Easter Lily's Arc

Chapter 5 of 5

Easter Lily walked back to the toolshed alone. The path felt longer without Renee beside her. When she reached the clearing, she stopped. The door stood open. Inside, the sleeping bag was gone. The burlap sack she'd left full of bread and fruit had disappeared too. She stepped closer and saw something white on the floor. A note rested there, the paper crisp and clean. Next to it sat a small ceramic pot with an Easter lily planted inside, its white petals just beginning to open. She picked up the note and read the careful cursive. Thank you. I'm well now because you kept coming back. The words were simple, but they carried weight. Someone had been here, had taken what she offered, and had left whole enough to plant something that would keep growing. Easter Lily carried the pot and note back through the clearing. She knew what she needed to do. By the time she reached the community centre at the edge of Easter Corner, she'd made her decision. The building stood empty most days, its large windows catching the morning light. She pushed open the door and walked inside. The main room was open and warm, with space enough for anyone who needed it. She placed the potted lily on a table near the entrance where everyone who came through would see it. The note she folded and tucked into her petal to keep. This building would stay unlocked now. She would stock it with blankets and food, keep the door open for whoever came next. The withdrawn person had moved on, but there would be others. She couldn't reach everyone, but she could make sure the next person who needed shelter would find it without having to hide in a toolshed. That was something she could do.