Clarisse couldn't believe her eyes. How could Charlotte have done this? The garden was beautiful! Everything was as it should be. The plants were all tamed, the statues in the perfect spots, and through the dark night, Clarisse could see some colors also.
The special part of the garden was inside the greenhouse. She noticed it glowed in an unusual way. As she walked through the archway she became overwhelmed. Lights were strung about the greenhouse. All the planters were filled with yellow roses with orange accents. Clarisse's eyes kept darting left and right.
After she took a couple more seconds, she noticed something unbelievable. All over the greenhouse were mementos of Philippe. Some of the things Clarisse told Charlotte to get rid off, she had saved.
Clarisse saw four pairs of his baby shoes, bronzed, and used as planters holding very special sweetheart red roses. Her head was spinning full with emotions. This was so beautiful yet the pain it caused wrestled inside her.
Charlotte had spent every spare moment of her free time tending to the garden and her special project. She hadn't known how much time she would take to do it but it was worth it. Charlotte could tell by Clarisse's demeanor and speech earlier that she might venture out tonight. Thus, Charlotte added the lights and spoke a quiet prayer. She slipped away when she heard Clarisse coming.
Taking another look around, Clarisse saw photograph after photograph of her and Philippe on the walls. There were photos of his as a baby and young child. Some were from professional shots around the grounds, others were more special. One especially made Clarisse tear up. It was a lovely picture. He had to have been twelve years old. Philippe was bending down on one knee offering his mom a rose on Valentine's Day. He was her perfect Valentine.
"Oh Philippe" Clarisse broke. The tears began to fall like the rain. It was coming down hard but she didn't notice. The cold outside was nothing compared to the whole in her heart. She sat down on the bench holding the photo and cried...