answered. “Not much to do until springtime.”
###
Simon was right. The mystical garden would now sleep and require little attention. That was good for Merydith and Tobey. It gave them a better chance to get into it. The flowers had already begun to fold and tuck in to slumber for several months.
The leaves of some of the trees were already beginning to fade, and subtle shades of brown and gold began to form. The animals became less frequent as they prepared for winter.
The garden would go through a drastic change, winter animals and winter plants would soon take over. One thing would remain unchanged, however, never sleeping, always watching…always waiting. It would remain there all winter. Inhumanly patient. Living in the deepest regions of the garden, stirring among the plants, growling with frustration, wailing with rage. It waited.
10. The birth of Merydith’s Plan
Merydith woke early the next morning to find out whether or not Simon planned on watering the garden this morning or after the school day was over. If he did it while they were in school, she would lose the chance to sneak the formula to her room.
She prayed that he would wait and do it when she and Tobey were around and could set their plan in motion.
After having prepared herself for school, she placed a piece into her puzzle and gathered her books to scoot downstairs.
Surprisingly, Marion remained asleep but Gladys had made some hot old-fashioned oatmeal for the children. “My, you’re early, Merydith,” Gladys commented. “Well, sit down and have some good, hot oatmeal. It will do you good for school. Give you lots of energy. Tobey must still be asleep?”
“He sure is. I just can’t wait to be up and ready for school. I enjoy it so much.”
“That’s good, dear.”
On her way to the table, Merydith played another bell, a black one with gold trim. It was rather stunning.
Gladys wandered over to Simon’s workshop chain and pulled it. He had been down there way before anyone had awakened.
Merydith listened, heard the workshop doors snap open and then shut with a heavy thud. Simon strolled through the front door.
“Good morning, you two,” he said as cheerfully as could be and planted himself in his chair, where he started to wolf down oatmeal.
Gladys set the rest of the oatmeal on the stove and joined the others at the table. It was just the three of them, and a strange, uncomfortable silence permeated the room.
Merydith put a stop to that with her first investigative question. “Grandpa?”
He looked up from his bowl, his usual casual look on his face.
“Do you plan on watering the garden after you drop us off at school?”
Simon’s curiosity was stirred. He thought it was an odd question. “Why, I didn’t really think about it. Not that it matters. I’m the only one allowed in the garden anyway. It really makes no difference. Why?”
She stared at him with a smile, attempting to make the question seem unimportant. Please, please let him water when I’m around, please. “No reason, I just remembered you mentioning it last night.” She lowered her gaze into her oatmeal and force-fed herself.
“Well, I suppose I’ll water it later, before it gets dark. That way it’ll all be watered enough to make it through the entire night. You know the nights are getting longer now. Besides, I have some work to do around the house and in the workshop.”
What a relief. Merydith knew her plans for discovering the truth were going to be extremely challenging and quite a strain on her. She hoped she was up to it.
I’m going to have to let Tobey know so we can pull this off. I’ll tell him after school. It will be easier that way. Right now, Grandfather and Grandma are more likely to listen in on our plans.
###
Marion got out of bed after the morning had gotten a little brighter and Tobey was finally fully dressed for school.
Once again, the green pickup carried the children off to their appropriate schools. Merydith
###
Simon was right. The mystical garden would now sleep and require little attention. That was good for Merydith and Tobey. It gave them a better chance to get into it. The flowers had already begun to fold and tuck in to slumber for several months.
The leaves of some of the trees were already beginning to fade, and subtle shades of brown and gold began to form. The animals became less frequent as they prepared for winter.
The garden would go through a drastic change, winter animals and winter plants would soon take over. One thing would remain unchanged, however, never sleeping, always watching…always waiting. It would remain there all winter. Inhumanly patient. Living in the deepest regions of the garden, stirring among the plants, growling with frustration, wailing with rage. It waited.
10. The birth of Merydith’s Plan
Merydith woke early the next morning to find out whether or not Simon planned on watering the garden this morning or after the school day was over. If he did it while they were in school, she would lose the chance to sneak the formula to her room.
She prayed that he would wait and do it when she and Tobey were around and could set their plan in motion.
After having prepared herself for school, she placed a piece into her puzzle and gathered her books to scoot downstairs.
Surprisingly, Marion remained asleep but Gladys had made some hot old-fashioned oatmeal for the children. “My, you’re early, Merydith,” Gladys commented. “Well, sit down and have some good, hot oatmeal. It will do you good for school. Give you lots of energy. Tobey must still be asleep?”
“He sure is. I just can’t wait to be up and ready for school. I enjoy it so much.”
“That’s good, dear.”
On her way to the table, Merydith played another bell, a black one with gold trim. It was rather stunning.
Gladys wandered over to Simon’s workshop chain and pulled it. He had been down there way before anyone had awakened.
Merydith listened, heard the workshop doors snap open and then shut with a heavy thud. Simon strolled through the front door.
“Good morning, you two,” he said as cheerfully as could be and planted himself in his chair, where he started to wolf down oatmeal.
Gladys set the rest of the oatmeal on the stove and joined the others at the table. It was just the three of them, and a strange, uncomfortable silence permeated the room.
Merydith put a stop to that with her first investigative question. “Grandpa?”
He looked up from his bowl, his usual casual look on his face.
“Do you plan on watering the garden after you drop us off at school?”
Simon’s curiosity was stirred. He thought it was an odd question. “Why, I didn’t really think about it. Not that it matters. I’m the only one allowed in the garden anyway. It really makes no difference. Why?”
She stared at him with a smile, attempting to make the question seem unimportant. Please, please let him water when I’m around, please. “No reason, I just remembered you mentioning it last night.” She lowered her gaze into her oatmeal and force-fed herself.
“Well, I suppose I’ll water it later, before it gets dark. That way it’ll all be watered enough to make it through the entire night. You know the nights are getting longer now. Besides, I have some work to do around the house and in the workshop.”
What a relief. Merydith knew her plans for discovering the truth were going to be extremely challenging and quite a strain on her. She hoped she was up to it.
I’m going to have to let Tobey know so we can pull this off. I’ll tell him after school. It will be easier that way. Right now, Grandfather and Grandma are more likely to listen in on our plans.
###
Marion got out of bed after the morning had gotten a little brighter and Tobey was finally fully dressed for school.
Once again, the green pickup carried the children off to their appropriate schools. Merydith
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