Late Summer, Early Fall

Claire found Lessibelle on the porch of the big, two-story home white home. She sat on a bench swing with colorful pillows and a lap blanket thrown across the back. The house overlooked a large plot of land with beautiful trees, always full of leaves, even during the winter. Lesibelle had always found this quite strange, but she had supposed they could be fake. Claire sat in a white rocking chair across from the bench and looked over the land. She doesn't say anything, just sits there, waiting and watching.

It was late summer, early fall. The air was crisp on Lesibelle's skin but still gentle. Her hair swished in the late-night breeze, as she observed the trees and stars. The moon was full and bright. Lesibelle had been out there for hours already.

"It's late Les, almost two in the morning. You should get some rest." Claire spoke in a calm, motherly tone. She'd always spoken to Lesibelle softly as if she were a startled deer that Claire was trying to help. Even when she got into trouble or started a quarrel with the other girls; Claire had never even raised her voice at Lesibelle.