change? What if the cancer could be obliterated along with her obligations of being human? If she could hide her real identity from the government, if she could feign her age and pass as someone turned ages ago, perhaps there was a possibility. But she had barely met Dru and her mind was screaming the logic of making such a rash decision based on so little knowledge. The idea, though, the option, was available. That was a small token of hope.
“I would like to get to know you better. In fact, I look forward to it. I enjoyed our moment before I went into a complete breakdown and would very much enjoy getting to know you in that way as well.”
Dru stood abruptly, holding out his hand to Tara.
“Come with me. I want to show you the gardens at night. They are made to be the most beautiful then.”
Tara took his hand, slightly startled at the change of direction. She was relieved though, to leave behind the heavy conversation and to recover her dignity. Dru led her through the house and down the dimly lit hall to another large wooden door.
He opened it and stepped inside, pulling her in behind him. She was stunned to find they were in a glass tunnel of sorts. She could see the gardens she had spotted from the backyard outside of the path, but was confused as to where they were going.
Dru led her several feet further before the dark passage fell away into a large glass room. This was what she had thought was the greenhouse. It was much larger closer up, and the beauty of it stunned her. She stood gaping as her eyes tried to take it all in. Beautiful night blooming vines crawled up the walls and trellises.
There was a stream that came from somewhere outside and flowed under the glass walls, never more than a foot wide, it snaked through the room and up into a fountain with a beautiful woman pouring the water out of a stone pitcher onto a pile of rocks, allowing it to gently cascade onto the rocky, stream that led back out of the atrium.
The plants were so green, rich and heavy in the smell of earth and florals, the bursts of color under the moon were accented by the dim blue solar lights along the walking path. The ground was mostly river rock stone with occasional old medallions and pavers speckled about.
Dru reached out for a Moon Flower, the sterling white petals spanning almost a foot across. He gently plucked it from the vine and turned to hand it to Tara. She took the flower, and without thinking, she put it behind her ear. Feeling silly, she began to giggle.
“There are a lot of exotics in here; I suppose some of them could have odd effects in making one giddy.”
Tara almost removed the flower until she caught his pleased expression; he wasn’t making fun of her, but simply enjoying her happiness. Tara began inspecting some of the odd buds and gorgeous flowers. The strongest smelling ones seemed to be the most ordinary, whereas the elaborate and exotic flowers didn’t smell as strong at all. The ambient lighting, the full moon above, the air retaining warmth and the feeling of a forest on a summer’s night during fall was astounding. Tara’s face almost ached from all the smiling as she asked about the different plants and explored his indoor night garden. After she had seen every square inch, she was exhausted again.
“May I have something to drink? I’m sorry to ask again but I am always thirsty.”
“I know the feeling,” Dru smirked, causing Tara to shake her head in amusement, “Yes, of course. Never feel bad for asking. I tend to forget such things sometimes. That is why I keep the house stocked. I always forget about the needs of people to eat or drink.”
“I suppose if I didn’t need to, I would forget too.”
Dru took Tara back to the kitchen. With the realization that she hadn’t had any medication in a while, she decided on a glass of red wine. Dru welcomed her to help herself to the refrigerator and pantry. After only a small hesitation, Tara decided to forgo being shy and eat