It had been eleven years since the major events of my childhood. The Tom Robinson trial, and my many encounters with Boo Radley. Well, after meeting him, he was never seen from my eyes again. We never really spoke, maybe he was too scared to come out once more. Maybe he finally moved out to brighter horizons. Well, I will never know the answer to that. Now, and in the future. To think of it is a futile cause.

Things went back to normal for the entire county of Maycomb. Tom's trial was the talk of the whole state for maybe another week afterwards, but it went out like a candle in the wind once other issues arose. The only times either Jem or I heard of it again was from Cal, which was seldom. Every once in a while, on holidays usually, the members of First Purchase came to give us gifts. Every year on Christmas, fruitcakes and all kinds of sweets and shinny would be lined across our front porch. Sometimes, depending on the years, they would be dusted with a small sprinkling of snow.

It was something Atticus first objected, but when they started protesting by being more and more giving, he dropped the subject all together. "Well, Scout, they might as well keep giving. Generosity is rare in this county. I am very thankful..." He told me this that very day, as Easter came along during my fourth year of school. Afterwards, he buried his face into The Montgomery Advertiser. Even now, he has at least twenty bottles of whiskey in the pantry at a times which he seldom touches, let alone drinks himself. He just gives it to Uncle Jack and Aunt Alexandra.

Jem is now twenty-four, and has a loving spouse. Her name is Harper, and she's not even from Alabama. She lived in a sleepy Indiana town; she came to Alabama to see some relatives when she stumbled upon him. Things escalated from there. After seeing him in town with Dill and I a few times, she finally approached him. He was my age then, and Dill was sixteen. Neither of us really noticed or remembered anything she said the first time we spoke to her. I didn't think of it until he spoke to Atticus and said he met a girl. Then when she ran back to Indiana and wrote letters to us. Everyday after school, the star quarterback of Maycomb High would sit next to the mailbox and wait for the mailman to come by.

When she came back the next summer, he abandoned Dill and I for her. He spent his whole summer with her, whilst I spent mine with Dill. In the end, by Christmas, he asked her to marry him. It was a proposal so moving, even Atticus sobbed. I remember that night, after Atticus and I drove home, he sat with me in my room and started to speak to me. "Scout, do you realize how old I am?" By then, a few years ago, he was in his late fifties. Sadly, even I couldn't deny this. "Yes, Atticus. I do." This was before he started crying, obviously. "I'm almost fully gray now.." He chuckled. "I don't know how much longer I'll be doing what I am... Working in the law, trying to help people like Tom.."

Sometimes, he would mention Tom. Because he decided that if he ever had to, he would take on a case like his again. At that point and still his chance hasn't arisen yet. "You'll be fine. And listen, you're the wisest, kindest man in this town. No matter how old you'll be. Even if you're old and cranky like Mrs. Dubose was. You're my father, and I'll always be there for you." He smiled, but then started to sob. He only uttered three more words to me."Jem's leaving us!"

We sat together that night in complete silence. Jem didn't come home until late. Even then, Atticus and I were still together, asleep on my bed. Like we hadn't since I was a small child.

When Jem got married, the whole scenario played out again almost coincidentally. Atticus and I went to our first night at home without him. I went to bed alone, but heard him cry. Cal left after the ceremony and went straight home, so I was the only one to comfort him. I told him what I had before, along with a new idea I did not come across before. "Harper's a Finch now, just like you and I. We did lose Jem to her, yes, but we gained family in return. Atticus, don't cry anymore. Please don't cry."

All of these things happened when I was sixteen. Despite my age, I had no intent to leave Atticus and Calpurnia behind. They were too dear to me, as they were once to Jem.

Finally, I have only one story to tell you about; Dill. My relationship with Dill stayed the same throughout the years. Every year as Aunt Alexandra told me more and more to wear a dress, Dill told me more and more to be happy with who I was. "Your auntie don't know a pretty girl when she sees one!" Neither did the school faculty, as I was personally told to stop wearing pants to school. Due to the war going on, I did just that. I had better things to worry about, I had much more on my hands. However, in the summer, britches, slacks, and overalls were the only things I wore. Heck, in Jem's wedding, as the bridesmaid, Harper let me wear my dressiest pair of overalls!

A a few summers ago, when Dill came to Maycomb, he got a job. We still spoke as we did, but he was working hard downtown. Saving money for who knows what. He'd come back to have dinner with Atticus, Cal, and I and talk about the nickels he earned at work that day. He was acting peculiar, but I only responded with smiles and laughs. Later on that summer, a few weeks before he was ready to leave, he said something completely unexpected. Of course, at the same time, we all saw it coming. "Scout... I gotta tell ya' something." "What is it, Dill?" His white hair was a ruffled mess, with cowlicks sticking up here and there. "I was wonderin'..." "Wondering what?" I held my hands together, intertwining my fingers and scrappy nails into a clump.

"I was wonderin' if you wanted to be my girlfriend?" He was hesitant and quiet. He had no idea what I'd say back. A smile crept up my face. I remembered when he was my "fiancé" when we were little, and how he said he'd marry me as soon as he had the money. Our child's play reduced as we grew older, but we still harbored feelings for each other, well, I did anyway. "Dill... I..." "Scout... What?" "Yes, I'd love to date you." I kissed his cheek afterwards and held his hand, which was clutching his knee. "Dill, do you want to get some ice cream?" His cheeks were bright red, and he was unashamed of the grin on his face. "If Mr. Finch don't care... Sure. I'll use my nickels. You don't have to pay. I got this."

We got our ice creams that night and shared our first teenage kiss under the sign on the side of the building, the swaying strawberry ice cream cone above us did not stop for that moment. As his lips touched mine, I heard the rusty chains click back and forth still.

That night, also, was a tough one. Atticus and I had a long, hard talk about my new love with Dill. He was starting to tear up again, about losing another child, his only child left. "Atticus, I'm not leaving you any time soon. I'm gonna be here with you and Cal. I'm gonna look after all of you. With Dill too." Atticus patted my shoulder. "Thank you, Scout. Just remember you'll always be my baby... Remember that..." Even my efforts couldn't calm him. I was the one who started his misery. Both of us went through the night without a minute of sleep. He was reading, thinking, and every once in a while, he would cry a little. I was lying in bed, worrying about him
The next summer, I was eighteen years old. Any day now, Dill should come back from Meridian. I have written him many letters, letters upon letters. Just like Jem and Harper, we exchanged plenty of letters over the course of the year. Dill updated me on many things. Like wanting to go to college in Montgomery to be a lawyer like Atticus. I had not yet decided on my career yet, I had only just graduated high school by the time he arrived back to Maycomb. He told me how he wanted to make sure he'd save his pennies for that venture in his life.

He told me about how his mother was still lonesome, as she had been. She was proud of him, he said. She hoped to finally have another girl in the Harris family. I told him about how I was tutoring Walter Cunningham. Although he was my age, he was behind in his studies by a few years. He was faltering in terms of grades. History and math, to be exact. I was not as good as most of the kids in my grade, but good enough to help him back on his feet. On the last day of school, Walter told me this: "Jean Louise, I hope one day you 'an be a teacher!"

It was truly heartfelt, and I never forgot it. When I graduated, he sat with Atticus as he watched me receive my diploma. "I 'ope my kids learn from you, Jean Louise!" I also told Dill I loved him and missed him; he said the same to me. No other boy caught my eye, as Aunt Alexandra told me they would when we met at Finch's Landing for Christmas that year. She gave me a dress that year and told me that since I was a senior that year, I better dress like one. Per usual, Francis laughed at the comment. He was seventeen and still coming to our Christmas dinners with his Grandmother. How pathetic.

Well, the point is that we sent billions of letters. All of them I kept in a shoebox next to the things Boo Radley gave us a decade before, in another shoebox. "Scout, I think we beat the Jarper record!" A little joke of ours was the names we gave couples around town. Jarper was the name for Jem and Harper. Just like about the old woman who moved in Mrs. Dubose's house. After years of weathering, the place got a makeover and was taken in by ironically, Harper's grandmother. She was old and weary like Mrs. Dubose. She almost replaced Dubose, and even called me ugly as I walked past her house. "At least my Harper's got some sense!"

She had a strange midwestern accent; she would always compare Maycomb to Harper's hometown, Leo, Indiana. "In Leo, we did not do that!" "In Leo, we learned quite a bit more than that!" "In Leo, women actually wore dresses!" Like always, whenever Dill and I passed her yard, we would get scolded by some way by her. If it went too far, Atticus would come and solve the problem. "I've only met one lady as beautiful as you, Mrs. Roth, and she barely takes the cake!" He treated her like a queen and bowed down to her. He'd bring her that shinny he didn't need if she was having a bad day.

And even with all of this she'd say, "Men married young in Leo!" Despite this, he was kind to her. He was kind to everyone. If they insulted him to his face, as Mrs. Roth had that day, he would barely say a word. It was like that day a decade before after the trial, when Bob Ewell decided to spit in his face. He then jibed at my father, in which he replied with only a few words. To Jem and I, he told us that he didn't like that Mr. Ewell chewed tobacco. That was that and it was over. Never again did he insult our father, but he did hurt us. And died as a result, as he was stabbed with his own knife. The Ewell children ended up going missing days after the death. Same with Mayella. The property they kept for three generations now laid abandoned. As always, it was still behind the dump on the south side of town.

On the morning of Dill's arrival, I woke up shortly after the full sunrise. I could feel the tangles in my short hair popping up in angles on my face and above my head. I could barely stand the taste of my own breath anymore. The day was bright and sunny out the window, as Dill's arrival days always had been. I trudged myself out of bed and to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and fixed my hair until I saw it fit. I then dragged my feet back to my room again and looked at my assortment of clothes.

It was rumored I was the only girl in the state of Alabama that wore both dresses and overalls. That day, I assumed I would wear the latter, until I heard Calpurnia's footsteps rushing up the stairway. "Scout!" She only called me by my name. "Dill's comin' in a hour! Get dressed!" She opened my door and saw me in front of the closet. "I was about to do that, actually." I was grabbing a pair of khaki colored overalls out of the closet. "No, sweetheart! Put on a dress! Today's a special day, your man's comin'! "He doesn't care if I wear these, Cal. You're going a little bonkers. I'll disagree with you on Christmas, alright?" "No, Jean Louise. I'm not foolin'. Put on that pale blue dress. It's gonna be cold, so I'll grab you your blazer."

"You're sounding like my Auntie. It's his first day back. Let him see me in a pair of overalls." Calpurnia was looking only more frustrated. "Baby, he's gotta new camera. He got it from Miss Rachel this Christmas. He said it's for a portrait of his. Not because he's against ya' bein' cute in those overalls like ya' are." I sighed. "I'll do it for you, Cal. I'm hope you're not lyin'. It's like when you told me the Jews got saved. I feel like you're lyin'." "No, I'm only tellin' you the truth." I switched from my nightgown to my dress, and put on my slip. I struggled like I had every time I wore that dress to tie the sash behind my back. "Can I help you with that, Miss Finch?" "Yes'm! Thank you."

I was surprised Cal didn't laugh when I told her I needed help with my sash. Deep down, I still yearned being a child again. And being able to ask those questions without shame. Of course, Atticus really didn't care, but Aunt Alexandra always threw fits when she saw me asking Cal for help with such things. Maybe that's because she disliked Cal. But, that's none of my business, really. She out her hands in my shoulders. "There you go, baby. You look beautiful. He's downstairs waitin' for ya' right now." I smiled at her and gave her a hug. "Thank you, Cal." "The pleasure is mine, most certainly." Then, I ran down the flight of stairs, desperate to leap into Dill's arms again.

For nine solid months, I hadn't heard him speak or anything. I was excited to catch up and start doing things as a couple again. I saw him sitting on our couch and immediately tackled him, causing him to fall over on the ground. "Dill!" I the actually noticed we were on the ground, as the force of my tackle was too much for him. "Dill... Are you okay?" "I'm fine. Don't worry about me." He laughed it off. "I really missed you, Scout." He stared at my face for a few seconds, but felt Atticus's glare. He knew exactly what Dill was going to do, and was definitely not wanting to witness it. I stood back up and helped him off the ground. "I missed you too." He embraced me, and held me tightly in front of my father. We stood there for a few minutes, taking in the little things we had missed for so long. "Thank you for talking with me, Mr. Finch." He had his hand on the back of my head; my face was buried in his shoulder.

Dill had grown quite tall over the years, and was even towering above Jem. "You're welcome, Dill. And can I say goodbye to my daughter before you leave?" "Oh! Sorry! Of course, sir!" We broke up our long, lingering hug at the demand of Atticus. I walked over to him and said, "We'll be back before sunset. I promise." Like I planned to do with Dill earlier, I kissed my father's cheek. "I love you." Atticus smiled at me, "Scout, I love you too." His eyes were watering, like they barely ever had. He gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Goodbye, baby. Have a good day."

"I will! Goodbye, Atticus!" Dill and I walked hand in hand out the door. "Do you mind going on a bit of a walk?" "No, but what for?" The citizens I of Maycomb never went on a walk without reason. They would make silly jokes about it, most likely. "I dunno. To talk. And maybe we'll see Jarper around today." "Sure. And you know, Jem's annoyed with the name calling " I laughed, as we passed the home of Miss Maudie Atkinson. From the aroma surrounding her house, it smelled like she was making a almondine cake. "Yeah. I know. But Mister Jem's the one who helped me come up with it." It was true. The names were a big thing with the Maycomb kids during his time in school. So, he asked Dill for one. He wasn't the type to come up with it anymore. He was only trying to be in the loop.

And now, he's still fed up.

"You're right. I admit it. Fair and square." I held his hand, and we made a turn past the post office. What Maycomb did not gain in size, it did gain in beauty. The jail and post office were restored to their former glory, however, the courthouse still reminded crumbling, in slightly more severe shambles. "Speaking of the devil!" Only a few blocks away stood Jem and Harper, by their downtown apartment, right next to the jail. They didn't think much of their safety there, even with the latest residents of the town jail. And sadly, nobody there was getting a trial. Atticus had barely any work that summer.

"Jem!" I waved to him, but he did not hear me. He and Harper were in deep conversation. In the end, we only walked past them. I jokingly poked him as I was behind him, causing him to flinch. "Scout! What are you doing here?" "Well... Dill and I are taking a walk. I tried to wave to you, but you didn't hear me." "Oh.. I'm so sorry! I was just discussing something with Harper. I'll tell you when we come to your house tonight." "Why not now?" "Scout! You're already going to find out quite a bit today, I'd rather wait. Dill, I'm glad you're putting those pennies to good use." He pointed to his friend, which cause him to flush a slight bit in anger.

"Jem, we can't talk about the pennies. You better not tell 'er." "I know, I know. If Scout would've told Harper all those years ago I would've given her hell. It's understood. Well, I'll let you go on your walk. I'll see you later at the house." "Alright. Later, Jem." Dill held my hand again; I wondered about the pennies. Did he save enough money for law school? What was he saving for anyway I wondered. A Chevrolet? A house? I tried not to acknowledge what I was thinking. It was only trivial, because Dill would surely tell me later.

"Dill.. Do you know what's going on with Jem?" "Nome. There's only a few possibilities. If you want, I can tell you my theory." "Sure." "Atticus will finally be as old as he looks." "Huh?" "He's probably gonna be a grandpa. There ain't much more Jem can accomplish anymore. He's already in school to be a doctor. He's got nothin' left to do other than that already." "Jem could'a changed his mind."' "Nome. He's very set on that, and you should see it especially." "I'm not going to think it through until we see him tonight. Alright?" "Sounds like a deal." If we weren't already holding hands, we would have shaken them. "You hungry, Scout?" "Yeah. I haven't eaten breakfast. Did Cal make you something this morning?" "Nome. I already told her I was takin' you out."

"Where? There aren't many places we can go." "I asked Miss Maudie to make you a cake." The almondine cake.. I never asked for one before. Well, I usually wanted chocolate if she was to give me a cake. It didn't sound right. "That sounds wonderful. Thank you." I squeezed his hand tighter. "Where are we going?" "I heard there was a pond somewhere. I wanted to see it with you." Then, that's when I noticed something. He was bare, other than the clothes on his back and the set of nickels in his pocket. "Cal said you had a camera. You were gonna take a portrait of us, so she told me to wear my dress." "Oh. Yeah. I have it with Miss Rachel. I forgot about it. I'll take a portrait when we get back home. Sorry about 't." "No, no, you're fine. I was just wondering..."

We were more into the suburban part of downtown. The sidewalk was to end any second; after we walked further, it was replaced by dead, yellow grass. "I see 't now! The pond!" He pointed to the small fishing hole in the empty lot of a yard. It was surrounded by houses. One could not be built there itself because the pond was in the smack middle of it. There was a strategically, well placed gazebo at the end. "Wow..." It looked too scenic to be what it was in reality, a dumpy old lot on the edge of the "white border". "Its really pretty, Dill. When did they fix it?" "Recently. I walked past it as I was thinkin' of my pennies this morning. I thought it was a good idea to show it to ya'."

"It's wonderful." "You're tellin' me!" We walked together, still hand in hand to the gazebo. The sides of the bordering town buildings gave a brick boundary between us and the hustle and bustle of Maycomb. Dill then kissed my cheek. "I shoulda told you this earlier, but you like mighty beautiful today, Scout." "Thank you." Compared to other girls in town, like my cousin, I was anything but. In my Auntie's eyes, anyway. My still short, tomboyish hair and my boyish look made me stand out among the class of 1945. I looked like a clown in the picture we took; the camera caught me blinking. Atticus thought the photo was cute, however, he said I was the prettiest girl in it. He sat it on top of our mantle, next to Jem's picture from his senior year.

Every time a visitor would knock on our door, which was seldom, he would point to the picture, find me in my overalls and would say, "That's my Scout!" Because I was, and he was proud of me. I held Dill tighter than earlier under the shade. In the corner of my eye, I spotted ducks in the pond. They were floating on by causally, not taking in the scene in front of them. I looked up at Dill. "Did you see my senior picture?" "Yep. Atticus showed me the picture this morning. The camera caught you blinking." He chuckled. "It's still cute though." He ruffled my hair. "You're the sweetest girl in Maycomb County. Overalls or not." Due to his height, he was able to sit his head on top of my own.

"Yonder, some ducks." He says, noticing what I had earlier. What I did not see before was a set of baby ducks. I leaned on him more closely. "What would Atticus do right now?" He asked me. "I dunno... He would scold you. He doesn't want anyone touching me. You know how he is.. Losing Jem was too much for him." "You're right. And now, I'm gonna ask you what you'd do." "Me? For what?" "I saved up my pennies, remember?" "Yes, but what for?" "Remember what I said as a kid? About savin' my money?" "Not quite.. No." He broke off from me. "I told you I'd marry you when I had enough money.." I thought something was wrong at first; I thought he was going mad, but instead he bent down on his knee.

"Jean Louise Finch, will you marry me?"

I put my hands over my mouth, which was wide open. That was why Calpurnia made me wear my dress that day. That was why he had a long talk with Atticus that morning. That was why Jem wouldn't tell me about the money. Dill worked all summer in Maycomb and two years in Meridian, only for one purpose. To marry me.

"Yes!"

He stood up and let me jump into his arms. "I couldn't get you a proper ring.. But that's for the actual weddin' anyway, right?" I nodded my head swiftly in agreement. "You know I'm not into jewelry. I'll wait for that. And I don't like dresses either." "I don't care if you wear a dress, Scout. I only care that you're gonna be my wife. It'd be hilarious in ten years. Dill Junior would laugh his socks off to hear his momma got married in overalls." I blushed at the thought of me speaking to Dill Junior. Telling him about my wedding overalls and our adventures from our childhood.

"You're right. If Auntie lets me get past her in a pair of white overalls, I'll wear 'em." "Then don't invite your Aunt." "She's family. She has to come, Dill. And also.. Francis." "Forget about 'em. It ain't about them. It's about us." He looks at his old pocket watch. "If we wanna get Miss Maudie's cake, we better head out." He looked at the pond one last time, then at me. "I love you, Scout... I really do." I stared up back at him. "I love you too, Dill." Then, we kissed. It was definitely not as brief as our first kiss. It was maybe more like our fourth... After ten, I decided not to keep track of them anymore. I wanted to enjoy those moments instead.

Afterwards, we took the walk to Miss Maudie's house. One the way, Mr. Dolphus Raymond told us congratulations, and told Dill about the blessings of marriage. And the curses too. Obviously, he contradicted him. "Mr. Raymond, Scout's not a curse. I chose this for myself." Mr. Dolphus Raymond laughed and said, "She's got good morals, maybe not, son. I'll see ya' at the weddin'!" He then walked off, right about by Miss Maudie's house, with his bottle of Coca-Cola, which was still concealed under his brown bag.

The cake smell was still wafting through the air when we knocked on her door. Her response was immediate. "Congratulations, Mrs. Scout Harris!" She gave me a hug and rocked me back and forth for a few seconds. "I just finished frosting the cake for you, Dill. I made it wedding style for you." "Wedding style?" I asked her, being confused once more. "He wanted a almondine cake. Those are usually served at weddings. I didn't feel like makin' it elaborate. I'm savin' that for the big day." She made Jem's cake too. His wedding was small, it just included the families and Dill. We were lucky to have Harper be from Indiana, so the townspeople took no interest.

However, the news of my engagement reached the whole town before me. I was surprised someone didn't warn me ahead of time. Miss Maudie led us to her kitchen and was getting plates, forks, and knives. "Almondine was always your father's favorite. I baked it for him too when he was a kid." Maudie told me. She got her knife and cut a piece of the cake for me. "Ladies first!" She shouted as she put a piece of the cake of one of her porcelain plates. "Dill, let your fiancée judge the cake first. You don't get any just yet." Dill was disappointed, but kept his eyes on me. I took my first bite quickly for his sake.

"It's good, Miss Maudie. Your cake's always good." "Thank you, Scout." She gave Dill some cake too, and even indulged in a piece herself. "What are your plans.. For the future?" "I don't know. We want to have a son named Dill Junior. That's all I know for now." Dill replied before I had a chance to open my own mouth. Maudie laughed. "I hope so. This neighborhood's getting a bit old for me." "Really, Miss Maudie?" Dill questioned, while his mouth was full of almondine cake. "Oh, yes. Ever since Mrs. Roth moved here, chances of being vibrant again... Are low.
Ever since Jem left for the landing, it just isn't the same. And what about you, Scout? What do you want?" "I want to stay here with Atticus. Of course, Dill will live with us too. Cal's gonna still be with us too. I think it'll be marvelous." "Well... That's a simple request, isn't it?" "I think so. I know Dill would rather stay in Maycomb." "You're damn right." He stuffed his face with more cake. "I'll only do what makes ya' happy, Scout." Miss Maudie smiled at him. "I knew this was gonna happen. Even when you were just kids, I could smell the love in the air!"

When she said this, I almost choked on the last bit of my cake. "Well, do you two want me to make your cake?" Once again, Dill spoke immediately. "Yes'm!" "Wonderful. Do you know where you're gonna get hitched yet?" Dill and I never discussed dates, yet. And if so, we had to wait a few months at least. "I'll talk to Mr. Finch about 't first. Then we can let ya' know." "And one more thing.. I want Scout to answer this one... What about your dress?" "My dress?" "I can't see you walk in' down the aisle in a dress, Jean Louise. It seems silly!" "It does, you're right. But Aunt Alexandra probably won't let me wear overalls down the aisle. And she's probably here in town to congratulate me. I'll see." "Jean Louise, don't let her get you down.. She just doesn't understand you."

She placed the rest of the cake in a cardboard box. "Now, you lovebirds have fun, you hear! I'll see you soon!" While Dill carried the box, I waved to her. "Goodbye, Miss Maudie!" "Bye, sweetheart!" Dill and I quietly walked across the street, taking slow steps. Our steps were beginning to slow down even more at the sight of Alexandra's car. "Just ignore her. Just be your cute little self for me." Dill took a deep breath. "I'll try." I knocked on the door on Dill's behalf, and my father answered the second the noise echoed through the house. He was trying to keep his composure, but was still like he was that morning. I still felt horrible about it, because now, he had to face my leaving for real.

"Congratulations, Scout... I'm happy for you." Even in his state, he still put on a genuine grin. "Thank you, Atticus." I smiled back at him, causing him to grin once again. "I'm always gonna be your Scout. Don't get yourself in a rut!" I gave him a bear hug. He laughed and hugged me back. "Cal! They're here! And they've got Maudie's cake!" He called Calpurnia, while I was still in his arms. He broke off the embrace and took the box of cake from Dill. "I'll take that for you, Mr. Harris." "Thank you. Mr. Finch." Atticus responded with a courteous nod. We followed him into the house to find a surprise, both pleasant and not.

Maudie said she would see us soon... But not that soon. She must've snuck in the back door while we were talking to Atticus. Jem and Harper we standing together next to her, along with Uncle Jack, Aunt Alexandra, and a extremely annoyed Francis. A few members of First Purchase, like Reverend Skyes, were also in the crowd. A homemade banner, presumably created by Jem said, "Congratulations Scout and Dill" above their heads. The right end was right behind my senior pictures, still making them a major showcase.

Everyone was dressed nice, even Calpurnia, who didn't even wear a fancy dress to Jem's wedding. Then I noticed that behind our banner was another, smaller one for Jem and Harper. They let us stand in shock for a minute, before any of them decided to speak again. Francis crossed his arms even more as Jem began to speak. "You see our sign up there?" "Yes. I do." I replied, "What's it for?" Both Jem and his wife smiled at the same time. "We're having a baby, Scout!"

Of course, only Atticus was shocked about this with Dill and I. To have the sign be made, and for the party to continue, the others had to know. Jem decided not to tell Atticus until he told me, mainly because he knew Dill proposing to me was bringing him down. And seeing his only daughter growing up did as well, and I didn't blame him one bit. "That's wonderful!" I gave my brother a hug. "I can't wait to see it! It's gonna be so exciting!" Dill looked at Jem after we separated. "And you should be just as excited for Dill Junior!" I playfully nudged him in the shoulder. "Not for a while, okay?" Harper smiled. "Dill, she's right. Wait until you're married."

Dill frowned. "Well, we've been talking a lot about him today." "About what?" Harper asked. "About how he's gonna see her weddin' pictures. Scout says she's walking down the isle in pants." Just the last word was enough for Alexandra to start complaining. "Mr. Harris, no Finch girl leaves this family wearing a pair of pants!" "If the men can do it, so can she." "Mr. Harris, you should only decide on what's best for her, you know." "I am. Letting her make the decision is the best thing for her, and I really don't care what she does. She's always gonna look nice." Alexandra only scoffed at him.

"Grandmother's right you know!" It was Francis, Francis was always ready to defend her. And at this point, nobody even listened to him. He was the most boring person I ever met. "Francis, let's not play these games anymore. We're adults." I wanted to end the conversation peacefully. "Please, for the sake of everyone here.. Be quiet." "I didn't even want this to happen in this first place. He's too rough for you, Jean Louise." Suddenly, I became a child again. I held my eighteen year old fist and put it in front of his face. In my head, I was seven again, and it was our all famed Christmas party at Finch's Landing. He just insulted my father, and I was not going to let him to go off scot free. "I've had it with you for my whole life. I'd just be easier if you let it go."

Dill grabbed my arm and slowly lowered it down. "Scout... Don't punch him. Francis, don't get her in a rut." Dill put a protective arm around me. "This isn't about you, Francis." Francis had his arms crossed. "Whatever, you heathen." He was so casual about his insult, he didn't even put any tone into it. Dill and I were only about to back off. "Scout Finch doesn't back off! Scout Finch never backs off!" The front door slammed, it was Miss Rachel. "Sorry I'm late!" I turned to face her, she was holding Dill's camera. It was a new Polaroid camera. I was still in awe that she had it. I was surprised she could afford it. Dill replied to her. "It's fine, Miss Rachel. I'm glad you're here!"

"Thank you, Dill. Remember you wanted a portrait?" "Yes, yes!" He held me tighter. "Tell me when you're ready." Miss Rachel nodded her head; she held the camera close to her face. "Scout, you look so cute in your dress!" The comment made me cringe, but I thanked her. They all knew I hated wearing dresses. Especially Alexandra. "Three, two-" Dill bent down and kissed my lips. "One!" I heard the flash of the camera and the sound of the paper falling on the floor. After the picture was taken, he kissed me again. When we zoned back into the party, everyone was crowded around the picture to watch it develop. Except for Francis.

Behind my back, I flipped the bird at him. I hoped he knew I was kidding. I didn't want to start another fight. Dill turned his head, noticing Francis all alone. "He just flipped ya' off." I started to laugh a little. "Good." He looked extremely miserable. He then went to the kitchen for something to eat. Hopefully not my almondine cake. But being Francis and all, I knew that's what he was going to do anyway.

I heard Maudie speaking, and then, so did the others. The picture was developed. Then, Miss Rachel finally, after a long viewing session within the party, gave the picture to us. "We think it turned out wonderful!" Without another word, she waited for reaction. The picture looked like something from the newspaper or a magazine. Like someone took it professionally. Miss Rachel not only bought the camera, but also colored film. The picture showed the banner in the background.

The background was slightly yellowed; you could see Francis's elbow in the corner. Then, there was both Dill and I. He was very gentle with me, he had one of his arms around my back. His other hand was on my face. My back was mostly facing the camera, and my blue dress and hair were all that was seen of me. It was a attractive picture, and I knew it was one of definitely show Dill Junior someday. "It's a nice picture." Dill told her. I agreed. "Maybe when you get married, you can make a scrapbook. And put all of your family memories there, you can start a new Harris tradition." I said that was a good idea, but that I was hungry. I'd only eaten Maudie's cake that day and wanted a real meal. Rachel responded by saying the meal was starting soon anyway. She just wanted to take a few more pictures first.

Reluctantly, Dill and I posed a few more times for her. She then had taken a picture of us with Atticus and "Jarper". Until that day, I never took more than one picture in my life. A lot of the party, mostly the congregation of First Purchase set the table and brought the food. The dining table extended out the door and out in the backyard. The Radley house was in view behind my seat, the dead tree and rickety fence were still the same as a decade before. We still saw Nathan Radley come in and out of the house occasionally, but never, ever, did I see Boo again. When I was younger, I dared to ask once. I got no answer from him; I never asked again.

I had a plate full of mashed potatoes, beef and noodles, a biscuit, green beans, and a two slices of cake. One almondine, the other chocolate. Both were made by Maudie, so I wondered how I didn't smell the chocolate in the air that morning. I sat in between Dill and Atticus. Next to Dill was Jem; next to Atticus was Calpurnia. Across from me were Maudie and Rachel. The topics of conversation swayed across the table. Reverend would say something, it would catch wind of me, and then it would end up coming out of the mouth of my Aunt, with of course, pure disagreement.

I ate the noodles and potatoes first, and then started to eat the green beans. Unlike the beans Cal made us before, they were soft and covered with butter. The concept was foreign to me, as I never buttered any of my vegetables. This new idea became well liked by Dill, so when the party was over, I decided I would ask for the recipe.

After the long, tiring dinner, we all sat at the front porch and talked. Dill and I sat on the swing and watched people go down the street. Normally, Maycomb wasn't very busy. That day, people passed our streets for something. None of us knew what was going on, sadly. It wasn't very exciting in our sleepy town. Tom Robinson was the closet we got to the word itself. Francis paced back on forth on the porch, wondering what his life amounted to. He would utter words like "graduation" and " alone". Maybe he was jealous of me the whole time, I thought. The idea brought a smile to my face, which quickly receded after he paced past us. "Heathens", he said.

The conversations on the porch dimmed down as the sun set, I shook hands and said goodbye to everyone. Dill and I thanked them for the food and the party they threw for us. Even Francis and Aunty. Cal cleaned up the kitchen, with help from Atticus and Dill. She told me to stay put in the living room. "Don't get that dress dirty, Jean Louise! I'm not takin' that thing to my place again!" I looked at the banners on the ceiling. Knowing Atticus, he wouldn't take it down for a while. At least not until I was married.

I heard them speaking; their voices were muffled behind the door. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Calpurnia came out of the kitchen. "Your daddy said he'd handle the rest." She sat next to me on the couch. "'And we need to talk anyway." "About what?" "About the weddin'. I wanna hear all about it, every word." "I haven't even been engaged for a day, Cal." "I know, I know. But what do you want to do? How many people'll be common' along?" I'm not sure. Dill and I discussed me wearing britches down the isle. He told me if I wasn't comfortable in a dress, I shouldn't have to wear one. And maybe just our families and you, Cal."'

Cal smiled. "I've always seen ya' doin' just that, Jean Louise. You've been wearin' more dresses lately... Just think about it." "The dress?" "Yup. Your father's got your mother's pearl necklace. He told me while we were cleaning that he'd love to see you wear it." "Really?" "Yes ma'am!" "Well, I'll consider it. Maudie's making our cake." "That's wonderful. I love her cakes. They're the best in Maycomb County." "She's such a nice lady, I'm not letting anyone else do it. There's no other way." I stared at the plaster ceiling, at the floor, and back at Calpurnia.

"So... What's going on tomorrow?" "I'm not quite sure yet, Jean Louise. We'll talk about it more in the mornin'." She ruffled my hair. "Atticus told me to go home.. So, I'll see you tomorrow!" We waved goodbye to each other and she walked out the door. Then, Atticus and Dill were done cleaning. But only after I had gotten ready for bed. I took off my dress, took a long bath, and put on my nightclothes. I went downstairs to get a nighttime snack when I saw Dill in the kitchen, also wearing his pajamas. "Hey, Scout!" He was sitting at the table. "You want some milk?" He had a glass of milk he was drinking. "Oh... Sure." He slid the milk across the table. I sipped the glass, finding the milk warm. I drank every last bit. "I'm sorry..." I gave him the empty glass.

"Don't worry 'bout it. I don't need any more milk. It's cold." He started washing his glass. "I'm staying here tonight. Do you mind?" I beamed. "No." I was happy he was staying with me. I felt nothing but butterflies anymore, around him or not. Just the slight reminders of Dill made me swoon. I wasn't ever very feminine, but those lovey-dovey emotions were very, very girly. Shockingly to me. My cousin Lily Brooke told me about that when I saw poster for politics in Meridian. We were walking past it during our way to school. I kept going on about how my boyfriend was from Meridian. At first, she complained about her singularity. Then, she spoke about that.

"The other day, you saw those wooden, ratty fishing poles and swooned in the same way. It's always, "Dill had one if those!" And, "Dill's from Meridian!" Sometimes... It gets really annoying." Lily laughed. "But yet again, if I had someone like Dill, I would be the exact same way." I remembered Lily had to drag me away from the sign, away from Meridian, and my Dill. Dill finished cleaning his glass. "Are you sleeping in Jem's room?" "I said I would. But... I'm going with you." He placed the glass in it's formal spot, and put one of his arms around my waist. "I love you too much." He squeezed my side tightly. He then kissed my cheek. "Now, we gotta get past Atticus." We stealthily walked up the stairs, in little tiptoes.
Every time we heard Atticus stir, we would stop. Once he got in a more sound sleep, we walked into the door of my bedroom. The first thing we did was look out the window. We saw a faint glimpse of the schoolyard and the Radley's pecan tree. Dill then pulled me closer to him. His arms were around my waist, and he was behind me. In response, I looked up at him. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" My view was one I took pleasure in having. It was a proud spot of the neighborhood; a definition of Maycomb in its finest.

"Yep. Not as beautiful as you." His comment caused me to giggle. "Sure, sure." "I mean it." He then kissed me again. It was a complete surprise, and it caused me to almost topple on the window. Each move became more and more passionate, each second went past like a flash, and also, yet, like a slow Alabama wind. Soon, my hands were in his light blonde hair. His were shifting across my back; he was unsure if he'd lose me. I knew he was a little territorial of me. Because I was his Scout. The emotions we felt for nine months were all being let out through this kiss. We waited too long to see each other, the pressure was just too much.

"What was that noise?" I heard Atticus. "Scout? Dill?" He ran downstairs, I heard his footsteps. His shout slowed down our kiss. As soon as he was started to come up the stairs, we broke it off. Atticus opened our door to see what looked like amidnight conversation. "Do you know where that noise came from?" He was adjusting his glasses. "I was just reading the newspaper when I heard.. A thud." "It's nothing, Atticus. We were just talking. I don't think anyone else is here. Cal went home a few hours ago." Atticus grinned for a short second. "I'm glad she likes the Chevrolet. It's coming in handy, huh?" "Yes, it is." "Well, I hope Dill goes to his room soon. I don't want anything too crazy going on tonight. Remember, I can hear everything. The walls are quite thin in this house." "I understand, Mr. Finch. I'll be heading out soon.

"Thank you, Dill. Goodnight to both of you." He tipped his glasses at me and ran off in the hall again. I held Dill again right away. "So... Are you really going to leave?" He whispered in my ear. "No." His answer was prolonged. It soothed me, obviously. I didn't want to leave him. I never wanted to leave his side again. After he left me the summer before, I was crushed. He was too, but there was no way to change it. But now, we were engaged. He wasn't going to ever leave again... Hopefully. We then sat down on the bed.

My room wasn't upgraded much since my childhood. The bed was slightly larger. The curtains were bleached and sewn back together after years of wear and tear. The seasons slightly changed the view outside my window. We didn't sit still for long. Dill tucked me into my bed, and then laid down beside me. He held me like he did earlier in front of the window. He had his head above mine. We relished the quiet. We took in our surroundings with our eyes closed. The smells, the sounds of the night, and the warmth of each other's bodies.

One last kiss on my the back of my head was the last thing I remembered Dill doing that night.

Then, I drifted off, thinking of our life together.