sweetassim

[sweetassim]

Still, it would be a lie to say it wasn't a monotonous life. Her job as a janitor for the local school drained her, and Esther found herself counting down the days.

[sweetassim]

Eventually Esther & Scout found their own routine together. Coffee stops on their walks through the streets of the desert town, afternoon meetings with her mother's group, and most importantly love. It was an unexpected kind of love, but Esther welcomed it.

[sweetassim]

With the scrapings she could put together, Esther found herself a trailer in Strangerville with enough room for a crib. It took some time to get comfortable, but in a few months Esther had a happy six-month old and a settled daily routine.

[sweetassim]

Scout Barton was born at Chestnut Ridge's local hospital on August 22nd.

[sweetassim]

On the day Esther went into labor, the skies turned a dark grey and thunder rattled the ground.

[sweetassim]

Days passed by in the convent, and the world faded into autumn tones once more. It wasn't an easy time for Esther, but somehow she found love and warmth in an unexpected situation.

[sweetassim]

The Summers' daily routine.

[sweetassim]

The last heatwave of the season brought everyone out into the pools of Oasis Springs.

[sweetassim]

With all this thinking, Esther could only ignore the pregnancy for so long.

[sweetassim]

It was the quietest place Esther had ever been to; she could hear the rain dripping on the stones that forged the walls of the convent, the sound of the nuns breathing in the next room over. Hours of time would stretch in relative silence. She'd never had so much time to think.

[sweetassim]

And so, it was the end to a chapter. An unexpected and bitter ending, but Esther tried her best not to dwell on it too much. She knew there would be one place that would welcome her with open arms.

[sweetassim]

It was a confession Esther regretted making the moment it fell from her mouth. To the Barton's, this meant shame, humiliation, a final blow to their already decaying reputation. And for her mother, it was the last straw.

[sweetassim]

Eager for some friendly advice, Esther ran to Isla's side - whose reaction was nothing short of melodramatic.

[sweetassim]

She sought respite in the Sacred Heart Convent - but a collection of well-meaning advice meaning 'it was meant to be', was the last thing Esther needed. Between the secret keeping, and the shame & regret, she knew she would need to find somewhere else.

[sweetassim]

But back at home in Chestnut Ridge, Esther had a terrible realisation.

[sweetassim]

Across highways and empty fields, the afternoon sun painted Oasis Springs in pink and yellow. At 37 Springs, local doctor Tommy Summers had just returned home.

[sweetassim]

Then, for a little while, things went back to normal.