Chapter 11

Todd and Annette return home after shopping at the furniture store. They had to order in a new bed since the one that Todd wanted was out of stock. The bed he wanted to get had drawers built into the box frame. He thought it would make it easier to keep is stuff a bit more orgsnized. After helping Annette unload unload stuff they bought from the car, he heads out to the backyard to help Annette with her garden. He helps her get the supplies she needed to complete the tasks she needed done. "What are we doing today?" Todd asks.

"We are planting tulip bulbs today. That way when the first frost comes, they'll be ready to start sprouting in the spring," said Annette with a smile. She had on an old t-shirt and a pair of faded blue jeans. In her hands she had a bag of tulip bulbs which would grow into red, yellow, and orange flowers once the snow melted in the spring. "I'm so happy I have you to help me in the garden again, Todd. I've been waiting for this day for a very long time."

"Well I'm glad I can make your day, Annette. Now what do we need to do?"

Over the next couple of hours, Annette shows Todd how to dig in the garden with the different tools she had available How to tell when the plants needed to watered by checking the soil and what plant food was best to use for which flowers. She even showed him how to make compost by using scraps from using fruit and vegetable peels.

It was very dirty work but it was rewarding to see Annette happy. Once everything was done, Annette heads back inside to get cleaned up. "Come along now, Todd. Go get yourself cleaned up. I'll fix something to eat. What would you like?"

Todd was still trying to get used to the fact that Annette still hasn't given him any kind of order. "How about you fix something for me to eat that I had when I was a kid during my last visit."

"Sounds like a plan. Now go get cleaned up."

Todd heads upstairs to take a shower. He didn't mind getting clean now. He kinda enjoyed it. Being on Earth for extended stays was rather enjoyable.

While Todd was taking his shower in the upstairs bathroom, Annette got herself cleaned up in the downstairs bathroom. Once she was finished, Annette decides to make spaghetti for her and Todd to eat. "I know it's been years since Todd last had my spaghetti but I cannot help but feel happy about him being home again." Annette was almost bubbling over with joy.

But Annette's joy soon turns to sadness when she realizes that Todd's father may come looking for him. "It's only a matter of time before Ben comes looking for his son. Todd is eighteen now and he's an adult. He can make his own decisions without his father interfering with his life anymore." Annette pulls out a big pot, a smaller pot and a frying pan from the cupboard.

Annette loved Todd with all her heart but the day Todd's father, her own son, Ben, decided to make it so Todd wouldn't be able to visit again nearly broke her heart. All she could remember of that day, about the argument with Ben, was that he needed to spend more time with his son instead of constantly leaving Todd with her. Sadly on that day was the last time Annette had seen Todd, back when he was ten years old. She still had a few of his letters in a box somewhere.

Annette remembers the first letter she had gotten from Todd during his first summer of not being able to visit. There was a picture of Todd with the letter. He had a half smile on his face, a smile that seemed forced. It was the last picture she had seen of him smile. Over the next couple of years, Annette continued to receive letters from Todd. Each letter had a picture of him. It was around thirteen years of age that Todd's style of clothing started to change and by fifteen years of age he started to wear all black and listened to music his parents didn't approve of.

Todd had just finished his shower when he started to smell the spaghetti cooking. He quickly finishes up and gets dressed. Todd then heads downstairs to the kitchen. He barely steps foot into the kitchen when he felt a change in mood from Annette. "Is everything okay?" Todd asks.

"Yes everything is fine, Todd. Just remembering the past and the last time you visited. When you get to my age you tend to remember the past at times, even when you least expect it," said Annette.

"If you want, I can leave if it makes you sad to remember me when I was younger."

"I'd prefer you to stay, Todd. I'm glad you are here and you've made me so happy to see you again."

Todd walks up to the stove, looking over Annette's shoulder.

"Smells good. I smell cilantro, basil, chives, thyme, and...garlic?" Todd makes a face. He didn't really care for garlic but if it was in the food that Annette made, he'll have to tolerate it.

"I know you didn't like garlic much as a kid but I picked it fresh from the garden the day before you arrived. If you want to wait, I can make another batch of spaghetti sauce that doesn't have garlic in it."

"It's fine, Annette. I'd prefer to eat your cooking any day of the week."

A big smile spreads across Annette's face. "Thank you, Todd. Now let's eat. We'll have some ice cream for dessert later if you want and then we can watch a movie."

"Sounds good," said Todd with a smile.