A Blessing | Lola's Story Part 40 | 5 minute freewrite ~ Prompt: herbs

Part 39

“Ughhhh,” she cried out and rolled to her side, smooshing the pillows with her fists.

As she toiled over her blankets, her cell vibrated up on the nightstand.

I was thinking we should meet at your house tomorrow morning, say 8? I have an idea.

She texted Mark back quickly. “I’ll be there.”

Part 40

Lola pulled up to her driveway in her Gloria’s car, and took a mental note to ask her mom how her insurance paperwork was going. She had been avoiding it, really anything that had Kyle’s name on it, but it was time she had a car of her own again.

She only had to wait a few minutes before Mark pulled in behind her. His eyes looked heavy with bags underneath. His hair was unkempt, and a bit of stubble played on his chin.

“Hi there,” Lola said brightly.

“Hey,” he said with only a hint of smile touching his lips.

Lola narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you okay?” she asked. “It doesn’t look like you’ve slept a wink.”

“I didn’t,” he said shortly. “I can only stay a minute, so we should get inside.” He brushed passed her and headed to the front door, and waited, arms crossed for her to unlock it.

Lola felt his bristle attitude as she let him in first, then shut the door behind them.

“So? What was your idea?” she asked staring at the back of him.

“Where do you keep the dried herbs?” he asked barely turning in her direction.

“In the spice cabinet, like any normal person,” she answered sarcastically. “What is going on with you?”

“Is that where you kept the tea too?,” he said ignoring her question.

She took a deep breath. “Why do you need it? Is that where the next clue is?”

He nodded. She followed him into the kitchen.

“It’s over there in the corner cabinet.” she said. “No, the other one.” she pointed in the opposite direction, without him looking at her, it did little good.

Mark rifled through the spice jars, clanking them against each other until he reached the very back corner on the top shelf. He stopped and turned around holding a tin full of Irish tea, then opened the lid, reached inside and pulled out a small key

“Ah!” Lola squealed running to his side. “You found it!” she wrapped his arms around his waist, but he gently broke her grasp. “How did you know? How would you have even thought?” she shook her in disbelief.

“Do you remember the Irish blessing Kyle’s family always says?”

She nodded. Of course she remembered He had repeated it her so often. Anytime she felt out of sorts, he would scoop her up onto his laps and whisper it into her ear.

“May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you, and all your heart may desire.” Lola recited. “Tea” she said more to herself. “That’s how you knew.”

Mark handed her the key.

“Listen,” Mark started. “I should get out of here. Keep the key safe, and head that way as soon as you can.”

“Aren’t you coming with me?” she asked confused.

“Not this time.” He turned abruptly and headed for the door, but Lola stopped him, grabbing his elbow and spinning him towards her.

“Look at me,” she said. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

📃A special note to the readers📃

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