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CHAPTER TWO "this is the least kook car I've ever seen in my life"
EVELYN LIGHTLY HUMS as she carefully cuts back a few of the flower bushes in her garden the next morning, her hair thrown up into some sort of makeshift ponytail to keep it out of her face. The sun beams down on her skin, the humidity already at ridiculous heights for such an early hour of the day.
She'd promised Alex that she would keep his plants in good shape whilst he was gone and it's not a promise she is looking to break. She comes out and waters them every day, making sure to keep them properly pruned as well. Her mother had been the one to plant them — herself and Alex had made a pact to make sure they stayed alive in order to keep her memory going.
The girl's fingers lightly run over the pink flowers with a smile, Eloise Carter present in every one of them splayed amongst the bushes. She has a few memories of her younger self with the pink flowers intertwined in her hair, wearing a matching flowing dress and throwing the very same petals as she walked down the aisle of her mother's wedding. They'd been everywhere, Alex more than happy to let his wife decorate the area as she pleased with little to no argument.
"Well, well, a kook doing her own gardening? What a sight,"
Evelyn rolls her eyes somewhat fondly and turns around to see JJ Maybank watching her. He's shielding his eyes from the sun, wearing his usual tank top and board shorts, Evelyn can only assume that he's just come from doing an odd job around the place.
"Good morning to you too, JJ. How are you?" Evelyn asks, pushing herself up off the ground and turning completely so she can look at him.
"I'm good. You actually sober? The only time we ever talk is when you're drunk off your ass," JJ responds with a grin.
"You instigated the conversation," Evelyn points out. "But yes, I'm sober. Did you need something?"
"No, just heading back home after mowing a few lawns,"
Evelyn hums lightly, pushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear. She has seen him around many times after completing a few random jobs for some quick cash, she knows for a fact that Alex has happily handed over some money for some help in his garden — to JJ and John B both. Nine times out of ten, they'd wind up staying for hours and the man would chuck some extra money their way as a way of saying thank you.
"How's, uh, how's John B?" Evelyn asks, crossing her arms awkwardly.
JJ looks a little surprised by the sudden question but he shakes his head with his trademark grin. "He's okay. Nothing he can't handle,"
"And you made sure to keep an eye on him? You know that secondary drowning can happen? Like he could be fine and then all of a sudden he'll be like drowning without even—"
