"Meeting new people has always been a thing I find enlightening. I enjoy getting to know the people I don't know."
"Do you enjoy getting to know me?"
I smiled. "Of course I do."
Where a girl who just lost her mom and a boy who fights his own demons...
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Sun shined down on the town of Concord, Massachusetts. The sun burned my skin every now and then when the wind would blow the shading of the leaves away. Fall was approaching fast and this tree was the only source of happiness I had. But soon each colorful leaf would be on the ground, turning brown and crunchy. All the leaves would soon be replaced with snow and screaming kids throwing snowballs everywhere. I would wait for summer to approach again, hoping I could sit under the tree for hours once again.
I closed the new book I recently got from the library and stood up from my spot under the tree. I patted on my dress, trying to get the dead leaves from sticking to me as I walked. It would be embarrassing if people saw it. I began walking the sidewalk of this town I called home and greeted people with a smile. That is what women are supposed to do. Greet with a smile and stay in the house. It is what men expected us to do, but my friends and I have our own way of showing it.
I grew up in Concord, Massachusetts with my dad. After my mother passed away, he wanted to start fresh. So he bought a new house in this small town, hoping he and I would remake memories. He hated staying in the house she passed away in. Sometimes I would wake up with nightmares and he would swear the house was haunted. I just thought he was going crazy because his wife did die. We both missed her and maybe some small part of our hearts, we hoped she would follow us somehow. That is what everyone hopes for when they lose someone.
As I walked along the sidewalk, I saw a familiar face at a nearby bookstore. I knew she would be there or at home, but it was a convent we both were out at the same time. I suppose she, Jo March, was looking for a new book. Me and Jo had been friends since we were small. Our moms were awfully close and did everything together. We both grew up with each other, which meant I knew her whole family. I hadn't spoken to them in a bit since mom passed away, but I knew it would be a good time to talk to Jo. She was one of my favorites.
I walked into the bookstore, a ding sounding from above me as the door opened and closed behind me. Jo didn't look up from the book she was thinking about getting, She was reading the first few pages of it. We did that when we wanted to see if it was eye-catching. Usually good authors knew how to catch the reader's eye with the first sentence. That is why we came to this bookstore. They always had the best authors in stock.
I slowly approached behind her and tapped on her shoulder, making her jump about an inch in the air. She turned and looked like she was about to say something rude until she noticed it was me. Her eyes widened and she smiled. "Oh Alex! You're okay!" She pulled me into an unexpected hug. "Everyone is so worried about you and your father. Marmee tried getting a hold of your father but he seemed too busy to answer." She broke the hug and stood in front of me.
"Well, everything is okay. We bought a new house because father was growing unsettled in the house she passed in. So he got two jobs and has been working to pay the rest of it off. He is very hardworking."
"How have you been?"
"I am doing well. Way better than before, if that is what you're meaning to ask."
