Darkness dwells in the night, but life does not cease in its waking. Under the star-filled sky, the sound of living souls echoed and moaned outside Hedge Manor. Bats chirped instead of birds. Fireflies replaced the butterflies. Crickets played in the distance, and a half Moon illuminated the sky, allowing its twin to sleep for the night. Ebony was peering into this darkness as she rested against one of the large pillars supporting the front porch. The woods behind the front gate were absorbed in the darkness. Nothing but black could be seen past the gate's hanging lights that lit the driveway. If not for these lights and the hanging torches on the porch, Ebony too would be covered in darkness. She pressed her face into the beam and softly tapped its grooves. Her eyes never left that dark void, and as she stared further and further into it, her mind wandered in thought. Thoughts of earlier that day and of the peculiar, young pianist who was handsome and carefree.
*****
"What did you mean-?"
"Huh?" Johnathan looked back at Ebony who had asked him the question.
They were both standing outside the Manor with full bellies from breakfast. Johnathan was at the foot of the stairs grasping the handles of the bike he used to get here, and Ebony was on the top of the stairs holding her hands awkwardly together. Ebony did not make eye contact but continued to look at her hands.
"When you told my father that 'There's no need for mending' when there clearly was... Why did you say that? Were you just trying to be polite?"
A soft smile came on Johnathan's face. He recalled how quiet she was during breakfast and that she kept glancing at him with uncertainty. He wanted to know why she was behaving that way, but at the time, he ignored it due to being preoccupied with Mr. Ibre. Johnathan had a hunch the reason revolved around him and hoped the lady didn't hate him. But after hearing Ebony's words, the tension in his heart withered.
Johnathan turned himself and the bike to face the lady on the stairs.
"I figured you were curious," he nodded. "I could feel your eyes on me when I said that earlier. Alright, I'll give you an answer."
His statement caused Ebony to finally raise her head to look at him, and for just a moment, Johnathan admired how soft and tender her countenance had become. The rays of the late morning sun had brightened her aura, and he witnessed just how intricate her brown eyes were. He found this timid side of her to be very cute.
"You were right when you said that I just enjoyed messing with you. And I'm sorry for that. I was just in a happy mood and-." Johnathan stopped himself and looked off to the side. He felt a pull in his chest, telling him that what he said wasn't the real reason. He slowly tightened his grip squeezed the handlebars of his bike while contemplating on whether to say the truth.
"No..." he said firmly, shaking his head. "That's not the reason... I knew you didn't like what I was doing... I saw it in your face, but I didn't care. I made you uncomfortable for the sake of amusing myself." He looked back at Ebony and the look in his eyes mesmerized her. They held remorse and a level of responsibility.
"And that was wrong of me." Johnathan continued. "You were right. My behavior was inappropriate and I'm sorry for my selfishness and for making you uncomfortable. I should have stopped myself and simply explained who I was... but I was enjoying the interaction we were having too much to care. In the future, though, I will be more considerate to you and won't make you uncomfortable."
Johnathan spoke his final words while staring into Ebony's eyes. His gaze was intense yet held much emotion. It was by this that Ebony knew he meant every word he said.
"I-" Ebony began descending the steps. She didn't know what was compelling her; perhaps her body was moving on its own. Regardless, her eyes never left Johnathan's the closer she came to him.
She stopped at the last final step. Her rationality now alive, questioned her on what she was doing. Though she was on a stair, Johnathan was still taller than her. So her head was tilted up as a result. A calm silence and understanding rested between them.
"I accept your apology." Ebony was finally able to reply. "And I'm sorry for swinging a baseball bat at you."
Her words caused Johnathan to look away and laugh softly.
"I was just surprised!" Ebony confessed, wanting to finish. "I hadn't known about the arrangement that was made and my father is the only one that plays the piano, so-"
"No, no. It's alright!" Johnathan interrupted with a chuckle, now smiling at her. "Miss Ebony, don't feel bad. It was a simple misunderstanding. And if I'm being honest," He paused, leaning in closer and cupping one side of his face, as if he was going to tell the biggest secret. "I deserved every swing you gave."
Johnathan had spoken this in a loud whisper, and though the act was childish, Ebony found comfort in it. His bright, gentle eyes that stared down at her was the reassurance she needed to know all was forgiven and she could finally ease her mind. As consequence of this, Ebony replied to Johnathan's words with a soft smile and nod.
The young man erupted into laughter. "You're agreeing with me!?" Johnathan questioned, making Ebony chuckle in response.
"I suppose I am."
"Good! Good!" He smiled, his large teeth now in full display. "I'm glad you're agreeing with me! So don't feel bad, and let's forget about all of this."
Ebony didn't know what to make of this energetic man, but in some odd way, his easygoing demeanor reminded her of her father.
"I don't think I could ever forget that I swung a bat at you like a maniac." Ebony admitted to which the young man responded with a thoughtful look before nodding his head in agreement.
"You know what, neither can I."
"Then how about we continue as friendly acquaintances." Ebony stuck out her hand to seal the deal on her offer, but Johnathan simply eyed it with playful amusement.
"Acquaintances?" He challenged. "I met your father, and we ate breakfast together at the same table. Don't you think that would be considered a friend than an acquaintance?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Barnett, but acquaintance is the only thing I can give you at this mome-"
"Johnathan."
"Huh?"
"Call me Johnathan." The man extended his hand and gently grasped hers. "If you please?"
There was a moment of silence as Ebony thought what the best thing to do was, then she slowly shook his hand.
"Ebony. You may call me Ebony."
Johnathan softly squeezed her hand in response and smiles with a nod.
"You know, Ebony," Johnathan noted, releasing Ebony's hand and gripping his bike's handlebars once again, "you're pretty strong for a small lady."
Ebony's eyes widened before letting out a laugh. "Well, Johnathan, it's best not to judge a book by its cover, without at least reading the synopsis."
Johnathan's face lights up, and he quickly lays his arms against the handlebars with interest. "And, I suppose if I had read your synopsis, it would have told me to beware of your strong swings?"
"Why of course!" Ebony smiles and Johnathan laughs in response.
"Will do, Miss! Will do. Well," Johnathan sighed, lifting off his bike, "I'll see you on Monday then."
He twirls his pedal in the right position, hoists himself off the ground, then proceeds to bike away. He only got four pedals in, though, before Ebony called out to him.
"Wait! Before you go, I-!"
"Huh?" Johnathan pauses from his pedaling and looks back to see Ebony alternating between walking and jogging. With the wheels on his bike still moving, Johnathan turns around to meet the young lady halfway.
"Sorry," he called out. "I didn't know you still wanted to talk to me."
Noticing his bike still having too much momentum, Johnathan decided to circle Ebony, in an attempt to slow down before finally coming to a full stop. The act had startled Ebony, but the feeling came and went as Johnathan asked, "What is it?"
"Well, if you don't mind me asking..." Ebony couldn't maintain eye contact as she began to speak.
She kept looking away every time their eyes met, and her hands remained folded inside one another. It was strange. Though they had made amends, she still felt awkward around him. However, despite this uncomfortable feeling, Ebony couldn't stop herself from talking to him.
"Why do you wish to be an apprentice? Under my father, specifically? You were already a student, studying medicine in Georgia. Why the change?"
Johnathan stayed quiet for a moment thinking about how best to answer.
"...I want to learn a practice of medicine that's more affordable to the average man." He finally stated. "Herbal medicine is that affordable option, and your father is one of the best in the nation."
"And you were willing to move to Oklahoma - a state so far away from your home - to achieve this?"
"Yes. It's my calling."
Ebony was a bit surprised by the word Johnathan used. Calling? Isn't that a bit too bold to say? Though Ebony had trained her entire life for one thing, she, herself, didn't know if that was to be her destiny. And yet, this man standing before her was already so sure of his purpose in life.
"But don't you think it's a little late to enroll in the academy?" Ebony inquired. "It's the middle of the year. You'll be behind."
"It's never too late to learn, Miss Ebony. Well, I'm off!" Johnathan beams, before again performing his routine of twirling his pedal in the right position, then hoisting himself off the ground to pedal away. Ebony watches as the man proceeds to bike to the gate before suddenly coming to a complete stop and looking back at Ebony.
"Oh, wait! Miss Ebony, I forgot to ask!" Jonathan shouted across the driveway.
"What!?" Ebony threw back, yelling in the same volume as him.
"Did you enjoy listening to the songs I played on the piano!?"
"Yyyes!" she drawled, not understanding why he would bring that up. "They were beautiful! You're very talented!"
"Well then, perhaps I can play for you again, sometime! But without scaring you!" Johnathan smiles widely, after shouting the suggestion, and before Ebony could think of a response, he had waved a large goodbye.
*****
"What an odd man he is." Ebony thought, as a gentle smile slowly grew on her face. "You would think we were childhood friends by the way he acted. And what was all that about, with him screaming across the driveway saying he wanted to play the piano for me next time? As if they'll be a next time."
She imagined Johnathan's figure riding through the gate and away down the dirt road, waving a final goodbye.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he was just being kind to me to get on Father's good side. Sadly, that's how our world is... But I hope I'm wrong."
Sadly, Ebony knew from painful experience that her pessimistic side was right more often than not. Sighing through her mouth, she reluctantly packaged away her hopeful thoughts about the interesting stranger.
"I'm sorry, Johnathan, but we won't be able to see each other on Monday," Ebony whispered, "Or any other day."
The soft rumble of an engine enters the air; distracting Ebony from her thoughts. She looks off into the darkness and sees car lights illuminating the dirt road that leads to her home. She steps away from the pillar, and her face turns grim as she watches the approaching vehicle. Upon the vehicle reaching the gate, Ebony straightens her back and turns on her heels, leaving the porch to return to the Manor. She calls for the butler and informs him that a visitor has arrived, before instructing him to open the gate.
"But what about Mr. Ibre?" the butler inquired.
"I will inform Father that Uncle has arrived."
The two go their separate ways; both sharing the same dreary face. Ebony's hands slowly tightened into fists, as she ventured deeper into the Manor to find her father. As you may have guessed, the Uncle, in question, wasn't a desirable visitor. Yet still, on the first Sunday of every month, the doors of Hedge Manor would open to him.
"Father..." Ebony stood in front of her resting father, who had fallen asleep reading a book in the library. "Father, Uncle Phineas is here."
The man's eyes slowly open hearing his brother's name. He lazily rolls his reclined head, so his eyes could look upon his daughter.
"Is that so?" He mumbles. "I was hoping to sleep a little bit longer."
Mr. Ibre stretches his limbs in every direction and then scratches his dark, thick beard.
"Well, I suppose I'll get ready." He states, rising from his comfortable position on the sofa. "And while I'm doing that, you can entertain him."
"Huh?"
"In other words, stall for me."
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END OF ACT 5:
THOUGHTS IN THE NIGHT