BETTY (English Version)

CHAPTER 2: INVISIBLE STRING

TWO DAYS LATER...

I decided to take a look at the garden behind the house. The day was warm, and the sun shone high in the sky, illuminating every corner of the vast green lawn. I put on a pair of comfortable shoes and a hat to shield myself from the sun and headed towards the garden. It was so big that it felt like being in a park, with towering trees offering refreshing shade and flower beds filled with vivid colors.

As I walked, I noticed a small greenhouse in one corner. The door was ajar, and driven by curiosity, I decided to enter. Just as I stepped over the threshold, I stumbled over a water pipe and fell to the ground with a thud.

"Oh no! Are you okay?" I heard a male voice ask. I looked up and saw a boy with tousled brown hair and green eyes filled with concern. He was wearing old jeans and a T-shirt dirty with soil.

"Yes, I think so," I replied, trying to get up with a certain embarrassment. "I didn't notice the pipe."

The boy reached out his hand and helped me to my feet. "I'm sorry for the mess. I'm trying to tidy everything up. My name is James, I'm Benny's son, the gardener."

"Pleasure to meet you, James. I'm Betty," I replied, dusting off my pants. "I've recently moved here."

"Welcome," James said with a smile that lit up his face. "I hope you're settling in well. If you need any help with the garden or anything else, let me know."

"Thank you, I really appreciate it," I replied. "I love the garden, it's really beautiful."

"Thank you," James said, looking proudly at the plants and flowers around us. "I spend a lot of time here with my father. It's our little paradise."

At that moment, a kitten appeared among the plants, running towards James. "Ah, here's Benjamin," said James, picking up the kitten. "He's our little helper."

I couldn't help but laugh. "He's adorable! I love cats."

"Us too," replied James, stroking Benjamin. "Come on, let me show you the rest of the garden."

As we walked among the flower beds and pathways, James told me about the various plants and flowers they cultivated. It was clear how much he loved that place, and his enthusiasm was contagious. He also told me about his father, Benny, and how he was a true gardening expert, capable of growing anything.

As he showed me a row of red roses, his eyes sparkled with passion and dedication. "Roses were my mother's favorite," he said with a nostalgic smile. "We plant them every year in her memory."

Feeling a hint of sadness in his voice, I felt compelled to ask more. "They must have meant a lot to her," I said gently. "The roses are really beautiful."

James nodded, gazing at the roses with a distant look. His eyes, once bright, now seemed veiled by deep and lingering sorrow. "Yes, they were. My mother loved the garden. She would spend hours tending to it, planting flowers, and talking to the plants as if they were her friends." He paused, then continued, "Unfortunately, she passed away a few years ago. She had brain cancer."

His voice cracked slightly at the mention of cancer, and I saw tension in his features, as if he were struggling to keep control of his emotions. It seemed like every word was a small wound reopening, and my heart ached for him.

"I'm so sorry, James. It must have been really difficult," I said, trying to convey my empathy with every syllable. I felt a knot in my stomach, a tightness in my chest, as if his pain had become partly mine. Seeing such a strong and kind person carry such a heavy burden deeply moved me.

"It was," he admitted, with a sad smile that seemed like a fragile mask to hide his suffering. "She was the strongest person I knew. Even in the worst moments, she always tried to smile and be positive. She was an incredible example for me and my father."

As he spoke, I saw in his eyes a mixture of pain and admiration, a sweetness that only those who have loved intensely can understand. I wanted to say something comforting, something that could alleviate at least some of the weight I felt sharing with him.

"She must have been an extraordinary person," I said, feeling a mix of admiration and compassion. "She reminds me a bit of my mother too. She also loves gardening, although she doesn't have much time to dedicate to it."

James smiled a little more openly, but the pain was still there, just below the surface. "It seems like our mothers have something in common. And you, do you like gardening?"

"I've never had much time to dedicate to it," I replied, trying to lighten the mood. "But I enjoy being outdoors and appreciating nature. Maybe you could teach me something."

"I'd be happy to," said James with enthusiasm, but a more subdued tone. "Gardening is one of the things that makes me feel closest to my mother. It's like, by tending to the garden, I'm continuing something very special that she started."

I felt touched by his words and sincerity. It was clear how much love and devotion he put into every plant, every flower, as if through gardening he could still talk to his mother, keep the bond with her alive. "It's beautiful that you can keep her memory alive in this way."

"Thank you, Betty," said James, looking at me gratefully. His eyes, although still marked by sadness, had a new warmth, a spark of hope. "It means a lot to me."

At that moment, I realized how important it was for him to share this part of his life with someone who could understand and appreciate the meaning behind every gesture, every care he put into the garden. And I felt a special connection between us, a bond that went beyond words and promised to grow over time.

"How was it moving here?" James asked as we stopped near a fountain, the water flowing creating a relaxing melody.

"It was difficult leaving everything I knew behind," I replied, watching the sunlight reflections on the water. "But I'm starting to find things I like here. And the people I've met so far have been really kind."

"I'm glad to hear that," said James. "Rhode Island has its charm. And I'm sure you'll find many other things you'll like."

We spent the rest of the afternoon chatting and exploring the garden. James showed me his favorite spots and taught me some gardening techniques. I immediately felt at ease with him, as if I had known him forever. Every time he laughed, I felt a strange warmth inside me, and I couldn't help but smile.

As the sun began to set, heading back home, I realized how special that afternoon had been. As we said goodbye, James made me a proposal. "If you'd like, we could go get ice cream together tomorrow!"

"That would be fantastic," I replied, feeling a mix of excitement and gratitude. "Thank you, James."

We said goodbye with a smile, and as I walked back home, I felt that this new chapter of my life was starting in the best possible way.

Entering my room, I glanced out of the large window overlooking the garden and the woods beyond. I lay down on the bed, thinking about James and his smile, the way he talked about the plants, his kindness... Everything about him made me feel at home.

That night, as sleep enveloped me, I couldn't help but think about James and how much I wanted to get to know him better.

"And isn't it just so pretty to think all along there was some invisible string tying you to me?"