Chapter 12 part 2

A picture says a thousand things, and can start a conversation.

(Side note. I forgot to add the part where Ben gave Evie, Jay and Carlos their phones while Mal was with Belle. So there that happened. Sorry.)

The three ladies went into Belle's study. On the desk was a huge folder with carnival written on it. A shelf, at eye level, encircled the room on it pictures of Belle, Adam and Ben. Belle caught Mal looking. "Oh please feel free to look Mal." So Mal started by the door and walked around the room. Meanwhile Evie went to the desk and sat with Belle looking at the ideas she's had over the years. As Mal walked she saw Belle and Adam's wedding photo, one of her pregnant with Ben. And then so many pictures of Ben as a child, growing up. The last two on the shelf were the most recent. One was taken just before Mal met Belle and Adam on Family day, the other Ben at the castle, in his coronation suit, it must have been the morning of the coronation.

"Oh, Mal I have a new one, can you put it up on the shelf please?" Belle asked, handing Mal a picture frame. Mal turned it over to find the picture of her and Ben taken at the after party. She had no idea anyone had even taken their picture. It was the first time she had seen herself in a picture. She just stared at it for a while before finally putting the frame on the shelf. "I just love how much in love you two are in that picture." Belle says coming up behind her.

Evie joined her.

"M? You're in a picture." Evie said, also finding it hard to believe.

"I know. It's…" Belle moved away from the girls, shocked that neither had ever had their pictures taken. She knew then, these 4 from the island had, had an even more horrible life than she had imagined. What parent has no pictures of their kids?

"Well, how about this carnival?" Belle asked trying to break them out of the horrible memory.

"Yes. So what usually happens?" Mal asks
"We have rides brought in. And some of the kids run booths. The money raised goes to the charity of choice by the committee. And so far I am the committee, it's too early to choose the students for the committee, but I'd love it if you girls would help. I want something different this year."
"We…we've never really been to anything like that, we won't be much help." Evie admits.

"That's not a problem. You'll be fine. I am sure we will get lots of help, I usually do. The volunteers get to come here for a brain storming party and that usually draws a huge crowd of helpers. We have raised lots of money over the years for many charities."
"Such as?" Mal asked.

"Animal shelters, hospitals, one year we helped a small village start to rebuild after a fire."

"Are you thinking of the island, is that why you are looking for our help?" Mal bravely asked.

"Mal!" Evie scolded.

"No it's ok Evie, Mal and I promised no secrets. And it had crossed my mind, and after seeing you girls react to Mal's picture, that's where I am leaning. I just don't know how it will go over."
"Not sure. We….avoided talking about the island on purpose, we didn't want anyone's pity." Evie confessed. "Things like pictures were rare. Heck three good meals a day were non-existent." Evie stopped after seeing Mal's look.

"Mal?" Belle asked. "Is that true?"
"I promised no secrets, but the four of us agreed not to talk about the Isle, before that. We aren't looking for charity." Mal turned her back on Ben's mother.
"I know that, and I am so sorry if this came across that way." Belle said touching Mal's shoulder.

"I know your heart is in the right place, it's just not something we are ready for." Mal confessed.
"Let's just say, we understand where your heart is in all this, but for the four of us, it's too close to heart to get involved with." Evie agreed.

"Girls, please, I am so sorry." Belle was in tears. Mal and Evie exchanged looks, both feeling guilty. Mal hugged Belle and Evie joined them. "I will pick something else, and I know when you are ready to talk about life on the Isle, if you are ever ready, you know I will listen."
"We know that." Mal agreed.

"How about a clothing drive, can we maybe donate clothing somewhere?" Evie asked.
"That's an idea Evie. But we usually raise money and give a check to the charity. But I have an idea, clothing can be a donation to get in, and then cash for the booths and rides."
"But where would we donate the clothes?" Evie asked
"The Isle." Mal said, surprising both herself and the other two women in the room. "The money raised can go to another local charity here in Auradon. We can split the difference so to speak. We can cover two different "charities"."

"I think it might work E. Clothing won't really reflect too badly on the Isle, and the actual cash earned will stay in Auradon. Belle?"
"A compromise, I think I like it. We always make the donation at the gate voluntary so no one will be forced to donate if they don't want to, nor will it turn people off from coming."
"I like that idea. We'll see how that goes this year, and maybe next year it can go more towards the Isle." Evie said. Mal nodded in agreement.

They spent another hour talking about different types of booths and were busy talking about the end of the year dance when Ben knocked on the door. "Sorry to interrupt this chat session, but it's 10:30 and curfew is in 30 minutes. We need to get back to school."
"Oh that's right. We will talk again soon girls, maybe an afternoon tea some Saturday."
"That would be nice." Evie admitted and Mal nodded.