Every day it was the same thing. The Bennet matriarch and her daughter would head off for the day, leaving Edward all alone.

Though the boy knew they always came back, he could not shake the sting he felt inside whenever they left. The great mansion seem to sink back into the suffocating shadows that had buried him so long ago. Much of the day, Edward managed to occupy himself with the garden and Gracie's collection of books. The old volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica held his attention the most. Its colorful glossy pages were always a good remedy for an artistic block.

"Edward, I'm home!"

Exhausted, Mrs. Bennet flung herself into the well worn couch at the end of the great hall. Frizzy red curls sprouted from her bun, making Mrs. Bennet's hairdo look like some kind of exotic sea anemone.

"Where's Gracie?" asked Edward.

"She's still at school. Why?"

"She always comes home before you."

"Oh Edward" chuckled Mrs. Bennet. "It's only one in the afternoon. I just got out of work early."

Giving Edward an affectionate pat on the head, Mrs. Bennet adjourned to kitchen for a soda. The unfinished boy sat in a confused haze. He had become so used to the daily routine, a simple change had completely thrown him for a loop. But never the less, it was relief having the sweetly eccentric Mrs. Bennet home so early.

"Eddie, I'm back"

As always, the bladed boy was ready to welcome home his new friend. It was his favorite part of the day.

"Your mom came home early" he stated proudly.

"I know" she said. "She sent me an email today telling me she would."

Setting down her backpack, Gracie lead Edward out to the front yard.

"I want you to meet somebody."

For a moment, Edward was struck dumb. A siring chill crawled under his skin. Gracie had told someone about him. No one was supposed to know he was still alive.

"Oh no..." thought Edward. "Please don't let it be like last time."

Immediately he stiffened up under Gracie's touch. Why couldn't she just leave things the way they were.

"Its okay" she soothed. "You'll like him. He's really nice."

Him?!? Oh no. It is just like last time!

Craig Rybard waited for Gracie in the front garden. His gaze darting from one surprise to the next. The mansion itself was like a breath of fresh air for the suburb bound boy. Having grown up in its garish cookie-cutter houses, Craig had always loved the eerily beautiful estate on the top of the hill. Now he was walking in its com hither shadow.

"Here he is" called Gracie. "This is Edward."

Quickly Edward lowered his gaze. A tsunami of memories surged through his mind. He wanted to turn tail and run back to the house. But his feet felt cemented to the ground.

"Wow" breathed Craig. "He's amazing."

Like a child given a new plaything, Craig looked Edward over from top to bottom. His attention finally resting on the complex mechanics of strange boy's hands.

Finally Edward forced himself to look at his new visitor. The terrible explosion of memories slowly ebbing away. To his pleasant surprise, Craig was nothing like he imagined. Edward's past experience with young men had left lasting scars that continued to deepen since his exile. But as with Gracie and her mother, Craig Rybard was like a new day.

"It's nice to meet you, Edward" Craig said. "Gracie told me so much about you."

"Oh..." Edward managed. "Thankyou..."

"Here. I brought you something. My mom sorta has a thing for bonsai trees. But she wont miss this one."

With bright eyes, Edward examined the tiny potted tree. His bladed fingers hovered over it reverently. It looked just like the shrubs that grew in his garden. But unlike to the behemoth topiaries he tended to, the little bonsai had all the endearing attributes of an infant.

"You like it?" Craig spoke up.

All Edward could to was nod. His charcoal lips drawn back in a broad smile.

"He's just a little shy" said Gracie. "C'mon, lets go inside. It's starting to get chilly."

Holding his new toy close, Edward followed Craig and Gracie into the house. His heart had never felt so light. Now he had three new friends.