Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Tila

Racing down the forest path, I begin to slow down once I’m sure I wasn’t being followed. Course that feeling doesn’t go away. It must be that I had a near death experience, so I’m still jumpy. I look around though and take in the forest sounds and smells. Aw, it feels so good to be surrounded by the woods again. They give me a sense of security and calm down my nerves. The forest has been my home since I was a little girl. I remember being at the Inn with mom and Mrs. Danny, and how we would walk through the woods and have picnics. Those were some of my most treasured memories. Sigh, I need to go visit my mom this week. Maybe I will go tomorrow, just me and then I could take Red this weekend. Course I will also need to bring Maya and Mrs. Danny. The Inn comes into view as I reach the edge of the forest. The inn is nestled in a little clearing, but there is a road that leads to the main road so people can come in. But I rather enjoy my forest path, it was the quickest and the most fun route too. I finally reach the inn and I’m greeted by Mrs. Danny waving her little flower scissors. She was by herself. I shake my head. She should still be resting. She waves me over.

“Tila, you are back. That is terrific. Help me with these flowers. I want to place them around the inn.” I smile. So she couldn’t wait till I got back. I laugh softly.

“Yes, I will help you. How many do you want?” She tells me to collect at least ten. So I grabbed another pair of scissors and begin cutting, but also being careful not to ruin the garden display. I tell her that I didn’t get the groceries but I will go later today. I also told her about the fight with Joe, because she noticed my wounds. I told her about the annoying guy who got involved. She laughed when I told her how much he made me angry. I do love Mrs. Danny. She was like the grandma I had never had. I was glad she had been there for me and my mom. She the closest thing I had to family anymore. Since the day dad died. Oh Mom, I wish you knew how much you were missed. But we are doing ok. Just please get better soon. We eventually had to go in, when the Brown’s kids arrived.

Jeremy and Jamie were my best students. Except Jeremy had a problem with practicing. He spent his time stealing muffins and pastries off his mom shelves and counters or so he has told me. Maya likes to joke the young mr. brown has a crush on me and that's why he comes to lessons. I laugh because it is probably true, but he's like twelve and I’m twenty-two so it wouldn’t work out. Jamie is the sweetest thing. She works extra hard to not only learn but to master her songs. I start with her as we go through her course load. I’m glad that Red’s room is closed otherwise he would wake from his nap. Jamie plays beautifully and we go through the ones I want her to work on till the next lesson. Next is Jeremy’s turn. He has the ability to sight read. So it almost looks like he practice, unless he loses focus. Which happens a lot. This time he got distracted by the waves of the ocean. He then missed several notes. I helped him through the rest of his pieces.

I finally sent the Brown’s kids on their way. Jamie may eventually get to his sister's level or he will just stop. But Jamie, I think she will someday be even better than me. But I guess we will see. Besides they are only twelve. I did convince Jeremy that girls do like a guy who can play piano, so hopefully next week he will be more prepared and have practiced a bit this week so I can move him to the next stage in his lessons. I did add that I would be super impressed and may have treats next time if he could learn these songs. This deal may or may not work. Sigh, Hopefully that happens.

I began to stare out the window. I thought again of what happened happened only a few hours ago. I began to wonder why? His words echoed through my head, I couldn’t just stand by and watch you die. I couldn’t watch another person die. But that doesn’t explain your reasoning. Sigh, worrying about this isn’t going to help. Red had went down for a nap only thirty min ago so that gave me an hour of peace. I grabbed the bag of books I had ordered. I reached into it and pulled out a music book. It was time I practiced, it has been a while. I opened the piano and began playing. My fingers moved on their own, as if it knowing the music by heart. I listened to each note as it began to sway with me. I closed my eyes and let my mind wander with it. I let my soul go, the music helping it to take flight. I love music so much. It helps me to gather my thoughts and ideas. It eased my worries and pains. When I had reached the end of the song, I dragged the notes out as long as I could and still keep to the integrity of the melody itself. After I had finished I took a look at the sheet. I made certain of my timing. As I worked, I heard the doorbell ring as someone entered. thinking it was just Mrs. Danny, I continued. But soon I heard two voices in the entryway, curious I got up and went to the main entrance. I came around the corner and found Mrs. Danny talking to a young gentleman. Soon Mrs. Danny saw me and called me over.

“Oh Tila, very good. I would like you to meet our new guest. This is Samuel West.” She gestured to the young man. He was tall, with striking features on closer inspection. His hair was silver and a bit disheveled. I then looked into his eyes, they were the color of grass bathed in moonlight, almost a silvery green. His face did light up the minute he turned to me. When he spoke, his tone and smile were very polite.

“I am sorry to intrude, I was just hoping for a room to be available? I don’t quite know how long I will be here, but I was also hoping you were looking for any help?” Well we could use someone to chop wood and help around with the heavier things. and we do have plenty of space. Plus I was going to look for some new people to help around the inn, because Mrs. Danny was getting too frail to do anything more than to read stories to the children and tend her flower garden.

“Yes of course,” I held out to shake his hand. “Welcome to the Purple Iris and Dragon Lily Inn.”

Well as fate would have it, the inn gained a new guest and helper. I led Samuel to his room which would be on the lower with everyone else who lives and works here. I hand him, his key after I unlock the door. We enter and I begin to show him around.

“So we have your bathroom over there, A closet and a dresser are on the left side of the room by the window. You also have a closet and a desk,” I point to the north side of the room. “If you need new towels, there is a cabinet down the hall. And sheets will be in the cabinet next to the towels. Anything else just ask me. Also dinner will be at six. So you can get settled in and we will see you at six?” He looked around and then turned to me.

“Thankyou. I will try not to be too much trouble.” He smiled but I sense a little sorrow behind it. I wonder what could cause such inner shadow in him. Shrugging it off I begin to leave.

“Don’t worry. Just be yourself and I’m sure we will get along.” He look at me with surprise as I said the just be yourself. It was unusual. “So we will see you at six?” He nodded and I left him to unpack.  Well he is cute Maya might flip her lid when she sees him. I go to get Red up and ready to go play outside. I also tell Maya to go to town and get the groceries plus ingredients for dinner. What a strange day to has been.