Amelie

"Before I'll let you go off to drink some coffee and chat with each other, I would like to bring something to your attention.." Teddy, the pastor of our church, cleared his throat, waiting for everyone to be quiet after we had sung the last song. "As you all probably know by now, I am the headmaster of the school where we teach refugee children. A lot of people here, have their connections with the children, somehow.." He briefly looked at me, Gloria, some volunteers and also at Zev and Salomé.

"And I'm sure you've all heard about New Hope, the home where children can live, get warm, healthy meals and can play carefree like other children would. Since it's a non-profit organization, we are reliable on donations, funds and gifts. For the past couple of years, it has been going alright, but since the government isn't involved and the helping hands from around the area, even the country have been getting less and less, we are now at a point where money is becoming an issue, and there even has been a threat filed to us that closing down is an option." Teddy stayed silent for a moment long, then a warm smile spread upon his face.

"I don't think that's an option, and I hope most of you don't think so either. So, what I'm asking for now is that I would love for some creative minds to work together and think of ways we can earn money so New Hope doesn't have to close its doors. And beside the offertory, any idea is much appreciated and welcome. Well, the uncomfortable money talk is over. Enjoy some coffee or tea!" Teddy chuckled a little. "I really need it." He whispered.

Since it was my turn to take care of the coffee and the tea, I got Teddy the coffee, and a piece of lemon cake. He thanked me with a smile, stirring his spoon through his coffee. "What is it about the British that money talks make you cringe?"

I laughed a little, shrugging. "It went just fine! And besides, it's a good cause. Which made me think, didn't we do a talent day before? Where each sold its own talent? Babysitting, washing cars, baking cakes, whatsoever? Could that be an option?"

It was something I remembered like yesterday. How could I not? He baked pizzas upon a baking stone, I made the sweet desserts and the flower arrangements.

Teddy swallowed down a sip of his coffee, humming softly. "Actually, I quite like that.."

Gloria joined me, her eyes seeming thoughtful. I turned to her, thinking about it for a while. "Hey, Gloria.. you went over to the farm to see what kind of activities we could do there, right? What about we organise a talent day at the farm? With the kids who are joining? And of course, the other children or adults could come too that day, so we can earn money for New Hope."

Gloria quickly glanced at Teddy, a small smile appearing on her face. "That's actually a nice idea. What do you think about it?"

"I think it's an excellent idea, however, we should discuss that with the farmer. I'm not quite sure if he would appreciate tons of people on his property. I believe he lives a calm life, whenever no kids are staying over." Teddy drank the remaining of his coffee, placing the mug upon the table. "Can I leave that task in your hands, ladies?"

I nodded, shrugged. "Sure, we can manage that, can't we?" Gloria nodded too, I saw her exchange another look with Teddy. I wasn't sure what had been up with her, but knowing she had history in New Hope, too, I figured the topic touched her deeply.

In April, it was finally time to stay at the farm. It was cold, the day we left. Therefore, all of the children were packed up in scarfs, mittens and warm fuzzy hats. But although the cold nipped at our noses, the sun shone brightly, taking off the sharp edges of it. I admired the way the frost laid on the trees, the roofs of the houses and the grass that some houses had laid in their front yards. Admired how quickly the sun could make that disappear again, too. 

The children were excited, they were playing tag-you're-it, running around the two vans before we could get them settled. I smiled warmly at them, felt excited for the couple of weeks in front of us. I loved the outdoors living, so spending my time at a farm with these children, didn't sound too bad to me.

I waited for Rosemary, a girl who was bound to a wheelchair. When she arrived, I saw how the cold had colored her cheeks and the tip of her nose rosy. I crouched down to her eye-level, briefly touched her cheek in order to let her know that I was there. "Good morning, Rosemary!"

Rosemary couldn't keep the eye contact for longer than a second, her eyes moving around quickly, but a tiny smile appeared on her face. I turned to her mother, who smiled down at me, though I could see the tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, this is the first time that she will be away from us for quite a while. But at the same time, what are two weeks, right?"

"We will take good care of her." I felt for her mother, I remember my parents having a hard time letting me stay over after my elder sister had passed away. And then there wasn't even the thing of extra care I needed. Well, maybe the mental care, but other than that, I could look after myself quite alright.

"Oh, I know you will." She kissed Rosemary goodbye, and I opened the van to roll her into the vehicle. When I had opened the door, Teddy walked over to me, helping me get Rosemary settled. He pulled at one of her golden curls, before trapping her chair safely.

"Amelie.." Teddy hesitated, I could tell by his stance. He rummaged through his bag, held an envelope. He stretched his hand out, I took it slowly, looking up at him with a questionable look. "For the man in the loft."

Before I could ask him who that was, specifically, he turned to the other children from church and wished them a nice week, to which they high-fived him. Turning the envelope, I noticed it was empty, no name was written upon it. But the letter felt heavy, the paper thick, as if it wasn't just a single sheet. I stuffed it inside my Fjallraven backpack, figuring it was meant for the farmer we would be staying at.

Gloria, Laura and Finn had settled the other children in the meantime, we were ready to go. Finn would be driving one of the vans, and Laura the other. With the parents waving the children goodbye, I walked up to Gloria. "Do you think we got everything? I feel like we're forgetting something." I chuckled, my smile fading when I could sense her nerves. "What is up?"

Gloria sighed softly, shook her head. "No, nothing. I just hope everything goes well." Gloria nudged my shoulder with her fist, grinning. "I would love to see you collecting the eggs."

I slowly rolled my eyes, letting out a laugh. "And I would love to see you petting a horse."

"Never in a million years!" Gloria smiled, but when her eyes gazed me, it faded quickly. There was that look again. The look she had given Teddy last Sunday. A little confused by her behaviour, I simply let it go when she stepped inside the van Finn would be driving.

I turned to the other one, and sat down beside Laura, turning my attention to the children. "Is everyone settled nicely? Gone for a wee? Ready to turn into little farmers?" The children cheered, I glanced through the rear view and saw how Rosemary was simply gazing everything around her, my heart swelled with love. "Alright, off we go then." I said quietly, turning to Laura.

Laura started the van, honked at the parents and drove off, warmly waving at Nolan and their son Oliver. My heart ached for a split second, although I was truly happy for them. "Two weeks without my boys, I'm not sure I will be able to survive that." Laura groaned, blinking away the wetness in her eyes.

"You know they can always visit, yeah? That's no problem!" I tried to cheer her up, to which she smiled a little. "I think Oliver would like the animals."

"Oh, I know he would like that." Laura answered, telling stories about how Oliver did not talk much yet, but whenever an animal would be mentioned in the conversation, he recognized the word and would imitate its sound immediately. I loved hearing her stories, although they always made me think of what it would have been like if I married the only guy I had truly loved. Even when I had only been seventeen around that time.

The trip went fairly fast, and besides two boys fighting because Levi couldn't stop telling little jokes to himself and laughing about it, whilst the other boy became overwhelmed by all of the noises, it went quite alright.

Because we had all the traffic lights against us for some reasons, Gloria, Finn and the other children had arrived about five minutes earlier. So when we parked the van, the children ran over to us, telling their friends that the farmer's helper, whoever that may be, was giving them hot chocolate for free. I smiled warmly at that, helping Levi unbuckle his seatbelt, before I turned my attention to Rosemary.

"Rosemary?" I briefly touched her cheek, her eyes turned my direction for a brief moment. "We have arrived at the farm. I'm going to get you out of the car, alright?" I brushed my thumb over her small hand, motioning for Finn to help me.

Her wheelchair was electric. With her seven years old, and her body paralysed from her toes to her stomach, it could become a little heavy to push her around all day long, her parents chose for her to sit in an electric wheelchair for that reason. It was black, however, the spokes of her wheels were sheathed with soft pink and olive green crocheting. As well as the handles and the cushion she was seated upon.

When we got her out of the van, I pulled her soft pink beanie further over her ears, her eyes gazing the unfamiliar area. "Do you see the sheep, Rosemary?" I turned the wheelchair closer to one of the pastures, where funny looking sheep were slowly grazing. I heard Rosemary humming shortly, a smile sparkled in her eyes.

"Amelie!" Laura led a few of the children inside the cosy looking farmhouse, which stood on the right side of the path. Across that, stood a barn, where I heard several animals bleating, neighing and clucking because of all the commotion the children made. "There's hot chocolate inside to welcome us. Are you coming?"

"That sounds lovely, doesn't it?" I told Rosemary, turning her wheelchair away from the pasture, walking up to the house. The porch was about three steps higher, but thankfully, the farmer must have heard that wheelchairs were present, for he had placed a small ramp on the right side of the steps. I pushed her up, and entered the house that was warmed up nicely.

The man, who I presumed was the owner of the farm, closed the door behind us, stretching out his hand. "Welcome, I'm Matthew."

"Hello, Matthew. Thank you so much for having us." I smiled at him, shaking his hand. He reached for Rosemary's hand, briefly shaking it.

"Have some hot chocolate." He pointed to somewhere behind him. "They're at the table."

"Thank you!" I rolled into the kitchen, turning right to reach the table where all the children were scattered around, laughing at each other's chocolate mustaches, or noses where whipped cream was smeared upon.

Gloria stopped talking when I entered, her smile faltered quickly, before I could dwell into thoughts why she kept doing that, my eyes fell upon a man in a dark blue overall, with an oversized, grey sweater underneath. His dark brown hair had been messily hit by the breeze, a dark stubble scattered around his cheeks, jawline, chin and underneath his nose. Grey eyes hesitantly gazed over my face, his smile deeply faltering as well. He had his hand outstretched to me with a cup of damping hot chocolate, but he slowly dropped his arm, eyes moving to the whipped cream he had piped upon it.

My breath hitched, I gripped onto the handles of Rosemary's wheelchair, afraid that I would fall if I didn't. A million thoughts and feelings crossed my mind at that exact same moment, but I couldn't figure out which ones were valid.

I needed a moment to breathe, I needed a moment to process the image of him, standing right in front of me at this very moment. After more than nine years. That is why I refused to look at him, refused to shake his hand when he walked up to me. After a long moment of silence, I heard how Benjamin excused himself and walked past me, the creaky door closing with a soft thud. Slowly, I turned my head, looking the direction he'd just walked to.

A very deeply and dearly known stranger.

My gaze trailed back to the table, where the two damping hot chocolates still stood. 

-

Amelie and Benjamin meeting after such a long time. Do you have any idea how they know each other? How they met?

Where has Benjamin gone to in all those years? Why did he leave in the first place? 

Let me know your thoughts!

xx Jo