Il Cuore del Giardino

4

Tonight I'm supposed to go out with Emma and the other two women. Which means all my clothes are spread out on the bed as I try to find an appropriate outfit. As soon as I manage to snag one, I do a little dance of victory to the bathroom. I turn on the water, letting it get hot as I strip out of my clothes. I play some music from my phone and hum along as steam slowly fills the room.

I step in, sighing contently at the feeling of the hot water hitting my skin. I close my eyes savoring it, cherishing this luxurious moment of peace. I open my eyes and begin to wash, my mind quickly occupying itself with random thoughts. One, however, stops the train on its tracks. Regina.

Why does that woman have such a hold on me? Well, that's to be determined. After I've finished, I rinse off and step out the shower. I make quick work of dressing myself, singing along to the music to keep my mind busy with something. My phone buzzes, momentarily quieting the music and I head over to check it out.

Emma has texted saying her and the girls have just arrived at the little bar. I grab my wallet, slipping it into my jacket pocket and head out the door. I jog down the stairs, exiting and meandering down the street until I find said bar. Upon entering, the smell of cigar smoke and dark liquor fill my nostrils.

I'm partially taken aback, not having smelled anything like this in a really long time. I don't frequent bars much, in fact, I don't have very many friends to even go out with. All the more reason I feel this night may be a special one. A woman's hand shoots up in the air, grabbing my attention. I glance over, thinking she can't possibly be waving at me.

Then I see Emma sat beside her and realize the brunette actually is waving me over. I gently push through the small crowd until I'm at the table, taking the one empty seat. "Ah, cinnamon girl" the waitress from granny's says. "Pardon me?" I question, not quite understanding her reasoning behind that.

"Well, you're the only other girl in this town that likes cinnamon on her hot chocolate—a bit hard to forget" she chuckles, "oh, right..." I breathe in relief. "I thought you were referencing the song" I explain, "a song? Hm, I've never heard of it. Maybe you could show me sometime" she leans in to say while her fingers brush my own.

"Okayyy enough flirting, Ruby" the brunette who waved me over asserts and Ruby scoffs jokingly. "I don't believe we've met. Mary Margaret" she adds, extending her hand for me to take and I do so. Her grip is firm, confident, a sign to me that she's no amateur. I look into her eyes, searching them for a clue—anything to give away her source of strength.

All I find is a strangely familiar warmth, a kindness that seems like a distant memory but not my own. I retract my hand, leaning back in my seat as the table falls silent. My head turns quickly as I see someone approach out the corner of my eye. Drinks are settled on the table, one being placed in front of me.

"I wasn't sure what your choice of poison was but I figured you can't go wrong with beer" Emma shrugs while chuckling and I smile. "Yeah well... I'm not much of a brew kinda girl. I prefer the harder stuff" I wink and her smile widens. "Rum it is" she says, "I'll go get it" she adds quickly. She leaves the table and I look around, surveying the room.

"So... Emma says you're only in town for a little while" Mary voices and I turn to her, tilting my head. "It would appear that's what your mayor would like and I presume she's a woman that doesn't fair well with not getting her way" I joke and the woman giggles, almost to herself as if there's a hidden meaning to my words for her.

"Yeah, I wouldn't worry about Regina too much. She's just not very fond of strangers but she'll warm up to you, I'm sure" she promises and for some reason I believe her. "Speak of the devil and she will appear" Ruby mutters, traipsing off before I can inquire as to what she meant. "And so we meet again" I hear, turning my head to see none other than the mayor before me.

"Well, what a nice surprise" I reply, "wish I could say the same" she mumbles under her breath but I'm sure it was meant for my ears either way. "Regina" my head turns at the disdainful tone and Emma slides me my drink, never averting her harsh stare towards our unexpected guest. "Miss Swan" the brunette teases, a smug smirk on her face.

"What exactly are you doing here? Didn't think this was your crowd" Emma spits, "what? I can't go to a bar in my own town?" Regina counters. "Easy, ladies. We have a guest" Mary reminds them of my presence and I see Regina's shoulders relax slightly. "Well if you could leave us be now, that'd be great. I'd like to actually have some fun considering what's going on with our son" Emma states and by the look on Regina's face she's not made a good move.

"My son" the brunette corrects her, though her stance wavers, her lip twitching the slightest amount. "Right. Is that all?" Emma says and Regina rolls her eyes before walking off. "Well aren't you two just the best of friends" I tease and Emma chuckles dryly before taking a gulp of her drink. "At least I know it's not just me she's snippy with" I sigh, "oh you don't know the half" Mary says.

Throughout the night the three of us talk, Ruby having returned after Regina left. As it gets darker, I feel eyes boring into the back of my head. I subtly turn to see the brunette with her eyes set on our table, more specifically on me. I wait a while but she persists so I excuse myself to the bathroom, knowing she'll follow me.

The door closes behind me and just as I expected, it opens directly after. I turn to face her and she approaches me, backing me into a corner. "I'm tired of your little games, Miss Pearson. Why are you here?" she scowls, "getting a drink with friends?" I chuckle but she isn't amused.

"I mean it, Althea. What is your deal?" she reiterates, "well I had a little accident if you recall. I suppose it's just a coincidence I ended up here" I state. "Oh I find that hard to believe" she scoffs, her eyes narrowing dangerously and yet I don't feel threatened. "You and Emma... you share a son. Henry" I say, "how do you know Henry?" she seethes as she steps even closer to me.

She has me practically pinned against the wall, her breath spreading across my face. "I met him at Granny's. He's a nice kid. What happened between you and Emma that-" "first of all, there is no 'Me and Emma'—not that it's any of your business" she interjects and I smile. "You don't have to be so defensive, you know? I'm not here to hurt you" I say and for a moment something in her eyes flicker.

I see the pain in them—the loss—and I feel nothing but empathy for her. I've never seen eyes that so much reflect my own. Yet in a second it's gone, any sign of vulnerability tossed aside. "I want you out of my town as soon as your car is fixed" she demands, leaving without giving me a chance to respond.

I stand there for a moment, replaying our encounter in my mind. Just under the surface of her hard exterior, there's so much to explore. I don't know how she's carried everything she has for so long but I'm determined to get her to open up. She may not know she needs it but I do. Before I depart from here, I will make sure the flowers that were once in her heart bloom again.