A Garden in Eden

By Ellie Trotta

In the beginning, there were five. Five lonely children with nothing to unite them except a love of the outdoors, running, climbing, and playing in the sunshine. Then a door appeared as if meant for them, a door to a destiny of being ten years old for one day, every five years, for the rest of their lives. Yet the garden of childhood could not solve their problems on the outside, nor provide a roadmap for the future. A place of innocence, of escape from grief, a place to play with the girl you're afraid to talk to on the outside.... A secret garden. *Their* secret garden.

 

A fountain of youth is for those who enter the door.

But only one day every five years, never a minute more.

Five years from yesterday, five friends return to play.

A moment captured in time, relived for just one day.

For as you enter this door transformed you will be,

to the age you first entered, then childhood eternally

 

Imagine what it would feel like to relive one day of your childhood every five years..... The sixth of July was a day that would change the course of the lives for ten-year-olds Ralphie, Daisy, Miles, Royal and Alexmarie. After accidentally stumbling upon a mysterious doorway in the middle of the forest, the five friends discovered a natural paradise which held the key to eternal youth, provided they return on exactly the same day every five years. As they embarked on the tumultuous journey of life, their fates became interwoven through grief, love, jealousy, infidelity and discord. Their one constant was the day they were allowed to live again in their ten-year-old bodies. Although this unique opportunity was an irresistible notion, its inhabitants could not shake the strong sense of foreboding that something sinister observed them as they played in their utopia. In a style that can be equated to a beautiful crossing between A Secret Garden and Peter Pan, Ellie Nicole Trotta guides young and old through a nostalgic and metaphorical journey that leaves readers longing for their own magical garden of youth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heavy Crown Press
• Release date: Mar 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393347552

Ellie Trotta

Ellie Trotta is a psychotherapist in Southern California, where she resides with her teenage daughter and high school sweetheart husband. Aside from her passion for writing, she also enjoys painting mountain and beach scenery and playing classical and jazz piano. 

Book preview

Prologue

Nine-one-one emergency.

Um, yes, hi, oh wow, um I don’t know how to say this....

Sir, what is your emergency? The operator’s tone became increasingly more agitated at the voice that stammered on the other end of the receiver.

"Well, it’s my mother.... She went into the woods and...vanished."

Vanished?

That’s right, vanished.

Into the woods?

Uh-huh.

Sir, I don’t know how old you are but we don’t have time for these prank calls. It is a federal offense to misuse the emergency hotline.

No, he protested. This isn’t a prank call. I’m dead serious. She went into the woods, into a doorway and now she’s gone.

A doorway? In the woods? What type of building is it, sir? Is she locked inside?

"No, it’s not any type of building. It’s a wall, or was a wall...but now that’s gone too."

Sir, I’m going to disconnect this call, that’s the most absurd story I’ve heard all day. Stop wasting my time. Do you know how many people with real, life-and-death emergencies might have been trying to get through while you’re giving me this half-cocked story about your mother vanishing in a doorway in the woods? You sound old enough to know better.

But.... He weakly objected as only the disconnecting click on the other end answered him.  Shaking his head, he frowned as he once again inspected the area. There had been a stone wall where he now stood and his mother had entered the doorway. A rush of panic engulfed him as he raced towards the door but it disappeared before he could reach it. After thoroughly examining the area in disbelief he was met with the daunting realization that he may never see her again.  His heart was overwhelmed with dread as no trace of her remained. Was she dead? How could he ever explain this strange phenomenon to anyone? His foot slowly tracing a line in the forest floor, he pondered his predicament. Should he stay? Was there anything more that could even be done at this point? An electrical surge pulsed through him seconds before the distant thunder clamored and the icy drops began to prickle his head. As much as it pained him, he decided to return to the hotel and collect his thoughts.

In a melancholy state he drove back towards the highway, reflecting on what had once been told to him; a secret so fantastical, yet all preexisting doubts had ceased since he now witnessed it firsthand. The more he gradually understood it, the more questions were posed but he was unsure of how to acquire the answers. He knew that it was only beneficial to go back to the beginning, a distant memory that was not even his own....

Chapter One: Age Ten

As the sun’s rays gently simmered the busy but quaint suburb of Eden, children heartily played games amongst themselves, absorbing every available drop of summer before the leaves began to change their color signaling the resumption of school. The Wilcox brothers and their friends spent their days swimming in the lake that lined the thick forest on the outskirts of town, while prissy Noelle Jameson and her group preferred to frequent the shops on Main Street. Regardless of how spent, the general consensus among all children was that these precious two and a half months should not be at all wasted.

Alexmarie Bordeaux gazed up wistfully at a giant sycamore tree. Having three older brothers had done nothing less than turn her into a complete tomboy. There was no tree she could not climb, that is, except this one. Its mere presence seemed to taunt her. The trunk was rough to the touch and its branches were at an awkward height, but a countenance of sheer determination spread across the young girl’s face as she stared at the closest branch. Inhaling deeply after calculating her next move, she jumped as high as she could, her arms outstretched. A pleased Alexmarie gripped her hands tightly around the coarse branch and she beamed momentarily. To her dismay, her hands involuntarily released as she was startled by the sudden voice beside her.

You’ll never climb this one.

Alexmarie glared at the chubby boy who had caused her defeat.

Shut up Ralphie, I’d be on top of that branch right now if you hadn’t startled me like that.  Alexmarie glanced bitterly at the fresh blisters on her palms and scowled. I had it.

"I’m telling you, nobody has ever been able to climb this tree. Not in the history of this whole town. What makes you think that you’ll be the first?"

Alexmarie gave him a nonchalant shrug. I just know I can do it. It’s destiny. I’m the best tree climber in the entire state.

"Well, somebody’s full of herself, Ralphie groaned as he rolled his eyes. He decided to change the subject. But anyway, let’s go to the woods. I think I spotted Miles and Daisy there a few minutes ago. Let’s see what they’re up to."

As the two children walked towards the direction of their friends, what had once been a carefree friendship recently had inexplicably turned into something awkward. The frequency of borderline cruel teasing seemed to have increased and neither one could quite figure out the dynamic of their friendship. Having three older brothers gave Alexmarie a sharp wit that made her almost a pro at bantering. Ralphie found that he derived almost a strange pleasure from their arguments. As much as he enjoyed any opportunity to beleaguer her, he would not have tolerated this type of behavior from anyone else. 

What do you want to climb that stupid tree for, anyway? Ralphie decided to break the uncomfortable air of silence. What’s the big deal?

Alexmarie shrugged. I dunno. I just like climbing trees. What difference does it make?

"Well, can’t you find anything else to do with your time? I mean, how much fun is it to climb a tree? It’s stupid, if you ask me. Just plain stupid."

"You’re stupid, she scoffed, not even bothering to glance in his direction. You just don’t get it because you’ve never been able to climb one. You’re just a big stupid chicken."

As they neared a clearing in the forest, they were spotted by the raven-haired Miles, who was peeling the bark from the trunk of a birch tree. Miles was the mayor’s son and a notorious whiner, albeit still a loyal friend. Characteristically hypersensitive, he would accuse people of hating him just for the mere hint of a negative attitude about him. Being dominated by two older sisters and the self-inflicted pressure of having a mayor for a mother was sometimes too much for this ten year old to bear. He found solace in the company of his companions.

Ooooh!  Miles teased as he pointed to his approaching friends. Alex and Ralphie, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! 

Shut up! A red faced Ralphie charged at him, his fists clenched in anger.

Miles continued to taunt as he darted behind a tree to dodge the furious Ralphie. First comes love, then comes marriage....

Ew, gross! Alexmarie scrunched her nose and made a gagging gesture. He has cooties. I’d rather marry a toad.

As the three friends chased each other amongst the tall trees, their laughter could be heard throughout the forest as the sun continued to warm their heads.

Let’s play hide and seek, Daisy called as she raced over to them, her pigtails flapping in the gentle breeze. "I’ll be it if you can catch me first!" With her challenge stated, she raced off while the three other children tried their best to catch up to her. Their attempts were futile. Daisy Yoshiro was the fastest runner in their entire school. Her legs were almost a blur as she left her friends behind in the dust. Turning her head to laugh at their defeat, she heard a shout as she collided into a young boy.

Hey, watch where you’re going. Shaking his head as he dusted himself off, the fair-haired boy frowned as he offered his hand to Daisy and pulled her up from the forest floor. His hair was matted and his shoes were caked with mud, the knees of his jeans torn; he frowned at the other three who were racing towards them.

Sorry Royal, I was just trying to get away from them. Quickly, she glanced around and noticed that he had constructed for himself a fort with an old army blanket flung over several branches. What are you doing?

Royal was suddenly embarrassed. Uh, nothing. Just camping. Scratching his head, he yawned and stretched out his arms, but in doing so, he inadvertently exposed several bruises on his upper arm. Daisy’s gasp was more than enough to cause him to mumble, I fell down some stairs.

Royal, she whispered gravely, her eyes widening. Did they hit you again? You know you can always come and stay at my house when that happens.

Royal shrugged as he picked up a stick and snapped it in half. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Daisy was about to respond when their friends caught up to them. Royal laughed as the rock that he threw at a squirrel caused it to scamper away in fear.

You’re so mean, Roy, Alexmarie scolded as she approached. What did that poor little squirrel ever do to you?

Are you setting up camp again? Miles asked as he observed the dirty sleeping bag under the makeshift army blanket-tent.  You’re so lucky that your parents let you camp overnight in the woods. Mine make me come home before dinner.

Yeah, lucky. Lucky, lucky me, Royal said absentmindedly as he threw another rock as hard as he could into the woodland. He forced a smile and suggested that they all go for a walk and explore the forest deeper.

I’ve never been this far into the woods before, Alexmarie shuddered and held her arms as the trees grew so close together that they were soon walking under a dark canopy. 

"It is kinda creepy," Daisy nodded in agreement.

The woods were dark and an unsettling chill began to fill the air as what appeared to be dense fog surrounded their path. Ralphie glanced at Alexmarie and envisioned himself as her protector. Suddenly, a large tiger leaped out from behind a tree and headed right towards the group of children. Ralphie instinctively stepped in front of all of them, completely self-sacrificing as the tiger’s growls grew closer. He would certainly protect all of his friends, but if that tiger so much as laid a whisker on Alexmarie....

What are you doing? Her sweet but disapproving voice snapped Ralphie out of his fantasy as he realized that his arm was wrapped around Alexmarie’s shoulders and his eyes were met by her contorted expression. "You are so gross."

He was embarrassed but tried to act casual. "You’re moving too slow, Alex. I was trying to move you along. Nothing sick, it’s not like I like you or anything."

First comes love, then comes marriage, Miles immediately resumed his teasing. 

Just kiss her and get it over with, Royal chimed in. You know that she’s your girlfriend.

Ralphie shook his fist in his face, although deep down inside he really was not as angry as he appeared. Hey! You want a knuckle sandwich?

Boys are so disgusting, Alexmarie rolled her eyes at Daisy. I don’t ever want a boyfriend; just the thought of kissing a boy makes me want to puke.

You said it, Daisy agreed. If I ever have a boyfriend, we’re just going to be in a handshake only relationship. No hugging or kissing. Yuck, that’s all mushy crap.

Ralphie and Alex! Miles laughed as a fuming Ralphie stormed after him. You’re gonna get married! 

I said shut up! He growled and lunged at Miles, who was now standing against a wall of thick ivy. Miles leaped away at the last second and Ralphie crashed into the ivy. Surprisingly, it was a very painful landing. He had expected the soft leaves to catch his fall, but instead his body ached as if he had toppled into a brick wall.

Hey, wait a minute, Ralphie said as he felt his way through the ivy again until his fingers hit what felt like cobblestone. As he started to pull down some of the vines he revealed what appeared to be an ancient stone wall.

What is this? he breathed as the other bewildered children began to help him uncover the wall.  Within a matter of minutes they uncovered the large partition that contained a single wooden door. The wall itself was incredibly tall and they could not see over the top. The children gazed in wonder at what they had just uncovered.

Their silence was broken when Daisy let out a shrill scream. The color drained from her cheeks, her mouth gaped open as she pointed towards the wooden door. 

Huh? Royal was befuddled as the children took a closer look. "This can’t be. This is....impossible."

It was most alarming to discover that their names were actually engraved on the wooden door, as it was certainly not merely a coincidence. Somehow, the children began to sense that this strange place had beckoned them and it was their destiny to have found it. 

This has got to be a joke. Daisy was skeptical as she finally came to her senses. Come on, one of you must have done this. You must have been here before. This door doesn’t....know us?

Ralphie shook his head. Not me. I’ve never even been over here before. Curious, he decided to touch his name and to their astonishment, it illuminated as if its power originated from inside.  Ralphie jumped back in surprise.

Weird, Royal was next to touch his name and the same effect happened. Miles gasped as, upon his touch, his name also lit up, and the same thing happened for Daisy.

Alexmarie was last. I don’t trust this. How does it know our names? As soon as her name was lit, the children stood back as the great door slowly and noisily opened.

Let’s go, Ralphie the leader took Alexmarie’s hand without thinking. I want to see what’s inside. Who’s with me?

The other children hesitated. Alexmarie was too stunned to even care that the cootie boy Ralphie was now gripping her hand very tightly. Miles could only hear his mother’s voice in his head, reminding him that he had to be home for dinner. Daisy was torn between her curiosity and the fear of the unknown. Only Royal was resolved in his decision. I’m with you, Ralph. 

As the children gazed into the doorway, their awe turned to wonder at the beauteousness that lay before them. Just the entrance alone was a magnificent tunnel of floral archways with the loveliest of pink and lavender hues. In the distance they could see a white gazebo next to a large lake, a lush jungle setting the backdrop beyond. A rainbow of flowers painted the blooming landscape and a family of purple butterflies fluttered quickly across their line of sight.

"It’s....beautiful,"