The House on 4th Street

Chapter 9

As I stepped into the garden, I immediately noticed how much better it has gotten. Mom's care was evident in every bloom, showing how dedicated she has been to the garden when she isn't working at the hospital.

But amidst the peacefulness around me, my mind was consumed by thoughts of Bella. I had watched her struggle in silence, her pain hidden behind a fragile facade. And with each passing day, the weight of her burden grew heavier in my heart.

As I wandered the winding pathways, my footsteps echoing softly against the earth, I couldn't shake the feeling that I needed to do something, anything, to help her. But the question remained: what could I possibly offer that would ease her pain?

Lost in thought, I found myself drawn to the stone bench beside the fountain, its tranquil waters a mirror to the turmoil within my mind. And as I settled onto its cool surface, I closed my eyes and let out a weary sigh, "Bella, Bella, Bella..."

As I called out Bella's name, the gentle rustle of leaves seemed to hold its breath, waiting for a response. Then, from behind a cluster of blossoming azaleas, she emerged, her eyes alight with surprise and uncertainty.

"Bella," I breathed, relief flooding through me at the sight of her. "I've been looking for you."

She hesitated, her gaze flickering between me and the ground beneath her feet. "I didn't expect to see you here," she admitted softly, her voice barely audible over the whisper of the breeze.

She took a small step forward, and gestured to the empty space beside me on the bench. "Mind if I join you?" She asked, I could see she was hoping I wouldn't refuse.

After a moment's hesitation, I nodded, and she settled onto the cool stone beside me, the scent of fresh blooms filling the air around us.

For a while, we sat in silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging between us like a delicate web. Then, with a deep breath, I spoke, the words tumbling out in a rush.

"I've been thinking about you a lot lately," I confessed, my gaze fixed on the ground. "And I wanted to make sure you're okay."

Bella's response was slow, and measured. "I've been... struggling," she admitted, her voice raw with emotion. "But being here, in this garden... it helps."

I nodded, understanding flickering in my chest. "It's always been a sanctuary for me too, it was hard leaving my friends," I admitted, daring to meet her gaze. "And if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here, I get a little lonely too."

A flicker of gratitude crossed Bella's features, her shoulders relaxing ever so slightly. "Thank you," she murmured, a tentative smile playing at the corners of her lips.  "So, I heard you are from Florida?"

I was slightly startled by her sudden question, a pang of homesickness hitting me as I remembered my life back there. "Uh, yeah, I am. It's a lot different there," I replied, my voice tinged with nostalgia.  All this talk about home was making me think about Max, who I hadn't seen in what felt like forever.

Bella must have noticed my tone because she quickly changed the conversation, her voice brightening as she said, "I saw you like to use that thing with four wheels. It looks pretty fun."

I chuckled at her description, the image of my trusty skateboard instantly popping into my mind. "A skateboard?" I couldn't help but laugh at the simplicity of her description.

Bella's smile widened at my reaction. "Yeah, that thing. It's a little hard for me to know what has changed and what hasn't," she admitted, a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

Leaning back against the bench, I found myself opening up to her, eager to share a piece of my world with someone new. "Skateboarding's been my thing for as long as I can remember," I confessed, a sense of pride creeping into my tone. "It's like my escape, you know? Just me, the board, and the open road."

Bella nodded, her gaze thoughtful. "Sounds freeing," she remarked, her eyes distant as if she were imagining herself riding along with me.

"Yeah, it is," I agreed, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "Hey, maybe I could teach you sometime. If you're up for it, that is."

Bella's eyes lit up with excitement, her earlier worries momentarily forgotten. "I'd like that," she replied eagerly, a newfound sense of enthusiasm in her voice.

And as we sat there, discussing the ins and outs of skateboarding, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected connection blossoming between us, a glimmer of hope in the midst of uncertainty.

As the conversation flowed, we delved into other topics, swapping stories and sharing laughs. But also into more serious ones.

"Why do you think you are stuck here?" I suddenly asked, the words slipping out before I could filter them.

Bella appeared taken aback by my question, her eyes reflecting a mixture of surprise and unease. "Honestly, I don't know," she confessed, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I think it may have something to do with how I died."

Her words hung heavy in the air, leaving a sense of tension between us. Sensing her discomfort, I let out a sigh, realizing I had touched on a sensitive topic. "I'm sorry," I said softly, my regret evident in my tone. "I shouldn't have asked."

Bella's gaze softened at my apology, a flicker of gratitude passing through her eyes. "It's okay," she replied, her voice gentler now. "But... can we talk about something else? I'm not ready to go there yet."

Relieved to have avoided causing further distress, I nodded eagerly. "Of course," I said, eager to shift the conversation to safer ground. "How about we talk about something more lighthearted? Like... your favorite memories from when you were alive?"

A smile tugged at the corners of Bella's lips, her features relaxing as she welcomed the change of topic. "I'd like that," she said softly, a hint of warmth in her voice. "There are so many good memories to choose from."

Before we knew it, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the garden., and I heard my mom call,  "Luke! You should come inside soon!"

With a reluctant sigh, I realized it was time to head inside.

Standing up from the bench, I offered Bella a smile. "Thanks for the chat," I said sincerely, gratitude swelling in my chest.

Bella returned the smile, her eyes sparkling with warmth. "No, thank you," she replied softly. "I needed this more than you know."

With a final wave, I turned and made my way out of the garden, a sense of contentment settling over me.