness influenced the other women and they started cooking and baking. Daniel with Tony and Mr. Maxwell are setting benches with games.

In the meanwhile, I print brochures of the festival to distribute to Harrisonburg or the nearby towns. I ask Mr. Storm to post something relevant to the organization's site and of course Mr. Jackson put an advertisement on the local newspaper. The Spring Festival will be on 23th March, in a week.

Jane had the wonderful idea to organize a treasure hunt for the teenagers, so it would be interesting for them to participate. She co-operated with the others to create the riddles and puzzles which would direct you to the big treasure.

These days I was really exhausted. I was on the move the whole time to check and organize things. I didn't sleep much but it was only some days. After the festival, I would sleep as much as I wanted. Coffee was my trusting partner.

Beside the festival, I needed to organize the charity for the fire victims. A part of the amount which was intended for the natural park project, would be distributed to them. As far as the project concerned, we could collect more charity when the time would come. Now our priority was these people.

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Three days before the festival, Mrs. Locust and Mrs. Jackson returned to Green Hill with Mrs. Locust's grandchild. She was a little girl around ten. She had brown long hair and light brown eyes. She was thin and not very tall. She was a sweet and cute little creature. Her name was Melanie Stewart. I could see her swollen red eyes from crying. She is shy and really quiet.

Mrs. Locust was not in her best condition. She is wearing black clothes and she became a little thinner than before. There are black circles around her eyes which are also red and swollen. However, I think she cried enough. She is a strong woman and she have to bring up a child. In her face there isn't the same cunning smile. An eternal sadness has installed. There is only a warm smile whenever she looks at her grandchild.

Mrs. Locust introduced Jane to little Melanie as her big sister. I think Jane would be a good support for Mrs. Locust and a dependable sibling for the child. She is mature enough already.

After the new arrival in her house, Mrs. Locust brought over her grandchild to the organization. She introduced its members as her friends. Melanie was shy but she said some words of hello to us. Lily was the one to take care of her and to explain her about New Leaf and her grandmother's actions to help other people. Mrs. Falcon made some tea for the rest of us.