"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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One week before Paris
I wiped the sweat from my forehead as I helped Marmee with her garden. Growing season was coming closer than expected so I offered to help with gardening. I loved watching the progress of each plant as it grows. I knew I wouldn't be able this year, but I knew Marmee would update me in letters. She promised she would write me back when I wrote.
I stood up and looked at the newly planted plants. "Do you think you'll get more plants this year?" I asked.
She looked down and back at me. "I sure do hope so. I miss those roses that lasted so long during the winter."
"Those were very interesting flowers."
She nodded and dusted off the dirt on her dress. I began doing the same, watching the dirt fly off of it. Once I was done, I looked at Marmee. She looked at me in awe, her head tilted and a smile across her face. "I am so proud of you."
I smiled. "No need to be. I haven't done anything yet."
"Yet being the keyword." She walked closer to me and placed her hands on my cheeks, squeezing my face together. "You are going to be someone big."
"I would like to hope so, but until then, I am just regular Alex."
She let go of my face. "Give yourself more credit. I know you will be wonderful. I just can't wait for your first book."
"I must say I can't wait either. I have been starting on the one with Mary and it seems to be coming together. We have a lot of worm holes in the story line but with Mary helping, it should be fixed in no problem."
She smiled. "Have you spoken to Jo?"
I shook my head. "I am most certain she is ignoring me or at least avoiding me. I am not even sure she know I am leaving soon."
She sighed. "She will come around once she hears. I know she cares for you deeply."
"I hope so. Do you know if she's had any luck with her writing?"
Marmee shook her head. "I don't think so. I haven't heard anything."
I sighed and looked down, then back up. "I hope she has plans for her life. I also hope she doesn't hate me for too long."
"She doesn't hate you. Maybe you should speak with her."
"I will wait until she comes to me. She must've been told about it from Amy. She knows how to speak about people's business."
We both laugh and start walking to the house doors. I took off the gardening stuff and went up to change into a more comfortable outfit. The kids were at fathers while I helped Marmee around the house as a goodbye. I also thought it would be a good time to spend time with her and the girls before my leave. I also made plans with Laurie. A day just for us two before I leave. I knew it was going to either be emotional or awkward. You could never be sure with Laurie around.
