Against the Stars

Chapter 25

Ginny ended up sleeping the rest of the day, dreaming in Ben's set kiss. See could barely believe it had happened. She surely wasn't going to tell anyone. It was her secret that she could keep tucked deep in her pockets.

Though she was still bruised and battered, a few days later, Ginny felt well enough to go and see Ava and Zona. Of course, she didn't tell her mother where she was going. Ginny had always been a good liar, but it wasn't till now that she really got any practice.

Even with permission, it was hard getting out of the house. Nelly wanted to know every detail of the attack, Bess wanted to see her scars, Edward wanted to be her bodyguard, and  Stephen just didn't want his little sister to get hurt.

Eventually though, Ginny did get out of her mad house. She headed to the maple tree where she and Ben had planned on meeting. After she left, she began to worry what was harder: getting out of her house or making her way to the tree. People stared at her already due to the scandal, but even more now because of Abiel' s attack. The whispers grew louder, but not quite loud enough for Ginny to hear. 

This time, however, Ginny hung her head low. No one needed to see the bruise on her cheek or any other of her injuries. No one needed to see the marks of her weakness. Strength makes you invisible, weakness makes you vulnerable.

Ginny found herself scooting faster on the icy sidewalk. It was already December and a fierce cold wind was coming in. Ginny knew this would be one of the last times she saw Ben before the cold set in. Oh the cold! Ginny hated the awful, terrible, no good, horrible cold. 

To most people, even with the cold, this was a wonderful time of year, with Christmas right around the corner. Yet for Ginny, it only brought back memories. Memories of a sweet little girl who shouldn't have had to leave. She would have been four on Christmas day. 

Ginny did her best not to cry, assuming her tears would freeze to her cheeks if she did. Imagine how she would look then, walking around with icicles hanging off her face! No, now was not the time to cry. It's easier to cry in secret for an hour, than in the open for a minute. 

Ginny took a deep breath as she approached the tree. It was covered in a thin blanket of over and seemed to shiver in the cold. Ginny fought the urge to wrap a blanket around it 

For one of the first times (or perhaps, the first time) Ginny beat Ben to the tree. She chuckled directly to herself and thought white everything she could say to him about being slow.

She had only made it halfway through her list when Bern did show up. Ginny opened her mouth to say something witty, but from the look on his face, she couldn't say anything. 

He seemed panicked, fearful, worried, and in pain all at the same time. "What's wrong Ben?"

For a moment, he didn't respond. Then his face twisted into a wife smile and laugh."Got you!"

Ginny was speechless for a moment, then she yelled. "Why do you always do that!?" 

"Because it's fun. You have some good reactions."

Ginny shook her head. "Come on let's just go see Ava and Zona."

"Whatever you say," Ben said gesturing for Ginny to lead the way. 

The two slowly began to back their way towards the Kaffman's. Ginny couldn't believe it had been two months since Avery' s death. It felt like it had been just yesterday. She hoped Zona was getting along all right. She didn't want anything to happen to Zona.

Ginny was surprised by the silence between her and Ben. She wasn't sure what was on his mind, but she had a feeling it was similar to what was on hers. Their exchange yesterday had been intresting. Ginny had never expected Ben to kiss her and from the look on his face. Ginny had a feeling he hadn't planned on it either. 

"Ginny about yesterday..." Ben began, but Ginny held up her hand to stop him.

"It's all right, no explanation needed."

"Oh all right. Whatever you say." Ben seemed relieved that he didn't have to explain, Ginny was glad she didn't have to hear it.

"Do you want to knock or should I?" Been asked when they arrived at the Kaffman's.

"I'll do it," Ginny said heading towards the door. She knocked loudly. Surprisingly, a masculine voice answered, "Coming!"

A tall man answered the door. With his blonde hair and gray eyes, he resembled Zona. "Who are you?" He asked.

"I'm Ginny Miller and that's Ben Eby. We're friends of Zona."

"Oh. I'm Jacob Princeton, Zona' s brother. I've been living with her since, you know, Avery' s death."

"May we come in?"

"Of course, come on in," Jacob said, motioning them in. Ginny sighed, grateful to be out of the cold.

"Follow me, I'll take you to Zona. Have you meet my niece, Ava, yet? She's a darling!"

Ginny laughed. From the way Jacob acted, it was like Ava was his daughter, not his sister.

They found Zona in the parlor playing with Ava. It was nice to see her smiling and not crying. She seemed perfectly content and happy playing with her daughter.

"Hello!" Jacob called. Zona turned and her face lit up when she saw Ginny and Ben.

"Ben! Ginny! Hello. Would you like to come and meet Ava?"

"Of course!" Ginny cried rushing to see the tiny child. Zona handed her the babe. Ava was peacefully sleeping. She had her mother's blonde curls and when she opened her eyes for a second, Ginny could see she had her father's big brown eyes. 

Ginny stared at Ava' s angelic face and thought of the last time she held a baby. Outside of Georgie it was Delly... Ginny glanced at Ava and for a moment she appeared to be Delly. Delly, little Delly. Ginny couldn't help but let a tear slip out. 

"Ginny are you all right?" 

Ginny gave Zona back Ava and wiped her eyes. "I'm fine, just thinking about Delly."

Ben nodded sympathetically. Zona looked confused and like she was going to an who Delly was, but she decided against it.

"I'm glad you two came over. I've been wanting to say thank you for what you did for Avery. Even if you didn't succeed, you tried and you didn't let him die alone, and for that I am grateful."

"You're welcome Zona. We were glad to help," Ben said. 

"Yes we were happy to help. And oh, Ava's adorable."

Zona smiled weakly. "Thank you very much."

"Well I need to go back home. Ginny probably does as well. We will be back soon though," Ben said.

"All right.I will see you two later," Zona said as they left.

Ginny left a feeling of hope in her veins. If Zona could continue on after the death of her husband, Ginny could survive Blithe' s disappearance. She was strong. She could do it.