Friends

It was late at night and Scout and Jem had been asleep for several hours. Atticus, however, was unable to get any rest. He decided to go outside and sit in the chair outside for a while. He remembered the events of the previous summer; Tom Robinson's trial being most prominent.

Suddenly he saw a light go on in Miss Maudie's house and thought he'd go and see how she was. He stood up and crossed the street, entered her garden and went up the garden path to her front door. He knocked once and the door opened and there stood Miss Maudie.

"Hey Atticus. Awfully late for you to be awake isn't it? Do come in."

Atticus went in and Miss Maudie motioned for him to take a seat while she made two cups of coffee. "How are you Maudie?" Atticus asked.

"I'm fine thanks Atticus. Has Alexandra gone home yet?"

"No she leaves tomorrow," he said with a smile as he drank his coffee.

"All I can say is I hope Francis and Uncle Jack still miss her!" They both laughed at this comment.

"Looks like Scout's not going to have a lady-like figure looking after her now though."

"She's got Cal though."

"I know and I like Cal being there and all but I still think Scout needs a more…. mother-like figure," he said drinking more of his coffee.

"What d'you mean?"

"She never knew her mother and Cal has been the closest thing she's had."

"Aww Atticus she don't need a motherly figure! Not when she's got you as her father!"

"You really think so?"

"Yeah sure I do!

"Thanks Maudie!" And with that Atticus returned to his house, checked on Scout and Jem and headed off to bed, this time sleeping soundly.