The Clash, Book One

Chapter 9: The Garden of Forking Paths, Part B

Alena just closed out the email that Belfry had sent back to her. She then took a deep breath and leaned back in her chair; it had taken her working through lunch, but she finished all of the paperwork on the condos. And with an hour to spare.

She couldn't help but smile as she stood up and made her way out of the office. Belfry had been impressed by her work and agreed to let Alena take off work early. The blonde knew she wasn't completely out of the woods, but she had retained some favor with her boss.

Alena looked straight ahead as she marched toward the elevator. She stopped, however, when she heard Ivy's words: "I'll take care of things here, Mother. You do what you have to do."

"Is everything okay?" Alena asked once Ivy had hung up the phone.

The brunette sighed before she answered, "My mother is facing some issues with the condo project. Lucy decided to do some exploring underneath the construction site..."

Alena's eyes widened as she worriedly cut Ivy off: "Is she alright?"

"She's fine. Apparently, Henry was with her," Ivy nonchalantly stated. She then continued, "My mother believed she had squashed my stepsister's petition to stop the condo project by offering her and Lucy a place, but Jacinda is quite resilient."

Alena fought back a smile for her sister-in-law. She then spoke, "I think I'll go down and see if I can help Mrs. Belfry."

Ivy didn't bother to give a response before Alena turned back toward the elevator.

About 10 minutes later, the blonde was stepping out of her bug and made her way across the street to the garden. She glanced around at the crowd that had gathered before she saw Henry and Lucy approach.

Lucy then questioned, "Do you know what's going on?" "Uh, no. I was hoping you guys could tell me," Alena responded.

"I think we're about to find out," Henry observed before he inclined his head to where Jacinda was stepping up onto a makeshift wooden platform.

She then began to speak: "Thank you all for coming," but the crowd was restless. Roni whistled to get their attention, and Jacinda continued.

"I know some of you have already signed this once today and are probably wondering what this is all about. Well, I need you to sign it again."

There were murmurs before Jacinda apologized, "I'm sorry. I let you all down. I let myself down.

And I put this defenseless little garden at risk, when I should have protected it. You see, this garden isn't what it was supposed to be. I couldn't see that. But my Lucy did. She never stopped believing in it for a second."

A smile enveloped her features as she triumphantly finished: "We're gonna show Victoria Belfry that when you truly believe in something you can change things. So, if you're willing to fight with me, sign this. And when you're done, start planting. We're gonna show Victoria Belfry that we're not just gonna stop her from destroying this garden. We're gonna make some something wonderful here. Together."

Cheers and applause erupted from the crowd. They then began gathering around Jacinda to sign the petition before they began planting.

Alena smiled widely at the sight before she addressed Henry and Lucy, "Well, guys, I've got to go. I think I'll go ahead and pick up Emma and Lily."

"You aren't gonna stay and help?" Lucy asked.

"I don't think it'll be good for any of us if your step-grandma finds me here," Alena explained. The dark-haired girl nodded in response.

Henry then spoke, "I think I'll go I'll go check in with Jacinda and Roni. See what I can do. I'll see you later, Alena."

"See you later," Alena replied before her brother walked away. She then turned her attention back to her niece, who wrapped her in a hug.