by TrizzyTreke » 09/16/2014 9:49 PM
(Returning to the present)
Much like the flowers they tended, the relationship between master and apprentice blossomed. The Gardener taught Joel something new about his spirit flower every day, and Courage gradually grew bright enough to compare with the candles on top of a cake. He was always happy to hear Joel talk to him, and he found the boy was progressing socially. He had more confidence, and consequently more friends. Of course, there was still room to develop. Joel mentioned an occasion when someone had started on the ghost story of the Gardener, and he had come to his master's defense, saying, "Have any of you seen the man? How do you know he's a ghost?" The person replied to this by ostracizing Joel for a couple of days. The boy was still an inferior in the eyes of many.
One day, while apprentice and master were replacing the mulch for Courage, the boy said something that made the Gardener nervous.
"Mr. Gardener, I like to think of you as my best friend. But also someone who's family. Like a dear uncle."
The Gardener hoped Joel was not perceptive enough to notice the darkness that crossed his face. He realized he had crossed a line with this apprenticeship. He and the boy were becoming too close. His last apprentice had once called him "Father". The boy was becoming too attached to him. Then again, Joel did not give the Gardener much reason to fear he would abuse the power of spirit flowers. He did not have near as much negativity as the other boy had harbored.
He had not replied to Joel, and the boy asked, "Mr. Gardener, did you hear me?"
"Yes," he started back up. "But I am too old to be your uncle. Think of me as a great-great-uncle."
They both laughed after that, and continued to garden.
What's a name?
Just window dressin'
Everybody knows it's clothes that make a man
Play the game
Just keep 'em guessin'
Mix and match me
Try to catch me if you can