Magic Garden

“Jesabelle, don’t go too far!” Her mother called behind her as she ran into the garden. Jes ran through the garden, her arms wide open. The touch of the snow-covered leaves on her fingertips. Being outside and surrounded by nature was a favorite pastime of Jes. However, there wasn’t much to be surrounded by.

A grin spread across her face as she reached the center of the garden. There were many empty bushes, more than she could count.

Well, it is a garden for a mansion.

She was pretty sure if their flowers were in bloom, she could name them all with some time. She had a thing for plants.

“Jes!” a tiny voice called out to her.

She turned back towards the house her eyes landing on her sister. Her little pigtails bounced as she ran over to her.

“Lizabelle, what are you doing out here?” Her parents had a thing for Belle’s. Who could blame them?

“Mom told me to come out with you. She didn’t want me in the house.” She shrugged as she finally stopped in front of her.

Jes let out a sigh as she glanced over at the house. “Typical,” she mumbled. She rolled her eyes as she held her hand out to her. “Let’s go then” Liza grabbed onto it as they walked down the pebbled path.

“Jes..” Liza mumbled as she tugged on her arm.

“Yes, Liza?” She looked down, meeting her big, round eyes.

“Do you know why we moved down here?” She questioned.

Of course, she knew exactly why they moved down here. “... No, why do you ask?” Jes focused her gaze back to the front.

“Just... mom doesn’t seem too happy, is all,” she explained.

Jes huffed as she came to a stop. She crouched down in front of her little sister, turning her to face her.

“Mom went through something. The same goes for us... It’s ok if you want to cry, you can let it out. It isn’t good to hold it in anyways,” she started.

“Why would I cry?” Liza questioned.

“...You’ll find out soon enough. Enjoy yourself for now, okay?” She gave her head a gentle pat as she examined her face. Liza nodded as Jes stood to her feet.

“Now, let’s continue our stroll,” Liza grabbed onto her hand as they continued their walk.

“Jes?” she turned to look up at her

The questions just never seem to end. “Yes, Liza?” Jes gazed down at her.

“Who’s house is this?” She pointed over to the castle-like home they moved into. Jes thought it over, trying to find the correct words.

“Well, this is our home now” Jes gave a small smile, hoping that would satisfy her curious mind.

“Why? What happened to our old house?” Liza turned to her.

Neverending

“Well.... we grew out of it. It got too small,” Jes turned to the house.

“Too small?” Liza giggled.

“Yeah, it’s like when your clothes get too small... but this time it was the house. It was time to get a bigger pair, a different one. Do you understand?” Jes tried to explain.

“I think I do” Liza nodded.

“Alright, let’s go back now. If we stay out any longer, Mom will get worried.” That was probably a lie. Their mother had other things on her mind.

“Okay.” A wide smile covered Liza’s face.

Jes jumped down from the wall and helped Liza down. Liza grabbed onto her hand as they walked back to their new home.

They shrugged off their snow coats and boots as they entered the foyer. Jes hung them on the coat rack as she and Liza went to the bathroom to wash off their freezing hands. After helping Liza wash her hands, she brought her to the kitchen.

They found their mother over the counter attempting to make something edible. “Mom?” Jes called out.

“Mommy!” Lizabelle rushed over to her, embracing her mother’s leg in an enormous hug. “Lizabelle, Jesabelle... you guys are back so soon?” She glanced towards the window as she caressed Liza’s head.

“We’ve been out for an hour, close to two,” Jes informed her. Not like it mattered.

“Oh... Oh! Really?” She questioned.

“Yup,” Jes nodded as she fixed her sleeves. “What are you making?” Jes pointed to the bowl in her hand.

“Oh, I was trying to make some mashed potatoes with pork chops and asparagus,” her mother laughed as she glanced down at the “creation” in the bowl.

Jes let out a sigh as she grabbed the bowl from her. “Mom, go take a seat. Liza and I will handle dinner” She pushed her toward the living room.

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to leave everything up to you,” she started.

“It’s fine” I’m used to it. “Just go... we’ll get it done, right Liza?” She looked down at her sister. “Right!” Liza jumped as her mother smiled, finally walking off.

“This is amazing, Jesabelle. Good job you guys, you did an amazing job,” her mother smiled as she dug in.

“Thanks,” Jes mumbled as she bit into her food.

“Thank you!!” Liza smiled as she took a spoon of mashed potatoes to her mouth.

They sat in silence as they ate their meals. Most of their meals went on like that. The faint sound of breathing and the TV their mother forgot to turn off, as well as the clinking of silverware. The dinner passed by at a slow pace and the silence made it a bit more awkward; well, at least for Jes.

Things had become tense with her mother since late. It became hard for her to connect with her mother. It only left her with a sense of awkwardness and estrangement.

“Is everything alright Jes? You aren’t eating” Her mother broke the silence. Jes ripped her gaze from the spot she found on the table and gazed at her mother.

“Everything is fine” Not like you’d care. Her mother nodded as she turned to Lizabelle.

“Lizabelle, look at the mess you’ve made!” Her mother laughed, looking over at Liza’s mashed potato-covered face and dirty shirt. “Come on, let’s go clean you up” Her mother set her napkin down as she stood from the table. She picked Liza up from her seat and turned to Jes. “Please clean this up Jes. The meal was amazing” She turned away with Liza in hand.

Jes set her utensils down as she found another spot on the wall. She didn’t know how to explain it, but there was this emptiness inside of her…. like she was missing something.

With a sigh, she stood up from her seat and began to clear the table. She brought everything to the kitchen and set them next to the sink.

After clearing the plates, she started to handwash them. When she finished, she dried them off and put them back in their places. After making sure she cleared everything, she made her way up to her room.