Discovery (Revisioned)

Chapter 20

I don't know how long we had been in the cave before what my next memory shows me. It continues like I’m watching a movie and all my cuts and bruises are healed. I wake up to see Joseph getting Georgie ready for a ride. I grab a piece of eucalyptus paper, a quill, and some ink. My current self is confused.

How did we receive these objects? I don't get much time to figure it out because the scene continues to play. Joseph grabs it out of my hands to read it at the same time that my current self has read it. I ask him where he’s going.

Joseph smiles at me softly, noticing the panic in my eyes, and walks to put my face in his hand. I sigh and allow my cheek to rest on his palm.

"I am going to meet with Adam. He is to give me some news. My Uncle may also have sent the supplies you requested. I will only be gone until sunset.”

Then he flashes me a hundred kilowatt smile. “We are going to go hunting for some more food. Will you have all the equipment prepared for me when I return?"

I nod my head and reach up for a hug. I notice that I’m not the small and fragile girl anymore as I watch this scene unfold. I’ve gotten a little thin but my muscles are are more refined almost like I’ve been toning them. I grab the paper from him and write for him to be safe. He answers by giving me a smile and mounting Georgie.

“Always, love.”

Before he takes off, I pat Georgie. She nudges my shoulder with gentleness and walks out of our hidden cave. Even though he told me not to be scared, I can’t help it. Anything can happen in here or out there.

To keep my mind off of things, I prepare the knives alongside the salt and herbs for seasoning. I hope that King Anthony can send some more lemons, onions, garlic, and some wine. I want to plan a special meal for Joseph. It doesn’t take long for me to ready the supplies, so I straighten up the cave, as much as I can for a cave.

I find a note from Joseph's mother, Evelyn. He had smiled when he read it and I’m curious to know what it says. But I put it down by Joseph's bed and continue to clean. He deserves his privacy. If he wanted me to know, he would have told me.

By the time I’m done, I’m filthy from head to toe. I decide to get cleaned up. I grab mine and Joseph's clothes and leave the cave. There’s pond was not too far from the cave. I can smell it as soon as I exit.

Before I take off, I let my eyes adjust and check my surroundings. There isn't anything unusual around me, so I leave a sign for Joseph and swim.

The swim not only cleanses me and my clothes, but allows me to feel free. I clean the clothes using rocks and hang them on the tree branches to dry. The clothes dry off while I soak up the sun. But that ends when a monkey decides that it likes my dress and snatches it from the tree.

This is not the first time that this monkey has desired my clothes and I came prepared. I take the apple from my pouch and climb up the tree. The tree is rough and I feel it scratch me a few times but I climb the tree pretty easily.

I extend my arm out for my shirt and offer it the apple. The monkey stands staring between the apple and the dress. It tries to snatch the apple without handing me the dress, but I’m ready and snatch the dress from it from its hand. He shrieks at me before deciding that it no longer desires the dress. He takes off, as I climb down the tree. Reluctantly, I head back to the cave.

Joseph is still not there when I get back, so I destroy the secret signal and head back in. There is nothing left for me to do and my thoughts keep returning to Joseph's letter. I can't handle the curiosity anymore so I decide to read it. I feel a little bit guilty for infringing on Joseph's privacy, but he never opens up about his family.

As a matter of fact, he doesn't talk unless it is necessary. He just sits and carves objects out of wood, while I make pillows and blankets. Now, that I think about, it doesn’t sound very romantic but it works. Maybe it’s because I can’t speak. I never once felt like he regretted his decision despite his quietness. The letter read as follows:

My dear Joseph,

We are glad to hear that you are alright. Zarius' men have destroyed our house, but your Uncle has allowed us to live in the castle. Adam tells me that the young lady you are courting is both brave and beautiful.

Your sisters and I wish very much to meet her. Your Father is very weak, but determined to hang on for as long as possible. He, too, is happy to hear about your well-being. Only he and Adam know where you are. He says that it is for the best.

He wants to know if you plan on marriage with this young woman. He says that if she has agreed to marry you, then he feels sorry for her. The stubbornness, of you two men, is strong and takes a special woman to handle you. It was meant as part of a joke.

He says that he is sorry that he cannot be with you. It frustrates him sometimes. But he is coping better than I thought that he would.

On other news, your sister, Mabel is married. She has married your best friend, Christopher. He is doing well, and he is also here with us in the castle. He says to tell you that it is about time. He was afraid that you were going to be an old man before you found the right girl. I must go now.

It is time for supper and Adam must leave in order to give you my letter. I hope the herbs I sent with the horses have helped you.

All my love,

Mom

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I’m crying with mixed emotions. Joseph's family sounds great and funny, but I’m frustrated about being talked about as if I didn't exist. Maybe it really isn’t that they are talking about me like I don’t exist but more that Joseph hasn’t said anything about this letter. It clearly talks about me. Maybe I was wrong, maybe he does regret it a little.

I miss my Dad. He would have told me how irrational I’m being. After all, it was a letter not meant for me to see. I put the letter back and think about Dad.

Though, I’m clearly sad, I have also come to accept the situation as it is. Joseph has proven to be a loyal, generous, and respectful man. Lying there, I realize that I have grown to love him. I can’t imagine myself being without him. Now, if he would just hurry and come back to me, I’ll be happy.