Against the Stars

Chapter 41

The next morning, Ginny decided to visit Zona, alone. She hadn't seen Zona or Ava for for a while and it would be a nice gesture. She woke early and slipped out the door. She didn't tell anyone she was leaving, but they find out soon enough.

The morning sun had gently crept over the horizon, painting the sky pink and blue. Ginny started at the beauty, and for a moment, forgot the world.

But Ginny soon arrived at Zona' s had no choice but to deal with life. Though deep in the depths of Ginny's mind, she knew, though life was hard, it all work out in the end.

She knocked on the wooden door as hard she could. She hoped Zona was home or who knew how long she'd be standing there. Luckily though, she heard little footsteps and then a latch undone. The door flew up open and Ginny jumped back from surprise.

"Oh dear! Sorry to frighten you. Come on in Ginny, it's been done time since we've talked," Zona said smiling.

Zona led Ginny into the sitting room and told her to sit. "I'll get some tea," Zona said. Ginny tried to refuse but Zona wouldn't listen.

On the fly by Ginny's  feet was little Ava. She had grown so much in the past months. Ginny couldn't help but cuddle Ava in her arms. Ava squealed with delight as Ginny ticked her.

Zona came in a moment later and smiled when she saw Ginny and Ava. Ginny sat Ava back on the floor and took a cup of tea from Zona.

"She's such an adorable baby," Ginny said.

Zona smiled weakly. "She is. She's a handful to. So Ginny, why are you here today?"

"Oh I just wanted to stop by."

Zona looked Ginny right in the eye and said, "Dear if you just enter to stop by, Ben would be with you, wouldn't he? Now tell old Zona the real reason that you're here."

Ginny sighed. Why has she decided to see zona? Why today over any other day?

"I guess, because I'm confused."

Zona put her hands on Ginny's hand. "You can talk. I promise I'll listen."

Ginny smiled weakly. "There's just so much going on. Stephen's death, the war, Nicholas's departure, my mother's intentions, my wants, Ben..." Ginny's voice hung off.

"What about Ben?" Zona pressed.

"I don't know! My heart's confused, my mind's confused, everything's confusing!"

"I understand Ginny. I really do. This is a confusing time for everyone. It seems that our posts want on thing for us, while we want another. However, let me tell you, it will all be fine in the end."

"That's what everyone always says! It will be fine, in the end. It will work out, eventually, eventuallyai wait and see. Why can't things be all right now? Why can't my life work out now?!" Ginny cried, breaking down. Tears poured from her face before she could stop. "I want life to be simple."

Zona pulled Ginny into a hug. "Dear child, I'm afraid life will never be simple. That's just the way it works. However, if we are seeing and find they love that's out there waiting for us, life will seem simple in our hearts."

Ginny pondered that for a moment. She thought of her times with Ben and Celia, and her those moments let her be herself, let her be happy. Ginny loved those moments. Those were the moments she lived for.

"Thank you Zona," Ginny said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Zona smiled and replied just as loud, "You're welcome. Now you best be going, I don't want to cause any trouble."

Ginny nodded. She picked up Ava and hugged her once more. "Be a good girl Ava," Ginny whispered, setting her down. She waved to Zona and was out the door.

As she stepped out on the street, Ginny had a different view of live before her. No longer did she just see pain, hunger, loss, and hurt. No, she saw something different. She saw hope, friendship, and joy. And that would be enough to keep her going.

Looking at the sky, Ginny raised she still had time left before she had to return home. But where to go? Ginny stuffed her hands in her pocket and came up with a letter. When she saw that letter only one word came into her head, Celia.

Celia deserved to know about her brother as much as Ginny deserved to know about Blithe. Ginny ran down the road, dashing through the crowded streets trying to make it to the Roser house.

When she got there, going ran -as fast she could without falling- up to the door. She rammed her hand against the door, knocking as loud as she could. Celia needed to hear this.

The door was opened by Celia's little sister, Alice. Alice took one look at Ginny and said, "I'll get Ce," then she was gone.

Ginny bounced from one foot to another, eagerly waiting to share the news. She need to share her excitement.

Celia came to the door and saw Ginny hoping. "What is it?"

"I got word from Blithe!"

"What! Get in here!" Celia yelled, shoving Ginny inside. She slammed the door and yanked Ginny up to her room.

"Let me see the letter," Celia begged. She was starved for news about her brother. Ginny handed over Blithe's letter to the family. Celia read, her eyes growing larger with each word.

"They're all right. They're all right," Celia moaned, clearly relived. For every second Ginny had spent worrying about Blithe, it seemed Celia had spent two worrying about Josiah.

"I can't believe this," Celia said, letting the letter floatto the ground. "It just doesn't seem real."

"I know it's almost like a fairytale."

"I hope I can live a fairytale one day," Celia said dreamily.

"You know what Cece, me to," Ginny said. It was at that moment when Ginny almost told Celia about Ben. She almost spilled it, but something kept her mouth closed tight.

"Do you mind if I let my family read this? I'll give it back to you, I promise."

Ginny nodded. She trusted Celia. "Of course Cece."

"Thank you for giving this to me."

"You're welcome," and with that, Ginny left.