Say Hello to the Night

A Night in the Garden

After helping the nice mother who was apparently going to be her neighbor Dawn finished out her day. Collecting her money with a smile and closing the shop she pulled her wagon all the way up the hill she made her daily climb on. While she couldn't see the old man's house from her own, she always wondered if he was okay knowing he never really went into town and kept to himself. Knowing that his house was now buzzing with youthful life put her at ease knowing it would be good for him. Dawn looked on from the top of her hill at the lights of Santa Carla and found herself in absolutely no rush to get to the cave and to find the boys. 

While the truth was out things were different now, they had to be different not just because of the big bad lurking on the boardwalk, but to maintain her own identity. She couldn't let herself be consumed by the joys of her new family without forgetting her promise to her old one. To live as best and as truthful as possible. She couldn't let parts of herself wither away.  So, the big girl did what she always did on the nights when the air was almost sweet, and the breeze was carried in by the tide she turned on her little old portable radio to their radio station. Her Grandparents radio station. 

The music of generations past filled the little garden just like the light of the setting sun, pulling on her grandmother's gloves and her grandfather's bucket hat she went to work in her garden. Plucking and pulling weeds and humming along to the radio just enjoying the times when she felt most connected to her family. It wasn't sad but it wasn't entirely happy either, it was something in between filled with longing. By now the sun had fully gone down and Dawn was not yet aware of how they watched are atop the hill, smoke swirling around the boys as they looked at how at peace she was in her garden, how her deep hum filled it with a warmth they weren't used to. 

Finally looking up, covered in dirt she smiled.

"Well, this is a surprise." 

"What can I say sunshine, just can't keep us away" David put out his cigarette and instead of throwing it on the ground, he simply put it in his pocket. Not wanting to destroy even a fraction of the garden his girl found solace in. Everyone began to walk into the garden looking through all the produce and the rows of life that Dawn had growing. Dwyane simply picking a flower and smelling it with a smile, just as she was about to tell him what kind it was a Motorbike came racing down the road form the direction of the old man's house.

The sound tore through the peaceful night and the light was enough to startle anyone. 

"Who was that asshole?" Paul questioned without pulling his eyes from the direction of the bike road off into the night. 

"Probably just the son of the nice new Lady that moved in with her grandfather, she mentioned having 2 sons and I think I saw that bike attached to her car when she asked for directions earlier." Dawn shrugged while pulling some carrots out of the ground smiling at David who held out her basket to place the carrots into. Looking up at him with her dirt covered face he realized just exactly how beautiful she was, without even trying to she managed to make him feel warm.

"Yeah, well I don't care how nice the old board is she better keep her sons in check around you." Paul's voice practically dripped with venom. Marko pushed his shoulder knocking Paul out of his hate filled trance. 

"Sorry Dawn he's a bit cranky it been a while since we last filled up the tanks if you know what i mean." Marko flashed his best hopeful smile to her with a raised eyebrow hoping shed pick up on his meaning. She did. They needed blood. 

"Why don't you go clean up Sunshine there's a concert tonight on the boardwalk perfect chance for the boys to catch a bite and for Star to cause enough of a distraction that I might just be able to take you out." David held out his hand for her to stand up as she nodded and took off her hat and gloves.

"That sounds Lovely, and don't worry boys I'm cranky when I'm hungry to." She managed a laugh heading into the house cheering the twins up a bit. She has this way with the twins she was able to raise their spirts almost like a mother taking care of two troublesome kids with a smile. 

Washing her face Dawn thought about the prospect of her chance to be alone with David just the idea of it caused a blush to fill her round cheeks. She wanted to look put together but casual. Pulling on a long flowing multicolored skirt she looked through her closet finally putting on a purple quarter sleeve cropped top that was just off the shoulder. Running a hand through the curls and throwing on the finishing touched of a brown low hanging belt and a jean vest she grabbed her flip flops and was out the door only to be met with a smirk from David. 

"Stunning." David after all was a man of few words. 

Taking her hand, the group began to walk down the hill where they boys had left their bikes as to not mess up the greenery. Each of the boys smiled wildly as they climbed on their bikes ready to take on the night. Climbing on Davids bike and wrapping her arms tightly around his waist Dawn only had one thought. That, she didn't want this to end. Ever.