[a little blush while she looks off to the side.]

you know, it’s been a while since someone said they thought i looked pretty.

i’ve always had trouble with accepting myself for who i am.

so when someone says they like how i look, i have trouble believing they mean what they say.

i’m not pretty. i’m just overweight.

[still with the body confidence issues, huh ethel? you’ve been going through this since high school.]

you’re really pretty, you know that?

[looking back to mirror the other redhead as she also sips on her shake.]

[a light giggle along with a blush, going back to her shake.]

if i stick around you for long enough, i just might.

i used to be something of a gardener myself, but that was ages ago.

[another nod. offering a soft smile.]

i’d love to see it sometime.

if that’s okay with you, of course.

[was. ethel knew immediately that she meant her mother was no longer among the living.]

do you still tend to it? to honor her?

[soft nod.]

did you always like them growing up or was it something that you more recently developed?

[ethel smiled softly as she gave the hand a gentle squeeze, soon starting to walk off to the diner she worked at.]

take my hand and i’ll lead the way.

right. right, shakes first.

that sounds good to me.