The following is the original Epilogue to Monte Vista Village. It was deleted on a good friend’s advice, and in retrospect it was a very good decision. It gives some insight as to trajectory the series was on upon conception, but I could not be happier that I decided to take it out so that I would not be held to it. As the series matured, so has the future of the story. I hope you enjoy the small window into the possibility of where the series might have gone.
Sincerely,
Lynn Lamb
Deleted Epilogue to Monte Vista Village
Nine year old Gabriella sat in her classroom with a thick book open in front of her. Her dark hair was cut in a bob and held out of her face by a small barrette with a little red bow. She swung her legs beneath her desk, restlessly.
History was her favorite subject, and she was always anxious to answer any questions the teacher might ask. It was important for her to know every answer, too.
“Gabbie, would you please settle those legs, young lady?” scolded her teacher.
Gabbie did as she was told, but inside she wanted to burst. It was almost time to go home and see her relatives who had come to her house to celebrate her Great-Grandmother’s ninety second birthday. Her Great-Grandmother was believed to be the oldest person on earth. And she was the only person with the answers.
∞
The old woman waited in the warm but comfortable afternoon air. Her long, shiny silver hair hung down her back as she lifted her face and drank in the sun light. She sat in a serene garden of flowers and plants that also turned their heads to the sun and drank in its nourishment. A small pond babbled next to the path, and a water-well stood close by if she needed to quench her thirst. Sitting there she felt none of the pain that came with her advanced age; she only felt peace.
Gabbie came running up the path. “Grandma II, Grandma II,” she sang out as she ran into Bri’s waiting arms.
“My beautiful girl,” Bri said, holding on tightly for balance.
“Grandma II, guess what,” Gabbie said with great enthusiasm.
“What, my little one?” Bri asked with a wide smile on her aged face.
“We are studying Auntie Laura’s Diaries in school. Grandma II, did Auntie Laura say a lot of naughty words?” asked the curious child.
Bri’s smile continued to her eyes as she let out a playful laugh. “Why yes, she did. Often, I am afraid.”
The young child’s face turned quite serious, “Did she get in trouble from her momma, Annie?”
“No, and that is because my Grandma Annie liked to say naughty words, too.”
“Grandma II, why do we always call you that—Grandma II?” asked the grinning child.
Bri smiled patiently, “Oh, I tell you that story every time.”
“Please,” begged Gabbie. “Tell it again.”
And so Bri began the tale again. “It all began when my little sister, Amanda …”
AND HERE IS THE FIRST BOOK COVER (YIKES)
Sincerely,
Lynn Lamb
Deleted Epilogue to Monte Vista Village
Nine year old Gabriella sat in her classroom with a thick book open in front of her. Her dark hair was cut in a bob and held out of her face by a small barrette with a little red bow. She swung her legs beneath her desk, restlessly.
History was her favorite subject, and she was always anxious to answer any questions the teacher might ask. It was important for her to know every answer, too.
“Gabbie, would you please settle those legs, young lady?” scolded her teacher.
Gabbie did as she was told, but inside she wanted to burst. It was almost time to go home and see her relatives who had come to her house to celebrate her Great-Grandmother’s ninety second birthday. Her Great-Grandmother was believed to be the oldest person on earth. And she was the only person with the answers.
∞
The old woman waited in the warm but comfortable afternoon air. Her long, shiny silver hair hung down her back as she lifted her face and drank in the sun light. She sat in a serene garden of flowers and plants that also turned their heads to the sun and drank in its nourishment. A small pond babbled next to the path, and a water-well stood close by if she needed to quench her thirst. Sitting there she felt none of the pain that came with her advanced age; she only felt peace.
Gabbie came running up the path. “Grandma II, Grandma II,” she sang out as she ran into Bri’s waiting arms.
“My beautiful girl,” Bri said, holding on tightly for balance.
“Grandma II, guess what,” Gabbie said with great enthusiasm.
“What, my little one?” Bri asked with a wide smile on her aged face.
“We are studying Auntie Laura’s Diaries in school. Grandma II, did Auntie Laura say a lot of naughty words?” asked the curious child.
Bri’s smile continued to her eyes as she let out a playful laugh. “Why yes, she did. Often, I am afraid.”
The young child’s face turned quite serious, “Did she get in trouble from her momma, Annie?”
“No, and that is because my Grandma Annie liked to say naughty words, too.”
“Grandma II, why do we always call you that—Grandma II?” asked the grinning child.
Bri smiled patiently, “Oh, I tell you that story every time.”
“Please,” begged Gabbie. “Tell it again.”
And so Bri began the tale again. “It all began when my little sister, Amanda …”
AND HERE IS THE FIRST BOOK COVER (YIKES)
© Lynn Lamb. All rights reserved, 2024.
