CHRISTY
The Greenhouse II
First published by Steven Bowman and Katie Christy © 2021
Copyright © 2021 by Steven Bowman and Katie Christy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Steven Bowman and Katie Christy asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
First edition
This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy.
Find out more at reedsy.com
The Greenhouse II is for Jim & Claire Eck. May they rest in peace.
ii
iv
1
12
17
22
28
32
38
43
51
63
65
66
67
The Greenhouse II is a book about a woman named Miss Laura Taylor, her friends, and their family members. I wrote this book with inspiration from my beloved cousin, Katie.
I have chosen the subject of The Greenhouse II because there are many specific factors about the different parts of plants and their growth patterns.
And how to learn about the different cultures and languages that every character has. This book is a work of fiction inspired by my cousin Katie and written by me, the author.
The Greenhouse II is about a woman in her early twenties named Miss Laura Taylor and her friends and their families from around the world.
The purpose of The Greenhouse II is fictionalized and revolves around a city called London, England, the United Kingdom, in 1952.
I learned from this book that you can learn a lot from the different languages and cultures of the friends, families, and people in Miss Taylor’s life.
I felt excited and proud to have my remarkable cousin who inspired this incredible work of my fourth book ever, and it is an honor to write such a book as this one.
Many insights have to be acknowledged by the many characters from this story, like how Miss Taylor allowed many people into her property and various friends and their families.
ii
Another insight may be that you could learn a lot from the different characters, their languages, and where they came about to be.
I have changed over this book and how it comes to be over the differences in many people who inherit Miss Taylor’s lawn and greenhouse.
My acknowledgments go out to my cousin, Katie, for the inspiration for this book. I want to thank my friends and family for this and hope to do more writing.
iii
Thank you to my cousin, Katie, for inspiring this 2021 novella.
She is my inspiration, and for that, I love her so much.
She is the most wonderful, funny, intelligent, beautiful, must I go on? Likewise, she will be like this my whole life.
When a moment in my writing comes, I have seemed to write and become a novelist in this writing world. Katie, you are that I would call the most meaningful person when it comes to my writing.
And yes, I will always think of you whenever the day comes that I will be most famous. And thank you for being in my life.
iv
InLondon,England,earlyinthesummerof1952,lived a woman named Miss Laura Taylor. She was American, average, muscular, and had brown hair and green eyes.
She is about to settle into the greenhouse when a boy named Forrester Cahill enters the greenhouse to greet the newcomer, that belonged to the man who used to own it before she did.
Forrester was short and chubby. And the boy was pale, had a lot of freckles, and his hair was still but reddish and short.
“Hello, miss,” said Forrester. “Who are you, and why are you in the greenhouse on 3376 Haslemere Road, London, LE14 7BA, United Kingdom, that used to belong to Mr. Robert Pryce?”
“Hello, young fella,” she replied. “I am Miss Laura Taylor.
However, you can call me Miss Taylor. I just moved here from America. Who are you?”
“Why hello, Miss Taylor,” Forrester said with a smile. His voice appeared happy. “Where are you from in America? I am Forrester. Forrester Cahill.”
“I am from Irving, Texas.” Laura smiled. “Texas is hot.
However, I am used to being hot. Will you show me around the house, please?”
Forrester showed Laura around the house. Then, halfway 1
through the tour, Laura stopped and picked up a picture of a man. She wondered who that man was. Of course, it was a picture of Mr. Pryce.
“Who is the man in this picture, Forrester?” Laura wondered with a smile. “He looks good for his age.”
“Oh, that is Mr. Pryce,” replied Forrester. He frowned. “Sadly, he is no longer with us.”
“That is too bad,” Laura said. She frowned. “How come?”
“He died in 1950 of pneumonia,” replied Forrester. “It is so sad that Mr. Pryce died.”
“Yes, you must miss him. Huh?”
“Yes, his soul’s still a part of me. However, I will never forget him.”
The tour concluded, and Laura went to her room to unpack her things. This room used to be the room of Mr. Pryce.
Forrester told her more about him before a knock was at the door. Forrester answered the door.
Also, there was this Hispanic girl who spoke Spanish. Forrester did not understand her, and he was left confused, and this girl was twelve.
She is Hispanic, from Alcorcón, Spain, average, muscular, Jesús Álvarez’s eldest child, and only daughter and Rubén Jesús Álvarez’s eldest sister.
“Well, I am ten now,” said Forrester. He started telling me about himself. “I was born here in London. I live just down the street from here. I have been coming here since I was younger than I am now. How old are you, Miss Taylor?”
“Well, Forrester,” Laura smiled. “It is nice to meet you and all.
However, rude to ask me how old I am. I am twenty-one. Now, what else do you need to say?”
2
“Oh, I am sorry, Miss Taylor,” Forrester frowned. “I did not mean to be rude. Please, could you forgive me?”
“Sure, I can. Hey, chin-up, kiddo.”
“Thanks, Miss Taylor. I have a lot to say. However, I do not want to bore you.” Forrester said. Then, he heard a knock comes on the door. “Hey, do you hear that?”
“I believe somebody’s at the door,” Laura said as she wondered who was knocking on her door. “Why don’t you go and answer it? Please.”
Forrester went and answered the door, “Yes, miss.”
* * *
Forrester answered the door, and there, standing before him, was a person who he should have recognized from before. But he answered the door and was confused.“Hola, señor,” said María Belén with a smile. “Me alegro de volver a verte, Forrester. Soy yo, María Belén, la hermana mayor de Rubén. ¿Cómo has estado?”
“Who are you again?” Forrester was confused. “Hold on. I will be back.”
Forrester closed the door and went to get Laura. He told Laura that there was a girl at the door and that he was confused.
She understood and helped Forrester by talking to the girl and then translating what she said to Forrester.
“Hola, señorita,” said María Belén. “¿Y tú quién eres?”
“Hola, mi nombre es Srta. Laura Taylor,” said Laura. “Pero puede llamarme señorita Taylor. Soy nueva en este barrio, pero 3
¿quién es usted, señorita?”
“Bueno, mi nombre es María Belén,” María Belén replied. “Es un placer conocerle. Estoy aquí para hablar con Forrester. Por favor, ¿puedo hablar con él?”
“Hola, María Belén,” Laura said with a smile. She appeared happy. “Claro, puedes hablar con Forrester. ¿Por qué querrías hablar con él, si se puede saber?”
“No, lo siento, no puedes. Necesito preguntarle algo a Forrester en privado, ¿de acuerdo?”
“Sí, ya veo. Bueno, puedes entrar y hablar con Forrester.
Adelante, por favor, insisto.”
“Gracias, Srta. Taylor. ¡Vaya, su casa es preciosa!”
“Gracias, María Belén. ¿Podemos hablar en inglés, por favor?”
“Yes, miss. Now, can you get Forrester for me?”
“Sure, I can. Can you hold on, please?”
Laura then went and got Forrester.
After Laura got Forrester, María Belén and Forrester had a conversation. And in that conversation, María Belén got sweet and asked Forrester to be her boyfriend.
Of course, Forrester’s normal reaction was to run away, but that did not happen. Forrester and María Belén are now a couple.
The day has finally come for Forrester, but this day was not what he expected after waking up this morning.
“Hey, Forrester,” said María Belén as she got all sweet. “Would you like to be my boyfriend?”
“Yes, I would like to be your boyfriend,” Forrester replied. He felt knots in his stomach. “Now that we are a couple, where shall we continue our first date?”
4
“Okay, thank you. We could go out to the movies. I am sure we could see a movie at the movie theater.”
“Yes, we could see a movie,” María Belén agreed. “Let us see a movie together. It will be my treat.”
Forrester agreed, “Okay, babe.”
As their conversation ended, they went and saw a movie together. That left some time for Laura to finish unpacking.
After a while of unpacking things, it became nighttime. Then, Laura went to sleep before the next day came.
The next day.
It was now 7:30 am, and Laura woke up, grabbed a coffee, and ate breakfast at a buffet named Kyushichi’s Japanese Cuisine.
The breakfast that she ate was filling and stuffed her.
Then, she came home and cleaned the place a little until she got a mysterious knock at her door. The person was not someone she knew, so she was confused.
This person was fifty, Hispanic, from León, Spain, and was Mr.
Pryce’s widow and the mother of Greyson Harvey Maddox-Pryce.
Laura slowly opened her door, wondering, “Who is at my door?”
“Hello, miss. I am Mrs. Alexandria Maddox,” answered the person. “I am the widow of Mr. Robert Pryce. Nice to meet you.”
“Oh, sorry for your loss, madam,” Laura said with a frown.
Then, she shook hands with Alexandria. “Nice to meet you too.
Hello, I am Miss Laura Taylor. I am a new homeowner here.”
“Thanks, Miss Taylor,” Alexandria said. Then, she wondered,
“So, what brings you to the town of London?”
5
“You are welcome, Mrs. Maddox,” Laura thanked Alexandria.
“I moved here from Irving, Texas. It got too hot for me.
However, I am used to the Texan heat. So, I decided that the United Kingdom would be better for me. Although, I am not sure how I ended up in London.”
Alexandria smiled, “Gee. So that was what happened, hmm?”
Then, she giggled. “Please, you can call me Alexandria. I do not accept it when you are calling me Mrs. Maddox.”
Laura replied with a smile, “Yes, miss. That is what happened.”
Then, she insisted with a half-smile, “I guess I can call you Alexandria. However, I should call you Mrs. Maddox. It is polite that way. And it is a polite way to address a woman.”
“Okay, if you insist, Miss Taylor,” giggled Alexandria. “So, what do you think of London? Well, mostly, what you have seen.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Maddox,” thanked Laura. “I think this is a great town. It is tranquil. It does not get any better than this.”
“Very well,” said Alexandria. Then, she asked, “May you join me for a cup of tea at Le Café de Frédérique?”
“Sure, why not?” replies Laura. Then, she got curious.
“Where’s Le Café de Frédérique located?”
Alexandria replies, “It is a place in London, England.” Then, she says, “They have good food. Also, they serve French cuisines.”
Laura says, smiling, “Okay, let us go then.” Then, she added,
“We could make it an early lunch.”
Alexandria and Laura went to Le Café de Frédérique for tea and early lunch. Meanwhile, while at the place, an unexpected friend was sitting at the table next to them.
This friend went up to Alexandria and Laura and conversated with 6
them. Laura thought this was out of the blue. However, Alexandria did not.
The unexpected friend was a female and an old friend of Mr. Pryce.
And this friend was forty-eight, short, from Saint-Étienne, France, and was French.
“Bonjour, je m’appelle Madame Angélique,” says the unexpected person. “Et j’étais un vieil ami de M. Pryce.”
“Bonjour, ma dame,” says Laura. “C’est un plaisir de vous rencontrer. Nous nous sommes déjà rencontrés ?”
“Non, nous ne nous sommes jamais rencontrés avant.
Mais qui pouvez-vous être, mademoiselle ?” replies Madam Angélique. “Eh bien, je m’appelle Madame Angélique. C’est un plaisir de vous rencontrer, mademoiselle.”
“Vous aussi, Madame Angélique,” says Laura with a smile. “Je m’appelle Mlle Laura Taylor, mais vous pouvez m’appeler Laura ou simplement Mlle Taylor.”
“Who is this lady, Miss Taylor?” asked Alexandria. “What is with the conversation in French? May you please ask her if she would like to have a conversation in English?”
“She tells me her name is Madam Angélique,” replies Laura.
“She also said that she was a friend of Mr. Pryce. I will ask her to continue the conversation in English.”
Alexandria nods her head, “Okay, please do.”
“Je suis désolé, Madame Angélique,” says Laura. “C’était Alexandria. Elle veut qu’on continue notre conversation en anglais, d’accord ?”
“Cela me convient, Mlle Taylor,” says Madam Angélique.
“Puis-je m’asseoir à votre table et me joindre à vous, mesdames
?”
Laura replies, “Sure, but only if we keep speaking in English?”
Madam Angélique nods and says in her best British accent, 7
“Thanks, Miss Taylor. So, who is your friend?”
“Hi, my name is Mrs.
Alexandria Maddox, Madam
Angélique,” says Alexandria. “I am the widow of Mr. Robert Pryce.”
“So, you were married to Mr. Pryce?” wondered Madam Angélique. “I am very sorry for your loss. When did you guys get married?”
“Thanks. Yes, we were married,” replies Alexandria. “We got married on August 5th, 1950. We also adopted a sixteen-year-old son, Greyson. He used to be an orphan named Gulielmus Cervidus. His name is now Greyson Harvey Maddox-Pryce, and he is eighteen.”
“How wonderful for you, Mrs. Maddox,” says Madam Angélique. “So, how does Greyson like his new life?”
“Thanks, Madam Angélique,” thanked Alexandria with a smile. “Yep, he is enjoying his new life. However, he is hanging on to the horrible memories with his old parents.”
“Anytime, Mrs. Maddox,” Madam Angélique says with a smile.
“That is awful to hear. Do you mind telling me what happened, please?”
“It is awful. Greyson did not have a good father. That is all I can say about it.”
“Okay, I see. My guess would be Greyson’s father was abusive toward him. Am I right?”
“Yes, you are right, miss. The father was not a good person towards him and his mother when he was growing up.”
“Um, ladies. Are we going to finish and pay?” wondered Laura. “It is almost nine o’clock. Moreover, I have to to go to my house and take care of the greenhouse.”
“Je suis désolé. Tout est de ma faute,” says Madam Angélique as she apologizes. “Can you please forgive me, Miss Taylor?”
8
“Oui, bien sûr, Madame Angélique,” Laura says as she accepts the apology. “I am glad you guys are talking. However, I want to finish, pay, and leave. I also need to clean up a little. The house is a little dusty.”
“Yeah, it is great talking to you, Madam Angélique,” agreed Alexandria. Then, she yawned and finished her tea and meal.
“Oh, boy. What a great conversation! Boy, am I tired?”
“Thanks, same to you, Mrs. Maddox,” thanked Madam Angélique. “Well, I am going to head home. I guess I will see you both another time. Until then, Au revoir, mes amis, amusez-vous bien, et que la vie soit bonne pour vous tous.”
* * *
Then, after Laura left Le Café de Frédérique and went home to clean up the house, after cleaning, she had a guest knock on her door.Slowly, she opened the door and wondered who was knocking at her door. This guest was a boy who was nine.
He is Hispanic, petite, and muscular, with chestnut hair and bluish-green eyes. He is from Alcorcón, Spain.
This guest was none other than Rubén Jesús Álvarez, María Belén Noemí Álvarez’s younger brother and the youngest child of Jesús Álvarez.
“Who is at my door?” Laura says, wondering who knocked.
“Oh, it is a boy. But who is this boy?”
“Hola, señorita, me llamo Rubén,” says the boy. “Soy tu nuevo vecino. Además, tengo nueve años y soy el hermano menor de María Belén Noemí Álvarez y el hijo menor de Jesús Álvarez.”
“Hola, Rubén, mi nombre es Srta. Laura Taylor,” Laura 9
introduced herself. “¿En qué puedo ayudarle, joven?”
“Estoy bien, pero quería darte la bienvenida al barrio, a Inglaterra y a todo Londres.”
“Bueno, gracias, Rubén. Te lo agradezco, amablemente.”
“De nada, Srta. Taylor. Por favor, disfrute cada momento de esta ciudad. Sé que lo hice cuando el Sr. Pryce aún estaba aquí. Tristemente, el Sr. Pryce murió hace dos años a la edad de cuarenta y cuatro en 1950 de neumonía. ¿Lo sabe?”
“Sí, lo he oído. ¿No es triste que el Sr. Pryce muriera de neumonía? Todavía es como si pudiera sentir su presencia, espiritualmente, quiero decir.”
“Sí, lo sé. Pero me gustaría que te quedaras aquí. También recuerdo cuando el Sr. Pryce me llevó a ver a mi ídolo superhéroe, El Ninja Escarlata. Sin embargo, El Ninja Escarlata ya no está en Inglaterra. He oído rumores de un nuevo superhéroe entrando en Inglaterra, llamado El Guardián Negro, cuyo verdadero nombre es Russell Fletcher Jr.”
“¿No es genial? Por cierto, ¿quién es ese superhéroe, El Guardián Negro, del que hablas, Rubén?”
Rubén says with a smile. “Gracias, diré que es genial. ¿Puedo pasar, Srta. Taylor?”
“Por supuesto. Por favor, entra y siéntate en el sofá. Entonces podrás contarme todo sobre tu superhéroe, ¿vale?”
“Por supuesto, gracias una vez más.”
Laura winked, “De nada, Rubén. Pasa, por favor.”
“¿Por dónde empiezo a hablar de El Guardián Negro? Sí, lo sé, tiene su programa de televisión. Ahí está el principio.”
“Sí, te escucho. Por favor, dime, ¿cuántos episodios tiene este programa de televisión, Rubén?”
“Se encuentra al final de su quinta temporada. Es la quinta temporada, el vigésimo séptimo episodio. Hasta ahora, este 10
episodio es el centésimo episodio en total.”
“Muy bien, eso es genial. Recuérdame, otra vez, ¿cuál es el verdadero nombre de El Guardián Negro?”
“Te lo diré,” says Rubén, “su verdadero nombre es Russell Fletcher Jr. ¿Por qué?”
“De acuerdo, señor,” says Laura, “Por favor, dígame, ¿cuántos años tiene El Guardián Negro?”
“Vale, tiene veintisiete años, lo que significa que nació en 1925.”
“Bueno, Rubén, parece que se hace tarde. Por favor, vete a casa. A tu padre le puede preocupar que te vayas tan tarde. Así que vete a casa, y ya hablaremos otro día. Adiós, amigo.”
“Sí, mi papá probablemente lo sea. Gracias por hablar conmigo, señorita Taylor. Es usted una gran amiga, señorita.
Adiós, amigo mío.”
“Sí, señor, por favor, disfrute de su velada, Rubén.”
Rubén starts walking out the door. “Gracias, lo haré. Usted también, Srta. Taylor.”
Then, after Rubén left the house, it became nighttime, and it was almost 9:30 pm, and Laura headed to bed for the rest of the night.
Laura enjoyed talking to Rubén. And she thinks that he is a great boy and a potential friend. After all, she thinks any friend of Mr. Pryce’s is hers.
11
Okay,nowitisJune24th,1952,threedaysafterthe first day of summer. And I am fully moved into what used to be Mr. Pryce’s old house.
Now, I have to water the greenhouse, and there will not be any distractions. Well, except for my boyfriend coming to visit me before lunchtime.
His name is Sir Everett Talley. He is from Darrington, England. He is also English, medium height, and has brown hair and green eyes.
Thankfully for London, England is not as bad. Friendly atmosphere, friendly neighbors. I feel like I made the right decision with Texas and Irving when I had the chance.
Gladly, I congratulate myself for leaving Irving. It is also sad news about what happened to Mr. Pryce. Honorably, his soul is still a part of this house. I can feel it spiritually.
Even though I am a Texan girl at heart, nothing will change that. I am proud to be a Texan girl. However, my world changed when I moved to England. The house I am in used to be Mr.
Pryce’s. Yes, but I am the new homeowner, and the greenhouse is mine too. I love this life!
However, I have nothing to do when not talking to my neighbors. This boredom happens. Sometimes, I wish to be in 12
Irving, Texas and see my friend Dollie Thomas.
She is my friend, nineteen, two years younger than me. She has been my friend since 1939 when I was eight. And she was six. I was in the third grade, and she was in the first grade. We met on the playground near the sandbox and swing set.
We talked, getting to know each other slowly each day. Golly, the good Ol’ times! Yep, it has been thirteen years of friendship between Dollie and me.
And I treat her like a sister from another mister and mistress.
There is not a soul on Earth that would split us apart. No creature is either too big or too small.
It is almost lunchtime, so I better prepare the house for Sir Everett, my boyfriend. Sir Everett and I have been dating since 1945 when he was seventeen. And I was fourteen.
And it has been seven years of being a boyfriend and girlfriend.
It is about time that I marry the guy, huh? Right?
* * *
Sir Everett knocked on my door as he waited for my response. It took me some time to get to the door, so when I was ready, this is how our conversation went:“Hey, baby. It is me, Sir Everett,” Sir Everett says as he knocks on the door. “May I please come in?”
“Sure, give me a second, baby,” I said, smiling while rushing.
“I will be right there, Sir Everett. I love you, baby.”
“Okay, baby. Please take your time. Do not rush.”
“Yes, dear. I understand. I love you, Sir Everett.”
“I love you too, Laura.”
13
I open the door slowly. “Please, come on in, Sir Everett.
Welcome to my home, baby.”
Sir Everett kissed me. “Okay, Laura. Thanks for letting me over.”
“Anytime, Sir Everett. Thank you for coming to my house.”
Sir Everett sits on the couch, “So, what do you want to do, baby?” Then, he stares at me with his beautiful green eyes, “Is there anything exciting for you to tell me, Laura?”
“Well, we can do anything you want, baby,” I agreed. “Also, I have something to tell you about this house.”
“Okay, yes, what is it, baby?” Sir Everett wondered. Then, he frowned, “Did I do something wrong, Laura?”
“No, silly. You did nothing wrong,” I laughed. “This house used to be a man named Mr. Pryce. He died in 1950 of pneumonia at the age of forty-four. He was born in 1906.”
“Oh, how sad is that for Mr. Pryce?” Sir Everett frowned. “He must be in a better place now. Well, I mean, for two years now.”
“Yeah, it is so sad,” I agreed. “I bet you that Mr. Pryce is smiling at me from above. I still feel his presence, spiritually, I mean.”
Sir Everett felt it too. “Yep, I feel his presence, even though I do not know the man. How about you, baby?”
I looked up above, “I feel you, Mr. Pryce. I hope you allow me to live here peacefully, sir.”
Sir Everett chuckled. “He is not alive, silly. What are you doing—?”
“Shh! I am feeling his presence, Sir Everett.”
“Oh, sorry. My bad, Laura,” Sir Everett realizes. “I want you to feel his presence, baby.”
I have taken my moment, “—And finished. Are you hungry, baby?”
14
“Yes, how about you, baby?”
“I am. Do you want to head to Kyushichi’s Japanese Cuisine with me, Sir Everett?”
“Sure, cool. Where is this buffet located?”
“It is located here in London, England,” I replied. “Let us go there, Sir Everett.”
“Okay, we will go there,” Sir Everett agreed. “Let us get our grub on, shall we?”
“Yes, we will get our grub on, baby,” I said with a smile. “We will use your car, Sir Everett. Well, if that is okay with you?”
“Sure, cool. Okay, let us go!”
Then, Sir Everett and I went to eat lunch at Kyushichi’s Japanese Cuisine, and then after that, we headed home and decided to head out to watch a movie called Love Festival.
It stars Sir Barrett Caldwell as Lawson Barnett and Dame Aaliyah Holloway as Anabella Walker. Both are from England, so that makes them English actors.
* * *
Aw, the movie was lovely. We drove back to my place, and then Sir Everett went home. I feel tired, it is 11:50 pm, and I have had a long day.It has been fourteen hours and five minutes from 9:45 am when I woke up until now, 11:50 pm, and I feel like sleeping the rest of the night.
Now, I will wake up again in nine hours and fifty-five minutes until 9:45 am from 11:50 pm, so it is my time to rest tonight. I 15
will enjoy my night’s rest as well.
16
Itisraining,andtodayisJune26th,1952,andithasbeen five days since the first day of summer. It has also been two days since June 24th.
And I get a mysterious knock at my door. My gut says to open the door slowly, but it may be an intruder. I am freaking out! What should I do? What should I do?
“Yes, who are you, sir?” I opened the door slowly.
“Um, hello, miss. My name is—” the teen paused. Then, he says, “My name is Greyson. I am the only son of Alexandria and Mr. Pryce, who died in 1950. May I come in, please?”
I was shaken from fright, “Um, sure, come in. What are you doing here, Greyson?”
“I am here because I wanted to meet you. After all, you have met my mother. Right?”
“Yes, I did,” I nodded my head. “Please, why not sit on the couch? I will get you tea, sir. How many lumps of sugar do you want?”
“Two or three, perhaps?” Greyson replied. Then, he decided,
“Three would be plenty. Thanks for letting me in. That rain is not letting up anytime soon. Huh?”
I handed Greyson a cup of tea. “Yes, that rain sure is not letting up. You are right, sir. Hey, how old are you, Greyson?”
17
“Eighteen, miss,” replied Greyson. “I was born in 1934, but I am not sure where. I still have bad memories of my old father abusing my mother.”
“Oh, I see, sir. So, that would make Alexandria and Mr. Pryce your stepparents, right?”
“Um, yes, miss. However, I did not consider Alexandria and Mr. Pryce, my stepparents. I considered them my actual parents. Now that I have not seen my birth parents in years.”
“I see, sir. Do you remember the names of your birth parents or not?”
“All I remember is that I believe that my birth mother’s name was Caetronia. However, I do not remember the name of my birth father.”
“Okay, sir. So, your birth mother was Latin? Is your birth father as well?”
“Yes, my birth parents are Latin.”
“Very well, then. I will let you relax while sipping your tea. Is it still hot, or do you need me to heat it?”
Greyson sipped his tea. “No, no, miss. It is still hot. There is no need to heat it.”
“Okay, sir. You enjoy your tea, Greyson.” I nodded my head.
“Would you like more tea after you finish with that one?”
“I am good, miss. One cup is enough caffeine for me. How about you?”
“I agree, sir. Very well, I will put the tea away in the cabinet.
I am finished with only one cup, sir. You are right. One cup is enough caffeine for me, as well.”
Greyson finished his cup of tea. “Oh, boy. That tea was refreshing. I guess I better head home in the rain. It was good talking to you, miss. Thank you.”
“Okay, sir. You may also call me Laura or Miss Taylor if you 18
want. Do you need a ride home, Greyson? In that way, you will not have to walk in the rain.”
Greyson says, smiling, “A car ride home would be splendid, Miss Taylor. Thank you again, miss.”
“No need to thank me, sir. After all, you are my guest and a friend, the son of Mr. Pryce. And you are a friend to me, as well, Greyson.”
“Yes, and I am, Miss Taylor,” Greyson smiled joyfully. “You are a great friend, Laura.”
“Yes, well, why thank you, sir. You are too kind, Greyson. So, let us get going, sir. Are you coming?”
Greyson hurried to his feet, “Yes, please wait up, Miss Taylor!”
After Greyson got up and out the door, and with the directions told by him, I took him back home. Then, I got back home at 10:20 am.
From 9:45 am until 10:05 am, it was twenty minutes between our conversation. Phew! I am glad to be home and out of that rain. When will it go away? We will never know for sure.
* * *
Oh, on our car ride to his house, Greyson told me about himself.He also told me he is English, medium height, and muscular.
However, he still did not remember where he was born. But I am glad that we are friends. He is a delight to talk to, and my heart sinks with his kindness.
Okay, now that I am back home and out of that rain, I can relax until nobody knocks on my door.
19
Maybe, things can get easier from now on, and I do not have to deal with the stress of meeting new people.
Well, not that I hate to meet new people and all. So, I am going to take a nap for a bit. Until I wake up again, refreshed.
* * *
Oh, boy. That nap was refreshing. Now, I have to go into the greenhouse and water the plants. And maybe, I will see my neighbor, Mr. Stanley Roberts.Hopefully, I will because he is such a nice person who is a little grumpy sometimes. But that is just how he is. Thank goodness the rain has let up.
And now I am in the greenhouse watering the plants that used to belong to Mr. Pryce. Also, I see a rabbit here. But I do not know its name.
Forrester once told me that his name was Fluffleton, Mr.
Pryce’s rabbit friend, who knew each animal that liked to be in his, I mean, my greenhouse.
I see Mr. Roberts in his backyard, “Hey, Mr. Roberts. It is me, Miss Laura Taylor. How are you, sir?”
Mr. Roberts says, “Oh, hey, Laura. I am doing well. How about you, miss?”
“I am doing well, thanks. That sure was some rain we had, huh?”
“Okay, Laura. Yes, it was. It has been a while since the rain finally let up, huh?”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Roberts. It has been raining for a while today. I am glad it finally let up. How about you, sir?”
20
“Yes, miss. I agree,” says Mr. Roberts. “How was your day, Laura?”
“Thanks, my day went well, sir,” I replied. “How about you, Mr. Roberts?”
“It went well, thanks. Do you like living in London, Laura?”
“Yes, sir, Mr. Roberts. How about you?”
“Yes, miss, I do. It has been great living in London, England.
I love it every day and every night.”
“Okay, Mr. Roberts. I am going to head back inside, sir. It was great talking to you. Goodbye for now, sir. See you another time, Mr. Roberts.”
“Okay, Laura. Goodbye, see you another time, miss. Enjoy the rest of your day, Laura.”
After our conversation, I headed back inside to go in and rest for the night. Today was great, and I am looking forward to better days.
So, I must rest. I will wake up at 9:45 am again, and hopefully, even better than ever before.
21
SinceJune26th,ithasbeenthreedays,andnowitis June 29th, 1952. And I have been enjoying London, England. I am so proud of myself for leaving Irving in Texas without warning.
Even though I miss my family and friends back in America, it is whatever. Anyway, it is sunny outside and warm, the skies are blue, and the birds are chirping.
Oh, and before I forget, I may be having another visitor greet me at my house. He is eight, is English, short, muscular, has medium red hair, and has green eyes.
He will be here to greet himself. His family moved here from Halton, England. He also has an eleven-year-old sister, a thirty-three-year-old mother, and a thirty-one-year-old father.
Okay, it is now 10:15 am. I have been doing nothing for thirty minutes. So, now, that kid may be knocking on my door or ringing my doorbell. May this kid be sweet or devilish? We will see.
* * *
22The boy knocked on my door, “Hello, I am new to the neighborhood. Who may be living here? My name is—”
“Hello, kiddo. My name is Miss Taylor,” I answered the door. “However, you may call me either Laura or Miss Taylor.
Welcome to the neighborhood, kiddo.”
“Um, hello, Miss Taylor. My name is Conner Wallace, but you can call me Conner. I am here with my sister, mommy, and daddy. They are Michaela, Lauryn, and Clay. It is very nice to meet you, miss.”
“Hello, Conner. It is nice to meet you, too, sir. Where did you and your family move from?”
“Indeed, miss. We moved from Halton, England. Where are you from, Miss Taylor?”
“I am from Irving, Texas. I moved here to England from America. I hope you like this neighborhood and London.
Furthermore, I know I did when I moved here from Texas.”
“Ah, I see, Miss Taylor. And how do you like England so far?”
“It is such a great country, thanks. I enjoy living here in London. It is so tranquil.”
“Well, anyway. I just wanted to introduce myself to you, Miss Taylor. Now, here is my sister, Michaela.”
Michaela then came to me and introduced herself.
Michaela introduces herself, “Hello, miss. My name is Michaela Wallace. It is nice to meet you.”
“Okay, it is nice to meet you too, Michaela,” I said with a smile.
“My name is Miss Taylor, but you can call me Laura or Miss Taylor.”
“Where are you from, Miss Taylor? I was born in England in 1941. That would make me an eleven-year-old girl.”
“Okay, Michaela. I am from Irving, Texas,” I replied. “I am a twenty-one-year-old born in 1931.”
23
“Understood, miss. Lovely day isn’t it, Miss Taylor?”
“Okay, Michaela. Yes, it is a lovely day here in London. What was life like in Halton?”
“Okay, Miss Taylor. Life in Halton was well. I loved growing up in the city. Now, I will grow up here in London. What was life like in Irving, Texas?”
“Yes, miss. Life in Irving was well. I grew up a Texan girl at heart, but I am an English girl now. I loved being in America.
However, the Texan heat got unbearable for me, and I had to leave to get someplace cooler.”
“Oh, I see. Understood, Miss Taylor. Do you love leaving America for England?”
“America will always have a place in my Texan heart. However, yes, I do love leaving America for England. Even though I will miss my friends and family back in Irving.”
“Okay, very well, then. I will be leaving here shortly. My mother and father expect us to move in before dusk. However, that will prove frustrating for all of us as a family.”
“Okay, Michaela. I understand. Goodbye, now. Enjoy moving into your new home. I would love to meet your parents sometime. I guess that now is not a good time. Okay, now. See you another time, miss. It was good talking to you and Conner.”
After the conversation, Michaela left with Conner and their parents. Oh, boy, that conversation went well. Hopefully, I will not hear a knock on my door for more guests.
After all, as Michaela told me, the move-in would prove frustrating for her and the family. Now I have the rest of my day to myself after our conversation.
I believe I owe something to Rubén. So, let me knock on his door, and hope he will come over for the surprise that is in 24
store for the boy from me.
* * *
As I came onto Rubén’s property, I went to his door and knocked, waiting for an answer. After an answer, I conversed with Rubén, and this is how it went: Rubén entered the door, “Sí, Srta. Taylor, ¿para qué me necesita?”I reply, “Tengo una sorpresa para ti, niña. Así que prepárate para esa sorpresa, ¿vale?”
“Bueno, ¿cuál es la sorpresa, señora?”
“¿Sabes ese superhéroe que me mencionaste antes? Bueno, voy a llevarte a verlo. Su nombre es El Guardián Negro,
¿verdad?”
“Sí, señora, ¿pero cómo me va a llevar a ver El Guardián Negro? Es una persona famosa, no me diga que no me preocupe por eso, ¿verdad?”
“No te preocupes, Rubén,” I winked. “Haré que suceda. No tienes que fingir que no sucederá, ¿de acuerdo?”
“Bien, Srta. Taylor,” Rubén says with a smirk. “Esto se siente como antes, cuando he visto El Ninja Escarlata con el Sr. Pryce.
Estoy asombrado por el estrellato.”
“Bueno, Rubén, ¿estás listo para irnos, señor? Subamos al coche y te llevaré a ver al Guardián Negro. Y tal vez consigas su autógrafo. Pero ya veremos, jovencito. ¿De acuerdo?”
“Sí, señora,” Rubén says joyfully. “¿Dónde aprendió a hablar español? Tengo curiosidad.”
“Bueno, verá, señor. Yo soy de Texas. Y aprendí a hablar 25
español de mi bisabuela. Ella es de Guatemala. Su nombre era Amabilia Mazariegos.”
“Oh, ya veo. Sí, es interesante, Srta. Taylor. ¿De qué parte de Guatemala es Amabilia?”
“Bueno, Rubén. Ella es de Malacatán, Guatemala,” I reply.
“¿Qué forma de español eres y de dónde eres, Rubén?”
“Entendido, señora. Hablo español, y vengo de Alcorcón, España.”
“Sí, ya lo veo Rubén,” I say with amazement. “¿Estás listo para irte, jovencito? Pongámonos en marcha, ¿de acuerdo?”
“Sí, estoy listo para ir, señora. ¿Y usted, Srta. Taylor?”
“Muy bien, joven. Salgamos por la puerta. Prepárese para conocer a su ídolo, El Guardián Negro, señor.”
Rubén says, excitingly, “¡Preparémonos para ello!”
Then, after we headed out the door, we got in my car, buckled, and drove to the place with The Black Guardian there. It was almost too crowded that surrounded the superhero idol.
Barely enough, Rubén managed to get the superhero’s autograph with the ending of the mob of screaming kids surround-ing him and the flashes of cameras so deep in his face.
* * *
“Hey, sir. May I get your autograph, please?” says Rubén trying to talk to The Black Guardian. “I am your truest idol, sir. I mean it.”The Black Guardian says in a deep voice, “For you, my truest idol, kiddo. The autograph is free of charge. I will do it instead 26
of charging £3,670 for it. Here you are now, kiddo.”
“Thank you kindly, sir. I appreciate it,” thanked Rubén with glee. “You are my truest idol, The Black Guardian!”
The Black Guardian winked. “Anytime, kiddo.”
Now that Rubén got his autograph for free, he and I headed back home. Rubén walked back home then I rested for the rest of the day. Now, it is night, and I am exhausted.
So, I must get my rest, and I will be better in the morning after I wake up at 9:45 am, and that is a continuous cycle of me waking up in the morning. Now, I must sleep!
27
Okay,sinceJune29th,ithasbeensixdayslater.Now, it is July 5th, 1952. It has been two weeks since the first day of summer. Now, things are getting used, and I appreciate the company, friends, and their families, and I am still glad that I left America in Irving, Texas.
Even though I am missing my friends and family there, also, I have future news. My nineteen-year-old friend Dollie Thomas is visiting me this afternoon from America. She is American, medium-sized, average, and has strawberry blonde hair and hazel eyes.
* * *
Then, it became the afternoon. And now Dollie Thomas, Laura’s nineteen-year-old best friend, visits her from America in Irving, Texas. She is American, medium-sized, average, and has strawberry blonde hair and hazel eyes.The two talk and talk, catching up on life after Laura decided to leave America for England, the move-in, and the original owner.
Dollie knocked on my door, “Hey, girl! It is me, Dollie 28
Thomas. May I please come in?”
“Sure, come on in, Dollie,” I opened the door to let her in.
“How are you doing, girl? How is America, and Irving, Texas, treating you?”
“It is great, thanks, girl. However, me, your mom, and your dad miss you. Plus, let us not forget your younger siblings.”
“Yes, I know that, Dollie. I miss you all as well. You know it was tough for me to leave America behind for England.”
“You said it, girl!” Dollie says with a fake smile. “So, why did you decide to leave America behind for England? Do you even like living in London?”
“Yes, I like living in London and England. I will tell you why,”
I say with high hopes. “I left America, Irving, and Texas for the Texan heat. It got too brutal for me, quite unbearably, perhaps.
So, that is why I left that behind for England. I love London. It is so tranquil. By the way, I miss you a lot, girl.”
“I miss you more, Laura. So, that is why, huh? I guess you prove a point. The Texan heat gets unbearable, but that is not a good enough excuse for leaving America for England. What is the actual reason why you left America for England?”
“Oh, come on, Dollie,” I say disappointingly. “That is the actual reason why I left America for England. The heat’s too much for me, even though I can take it. And I saw this ad for this house we are in, so I had to jump on it right away. Hey, I have to tell you something, girl.”
“Okay, cool. What is it, Laura?”
“Okay, do not freak out. But this house I live in used to belong to a man named Mr. Pryce, who died in 1950 at forty-four of pneumonia. What do you think, Dollie?”
“I think that is so sad, Laura. I am sorry to hear that and for his loss. I bet no one will forget him.”
29
“Yeah, it is so sad, indeed. Mr. Pryce must have been a great person. It is a shame that I could not meet the man. All I saw of Mr. Pryce was a picture of him the first day I moved in. A boy named Forrester told me that he died in 1950 of pneumonia, two years ago.”
“Oh, I understand, girl,” with a sad look, Dollie says. “I bet you still feel his presence, huh?”
I look up above. “Yes, spiritually, I do, Dollie.”
“Oh, I see. Okay, girl. I will be leaving shortly. I booked a hotel here in London for two weeks. After all, this is my vacation, and I will live it gratefully.”
“Does this mean you will be in England before leaving for America? Well, if that is the case, you can come over anytime.
But beware, I have a boyfriend. His name is Sir Everett, but you do not know him. Look at the picture he gave me in this picture frame I bought. What do you think about him, girl?
Total hunk, right?”
“Rightfully so, Laura. Good job for you, girl. Sir Everett seems like a nice gentleman, right?”
“Yep, he is, Dollie. He is a total hunk, indeed,” I say with butterflies in my stomach. “Okay, well, I will see you another time, girl. Enjoy your drive and stay at your hotel. I will be here if you need anything. Okay, Dollie?”
“Okay, Laura. I will see you another time, girl. Enjoy the rest of your day, and please enjoy London to the fullest, girl. Okay?”
“Okay, girl. Goodbye, now, Dollie. I love you, girl!”
“I love you more, Laura. Goodbye, girl!”
Then, after Dollie closed the door behind her after leaving, I had the rest of the night to myself. So, I rested until the morning.
Oh, boy, my conversation with Dollie went well. And I am 30
still glad I left that Texan heat behind. I love living here in London, England, and nothing will change my mind!
31
IthasbeenaweeksinceJuly5th,andnowitisJuly12th, 1952. The first day of summer was three weeks ago. Also, I am enjoying London, England.
And my life here in England has been way better than my life in America. Also, I might go and visit Dollie before she leaves.
And I believe she has a week left here in London before she leaves for America.
Also, I have yet to meet the parents of Conner and Michaela Wallace. So, I might go and knock on their door and introduce myself by lunchtime. So, I will take a little nap before noon, and hopefully, I do not oversleep. Here goes nothing!
* * *
I went to The Wallaces’ door, rang the doorbell, and waited for an answer. Once it got answered, this is how our conversation went:I rang the doorbell of The Wallaces. “Hello, guys. It is Miss Laura Taylor. Back on June 29th, thirteen days ago, I met your children. Please, may I come into your home?”
32
Mrs. Wallace answered the door, “Sure, Miss Taylor. You may come in. Welcome to our home, miss.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Wallace,” I said while entering the home. “May I please sit on your couch, miss?”
“Sure, Miss Taylor,” says Mrs. Wallace. “By the way, my actual name is Lauryn Burnett-Wallace. And my husband’s name is Clay. However, his name is Clayton Wallace. But if you wish, you may call me Mrs. Wallace.”
“Yes, Mrs. Wallace,” I say respectfully. “Where are Conner and Michaela?”
“They are in their rooms, Miss Taylor. Do you need me to get them downstairs for you, miss?”
“Sure, cool. You could do that for me, thanks.”
“Okay, Miss Taylor—”
Hey, kids. Miss Taylor is here. Please come downstairs.
Conner comes downstairs, “Hey, Miss Taylor. Welcome to our home. Please make yourself at home.”
Then, Michaela comes downstairs, “Hey, Miss Taylor. Welcome to our home, miss. Please make yourself comfortable.
Would you like some tea, Miss Taylor?”
“Sure, Michaela. Thank you, young master.”
Mrs. Wallace stands up, “Please allow me to get the tea, Michaela. You know Mum’s rules about handling hot things, right?”
“Yes, Mum. I know,” Michaela says while huffing. “Sorry, Mum. Please allow yourself to get Miss Taylor her tea.”
Then, Mrs. Wallace went to get me the tea. Shortly, it took time to heat up, so I waited and chatted with Conner.
“So, remind me again, Conner,” I said curiously. “How old are you, kiddo?”
“I am eight. And I was born in 1944, Miss Taylor,” replied 33
Conner. “Michaela is an eleven-year-old, and she was born in 1941.”
“Okay, kiddo. And I am twenty-one, and I was born in 1931.
How old are your Mummy and Daddy?”
“Mummy’s thirty-three. She was born in 1919,” replied Conner. “And Daddy’s thirty-one. He was born in 1921.”
“Okay, young master,” I say with a smile. “Well, I am going to leave after tea. It was great meeting you guys.”
“And it was great meeting you too, Miss Taylor,” Clay agreed with a smile. “Please enjoy your tea, miss.”
Then, after the tea finished heating, I got my cup of tea with two lumps of sugar and finished it within two minutes.
Then, after I finished the last sip of tea, I thanked Mrs. Wallace for the tea, and when I left their house to head back home.
Meeting Mr. and Mrs. Wallace was great, and I liked seeing Conner and Michaela. Then, for the rest of the day, I headed to go to sleep until the next day.
* * *
The next day.Okay, it is now tomorrow, July 13th, 1952. It has been twenty-two days or three weeks and a day for the first day of summer.
And I have been in London, England, for twenty days or two weeks and six days from June 23rd, 1952.
I am still glad that I moved out of Irving, Texas, to America to go live in London, England. Things cannot get any better 34
than they already are, can they?
Mostly, I am enjoying my summer in 1952 and living it up to the best of my abilities. However, I do miss my friends and family back in America.
Thankfully, I am glad I have friends, their families, and my boyfriend, Sir Everett. Oh, and before I forget, someone who I never met before will be coming to visit me.
I believe her name is Hannah Joyner. I have heard she is English and was born in Jameston, England. Anyway, I need to prepare myself for Hannah’s visit to my house. Hang on, give me a second—
* * *
Then, shortly, Hannah Joyner comes and knocks on the door. Hannah is a twenty-three-year-old born in 1929, tall and average, with black hair and amber eyes.After talking to each other for a while, Hannah and Laura tell Hannah about who used to own the house before her, and they start to become friends.
And Laura tells Hannah about the move out of America and into England and explains why she did. And Hannah tells Laura what Jameston, England is like for her.
Then, after their conversation, Hannah leaves Laura’s house before stopping and looking inside the greenhouse in Laura’s backyard.
“Hello, miss,” Hannah greets with a smile. “My name is Hannah Joyner. I am a twenty-three-year-old born in 1929.
And who are you?”
“Greetings, Hannah,” I say with a gleeful smile. “My name is 35
Miss Laura Taylor, but you can call me Laura or Miss Taylor. I am a twenty-one-year-old born in 1931. Where are you from, Hannah?”
“Um, yes, Miss Taylor, hello. I am from Jameston, England.
Where are you from, Laura?”
“Hello, Hannah. So, you are from Jameston, England? Cool.
I am from America in Irving, Texas. On June 23rd, I moved to London, England.”
“Okay, Miss Taylor. So, you moved to England twenty days ago? That is cool, Laura.”
“Yes, twenty days or two weeks and six days ago, Hannah.
When did you move to Jameston, or was that where you were born?”
“Jameston, England, is my birthplace. Is Irving, Texas, where you are from, or is it where you were born?”
“Ah, I see, Hannah. Yes, Irving, Texas, is where I was born.
I had to get away from America. Do you want to know why miss?”
“Oh, I see, Miss Taylor,” Hannah nodded. “Please do tell me why you left America.”
“Okay, it is simple why I left America. It was because of the Texan heat. It got too unbearable for me, so I figured that I move to England for cooler weather. Also, I had a great deal on this house I live in.”
“Oh, yeah? That is cool, Miss Taylor. How much did this house cost you?”
“It cost me £1,676, in US dollars, that is $2,004.41. I have to tell you something else about my house, okay?”
“Okay, that is not too bad,” Hannah nodded. “Yep, what is it, Miss Taylor?”
I reply, “This house used to be owned by a man named Mr.
36
Pryce, but two years ago, in 1950, he died of pneumonia. Weird, isn’t it?”
“Oh, I feel bad for Mr. Pryce. That is so sad that he died of pneumonia in 1950. I hope the best for his friends and family.”
“Yeah, it is sad, right?” I frowned. “I know that he is up in Heaven. And living the way he was to live.”
“Yep, that is true, Laura,” Hannah agreed. “Well, I better head back home now. It was very nice to meet you, Miss Taylor.
Goodbye, now, friend.”
“Okay, Hannah. It was very nice to meet you too. Also, have a safe trip back to Jameston, and please stay safe, Hannah.
Goodbye, friend.”
Then, after our conversation ended, Hannah left my house and got into her car to drive back to Jameston, England.
Shortly, I went to visit Dollie for the rest of the day. I will sleep in her hotel room until the next day. Okay, my day went well, and I loved all of it.
37
Okay,fourdayshavepassedsinceJuly12th,andnow it is July 16th, 1952, twenty-five days, or three weeks and four days from the first day of summer.
And I have been living in London, England, since June 24th, twenty-two days, or three weeks and a day. Today, two new visitors will be coming over to my house.
And by the way, Hannah liked what she saw in the greenhouse.
It was private, so she wanted me to do it privately. That is what we did four days ago, and it went well, in my opinion.
The two visitors are Mrs. Isabella Becker and Mr. Clinton Becker. Mrs. Becker is a fifty-one-year-old born in 1901 born in London, England. And Mr. Becker is a forty-nine-year-old born in 1903 in London, England.
Let us hope that Mr. and Mrs. Becker will like me. And if they do not, that would not be good for me. However, I believe that they will. I have a strong gut feeling.
Anyway, I am still glad I live in London, England, and not Irving, Texas. My life has completely changed since I moved.
Nothing will change my mind about what I am saying.
They will be coming over shortly after lunchtime. And I cannot wait for their appearance from London, England, to London, England.
38
May they be grumpy, or may they be happy? We will never know until they come over. Let us hope for happiness instead of grumpiness.
* * *
After lunch, it was time for Mr. and Mrs. Becker to come to my house to visit me from London, England, to London, England.So, it was short for their appearance.
I answered the door, “Good morning, Mrs. Becker. My name is Laura, but you can call me Miss Taylor. How are you doing today?”
Mrs. Becker smiled. “Good morning, Miss Taylor. I am doing well, Laura. How about you, miss?”
Mr. Becker says, “May we come in, Miss Taylor? Hey, nice home, Laura.”
I reply, smiling, “Thanks, Mrs. Becker, I am doing well. Please.
Why do not you both come in and sit on the couch?”
Both Mr. and Mrs. Becker entered the house and sat on the couch.
I grabbed both teas and waited for the tea to boil, so I could give it to them with the number of sugar lumps they wanted in their tea.
Joyfully, Mrs. Becker says, “Nice house you have here, Miss Taylor. How do you like living here and living in London, England? Also, where are you from, Laura?”
“Thank you, Mrs. Becker. I am from America. I used to live in Irving, Texas. Not only that, but I left Irving, Texas, because of the Texan heat. However, I do not mind the heat. So, then, I moved here on June 24th from America, and I love living in London. What is London, England, like for you both, Mrs.
39
Becker?”
Mrs. Becker replies gleefully, “London, England is great, Laura. So, you moved from America and Irving, Texas? What was that like, and do you miss your family and friends back home?”
“Well, I do miss my family and friends back in America.
However, I decided to leave them all behind. So, I had to do that to leave the unbearable Texan heat.”
Mr. Becker respectfully says, “There is not a thing as beating the Texan heat, even though that may be true. I respectfully disagree, Miss Taylor. Sorry, miss.”
I respectfully disagree. “Why did I leave America and Irving, Texas? To beat the Texan heat, of course. It got too unbearable for me, sir. So, I respectfully disagree with you, Mr. Becker.”
Mr. Becker frowned, “Oh, hum, I guess you are right, Miss Taylor. However, there will not be a right or wrong side.”
Mrs. Becker butted in, “Well, you both may be right or wrong.
I cannot decide. It is too tough a decision to make.”
“Well, I am not the one to argue, Mrs. Becker. However, let us drop why I left America and Irving, Texas, for London, England.
Also, I have something to mention about this house to you both.
It is about the old homeowner who used to own this house and greenhouse before me.”
Mrs. Becker says with a half-smile, “Why, what is it, Miss Taylor? What happened to the old homeowner who owned the house and greenhouse before you?”
I say with a heavy heart, “Well, his name was Mr. Pryce, and he died two years ago, in 1950, from pneumonia. He is in a better place up in Heaven now.”
Mr. Becker was shocked. “What kind of pneumonia did Mr.
Pryce have?”
40
“To be honest, I was not informed about the kind of pneumonia that Mr. Pryce had. However, he died two years ago, in 1950, at forty-four. Mr. Pryce was born in 1906 and lived to be forty-four years of age before he passed in 1950.”
Mrs. Becker felt sad. “Oh, my, my. I feel terrible for him and his family and friends. He will rest in Heaven smiling down at you, Miss Taylor, living in his house since June 24th. How long exactly has that been, Laura?”
I told Mrs. Becker, “It has been twenty-two days, or three weeks and a day exactly, miss. How long have you and Mr.
Becker lived in London, England, or were you both born there?”
Mrs. Becker replies, “We both were born in London. We love living in London so much, and I would not live anywhere. How about you, Laura? Would you move back to Irving, Texas, for any odd reason why you had to leave London and England?”
“Okay, Mrs. Becker. I would not leave London or England for Irving, Texas. However, as I have mentioned, there are family and friends in America and Irving, Texas, that I miss daily. But I am a Texan girl at heart, but my life is here in London, England.
So, I gave up living in Irving, Texas, for the Texan heat, even if Mr. Becker disagrees.”
Mr. Becker sighs, “We better head back home, dear. After all, we have a trip back to London from London.”
“Wait, before you go, guys,” I say, stopping them. “Don’t you want to know something about me? And I will ask you the same thing about you guys. Okay?”
“Sure, Miss Taylor,” Mrs. Becker says. “What is it that you would like to tell us?”
I reply, “I have family and friends that live in America, and I have a best friend named Dollie Thomas, who is also from America, from Irving, Texas. Now, what is something about 41
you two?”
“Well, I am fifty-one. How about you, Laura?”
“Well, Mrs. Becker,” I say with a smile. “I am twenty-one.
How about you, Mr. Becker?”
Mr. Becker says, “Well, I am forty-nine. Both Mrs. Becker and I were born in London, England.”
“Okay, good, sir,” I say gleefully. “I guess you both can leave to head home, have a safe trip, guys. Thanks for stopping by.
Goodbye, now, Mr. and Mrs. Becker.”
After our conversation, Mr. and Mrs. Becker left out my door and got into their car to head back to London.
Then, that was it for the rest of my day. So, I slept until it was daylight again. So, I must sleep now. Sleepy time for me!
42
NowthattwoweekshavepassedfromJuly16th,it is July 30th, 1952. Thirty-nine days, or a month, a week, and two days have passed since the first day of summer.
And I have been living in London, England, since June 24th, thirty-six days, or a month and six days. Also, someone named Kyndall Gibson will be visiting my house today.
She is from London, England, twelve years old, born in 1940.
She is English, mid-sized, average, and has medium blonde hair and green eyes.
Kyndall will be visiting here once lunchtime hits. Also, I have to prepare for her appearance. My house is a little dusty, and I got to tidy up the greenhouse. Also, I have not had any neighbors or friends check out the greenhouse that used to belong to Mr. Pryce.
After all, what was the first name of Mr. Pryce? I could ask Forrester. However, he will not know, or he may. I could call him at the end of the day and find out. Excitingly, hmm?
* * *
43Okay, now that I cleaned everything, it is time for Kyndall Gibson to come to my house. I am glad that I have people introducing themselves to me, even if they are kids to adults or youngsters to elders.
I am glad to be socializing even if I moved out of Irving, Texas, to London, England, and from America to the United Kingdom.
* * *
Kyndall walked up to my house and knocked on my door. After I heard the knock and answered the door, our conversation went like this:Kyndall knocked on my door, “Hello, my name is Kyndall Gibson. I am your twelve-year-old neighbor from here in London, England. May I please enter your house?”
I answered the door, “Yes, you may, Kyndall. Thanks for coming to my house. Please enter and sit on the couch.”
“Okay, Miss. Thanks,” smiling, Kyndall says, “You are a great person, miss. And who may you be, Miss?”
“Yes, thank you, Kyndall,” I smiled respectfully. “My name is Laura, but you can call me Miss Taylor.”
“Okay, Miss Taylor. That is great. If I may ask, how old are you, Laura?”
“I am a twenty-one-year-old who was born in 1931. Are not you a twelve-year-old born in 1940, Kyndall?”
“Yes, Miss, I am. I was born in 1940. That would make me a twelve-year-old girl.”
“Very well, then, Kyndall. I got you, Miss. Do you like living in London, England? Were you born in London, Kyndall?”
44
“Yes, I was born in London, Miss. And yes, I like living in London, England. Were you born here in London, England, Miss Taylor?”
“Okay, Kyndall. No, Miss, I was not born here in London. I was born in America in Irving, Texas. I left America for London, England, because the Texan heat got too unbearable for me, so I left for England, leaving my friends and family behind me.”
“Very well, then, Miss Taylor. I understand, Laura. So, what was America like before you moved to London, England? Well, other than the unbearable Texan heat?”
“Well, good question, Kyndall,” I smiled. “It went pretty well, and I miss my family and friends back home in Irving, Texas, in America. However, London, England, is my new home and has been since June 24th, Kyndall. How long have you lived in London, or has it been since you were born?”
“Ah, I see, Miss Taylor,” Kyndall nodded. “Yep, I have been living in London since birth, twelve years to be exact, all of my twelve years on this Earth.”
“Understood, Kyndall,” I nodded my head in agreement. “Well, that would make sense. You have been alive for twelve years on Earth. Right?”
“Yes, that is right, Miss Taylor. How is your afternoon going so far today, Laura?”
“Great, thank you, Kyndall. How is your afternoon going so far?”
“It is going great, thank you, Miss,” Kyndall says happily. “I am thankful for my days on Earth here in London, England. I have been alive on this Earth, and I love it.”
“So, you would say that you are blessed, hmm? Well, that is great that you are enjoying your days on Earth and in London, England. Surely, I do enjoy living in London. Hey, Kyndall, I 45
have something to tell you about the previous homeowner. I am not the previous homeowner, okay?”
“Yes, Miss understood,” Kyndall tells me with a half-smile.
“Who was the previous homeowner? Do not tell me something bad happened to them, hmm?”
“Well, about that. Mr. Pryce was the previous homeowner, who died two years ago in 1950 at forty-four of pneumonia. He was born in 1906, and he lived a happy life. Isn’t that sad about what happened to Mr. Pryce, Kyndall?”
“It sure is, Miss Taylor. That is so sad that Mr. Pryce died two years ago, in 1950, at forty-four of pneumonia. He must have friends and family that miss him dearly, hmm?”
“Yes, it is sad that he died,” I agreed. “Of course, he has family and friends that miss him. Since I never met the man, Surely, I do miss him. I wish I could meet him. However, I met him in spirit.”
“Well, okay then, Miss Taylor. I must head back home. My Daddy will worry if I am out longer than I am allowed. So, I say goodbye to you and have a nice rest of your day, Laura.
Goodbye, now, Miss.”
“Okay, goodbye, Kyndall. It was nice talking to you, Miss.
Please enjoy the rest of your day as well, miss.”
Then, Kyndall left my house after our conversation ended. And then, since I did nothing for the rest of the day, I slept until the next day.
So, I will have to rest now. And I hope to wake up tomorrow with a new friend, who I will guess is my neighbor, just like Kyndall Gibson.
46
* * *
The next day,Now that I am awake, today is July 31st, 1952, a day after yesterday, July 30th. Forty days or a month, a week, and three days have passed since the first day of summer.
And since June 24th, thirty-seven days, or a month and a week, have passed since I moved to London, England.
Well, today, I have another visitor. Ms. Chelsea Duncan is my forty-eight-year-old neighbor from London, England.
She is also English, short, and has light brown hair and bluish-green eyes. Ms. Duncan will come over during lunchtime, just like Kyndall Gibson did yesterday.
As I can tell, it is a pattern with my guests I can remember. I am thankful for friends and their families.
* * *
Ms. Duncan walked up to my door and knocked. Once I heard the knock, I opened the door, and this is how we conversed: Ms. Duncan knocked on my door, “Hello, I am Ms. Chelsea Duncan, your forty-eight-year-old neighbor from London, England. May I please enter?”“Yes, you may, Ms. Duncan,” I say as I answer the door, “Please, why don’t you come in and sit on the couch? Do you want tea, Ms. Duncan?”
“Yes, I would love some tea. What is your name, miss? And 47
where are you from, and how old are you?”
“Okay, Ms. Duncan. It is warming up,” I say delightfully. “I am Laura, but you can call me Miss Taylor. I am a twenty-one-year-old born in 1931. Weren’t you born in 1904, Ms.
Duncan?”
“Okay, Miss Taylor. Thanks for warming up the tea,” Ms.
Duncan says happily. “Where are you from, Laura? You do not sound like an Englishwoman. So, tell me, please, where you are from.”
“You are welcome, Ms. Duncan,” I say respectfully. “It will be ready soon. And I am an American, born in Irving, Texas. I moved to London, England, to beat the unbearable Texan heat.
Were you born here in London or someplace else?”
“Yes, okay, Miss Taylor. I understand,” Ms. Duncan nodded her head in agreement. “So, you were born in America, hmm?
What is life like in America, and Irving, Texas? Don’t you miss your friends and family there?”
“Okay, Ms. Duncan. Yes, I am from America. Life in Irving, Texas, is great. Surely, I do miss my friends and family back home. And were you born in London or someplace else?”
“Sorry, I was born in London. Surely, it seems like America is a great place to live. So, you cannot stand the unbearable Texan heat in Irving, Texas?”
“Yes, I could not stand the Texan heat,” I reply. “Yeah, I like America. It is a great place to live. Do you want to know something, Ms. Duncan?”
“Okay, Miss Taylor,” Ms. Duncan nods her head. “Yes, you can tell me something. What is it, Laura?”
“Okay, this house was not originally mine. It used to belong to a man who died at forty-four of pneumonia two years ago, in 1950, his name was Mr. Pryce, and he was born in 1906.”
48
“Oh, how sad is that for his family and friends that cherished him when he was still alive? I feel bad that Mr. Pryce died of pneumonia in 1950.”
“Yes, how sad, indeed,” I frowned, “Oh, it looks like the tea is heated up. I will grab you a cup, and how many sugar lumps would you like, Ms. Duncan?”
“Oh, okay, Miss Taylor,” Ms. Duncan says. “I would like three sugar lumps, please, Laura. Thank you for the cup of tea.”
“Anytime, Ms. Duncan,” I respectfully smiled, “No, thank you for coming over. I appreciate it, miss.”
“Very well, Laura. It looks like I will leave after the cup of tea.
So, I will stay as long as I drink the tea, then head home. It was nice to meet you, Miss Taylor.”
“Okay, Ms. Duncan. Please stay safe while you head back home. Thanks for coming over. It was nice to meet you too,”
“Anytime, Laura,” Ms. Duncan smiled. “I appreciate your company. Thanks for your kindness, Miss Taylor. You are a great friend.”
“Here you are, Ms. Duncan,” I carefully handed the cup of tea to Ms. Duncan. “Please drink it slowly and carefully. It is a little hot, so let it cool down first. Okay?”
“Okay, Miss Taylor. I will, thanks,” Ms. Duncan thanked gleefully. “I appreciate the cup of tea, Laura. Thank you kindly, miss.”
“Okay, you are welcome, Ms. Duncan,” with a respectful smile, I say. “Anytime, miss. You are a great friend, Ms. Duncan.
Thank you for coming over again, Ms. Duncan.”
“Okay, I am done with my tea, Laura. Thank you for the tea, Miss Taylor. Oh, would you look at the time? I must head back home now. Goodbye, Miss Taylor. Stay safe and sleep well.”
“Okay, I will, Ms. Duncan. Thanks, and to you as well.
49
Please, have a safe trip back home, and goodnight, Ms. Duncan.
Thanks for coming to visit me, miss.”
Then, Ms. Duncan left my house, headed into her car, and drove home. I had a great conversation with Kyndall and Ms.
Duncan for the past two nights.
So, I am going to bed for the rest of the day. With a night’s rest, I will sleep well, thanks to the company of Ms. Duncan.
Oh, I am so tired from the past two nights!
50
Oh,boy!ItisAugust2nd,1952,twodaysfromJuly31st.
It has been forty-two days or six weeks, a month, a week, and five days, since the first day of summer.
And it has been thirty-nine days or five weeks and four days, a month, a week, and two days since I moved to London, England, from Irving, Texas, on June 24th.
And after lunchtime, I have a visitor from Mexico, Raymundo Arellano is his name, and he is a ten-year-old Mexican from Michoacán, Mexico.
He is Hispanic, petite, muscular, and has short reddish hair and hazel eyes.
Oh, boy! I have yet another visitor to accompany me to my house.
I forgot to mention I asked Forrester what Mr. Pryce’s first name was, and he said it was Robert.
Also, I am starving, so let me eat something before Raymundo visits me.
* * *
51Raymundo, my Mexican visitor, went to my house and knocked on the door. After I answered the door, our conversation went: Raymundo Arellano knocks on my door, “Hola, me llamo Raymundo. Soy un niño de diez años de Michoacán, México.
¿Puedo entrar a la casa, por favor?”
I answered the door with a smile, “Por supuesto, jovencito.
Por favor, entre en la casa y siéntese en el sofá, y hablaremos y hablaremos hasta que tenga que irse, ¿de acuerdo, señor?”
“De acuerdo, señora,” says Raymundo with a smile. “¿De dónde es usted y cómo se llama, señorita?”
“Bueno, Raymundo, mi nombre es Laura. Pero puedes llamarme señorita Taylor. Soy de América. Vine a Inglaterra desde Irving, Texas.”
“Ya veo, señorita,” nodded Raymundo. “¿Cómo es Estados Unidos y por qué se marchó de Irving a Inglaterra?”
“Bueno, dejé América, e Irving, Texas, por Londres, debido al insoportable calor tejano. Hacía demasiado calor, pero estoy acostumbrado al calor tejano. Así que me fui a Inglaterra, desde América, para estar lejos del calor tejano. Además, me gusta vivir en Inglaterra. Es particularmente diferente de América, en mi país.”
“Oh, sí, ya veo, Laura,” Raymundo says while nodding.
“Bueno, disfruto del estilo de vida mexicano. A veces lo disfruto demasiado. ¿Eso es malo, Srta. Taylor?”
“No, joven, por favor, disfruta de donde vienes. El estilo de vida mexicano puede ser genial. Por favor, no te preocupes demasiado, Raymundo, ¿de acuerdo, jovencito?”
“Bueno, gracias, Srta. Taylor. Es muy agradable hablar con usted, señora. Me gusta esa agradable cualidad suya, Srta.
Taylor.”
“Cuando quieras, jovencito. Y por la misma razón, usted 52
también es una buena persona. Usted también tiene esa buena cualidad, señor.”
“Gracias, señorita. Se lo agradezco, señorita Taylor. ¿Cómo va tu tarde hasta ahora, Laura?”
“Cuando quiera, señor. Va bien, gracias. ¿Cómo va tu tarde hasta ahora, Raymundo?”
“Sí, también va bien,” says Raymundo with a smile. “¿Cuánto tiempo ha vivido en Inglaterra, Srta. Taylor?”
“Bien, señor. Llevo en Inglaterra desde el 24 de junio, es decir, treinta y nueve días, cinco semanas y cuatro días. O un mes, una semana y dos días.”
“Ah, ya veo. Eso es bueno para usted, señorita,” Raymundo says while nodding. “Y he estado viviendo en Michoacán, México desde que nací en 1942. Así que serían diez años, señorita Taylor.”
“Bueno, Raymundo. Es bueno saberlo, señor,” I nodded my head. “Y he estado viviendo en Irving, Texas, y en Estados Unidos hasta poco después de cumplir veintiún años. Nací en 1931.”
“Vale, Laura. Comprendo,” Raymundo says. “¿Y dónde aprendiste a hablar español? Parece que lo hablas con fluidez.”
“Parece que hablo español con fluidez, ¿verdad?” I agreed with Raymundo. “Aprendí a hablar español con mi bisabuela Amabilia Mazariegos. Ella es guatemalteca y es de Malacatán, Guatemala.”
“Bueno, ahora lo entiendo, Srta. Taylor,” says Raymundo.
“¿Aprendiste eso de tu bisabuela, Amabilia? Eso me sorprende, señorita. Eso es genial, señorita Taylor.”
“Sí, señor. ¿Quieres saber algo de esta casa, Raymundo?”
“¿Qué quiere decirme, Srta. Taylor?”
“Bien, señor. Esta casa no era originalmente mía. Perteneció 53
al Sr. Pryce, un hombre que murió de neumonía hace dos años, en 1950. Vivió hasta los cuarenta y cuatro y nació en 1906.
¿Qué tiene que decir sobre eso, señor?”
“Vaya. Qué triste que el Sr. Pryce muriera hace dos años, en 1950, de neumonía, y su familia y amigos le echarán de menos.
Apuesto a que deben sentirse muy mal por su pérdida, ¿verdad?”
“Sí, me siento fatal por su pérdida. Ojalá siguiera aquí con nosotros. Puedo sentir su presencia todavía, bueno, espiritualmente.”
“Bien, Srta. Taylor,” Raymundo says with a sigh. “Bueno, tengo que llegar a casa. Mi papá está afuera y acabo de oír su bocina. Así que espero que te vaya bien viviendo en Londres e Inglaterra. Bueno, adiós, señorita Taylor. Por favor, disfrute del resto de su día, señorita.”
“Gracias, señor. Seguro que sí. Adiós, Raymundo,” I say with a gleeful smile. “Gracias por venir a visitarme. Por favor, disfrute de su vuelo de regreso a México con su familia. Por favor, manténgase a salvo, y fue un placer hablar con usted, Sr.
Arellano.”
“Sí, señora. Lo haré, gracias,” Raymundo says while leaving.
“Adiós, Srta. Taylor. También fue un placer hablar con usted, señorita.”
Then, Raymundo left my house. That was it for me until the next day. So, I slept until the next morning. Oh, and I have exciting news to share.
My boyfriend, I mean, my fiancé, Sir Everett, will marry me on August 5th. Forrester says that Mr. Pryce got married on August 5th, 1950. Weird, no?
54
* * *
Two days later,Two days have passed since August 2nd, and now it is August 4th, 1952. Forty-four days. Or six weeks and two days, or a month and two weeks have passed from the first day of summer.
And since June 24th, I have been living in London, England.
For forty-one days. Or five weeks and six days. Or a month, a week, and four days.
If you were wondering, I have the final guest that will visit me by lunchtime. Her name is Ramonita Canales.
She is a twelve-year-old Puerto Rican from San Germán, Puerto Rico, born in 1940. She is Hispanic, small, and muscular, with short black hair and blue eyes.
Well, tomorrow, August 5th, will be my and my fiancé, Sir Everett’s wedding. I will welcome as many people as we can.
Also, we will be visiting Italy for our honeymoon.
Weirdly, August 5th and Italy were the things that Mr. Pryce and Alexandria Maddox had two years ago when they married in 1950.
* * *
Ramonita, a Puerto Rican visitor, went to my house and knocked on my door. After I opened the door, this is how we conversed:Ramonita Canales knocked on my door, “Hola, me llamo 55
Ramonita y soy de San Germán, Puerto Rico. ¿Puedo entrar a la casa, por favor?”
“Por supuesto, pase, señorita,” I opened the door to let Ramonita in. “Bienvenida a mi casa, señora. Por favor, pase y siéntese en el sofá, ¿de acuerdo?”
“De acuerdo, lo haré. Gracias, señor,” says Ramonita with a smile. “¿Cómo se llama y de dónde es, señorita?”
“Bueno, mi nombre es Laura. Pero puedes llamarme señorita Taylor. ¿Cómo es la vida en Puerto Rico?”
“Bien, señorita. Te tengo. La vida en Puerto Rico es genial.
Me gusta mucho, tal vez, un poco demasiado. ¿Eso es malo, Laura?”
“No, señora. Puedes amar a Puerto Rico todo lo que quieras.
Creo que Puerto Rico es un buen lugar para visitar. Entonces,
¿naciste en San Germán, Puerto Rico? ¿Y tú no naciste en 1940, Ramonita?”
“De acuerdo, entiendo, señora. Sí, nací en 1940 en San Germán, Puerto Rico. ¿Dónde y en qué año nació?”
“¿No tendrías doce años?” Laura asked Ramonita curiously.
“Nací en 1931 en Irving, Texas. Vengo de Estados Unidos.”
“Sí, eso me haría doce, señorita,” Ramonita giggled. “¿Qué te hizo dejar América por Inglaterra? ¿No tienes familia y amigos en Irving, Texas?”
“Dejé Irving, Texas, en Estados Unidos, por el calor de Texas.
Se me hizo demasiado insoportable, así que vine aquí. Además, me gusta vivir en Inglaterra, aunque echo de menos a mi familia y amigos de mi tierra.”
“Vale, lo entiendo, señorita,” nods Ramonita in agreement.
“Cuando a veces me voy de Puerto Rico, echo de menos a mi familia y a mis amigos. Y entonces, ¿el sol y su calor se volvieron demasiado insoportables para ti?”
56
“Entendido, Ramonita. Entonces, ¿sabes cómo me siento?”
“Por supuesto, Srta. Taylor.”
“Bueno, tengo que decir esto. Bienvenida a mi casa. ¿Le gustaría echar un vistazo a mi invernadero del patio trasero, señorita?”
“Por supuesto, Srta. Taylor. Gracias por permitirme ver el interior de su invernadero.”
“Sí, cuando quiera, señorita. No, gracias por venir a visitarme.
Pero tenga cuidado. Tengo animales a los que les gusta cavar en el invernadero. Creo que uno de ellos es un conejo llamado Fluffleton. Como me dijo una vez un chico llamado Forrester.”
“Cuando quiera, Srta. Taylor. Me encantaría visitar el invernadero. ¿Es Fluffleton un buen conejo? ¿No me morderá?”
“Por lo que sé de Fluffleton, es un buen conejo. Si te muerde, podría ser un accidente, no a propósito. Vayamos al patio trasero y al invernadero, ¿de acuerdo? Después de usted, señorita.”
“Bueno, lo entiendo, Srta. Taylor. Gracias de nuevo por permitirme entrar en su jardín para ir al invernadero.”
“De nada, Ramonita. Después de ti.”
Then, I led Ramonita into the backyard and the greenhouse.
After she sniffed some of the flowers, I gave her a random seed from one of the shelves.
And then, Ramonita planted it about a foot deep into the ground. After planting it, she wondered what type of flower it would be. I told her the flower’s name, and she was amazed.
“Por favor, tome esta semilla, señorita,” I told Ramonita while giving her a random seed from the shelves. “Puede plantarlo a medio metro de profundidad en el suelo, ¿de acuerdo, señorita?”
“Muchas gracias, Srta. Taylor. Se lo agradezco,” says Ramonita, grabbing the seed from my hand. “La plantaré a treinta 57
centímetros de profundidad en la tierra. ¿Sabes en qué tipo de flor se convertirá?”
“Vale, sí, lo sé,” I replied. “Se convertirá en un lirio de día, que es una planta rosa. Espero que crezca rápido y pronto. Le haré una foto y espero enviárosla a vosotros o a alguno de sus padres.”
“Ah, sí, ya veo, señorita,” Ramonita says with amazement.
“Bueno, tengo que llegar a casa antes de que mi padre se enfade.
Le oigo tocar el claxon en la entrada. Gracias por dejarme ver su invernadero y plantar un lirio de día. Antes de irme, ¿tiene algo más que decirme, Srta. Taylor?”
“Sí, ya lo sé. Una cosa más antes de que te vayas,” I said. “Esta casa perteneció a un hombre que murió hace dos años, en 1950, a la edad de cuarenta y cuatro años, llamado Sr. Pryce. Murió de neumonía. Y también nació en 1906.”
“Oh, ya veo. ¿Qué tan triste es eso?” says Ramonita with a frown. “Además, ¿dónde aprendió a hablar español con tanta fluidez?”
“Bueno, aprendí a hablar español de mi bisabuela Amabilia Mazariegos, una guatemalteca de Malacatán, Guatemala.”
“Vale, ahora lo entiendo, señorita,” says Ramonita with amazement. “Lo siento, pero debo irme. Adiós, señora. Oigo a mi padre tocar el claxon repetidamente. Espero que disfrute del resto del día. Ha sido un placer hablar con usted. Gracias por ser tan buena amiga mía, Srta. Taylor. Que tengas un buen día, Laura. ¿Se encuentra bien, señorita?”
After our conversation, Ramonita left the greenhouse and walked to the front of the house and got into her father’s car, and then they drove away.
As for the rest of my day, I will sleep it off and hopefully wake 58
up refreshed and energized. Due to it being my wedding day with my fiancé Sir Everett.
Oh, well, I am snoring and drifting to sleep. I must head inside and into my room to have a great night’s rest now.
* * *
The next day,Finally, the day has come! Today is my wedding day with Sir Everett Talley. I am so ready to become Mrs. Laura Talley.
Also, today is August 5th, 1952, a day after August 4th. It has been forty-five days or a month, two weeks, and a day since the first day of summer.
And since June 24th, it has been forty-two days. Or a month, a week, and five days since I moved to London, England, and left Irving, Texas, and America.
Yippee, I have invited most people who come. However, one declined due to being too sad for her to come.
It was Alexandria Maddox. I realize I am getting married on her wedding anniversary to Mr. Pryce.
Also, Greyson declined too, was too sad for him to come. So, that is two out. The rest is coming, yippee!
I am too excited to get married to Sir Everett! Things could not get any better, right?
However, I cannot force Alexandria and Greyson to my wedding. That is entirely their choice, not mine.
I cannot force them to come, as it was not how I was their little girl growing up and learning from my parents.
59
Speaking of my parents, my mother and father flew here for my wedding.
However, they will be too proud of their little girl. And I am not a little girl, after all!
Okay, I need to settle down a notch or two. Also, there isn’t anything more charming than Sir Everett Talley.
And I am ready to become Mrs. Laura Talley. I bet people are wondering when Sir Everett became my fiancé, right?
Sir Everett became my fiancé when he proposed to me before I moved to London.
Also, Sir Everett and I met while somehow getting my number.
And after he called me, and we chatted for days, hours upon hours, we made a click, and instantly, we began dating. And now, it is August 5th, 1952, our wedding day!
* * *
The marriage officiant says, “We gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, the joining of two hearts, and to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite this couple in marriage.”The marriage officiant says, “Should there be anyone who has caused why this couple should not be united in marriage?”
Then, Sir Everett says, “I, Sir Everett, take you, Laura, to be my wife, life partner, and one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.”
Then, I say, “I, Laura, take you, Sir Everett, to be my husband, life partner, and one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you 60
today, tomorrow, and forever.”
The marriage officiant says, “Sir Everett do you take Laura to be your wife?”
“I do,” Sir Everett says.
The marriage officiant says, “Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?”
“I do,” Sir Everett says.
The marriage officiant says, “Laura do you take Sir Everett to be your husband?”
“I do,” I said.
The marriage officiant says, “Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?”
“I do,” I said.
The marriage officiant says, “Wedding rings are an unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this couple in marriage.”
I say, “Sir Everett, this ring is my sacred gift, with my promise that I will always love and cherish you and honor you all the days of my life. And with this ring, I wed.”
And Sir Everett says, “Laura, this ring is my sacred gift, with my promise that I will always love and cherish you and honor you all the days of my life. And with this ring, I wed.”
The marriage officiant says, “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
The marriage officiant says, “You may kiss your bride.”
And the marriage officiant closes with, “I present to you our happy couple.”
And yippee, now I am Mrs. Laura Talley! I am glad that I married my twenty-four-year-old husband. The wedding went 61
well.
It was time for our honeymoon in Italy. While we were leaving the wedding after it was all over, once everyone left, Sir Everett and I headed for a plane ride to Rome, Italy.
While there, we visited some stuff, including the Quirinal Palace, to meet Italian President Luigi Einaudi. Then, we explored all over Rome and kissed.
After our honeymoon ended at night, we headed back home.
Sir Everett stayed at my house until the morning and then left.
Besides, Sir Everett has now sold his house and moved in with me. And now, Sir Everett and I are a married couple living together. Sigh, I guess my story is now over.
62
Very well, if you have got this far into the book, congratulations, you have made it to the end of the entire book! I say kudos to you guys for reaching this far into my book.
I wish to say thank you for believing in and supporting me throughout my journey of writing fictional stories that are
“real” to the author, me, but are not in actual life. Furthermore, I journeyed to completing “The Greenhouse II” in April 2020.
As you can tell, this book takes place two years after 1950, in 1952.
However, Mr. Pryce, or Robert, was not in this book. The story took place on June 24th, 1952, and ended on August 5th, 1952, as a span of forty-two days. Or six weeks. Or a month, a week, and five days. However, the story takes place in London, England, with its main character, Miss Laura Taylor, who, at the very end of this book, Mrs. Laura Talley, after marrying her boyfriend, then fiancé, and finally, her husband.
I wrote this book with the inspiration of my beloved and wonderful cousin Katie Christy, who is the co-author of this book, written by me, the author of this book. This book is a novella as it is longer than a Short Story and longer than a Novelette.
Once again, if you have got to this book this far, congratulations! I hope you enjoyed this book as much as I have. Also, I wrote this in my loving memories of my Nanny, Marie Olive 63
Christy. To those who wish to read this book, I say kudos to you!
Just to let you know, you do not have to read this book if you do not want to. I cannot force anyone to read it. And to end this all, it was sad to know that Mr. Pryce died two years before this book’s year, in 1950, of pneumonia, at forty-four, who was born in 1906.
Please, remember and love Mr. Pryce by himself, his friends, their families, and his beloved greenhouse. Thanks for reading, and I hope to write more books in the future! ENJOY!
64
I want to thank my family, my cousin Katie Christy for inspiring this book, my friends, and my readers for The Greenhouse II.
65
In “The Greenhouse II,” readers are once again transported back in time with the captivating character of Miss Laura Taylor. Set in the summer of 1952, this sequel to the beloved first book follows Miss Taylor as she navigates life in London after leaving her hometown of Irving, Texas. At first, she feels a bit lost and alone, but soon she meets a group of new friends who introduce her to the wonders of the city and the kind-hearted Mr. Pryce.
Through their friendship, Laura learns valuable lessons about life, love, and friendship that stay with her for years to come.
With its vivid depiction of 1950s London and the charming cast of characters, “The Greenhouse II” is a heartwarming tale that will leave readers feeling uplifted and inspired.
66
Self-Publishing Date The Greenhouse II was self-published originally on March 20th, 2021.
67
