Page 10 of A Fowl Match

I eagerly tear open the box, finding my new laptop safely cushioned inside. It’s nothing special, but definitely better than the tower in my office that’s never been replaced. I rush with the laptop to my office to set it up. I unplug everything and set it all in a large cardboard box in the corner of the room. I will have to save everything and transfer it later. I can’t wait to have one that is more reliable and that will load faster than a snail's pace.

I lift the large tower and scoot it across the wooden desk. As it inches closer to the edge, a purple notebook slides underneathonto the soft carpet. I pick up the journal and brush off the surface, smoothing it with the back of my palm to reveal a bouquet on the cover filled with baby’s breath, lavender, and violets. I’ve seen this before. A memory from my teen years flashes in my mind.

“What are you writing about, Ms. Burton?” I ask, curiosity lining my voice.

“Oh my sweet Violet. Sometimes when my thoughts are spinning, I scribble them down in this notebook.”

“What are you thinking about?”

“Right now, I’m thinking that we should go upstairs and work on making some dinner. How does that sound?”

“Count me in!” My stomach grumbles at the mere thought. She pulls her reading glasses off and shuts the notebook, sliding it into the bottom drawer and locking it.

Ms. Burton is like the grandmother I never had. She’s living in the cozy cottage retirement home now on the other side of the street. She was always so secretive about this notebook of hers. I can’t believe it’s been here after all of this time. And now it’s in my hands. I can’t help but feel like I’m betraying her trust by opening it, but I’m itching to read her words and I can’t wait until I see her tomorrow. I need to know what she was writing about. Hesitantly, I open the first page. Her signature scent of rose and patchouli escape the pages.

I gasp at what I find written.

Dear H,

Today exceeded all of my expectations. The Not So Secret Garden was bustling with customers. Flower orders were flying in left and right with it being graduation and wedding season. I couldn’t keep up with all of the business. I never needed to hire employees before; the stream of customershad been steady, but it wasn’t something I couldn’t handle on my own. Then I saw my best friend's face heading around the line out of the door. Lily. Her brown hair flowed down her shoulders. Her daughter, Violet, was at her side. She looked just like a younger replica of her mother. The pair jogged to the front of the line and asked if I needed any help taking orders. Of course, I agreed willingly. I was thankful for the love my friend had for me and my passions. The line soon dwindled to a few customers, and I was so grateful for the help. They made it all the more clear that I needed to hire some form of summer help. That’s when the idea struck me. Violet had turned fifteen and had just received a work permit. Lily had been talking about it a few days earlier confessing to me how fast Violet had been growing up. And this was so true. One minute she was a baby barely uttering more than a word when I’d babysit for Lily and John. Now she’s becoming a woman. If she’s up for the job, she would be the perfect fit.

When I offered her a part-time job, Violet agreed with eagerness, wanting to learn all there was about flowers and running a business. I could see that same sparkle in her eyes that I too have had for years. Hopefully this will be the start to a wonderful summer, where I may be able to get a break too. Everything is lining up perfectly. If she has a love for the shop as much as I do, maybe one day it could be hers, to continue my legacy.

I wish I could find the courage to send you these letters I write for you. Telling you all about my life, and then maybe I’d get a letter back from you and hear about yours. But that thought is silly. There’s no way you’d feel the same way I do. So these will continue to stay hidden in this notebook for eternity.

With Love,

Darcy Burton

A couple of tears trickle down my face as I read the words scrawled in cursive across the page. In fact, her signature purple fountain pen still sits upon her desk when I visit. It’s so interesting to see the events that I experienced through her eyes. To hear about my mother was more gut wrenching. How could I forget my first day on the job and all the joy I felt to be a part of something?

I flip through the pages, finding hundreds of entries. Each dated and signed alike. It will be interesting to read all of them, but my guilt eats away at me. How would she feel about me reading these letters? And who is H, her secret love, maybe? I am most definitely getting all of the details when I visit.

Chapter 6

Dustin

“Youdidthisonpurpose,” I say.

“I did no such thing.” My grandpa chuckles while starting up the side-by-side. We use this as the main transportation around the farm to haul tools. He drives us to the edge of the fence that needs repairing. A large section was hit by some trees that fell during a wind storm just before I arrived. The wire needed to be clipped and re-connected in a couple of huge parts using splicers. We also had to fix the tensioning and replace a few wooden posts.

“You knew the events started Monday. You called to make me come back so that I would be stuck participating,” I grumble.

“Dustin, my poor grandson. Who is in perfect shape. Young and full of life. Did you expect your grandmother and I to participate in the events? I didn't make you do anything. Last year we barely made it out unscathed. Some of the days involved sports. I strained my hip and was in the hospital for a few days.”

“I didn’t know that. Why didn’t you tell me?” I say, concern etching my voice.

“Because you’ve been gone. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. It was only a minor strain. I’m fine.”

“Well, it is a big deal to me. I would have come and helped if I’d known.”

“It’s in the past now and not worth arguing over. You’re here now.”Seems like someone had a change of heart.We pass some cows grazing on the freshly sprouted grass. “You're probably wondering why we even participate. But it truly does help with raising funds for the farm. It's a good business investment.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to try to get out of it. I know how much it helps you out. I’ll put in an effort even though my partner and I don’t get along.”

“Violet and you don’t get along?”

“How do you—”

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