Epilogue - October 29, 2008 (original) (raw)
“Master Apprentice Longbottom?”
Hmmm?
”Sir?”
Oh, it’s this dream. I like this one. This is the one where I help first year certification students who think I know something about growing tropical plants and flowers in harsh climates.
“Is this a good idea? Perhaps we should let him sleep?”
Yes. Sleep is good. The pillow could be softer though. Then again, I don’t remember there being any pillows left in the flat anymore. Now it’s just full of tables and chairs and books. The front window is crammed with plant samples. The green walls are covered with charts and diagrams. The sofa’s still here, though, but it’s been pushed up against the wall to make room for the pack-n-play for Henry…
“Master Apprentice Longbottom, you’re drooling on your notes. They’re beginning to bleed…”
“He’s not waking up, is he?”
Henry?
“No, but we’ve got to try. Mr. Fernmeyer said half an hour. That was five minutes ago. Master Apprentice Longbottom?”
Henry!
The seat almost falls over as I shoot up to my feet, parchment stuck to my cheek. I peel it off and blink blindly around the flat. The pack-n-play is empty.
“Where’s Henry?” I panic.
“Uh, Mr. Fernmeyer has him,” Franklin Moog, Lucy Anne’s brother answers.
“Is Henry alright?” I ask, my heart pounding.
“He’s – he fine,” Joseph stutters and takes a step back. “Mr. Fernmeyer took Henry down to the back garden,” he points over his shoulder toward the door to the flat.
“Oh,” I nod. I exhale slowly and rub my face with my hands. Franklin and Joseph are both students I’m helping, along with Rose. She was accepted into the Certification program two years ago. She’s doing really well, but is sort of distracted right now with planning her wedding to Junior. And she changed her perfume. Now she smells a bit like Almond Kringle. “How long was I asleep?”
Franklin glances at his watch. “Thirty six and half minutes.”
I yawn. Merlin, I haven’t been this exhausted since…well, ever.
“Master Apprentice Longbottom?” Rose pops her head in the flat door and grins at me. “Good nap?”
I grin. “Yeah, thanks.”
“Parvati sent me up here to fetch you,” Rose explains. “She and Donzel just arrived and he’s acting strangly.”
“Stranger than usual?” Franklin comments dryly. Joseph jabs him in the side. “Oh,” Franklin pales. “I’m – I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disrespect your friend.”
“No, that’s a good question when it comes to Donzel.” My chuckle transforms into a yawn I try and hide behind my sleeve. “I’d better go down.”
My garden diagram is tacked up on the wall above the kitchen table. If I were to plot it out today, the garden would probably take up three rolls of parchment, with one of them being for the childrens’ garden. That’s Jessie’s project. Jessie says she can tell a lot about a child from what he plants in his rows. I wonder what Henry will plant?
I glance back at the flat and its wonderful chaos. How could I have ever thought this flat was small?