My Dearest Ebony,
I'm sure at least once in every child's life, the prospects of being an adult sounds marvelous. You get to do whatever you want to do, go wherever you please, stay up till all hours, eat whatever you desire, and with no limitations! Yes, the life of an adult is a child's dream come true, and even more when a child is coming of age. But eventually the fantasy and romance of adulthood within a child's mind fades away, as they become an adult themselves. It is here children begin to understand the reality of it all, and the responsibility their parents had to bear, resulting in them missing the carefree days of their youth.
Ebony, my beloved, cherish your childhood. Be thankful for the days given you. Be grateful for this time and don't let the lessons of your youth pass you by. Enjoy your age, Ebony, for you will never get it back. I know your father is preparing you to be great, and you can sometimes forget to enjoy what's right in front of you, because you are so focused on your destiny. But all that will come in due time. Don't try to rush through life.
So, to ensure you enjoy yourself, I say we have some fun! Whether your father agrees to it or not, you and I will be going to the County Fair with Violet and the others. So, dress your best and prepare yourself for some fun, my dear! Because you deserve it.
Don't forget, my beloved, all great things start off small. You're a sapling, not a tree, and you are beautiful as you are now.
With Love,
Mother
~~~~~~
I remember my first arrival to the impressive house of Hedge Manor. I was five years old. Everything around me appeared massive to my small self. If my father had brought me back to his childhood home a year ago, I would have been excited. But the long drive there taught me that now was not the time for merriment.
The memory is faint. Only bits and pieces of that time stand out to me.
I remember being in my mother's arms as I watched the fields and trees go by through the car window. I remember being mesmerized when we drove up to my grandfather's home but holding my excitement due to my father's grave behavior.
His face was stern, and he hardly spoke a word throughout the trip. Nothing I did would make him smile, and Mother had to hold me to keep me from going to him. I didn't understand why he was so upset, but I soon learned.
I can still think back to how happy I was to meet my grandmother once she gave me a cookie. She smelled of cherry blossoms, pine trees, and cookies. I knew right away I was going to love this woman and she, me. I also met my grandfather that day.
Grandma had brought me to a hall table with three portraits resting on it. One was of a younger version of Grandma posing behind two boys, who stood next to each other, everyone in their church clothes. One of the boys had a resemblance to my father. The next picture was a young couple with a little boy. The last photo was of an older man that sat in a large leather chair with people standing around him. Grandma was there, along with my parents and the young couple and their son.
I remember looking up at Grandma as she showed me the portrait with Grandfather and telling me all about him.
"This is your family, Ebony, and that man in that chair is your grandfather."
I stared at the photo as she continued.
"He was a good man and was so happy when he learned that your mom was pregnant with you! His only regret was that he wasn't there when you were born."
"Where is Grandpa?" I asked suddenly, "Can I meet him, now?"
"Of course you can, my dear! He would love to meet you!"
Taking my hand, Grandma took me out of the house and onto a path that led to a field. As we walked, I saw the boy from the photos sitting in the grass, but he was bigger. He greeted Grandma as we passed and looked at me with confusion but didn't say anything.
The path bent and brought us to a vast flower garden. After passing several flower patches, we arrived at a clearing within the garden. She smiled and showed me a large stone placed firmly in the ground.
"James, I would like you to meet our granddaughter, Ebony." She squeezed my hand as she spoke, "Ebony, darling, this is your grandfather, James Ibre. Say hello!"
Her voice had quivered during the last words, but all I could do was stare at the elaborate tombstone. Engraved within a decorative border was the name James Ibre: A Man Of Many Wonders. Next to the grave were two more tombstones that read Isaiah Ibre and Laura Ibre.
It was here that I realized I was standing within the family burial site. It took me a moment before I found the courage to speak.
"H-Hello… Grandpa."
I felt another tight squeeze from Grandma, and I returned it.
"Grandma," I said softly, "is Grandpa dead?"
"No child, but some will say that he is."
Grandma's words confused me. It was obvious that Grandpa was dead. Dead is dead.
"His body is here with us," she continued, "but his spirit has moved on. He's in a good place, though. He is at rest, with the ancestors and the part of our family that has already moved on."
She gestured to the other graves, indicating that Grandpa was somehow with them. I stayed quiet since I didn't understand any of it. How could someone's body be in the ground and not be dead? And what did she mean by 'resting with the ancestors'? I did know one thing: my father had lost someone he loved very much.
I looked back at the gravestone.
"Is this why Papa is so mad?"
Grandma sighed but managed to give a slight nod. "Yes, but he's mostly sad than mad."
"Looks mad to me." I mumbled.
"Yes, he does, but sometimes a person will hide their sadness with anger. So no one sees their vulnerable side."
"What does vulnerable mean?"
"It means that it's your weaker side."
I thought about this before quickly grabbing both of Grandma's hands to get her attention. She was shocked by my action and asked me what was the matter.
"I don't like it that Papa is sad. Do… do you think he will be happy if I tell him that Grandpa is in a good place? With the ancestors?"
Grandma smiled down at me and squeezed my hand.
"Yes! I think he will like that very much!"
~~~~~
I lazily looked out the car window, watching the shadowy view of the town I called home. The song of the crickets was playing loud that night. Even through the darkness, I could tell that nothing much has changed since my time away. But not much has changed since Father brought me and Mother to his hometown. Though my home is classified as a small city, it still feels quaint and holds the charm of a small town.
I don't remember much after leaving the station, except for a few things.
The train arrived at our stop well into the night. The town was empty, and everything was still. I was surprised to learn that the boy and his father also were getting off at the station. The boy stumbled out of the train, still fighting sleep, as he trailed behind his father. He paused for a moment to wave a sleepy goodbye to me then continued on his way.
For a moment, I wondered who exactly that family was, but I didn't dwell on it for long due to the pressing matters ahead.
For some reason, Samuel hadn't come to pick us up at the station. The man at the station booth informed us that our vehicle was parked outside the station and handed my father the keys. This all seemed rather irregular, and I had an assumption it had to do with the new changes.
"I take it that Samuel's absence has something to do with new changes at the house?" I asked casually, while assisting Father in loading our luggage. Samuel was our family driver. He has been with us for seven years now.
"You can say that." he huffed.
"Well then, do you suppose now is a good time to share with me what exactly these 'changes' are? Since they have also affected our driver."
I had enough of these secrets and was wanting answers. Father breathed heavily as he had just finished with the luggage.
"These changes have affected everyone, and they will also affect you."
My eyes widened at this revelation.
"But!" Father smiled, "Let's talk about that in the morning." He gave a nod before entering the driver's seat.
I groaned as I watched the shadowy view of the town, I called home turn into the thick forest that led to our house. I turned to my father who was in the driver's seat, his eyes on the road. I stared at him intently, waiting to see him look my way, but he never did. I sighed again as I looked back out the window.
Father and I haven't said much to each other throughout our entire journey home, and now when I need to talk to him the most, he was avoiding me. It was clear what he was trying to do. He wanted to hold off telling me what happened these past three months, and I hated it. over the past 2 years, I've been noticing more and more that Father has been withholding information from me. But it hurt even more that I knew why.
Despite my itching curiosity, I decided to listen to the little voice inside my head.
"Ebony"
My gaze shifted towards my father I was surprised that he was even speaking. It seemed like he was determined to stay quiet through the entire drive.
"About what happened on the train…"
"Right…"
"Why did you feel the need to say those things?"
"Because… I never got the chance to properly apologize for what I did."
"Is that the only reason?"
For a moment, I thought about keeping the reason a secret. What good would it do me if he knows the truth, that I'm actually afraid. But when he turned to meet my eyes, it was clear that he already knew.
"For two years you have searched for a replacement for the Guardian and found none."
I could feel the air in the car grow thick with each second I spoke.
"I know what I did was wrong and as a consequence, I've lost the trust of everyone. I take full responsibility for what happened. I don't blame you. I don't blame anyone, and I deserve every ill thing that comes to me. Although I can never fix the damage that I've caused, I will make amends.
Father remained silent as he looked on thoughtfully.
"And-and I hope that with time you will not disregard me as a possible candidate for the Guardianship."
"So you think you can be the Guardian again?"
"I hope for the chance to prove myself worthy to be the Guardian."
Father exhaled slowly through his nose. The meaning of my words was swirling in his brain, and I could see his jaw flex under his deep concentration.
"Tomorrow, after breakfast, let us take our walk through the maze. We can talk more about this and our family's new developments then. But for now, you should get some sleep."
My father's response surprised me. It wasn't a yes, but it wasn't a no either. There still could be hope after all.
I gave Father a nod before squirming in my seat until I found a comfortable position to rest in.
"Good night, Ebony."
"Good night, Father."