November twenty-first, 1933

I was running extremely late for my visit to Violet's- which, in turn, meant I was probably going to be a little late for Mr. Link Deas's. I was slightly on the verge of loosing my job with him but I believe he needed the work and pitied me too much to fire me. It seemed I was the only single black guy with kids in Maycomb. Luckily, while I worked, my close friend was able to watch my pride and joy: Rebecca.

"Hey there, Tom," Violet greeted as I was walking in front of the gate's entrance.

Violet still hadn't told me where those bruises come from but they seemed to be getting worse. She never showed she was in pain though. She seemed used to it, like the beatings she goes through are a constant thing. I worry about her a lot and I wonder, considering her father's temper, if he might be the one responsible.

I look towards her, searching for the beautiful face that the beautiful voice came from. She was sitting in her small garden for a change, surrounded by flowers and a butterfly resting on her open book. She'd finished Romeo and Juliet and was now rereading her favorite: Wuthering Heights.

"Hello, pretty lady," I said with a wide smile, pausing. My life's troubles always slipped my mind whenever I see her.

I didn't think about how I was probably going to be lat for work. I didn't think about Rebecca's terrible illness that had no name- thus having no cure. I didn't think about Samantha, my firstborn child that died two years ago from the same illness. I didn't think about their Momma and my wife dying from the same illness just a year after they were born.

"C'mon in," she invited, giving me a smile then returning her attention to her book. The butterfly flew off from too much movement on her part.

I opened the gate, letting myself in. I walked through the tall grass of the Ewell's yard and up to the garden where she sat.

It was abnormally quiet. I know Violet has a bunch of little brother and sisters so there was always some type of noise going on. Today it was pure, sweet, blissful silence.

"Where's all the chillun'?" I asked curiously as I knelt in front of her.

She closed her book slowly, seeming almost thoughtful as she stood. "I gave them some money for ice cream," she said and then bit her lip, like she did when she got nervous or anxious.

"Well, that was awfully nice of ya," I said with a smile, wondering what she was thinking about.

She simply shrugged then stood up, managing to not disrupt the peace with her natural grace. "Um... there's something I'd 'preciate you getting down for me..." she said shyly, looking like she was blushing just slightly.

Her blushes were a rarity, but they seemed to be popping out more and more as the days passed. She was like a cherry- it was really cute.

"'Course," I accepted, thinking I was pretty much willing to do anything for this girl.

"Thanks." She bit her lip, smiling. She turned to gracefully- almost skip- up the stairs to the porch. "It's a beautiful day," she told me in something close to a dreamy voice.

I followed after her. "Yes, you are," I mumbled in awe.

Violet turned back around, a full-blown blush on her cheeks. Her heartbreaking smile appeared and she quickly wrapped her arms around my neck. She got on her tiptoes and I bent down to meet her. We kissed softly, so much love flowing through us.

Remembering the front door was open, showing our display of affection to the world, I gently caressed her back, pushing her gently through the door closest to us. She didn't object, kicking it shut behind her.

"Touch me, Tom," she breathed as she broke off, her eyes hooded.

I caressed her face, recapturing her lips. I felt like I was on fire and Violet was only heating me up. I couldn't resist the creamy feel of her skin, wondering how I had for so very long.

"I love you, Violet," I finally said as we huffed for breath.

She let out a breathy laugh, looking like her eyes were watering. "I love you, too, Tom. I have for so long," she admitted and kissed me again.

I smiled but my happiness was short-lived.

"You goddamn whore, I swear I'll kill you!" Mr. Ewell yelled through the small window, looking in on the room we were in. He wasn't glaring at me but at Violet.

Everything seemed to go in slow motion after Mr. Ewell caught us.

Violet's eyes snapped to her father and she truly looked frightened. She suddenly pushed me towards the door and yelled, "Run, Tom!" at the top of her lungs.

I hesitated, more worried about Violet and the pure look of fear contorting her beautiful face. Her eyes were beginning to water as she shooed me. I finally turned tail and took of running.

I didn't know where I was heading but I soon found myself back in my own neighborhood. I was unsettled by the events that had just occurred, wondering if Violet was in much trouble and having a bad feeling she was. I wanted to run right back there and take her with me as we ran away together. We could go up North and find a place of our own; we could live happily ever after, together forever.

Too bad fairy tales are a lode of bull because, the next day, I found myself in jail.