AN: Almost finished. . .
Leanette found Little Red and threw her arms around her. "This whole thing isn't making you feel. . .awkward, is it?" she asked.
"Do you want me to answer that honestly?"
"Honesty would be nice," Leanette answered. Little Red turned in her arms so she was facing her.
"Honestly. . .yes. It is awkward," she answered. Leanette looked as if she was going to say something but Little Red wasn't finished. "I mean your mother gets sent back from the dead. . ." she sighed. "I guess I'm jealous. I lost my mother and she hadn't been sent back to me. What's also strange, even though I understand where you come from, you're ending the search for your sister. It makes me feel as if I'm not needed anymore," she admitted. "I feel out of place. . .like I don't belong,"
Leanette held her close to her. "Just because we've ended the search doesn't mean that I don't need or want you around. My mother being here doesn't mean you don't belong," she told her sincerely. Little Red felt her eyes sting with tears but she fought them off.
"I feel like I'm going to cry," she said. "But there's been too much sadness going around lately," she added as she hugged Leanette tightly.
"You've got that right," Leanette replied. Silence for a few minutes. They pulled apart. "You going to be alright?" Little Red nodded with a smile. "Good," Leanette replied with a smile of her own. "Want to help me make lunch?" she asked.
"Sure!" Little Red answered enthusiastically, her eyes lighting up delightfully.
Leanette took her into the kitchen and they began to make lunch. With the two of them it took only hald an hour to make what would take one person alone an hour. They chatted about as they cooked and handed each other ingredients and kitchen supplies when they needed them. Leanette's mother entered the kitchen.
"May I see the garden?" she asked.
"Yeah, Mom. Go ahead," Leanette answered not looking away from her task. "It's yours anyway," she added. Technically it had been her mother's until she passed away but since she was very much alive now Leanette figured it was hers again. Her mother smiled.
"Not completely," she replied as she walked to the door that lead to the garden. It actually made sense for the kitchen to be next to the garden. Storing ripened vegetables and fruits called for a shorter trip that way.