Hello, readers! I have returned! After posting the last chapter, I started writing half of this new chapter, & then I fell off the bandwagon. And at one point, I wrote half of the ending. I'm not going to reveal how the story is going to end, just yet…I'm undecided about which ending I want to use, either the book or movie.
Anyways, special thank you to char-anime fan & Hermione and Marcus for the favorite & follow, I'm pleased you're catching on. I hope you like the latest chapter. And a big thank you to micklerrondochristina for the favorite, follow, and review! It absolutely made my day, I'm so happy that Summer of Love finally got feedback. I hope you enjoy this new chapter and more ahead.
So, enjoy, everyone!
Tuck Everlasting doesn't belong to me, all rights go to their respective owners. I just own my OC, Rosalie.
Chapter 6
As Winnie continued to bond with Jesse, Rosalie stayed at the house with Angus, Mae, and Miles. She found it easy to talk to Mae, amid doing household chores. She even felt comfortable striking up a conversation with her. Rosalie often watched Angus carve things out of wood and he would sometimes let her, showing the ropes.
With Miles, following that outburst and apology, Rosalie started having small talk with him and eventually made eye contact, without having to say anything.
It was one day that Rosalie explored the cabin inside, Winnie was out with Jesse as usual. Rosalie found the place to be homey and rustic in a good way. She found dust, cobwebs, and even a mouse in a table drawer. There happened to be three rooms in the house. The kitchen had an open cabinet with dishes being stacked high, a giant black stove, a metal sink, and various objects hung from every wall. Somewhere in a lone corner, Angus's shotgun stood.
Inside the parlor was furniture (worn with age) consisting of a green-plush sofa, three armchairs, a rocking chair, and a table with the drawer housing another mouse. Plus, a fireplace filled with soot.
Aside from that; there was the bedroom containing a brass bed, a washstand, a mirror, and an oak wardrobe. Somewhere upstairs is the loft where Jesse and Miles sleep, when they're home from traveling.
Rosalie also saw Mae's sewing and Angus's wood carvings in the parlor.
"We make things to sell," Mae said from behind, causing Rosalie to turn around.
"Oh, do you?" She asks.
"Yes," Mae answered.
The two are quiet for a moment until Mae speaks up.
"You know, Miles told me about what you said to him." She informed.
"He did?" Rosalie asked, wide eyed. "That traitor,"
She turned away, quiet, before replying "Did he also tell you that I slapped him? If so, I want to apologize. I didn't mean to lose my temper."
"Oh, it's alright," Mae assured Rosalie. "Sometimes, people say things out of anger. Also, I'm truly sorry about what happened to your parents."
"Thank you," Rosalie said softly. "I loved them so much,"
Her eyes wandered over the room, until something caught her gaze.
"Is that a paint set I see?" Rosalie questioned, pointing at a corner of the parlor.
Following Rosalie's gaze, the Tuck matriarch sees what Rosalie is talking about.
"Why, yes, it is." Mae responded. "And we also happen to have a pen and a bottle of ink. I take it, you like painting?"
"I'll let you in on a secret," Rosalie said. "My father taught me how to paint, before he and my mother died. I wanted to continue painting after my parents' death, but my aunt wouldn't allow it. She disliked the idea of me getting dirty. Therefore, my aunt made me take up calligraphy. I'm good at it, don't get me wrong, but I prefer painting.
"That's wonderful, dear." Mae said, smiling. "Why don't you help yourself to the paint and ink, and make yourself comfortable at the table?"
"Thank you, Mae." Rosalie responds, smiling in gratitude.
Pulling out the paint set, ink bottle, and quill pen, Rosalie sets them at a table in the kitchen. She then goes back to retrieve paper, paintbrushes and an empty mason jar for water. After putting the brushes and paper down, Rosalie fills the jar with water. She sits down and went to work.
What Rosalie had in mind for a painting, she didn't know, but at last, an idea struck her. Rosalie wet the paintbrush, spread it over the watercolor paint and did a color gradation; from dark to light. She selected another color and a light to dark gradation.
As she painted, Rosalie thought of her parents and the memories of painting lessons that were taught. The calligraphy skills, she inherited from her mother. There was some point in Rosalie's life where she resented Mrs. Foster for not letting her paint, just so she could be prim and proper.
Once the painting had dried, Rosalie opened the ink bottle and dipped the quill pen in it, and began to write Chinese calligraphy. On each painting, she wrote more.
As she continued to write, Rosalie did not notice Mae approaching the table until Rosalie looked up.
"My, these are beautiful paintings." Mae remarked in awe, admiring the Foster girl's handiwork.
Rosalie smiled warmly at the Tuck matriarch.
"Thank you," She said.
"Did your mother also teach you how to write Chinese calligraphy, aside from English calligraphy?" Mae inquired.
"Yes, she did." Rosalie answered. "That was her specialty. She loved its beauty and showed me how to write it. It was difficult for me to master it at first, but I improved."
"Marvelous, Rose." Mae said. "Just gorgeous."
Suddenly, Angus and Miles entered the house.
"Angus, Miles!" Mae called. "Come and see the work Rosalie has done."
The two men come in. Seeing Rosalie's art, they walked over to the table.
"This is exquisite work." Angus commented, picking up the paintings. He turned to Rosalie.
"Did you do this?" Angus asks her.
Rosalie nodded. "Proud of it, sir." She said.
"Her parents taught her at a young age. Before they passed." Mae added.
"My condolences, Miss Foster." Angus addressed Rosalie.
"Thanks," She responded.
"What do these symbols mean?" Miles asked.
"Love, happiness, prosperous, hope, virtue, freedom, wisdom, and together." Rosalie said.
"Impressive," Angus remarked. "The paintings ought to be hung on the wall."
Rosalie smiles broadly, very pleased with herself. It felt good to hear words of praise, regarding her artwork and artistic prowess. Within that moment, she had felt at ease…getting the feeling of having a family again, with loving parents. It was too good to be true.
"Rosalie Foster, you are quite the artist," Miles said to her, with a bemused grin.
The elder girl felt her face blush.
"Hold the phone, am I blushing?" Rosalie thought to herself.
One day, Jesse and Winnie ventured out into the woods; and found a waterfall.
"Me?" Jesse asks, unbuttoning his pants. "I'm going to see the world,"
"Every speck of it," He added. "Heck, I may even find some new continents or something."
Jesse stood up and slid his pants off.
"I mean, I've been to a lot of places, but the world is huge!"
"Jesse Tuck; what, what are you doing?" Winnie asks, confused and appalled. Although, she appeared to be mildly embarrassed by Jesse being shirtless.
"What does it look like?" Jesse replies, taking off his shirt.
Moving closer to the edge of the rocks, he glances at Winnie, before jumping into the water.
"Woo-hoo!" Jesse hollered.
Winnie crawls over to see if the youngest Tuck brother is alright. Jesse had emerged, gasping for air. "Woo! Ah, woo!
"Come on!" He shouted.
"I can't!" Winnie shouted back.
"Why?" Jesse asks. "You're not afraid of a little cold water, are you?"
"No," said Winnie.
"Are you afraid of me?" Jesse questioned.
"No," Winnie responded.
"Well, what then?" Jesse pressed.
Winnie hesitates and then answers, "I can't swim."
"You're joshing me," Jesse commented, in a tone of disbelief and amusement.
"I wish I were," said Winnie.
"So, you're afraid you'll drown, right?" Jesse inquired. "Swallow too much water, sink to the bottom and die."
"Thank you for putting it so vividly," said the younger Foster girl. "And yes, considering I'd sink like a rock and drowning is a fair concern."
"Well, I guess I'm just going to have to enjoy this all by myself." Jesse remarks. "Hmm, hmm,"
Winnie watches Jesse frolicking in the water. She thinks it over and finally made up her mind. Unbuttoning her dress, Winnie takes it off; wearing nothing but a dress layer. Steadying herself, she jumps off and landed into the water; yelling.
"Ah, Jesse!" Winnie exclaimed, feeling the water's cold temperature.
"Hey, hey, it's okay." Jesse assured, swimming over to her. "Come here, come here, come here."
"I've got you, I've got you." He takes Winnie into his arms and comforts her. "I've got you, relax. Relax against me."
"You all right?" Jesse asks.
"I think so," Winnie replies. "Woo!"
"You did it!" Jesse exclaimed, grinning.
"I did it!" Winnie said, happy that she stepped out of her comfort zone. "Ah, it feels wonderful. I'm weightless,"
"That's cause we're carrying you, see?" Jesse points out. "The water and me, we're both carrying you."
He is holding Winnie in his arms, helping her to stay afloat.
"You like the feeling?" Jesse questioned.
"I love it," Winnie responds.
"Jesse, don't let go!" She suddenly exclaims, panicking; feeling like she'll be dropped at any minute.
"It's okay, it's okay." Jesse reassures her. "There's no chance of that, Winnie Foster. I'm never going to let you go."
Winnie soon relaxes and spreads her arms out, reveling in the water's coolness, as Jesse continues to hold her. She felt at ease.
The pair continued to frolic in the water, enjoying their rendezvous together.
A/N: Well, I hope you enjoyed it!
The description of the Tucks' home (on the inside) came from the book and the waterfall scene with Jesse and Winnie was from the movie. Any other details, I made up. I came up with the idea of Rosalie being an artist, inspired by the artisan in me. The calligraphy part I was inspired by Jenny Humphrey of Gossip Girl, the Chinese calligraphy detail I came up with on the spot.
Now, that we're over the hump, I am looking forward to typing the next two chapters: 1) Miles telling Winnie and Rosalie the story of how the Tucks became immortal and how their lives have changed. 2) Angus having a heart-to-heart talk with the girls, out on the boat & I will include a scene from the book.
Until then, bye for now!