"I did it," Scout says so loud that she wakes me up. When I see the sun peeping through the window I realize exactly what she was talking about. Scout finally slept through the night.

"Congratulations," I say with a smile.

"I got to thank you," she said, unapologetically taking her night top of in front of me. "You're a real friend after all these years."

"It really wasn't a big deal, honey."

"It is to me," she said as she got her day clothes ready. "I'm going to go take a shower if that's okay with you..."

"No; go on ahead," I said as I rolled back over on my side to try to go back to sleep. I couldn't though and I propped myself up in frustration to find her still standing there. Scout was still naked with clothes in her hand, her hair was still dry and there was no sound of running water.

"What are you still doing there? I thought you were going to take a shower."

"I am."

"What's keeping you?"

"I feel I need to do something today and I want you to come with me."

"Okay...What do we have to do?"

"I need you to come to Finch's Landing with me and help me scatter Atticus' ashes in the lazy river."

"What?"

"Please," she said as she flung her clothes and herself down on the bed next to me. "It was his dying wish to be cremated and then scattered there. I can't bring myself to do this alone. I tried so hard to do it yesterday but I...I just couldn't."

She had started to cry again. I don't think I will ever get used to seeing my loved ones in mourning. If anything, I was afraid of it myself and that's why I probably remained distant for so much time. My poor friend had so much suffering in her lifetime that I'm surprised she can even find the strength to wake up in the morning.

"You couldn't so you got ice cream instead?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood like I always do.

"Yeah, exactly," she replied, wiping her tears on her bedsheet.

"I'll go with you."

"You mean it?"

"Yes."

"You're an angel," she says as she gives my lips a kiss.

"Go take a shower," I tell her afterwards. For being such a stong-willed thing, she's does as she's told. I sigh heavily once she's finally in the bathroom. I hope I have the strength to help her today.

"You know," I say once we're in the car and headed south,

"Know what?"

"After all these years of us being friends I am finally going to the Landing."

"You're in luck, Dill. It's just going to be you and me. Everyone else that has anything to do with that property is dead and gone."

"You're the only one still standing?"

"Yeah, I told you before that I was. Hard to believe, I know."

The rest of the way down was silent and awkward. The scenery was beautiful where we were going. I honestly have forgotten how lovely the southern landscape was. I would recommend southern Alabama for anyone who loves nature. The sunshine made all the trees and flowers look bigger and brighter and made the birds sing louder. I would look back at Scout and see her dark eyes full of sorrow. How I wish the sunshine could brighten up her eyes; she is so beautiful when she's happy. I hope someone has told her that before.

"Smile, Scout," I say after a long while.

"I can't, Dill."

"Yes, you can," I say as I take two of my fingers and try to up the corners of her mouth. She can't help but squirm and laugh. "See, told you that you could."

"You got me."

"You should smile more often; it makes you pretty."

"Sorry I look like shit when I'm miserable."

"Hey," I say with a nudge to her shoulder. "Can't you take a compliment when someone offers you one?"

"Well, what the hell, Dill?" She asked as she rubbed where I nudged her. "You think with all the shit I've had to go through and put up with that I would go around smiling all the time for the sake of vanity?"

"You win," I say with my hands in the air. I know when I've been beat.

"This isn't about winning anything, Dill. Besides, we're here."

"Already?"

"Yup," she says as she rounds the corner.

I couldn't believe the place; it looked like we drove right into the nineteenth century. It certainly had a charm to it and it also had an eerie feeling to it. I think anyone would have the sense of if-this-place-could-talk. Scout puts the car in park, gets out to get Atticus' urn out of the trunk, and then I get out so we can walk through the damp lawn together; the one that will take us straight to the lazy river. The river had all kinds of leaves and magnolias floating around, showing their magnificent colors and making the body of water look like a rainbow pool. I could have swore I was on holy ground by that point. I watch as Scout cries as she gets the top of the urn uncovered and sets it on the sand bank.

"Atticus," she says as she holds the urn close to her chest. "I'm so sorry I have to do this today. Know that as hard as it was to take care of you, it really was my pleasure. I do but I don't care about Cal anymore because in the end, with all your faults and all your greatness, you were the one who did love me. I love you, too and that's why I let you go as you please."

Through my own tears, I watch as Scout pours what's left of our beloved Atticus into the river. She collapses on the river bank and weeps hard. I go up to her instinctively and put my arm on her shoulder. Her sobs begin to get softer and I see her pick her head up. I back off because knowing her, I will never know what she's going to do next. I watch her as she strips off her clothes and dives into the river. I guess I should have been scared but instead I couldn't help but smile.

"What are you doing?" I ask, laughing when I see her head come up again.

"I'm taking a swim with my father!"

"You're crazy!"

"Yeah, but I'm happy now," she says as she begins to stroke backwards. I notice that she's smiling back at me. "Do I look pretty now?"

"Yes, you do."

Keep on smiling, Scout. You're crazy but you're pretty.