All Our Lives

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 

It was a Sunday morning and my grandmother asked me to tend to the garden outback. Today was a very busy day because there was a war coming up. Nurses were coming in asking for medical supplies and medicine. I heard the bell jiggle for the hundredth time today. I turned around to see a soldier standing at the counter. 

“Hello there ma’am. May i have some tea leaves?” He asked my grandmother with a smile.

She nodded and called out my name. “ Mara can you bring me some tea leaves please?”

I brushed off my hands and walked into the back of the shop. I brought back a box of tea leaves. I didn't even glance at the solider. But I could tell my eyes were scanning all over me and my body. My grandmother gave out a small chuckle as she took the box out my hands. 

“Thank you my dear” she said and smiled at him.

I nodded as she turned towards the soldier who still had his eyes on me. My grandmother snapped her fingers to get the soldiers attention. 

“Young man this box is 3.00 eros” 

The soldier took  his eyes off me and shook his head a bit. 

“Ah i am so sorry! Here you go please keep the change. “He smiled, handing over a ten dollor bill. She smiled and nodded as the soldier grabbed the box and left the store. 

I sighed a bit. “ That was weird.” My grandmother hit my arm softly as she looked at me a bit disappointed with my actions.

“ That was a fine young man and you turned your nose up at him. I know that is not how your aunt raised you.” She scolded. 

“Grandmother I do not care for the people who killed my parents. They are all to blame as far as I care.” I said crossing my arms 

She shook her head disapprovingly. “ Mara, that is no way to think in this world. Your parents. Other women are dead because of that mindset that the soldiers had back then. The world may not be much different. But you are no longer in Italy so you no longer need to be as afraid as you were there. You are much safer here. “

I stared at her in shock for a few moments. Then I nodded my head, understanding her words.

“ You can not blame everyone anymore” She said, finishing her point. I held her hand in mine and nodded again. 

“I understand grandmother. I will give it a try. “I said, giving her a small smile. She smiled back and nodded as we got back to work. Grandmothers were always the wisest witches to roam the earth. 

********** 2 months later**************

Me and Layla were out and about roaming around town shopping for little things she had constantly asked me to put on  a little show at the bar she worked at for the soldiers who were returning from war. I told her that I was no common woman who shared her body with intoxicated males. But then again she had offered to spend her savings on me. Which is why we are here in the local stables today. I didn't pick out much but little trinkets to send back to my aunt. And pretty floral paper to write letters as well.

 You could hear the ship's horns as they pulled into the docks. People started to gather around and cheered for them. Me and Layla just watched and did not cheer with the crowd. Once the ship pulled into the docks the latter was let down. Soldiers were dressed in red and white uniforms. They held their heads high and proud as if  they had accomplished something great. Me and Layal had gotten enough of the scene and the noise. So we decided to leave. 

************Reecesons point of view*************

“ Maybe you could actually look for someone to settle down with Reecy boy. “ My friend Orlando said with a grin. I shook  my head a bit and laughed as we walked down the ramp. Yes I was a single soldier which was uncommon for someone my age. I didn't understand what the big deal was . I chose to be single until I found someone who made me not want to look away from her. And I still remember the perfect woman that had me lost for words. It had been a couple months but I had hoped she remembered me as well. 

I searched through the crowd to see if she had stopped by. But i didn't see her. I understand if she thought anymore about me. I made my way home with my two younger brothers and my adoptive mother and father. My parents had given me away and ran off. I never really bothered about asking about them. Guess I was the one to hold a grudge. 

*********Marabeths point of view********

We returned home to put our things away. Layla had to start getting ready for work. I told her that I would come and visit her and have a drink or two. So I took a warm bath after Layla of course. I scrubbed my body clean and washed my hair. Afterwards I got dressed in “normal England clothes.” A puffy red and white dress with a small red hat to go with it. That goes on the side of my hair. The dress was shorter because I cut it and restitched it to my liking. Once we finished getting ready we made our way to the bar.   

Soldiers were already waiting for Layla to show up.  But when they saw me they all seemed to have a heart attack. Some of them came up to me but I turned them away. They smelled of beer which was distasteful. I walked into the bar and took a booth by the window. 

Layla came over and gave me a free beer. I thanked her and only took a sip of it to not be overwhelmed.  I looked around a bit and noticed a man walk into the bar. He was the soldier that had come into the herb shop 2 months ago. I had to admit he was kinda cute. I couldn't help but stare at him slightly. 

When I finally wanted to look away his eyes met my gaze. A small blush crept to my cheeks. All we did was stare at each other.  A small smile made its way to his lips. I didn't want to be rude. So I lowered my eyes and looked out the window. But when I looked back up he was with his friends.  It seemed he noticed me staring at him again. 

He looked over at me and he seemed to be examining every feature on my face.  Usually I would've found that weird but with him it seemed a bit different. I told myself that I know how men are and how they operate. But for some reason it didn't feel like he was any other man. 

It seemed like we had been staring at each other for ages. This man was making me curious indeed.  

He was tall and a bit buff or maybe fit.  His eyes were golden brown and he had a mallet.  A bit of facial hair too. Great posture and strong looking hands. As I was mesmerized in his appearance I suddenly came to my senses. 

And he was standing right in front of me….