A cool breeze sends waves of color swimming across the landscape. Anne, Tom, and Tiffany find themselves in a meadow a few minutes” walk from the farmhouse. Flowers of varying sizes and colors littered the terrain, giving the air a sweet smell. A small grassy path winds through the flowers to a small tree in the middle. Tiffany leads them down the path to the tree. Anne and Tom give each other a quick ecstatic look. The awe and wonder beaming between them through their link make the excitement almost palpable and the three of them giggle and shout as they run towards the tree, stretching out their arms with the wind wafting from the side. Tiffany swirls around when they reached the tree, making her pink dress fan.

“This is momma’s favorite tree. She planted it here when she was just a little girl like me.” Tiffany said as they looked up at the tree’s scarlet leaves rustling in the wind.

“And these are momma’s favorite flowers.” She points the base of the tree where some bright pink bell-shaped flowers were growing.

“Momma loves pink, just like I do!” Tiffany says as she hops in place.

“These flowers only grow in the shade of momma’s tree. It is what makes them so special.”

Tiffany drops to her knees and closely examines the flowers as she considers which to pick. “We can only pick one,” she said softly as she holds one at the stem.

“This one!” She shouts, and carefully picks the flower.

They decide to stay a while longer before heading back. Anne and Tom sit down back to back in the tree’s shade to take in the peace and quiet. Tiffany drops down in between Anne’s legs and rests against her chest. Tiffany smiles up at Anne then closes her eyes.

I could stay here all day. This place is truly magical. I’m getting very excited to meet Tiffany’s mom. What was my mom like? I don’t remember, but everything here is so wonderful… why would I need to?

They sat in silence, enjoying the tranquility of the meadow as the sun slowly makes its way across the sky. About an hour go by before Tiffany lazily gets up. Yawning and stretching, they get up and follow Tiffany back down the path. They reach the farmhouse and skirt around the right till they reach the back.

A big gnarled tree was standing tall, casting a large shadow on the ground. Thousands of small white blossoms decorated the huge tree and covered the ground underneath. Against the trunk, a single gravestone stood.

Tiffany let out a few giggles and ran, holding the flower high in the air.

“Anney! Tommy! Come quick.” She hurried them over. Tiffany was on her knees when Anne and Tom reached her. Her little pink dress getting dirtied by the damp ground, for the grass grew sparsely under this enormous shadow. Tiffany gently picked up an old and dried flower from in front of the gravestone and put the new flower in its place.

“Hello, momma!” Tiffany said beaming.

“Look, momma. I made some new friends.”

Her mom. She is… I feel so sorry for Tiff. Wait. Do I? I don’t feel sorry. I don’t feel sad. This is amazing. I’m so happy to finally meet her.

Anne and Tom kneel on either side of Tiffany. Tom is smiling wide. His excitement gently warming him and Anne.

“Momma. This is Tommy. And this is Anney.” They both moved a bit closer as they were introduced.

“Say hi.” Tiffany urges them.

“Oh… umm. Hi!” Anne says with a bit more enthusiasm then she realized. “It’s good to finally meet you. Tiffany can’t stop talking about you.” Anne says. Tiffany giggles and tries to push Anne over.

“Oh, thank you for the dress!” Anne gestures at the one she is wearing. “You made it very pretty.”

Tiffany smiles in agreement.

They both look at Tom who was there on his knees, silent. His face flushes red and hurriedly reveals a small posy from behind his back. It had 5 small flowers of varying color, and he gently set it down next to momma’s flower.

It was then when they heard the heavy footsteps behind them.

“Hello, little ones,” John said from behind them.

John got down on his knees with a low thud, right behind Tiffany. She dropped back against him as he pulled her in closer, relaxed.

“Today’s flower is extra beautiful I see.” John’s voice rumbled.

“How are you today mum?” He murmured.

“We are all doing great. I’m managing with the farm and little one says my cooking has gotten better. We miss you though.” At these words, Tiffany looks up at him. Both smiling.

“Come little ones. Let’s go get everything ready for dinner.”

They get up and brush the dirt from their clothes. Making their way back around the farmhouse, Tiffany runs ahead. She disappears into the house and came back out with two big straw baskets. Struggling not to let them scrape the ground, she wobbles up to her dad and hands him a basket. Tom holds his hand out for the other basket and with a toothy grin hand it to him.

“We are having stew today. You know what to get Tiff?” John asked.

“Yes, papa.” She smiles and takes Tom by the hand, setting off towards the fields.

***

A crackling fire was waiting for them outside when they returned to the farmhouse. The sun was hanging low, blanketing the sky in a peach haze. A long table was set outside where John was busy preparing their stew. They set the baskets next to him on the table. They were filled with tomatoes, peppers, carrots, potatoes, and one big butternut. Anne and Tom sit down on the soft grass, exhausted from the labor.

“Thank you, Tiff. You too little ones.”

John motions towards his throat.

“Oh! Yes.” Tiffany says and runs to the kitchen. A few moments later she emerges carrying a stack of drinking glasses and a jug of water. John meets her halfway and takes the heavy jug from her, cupping her cheek to show thanks. Tiffany sets the glasses in a row and John fills them as she goes.

“They are late,” John says in a flat voice.

“They should have delivered today.”

John takes a glass and starts sipping on it as he continues working on the stew. Tiffany worriedly glances at Anne then takes a glass. Anne and Tom joins Tiffany and they enjoy the cold drink after the hot day.

Darkness falls as the sun was setting. Anne, Tom, and Tiffany sit down at the table outside and John sets their warm stew in front of them. The wonderful smell wafts through the air making their stomachs growl in anticipation.

“Eat up little ones.” John smiles.

They enjoy their warm meal in silence. John seems deep in thought as he eats.

What a day. Anne thinks to herself.

The flower fields are so beautiful. And that tree.

I got to meet Tiff’s mother. I… I wonder what happened to her.

John seems to have taken us in, at least for now. It is a bit strange. He hasn’t asked any questions about our past or where we came from. Not that I want him to. I’m not sure what answer I could possibly give.

Anne takes a sip of water to wash down some stew, staring blankly in front of her as she is lost in thought.

I feel so happy, all the time. This must be normal. I like this. Anne’s head suddenly gets flooded with questions.

“Umm… John?” Anne started.

John lifts a brow as a smile crosses his face.

“Where are we?” Anne finally asked.

“Like, what is beyond the farm? We don’t really know the area at all.”

“Well, let see.” John started. He moves his bowl aside and puts a spoon down on the table.

“This is Myrtle Valley, where we are now.”

“The river that runs past the farm is the Myrtle river.” He says with a raspy voice as he traces a line with his finger down the one side of the spoon.

“Then we have the small town of Pebblebrook to the southwest.” He moves his bowl to where he is describing.

“And finally, to the north.” He moves the water jug in place.

“To the north is the capital. A metropolis called San Vehema.”

“Wow, what are they like?” Anne muttered. Tom was also listening intently, looking at the spoon and bowl as if it’s going to morph into the actual places at any moment.

“Well…” John paused to think.

“Pebblebrook is about 20 minutes’ drive from here, so it’s rather close. It’s a small town situated near the end of the Myrtle river. The riverbed is packed with fist-sized pebbles, which the townspeople have used since its inception to pave the roads winding through it.”

“We take them fresh food! Sometimes.” Tiffany added in a squeaky voice.

“Harr harr harr!” John laughed heartily.

“Tiff is right. That is also where we get most of our supplies from.” John added.

“San Vehema, on the other hand, is big. Truly big. There isn’t much else I can say about it. I’ve only been there once or twice myself. Those tall buildings don’t sit right with me.” John said while moving his bowl back so he can eat.

“What is that way?” Anne asked and pointed to the general direction from where they came from yesterday.

“To the west?” John mumbled.

“Some military area. I’m not entirely sure. There have been some bad rumors about that place. Some say the area has been abandoned or even destroyed by an explosion of some sort. We just stay away from it altogether. Entry is off limits anyway.” John said casually and continued eating.

Except for Tom and Tiffany making faces to each other resulting in chuckles all around, the rest of dinner was spent in relative silence.

A military area? Off-limits to people? What could all this mean? Anne thought. A hint of fear rising through her, but then it dissipates.

They all finish their last sips of water, taking in the sounds of nature around them. Anne helps Tiffany wash the dishes and Tim helps John put out the fire and pack up outside. It wasn’t long until they sluggishly get into their pajamas as their eyelids get heavy. Tiffany was already in Anne’s bed in the spare bedroom when she crawled in and Tom was sleeping soundly.

“Goodnight Anney.” Tiffany snuggled up to Anne.

“Goodnight Tiff.”

I hope this can last forever. I want to stay here forever. Me and Tom can live here with Tiff and John, and there won’t be any more worries.

Ever again.

John sits alone in the unlit kitchen.