Agnes and I talked in length about the future. We talked one night and she told me right out, "Nathan, my dear. I only have a short time left and you are also not getting any younger, I want you to pursue Amanda and start another family." I almost dropped my teeth on the floor. I just couldn't do that right now, Agnes is still here. What would the family think, for that matter what would the town think. It would be pretty obvious.
Agnes had withdrawn and was up when I was sleeping reading and then she would sleep during the day while I would garden. We had no time together and we barely spoke anymore.
One night I was feeling rather restless and decided to take a walk, a long walk and I ended up on Amanda's doorstep. Needless to say, she was thrilled to see me.
She had such a beautiful smile and a voice that warm the coldest of hearts.
One thing led to another and I had made no plans to even stay as long as I did, but she was so wonderful and caring.
So, I threw caution to the wind and kissed her for the first time.
Wow, was that fireworks or is something on fire.
She asked me to spend the night and I hesitated for a moment and she gave me that look, how could I resist, but we would just talk, nothing else.
Well, maybe that didn't work out like I planned.
but the next morning.....
I hope I am not walking like this when I get home, but didn't Agnes give me the go ahead or did I misread her. I feel awful but wonderful at the same time. I haven't felt like this in a long time, I am sure Agnes will understand, but I had better get home anyway.
When I got home, Monica and Johanna were in the front yard yelling, good grief, I should have stayed gone.
When I went inside, Agnes was waiting for me and ask me where I had been, then said, "never mind, I know where you have been, you were at Amanda's, right?"
Ok, wait..why do women do this, they tell you one thing and mean another, oh good grief. Then she changed her tone, like she had read my mind and told me she was sorry and that she knew she had told me to see Amanda, she just didn't think it would be this soon.
We talked for a bit, then I pulled something out of my pocket.
I tried handing the deathflower to Agnes and she told me, "no, I won't use it to stay alive, what is the use. I can't bear to see this family torn apart, let me die in peace. I will miss you terribly and it is sweet that you offered me some time, but I am ready and we will be together again one day. With that, she put her arms around me and I knew that it was not long before she would not be with us anymore.
