Lavender's Blue

The man was so humble. Usually, she admired that in others, having a great deal of humility herself. But he’d truly saved her. Not only had he gotten her gas and checked the car over, he ensured that she could continue to get to work. That her daughter could continue to eat. That she wouldn’t be taken away.

“But you are.” She insisted. “Not many people would have had the kindness to look, nor the patience to endure such a simple fix after all my blubbering. And I can’t tell you how much it means that you did.”

Making her way over to the driver’s seat of her own car, Ella sat down and closed her eyes. Though she was sure that the man wouldn’t lie to her, she couldn’t help but fear that something else would go wrong. With a quivering hand, she reached out and turned the key. The familiar, welcome rumble of the engine brought tears to her eyes as Ella looked back. “Thank you! Thank you so very, very much! I promise I’ll find a way to pay you back. Somehow…”

Ella did hate it so when Joe had to leave, the same way she had when her own father had when she was growing up. It made her feel lonely, and worse, it made her terrified that- like Papa- he wouldn’t return, and she’d be left destitute and grief stricken.

Sighing, Ella hesitated. Maybe it would be nice to get out of her room for a little while. And if Vin, Mary, and Inez were there, she knew that she’d be safe. No one would hurt her with them there. And in the past, she would have been thrilled at the idea of a party and new friends.

Had so much changed just because of her stepmother? Had she truly changed so much?

Ella would have felt better about going if it were just Inez, Mary, Vin, Chris, Josiah, Nathan, JD, Buck, and Ezra. The thought of a crowd any more was petrifying. But she’d never be able to get back to some semblance of her former self if all she did was lock herself away and stick only to select few companions.

“And I never will.” A gentle hand came to rest on her shoulder, “You’re worth it, Ella, and you’re so much stronger and braver than you think.” 

He’d taught her that.

Ella nodded and sighed. “Yes. We have…”

Miles grinned, shyly, but shook his head. “That was all you.”

Reaching out and carefully plucking a flower that had grown too heavy for its stem. And as her fingertips gently stroked the silky petals, the young woman gave a little sigh. “Something is on your mind. I can tell. Is everything all right?”