Activity

Belle sat down alone in her grandfather’s library. She flipped through the pages of a book, trying to find the last chapter she’d read. She heard the library door open, but she didn’t pay much attention to it. Footsteps echoed in the room as a figure made their way alongside the shelves. There was a short pause, and then a strong masculine voice rang, “I see you like to read?”
Belle looked up, “Yes, I’m very fond of reading.”
Her heart fluttered as she realized it was the young man Mable spoke of earlier—Walt XXII. She smoothed her hair behind her ear and pinched her cheeks a little.
“Your grandfather has a large collection,” Walt commented. He ran his fingers over a few covers, “Nassau, Fleet, O’Ariadne—these are very classic writers. I’ll assume your grandfather enjoys classics. Have you read any of these?”
“Yes,” Belle set her book aside, “I’ve read several. Do you have a literary preference?”
“I, too, enjoy classic works,” Walt slid a book back into its place, sandwiched between two others, “My favorite is poem is Friends by Gadan Fleet. Do you know it?”
“Yes,” Belle beamed as she stood up, “My favorite line is— Heavy hearts bonded in unity, lifted by waves of joy; tossed on the earthen shore, to walk through this life forever more.”
“Through trial overcome in victory, as long as our hearts beat,” Walt continued, “You’ll forever be mine, and again in Heaven we’ll meet.”
There was a slight pause and Walt asked, “May I take you for a ride?”
“Oh… yes,” Belle nodded, a smile crossing her cheery face, “Yes, I shall ask my grandfather.”
“He doesn’t mind,” Walt offered his arm to her, “I’ve asked him already.”
Belle paused a moment, but then smiled even brighter and took his arm, “Then let me thank him before we go.”
After thanking her grandfather, Belle and Walt went outside and were greeted by the bright summer sun. A polished white convertible with its roof open sat in the driveway. Walt opened the passenger seat door, and helped Belle into it. Then he walked around to the other side, sat down in the driver’s seat, and they were off. Walt asked, “Do you care for ice cream? I know a very good parlor in McLean if you wish to go.”
“I’d like that very much,” Belle smiled. She closed her eyes as a slight breeze blew through her hair.
The sun shone down on the world, and the tall grasses swayed in the wind. The car drove around the hillside, and Belle could see large fields below—reminding her that they had left Buasall and had entered the small town of McLean.
They drove into the town and down the main street, and then parked in front of a small building called The Frozen Spoon. Walt helped Belle out of the car and they entered into the ice cream parlor. They ordered two frozen dessert cups, and then sat down at a small table outside.
Belle tucked her hair behind her ear and then spooned a small scoop into her mouth. She closed her eyes, enjoying the flavors, “This is good! How did you find this parlor, Walt?”
Walt watched her take another bite and replied, “I like to travel around Extroit when I’m not busy. During my stay in Laurelten last summer, I decided to view the surrounding small towns and happened to find this cute little place.”
“Oh, you visited Laurelten?” Belle smiled and tilted her head. A bit of ice cream dripped over the edge of her cup and got onto her hands, “Ah, my sister lives there. Her and her husband and their three children.”
The wind blew a little stronger, causing Belle’s hair to come out from behind her ear. She looked at her fingers, which were sticky from the ice cream. She sighed and lifted a napkin, beginning to wipe her fingers.
“Here, let me fix it for you,” Walt smiled. He reached out and tucked the loose hair back behind her ear. His hands were smooth and warm against her skin, with a gentle quality but strong in the touch. Belle felt her heart thumping. Her face flushed and she smiled.
Walt brought his hand back and resumed the conversation.