Letters through a lifetime

A Garden Encounter

As Tamsin sat beneath the apple tree, lost in her thoughts, a rustling in the bushes nearby caught her attention. She turned, expecting to see a curious squirrel or perhaps one of the neighborhood cats, but instead, her eyes met those of a stranger. She was transfixed by his green eyes. They were not common here.

He emerged from the foliage with an apologetic smile, his presence both startling and intriguing. He was unlike anyone she had ever encountered before—tall and lean, with windswept hair and eyes that sparkled like the morning dew.

"Forgive me, miss," he said, his voice soft yet confident. "I didn't mean to startle you. I was just exploring the gardens and couldn't help but notice you sitting here, it’s like you are lost in your own world. I don’t recall ever seeing a woman so focused.”

Tamsin blinked in surprise, her heart fluttering in her chest. She was unaccustomed to such attention, especially from a stranger, but there was something about him that put her at ease. She had not decided if what she felt for this man was attraction or if she just felt comfortable and safe around him. In her twenty short years of living almost every man she had encountered set her on edge and made her feel as if her safety was at risk.

"It's quite alright," she replied, her voice betraying her nerves. "I often come here to escape the chaos of my family. My mother can be quite— colorful.”

He nodded, understanding evident in his gaze. "I can relate. Sometimes, the solace of nature is the only refuge we have in this world.

They fell into an easy conversation, discussing everything from the beauty of the garden to the complexities of life itself. Tamsin found herself opening up to him in a way she never had with anyone else, her words flowing freely like a gentle stream.

"I am here looking for Angelina," he said, his eyes alight with warmth. “I wanted to let her know that I am back from my travels.”

Tamsin feels something inside of her shift. Of course the universe had a way of being so intentionally cruel.

“Oh she is not here– she is currently away at Queen’s college. I am deeply sorry on her behalf. She has the habit of disappearing and not telling people about her whereabouts. She tends to be selfish and self centered– a lot of the time.- Well not really. It sounds awfully ugly for me to say that about my own sister. Again I apologize.” She says her voice is still slightly trembling, upset and shaken up by her circumstances.

“It’s alright- I do not have any siblings but I supposed if I did I would understand your point of view. Thank you for letting me know.” He looks back at the horizon, the sun has begun to dip, casting an orange-red hue on the horizon. He then looks at the small woman in front of him. “It is getting pretty late. I should head out soon. I am sorry for disturbing your peaceful afternoon. I hope I see you around town, feel free to come up to me if you see me around.” He grabs her hand and places a soft and subtle kiss on it.

She looks at him and quickly pulls her hand away. No one had ever noticed her before, much less been openly affectionate with her. “Goodbye! I hope you enjoy your stay in Kensington.” She hurries away back into her house without looking back, letting out a breath when she finds her mother nowhere in sight.

My life must be a punishment, I must have done something terrible in my past life to deserve this constant torment and revile. Maybe I was some sort of corrupt politician. That could be it or maybe she did something mildly bad like not wave back when people said hello or was too loud during church. She thought to herself while saying her prayers before bed. All she was ever certain of was that when it came to the lottery of life she had played the losing numbers. The universe loved reminding her of it. Showing her something that she desperately wanted and pulling it away in seconds, in a way of telling her that she was foolish for even believing that for a second a man who was well traveled, well spoken and most of all attractive would ever find her worthy of his time. Those men are reserved for women like Angelica. She should know that, she should know better.

At twenty years of age, her mother had let her debut. She let her wait because they both knew that there was no hope for her. She needed to lose 6kg before looking for a possible husband, so they stalled. When she finally debuted know one even paid her any mind. During balls she watched as men filled up the dance cards of women she went to school but not hers, never hers. In an off chance that a man paid attention to her, he was always someone almost thirty years her senior. A widower desperate for a wife. Most likely so he could have someone due task her refused to learn to do himself like; cooking and cleaning. Those were the type of men that Tasmin knew she would have no choice but to marry. She would be a consolation prize, never a trophy.