The Magic of Ordinary Days Pg. 209-241

bougainvillea vines

By: Ann Howard Creel

Summary:

As Thanksgiving began, Ray went with Livvy to Camp Amache. There they met Rose and Lorelei, who gave Livvy the finished suit they were making her. They spoke about when they lived in California and even in the winter the bougainvillea vines still grew so they took a picnic and watched the koi fish. Later they went to Martha's, at the table they all gave something they were thankful for. Ray said he was thankful that Daniels seat was not empty. Ray even took Livvy's hand and she did not pull away. Livvy thought of Edward and how when she still lived in Denver sent him letters and she received none. She later was talking to Ruth who asked her if she wanted a boy or a girl. She concluded a girl because a boy wouldn't have the Singleton blood so he couldn't carry on the name.

That night Livvy's back hurt so she took some aspirin. Ray was concerned so he suggested a back rub. As he rubbed her she fell asleep but when she awoke ray was laying beside her. He sweetly claimed that he wanted to hold her. He asked Livvy if she could love him as much as she loved Edward. He said he will wait until she does. But she says he deserves better and she isn't right for Ray. Ray just got up and left her to sleep.

The night ended in a silent fight. They stopped talking and didn't wait for each other. She finally asked if leaving would be better. Exclaiming loudly, Ray yelled no giving into almost tears. While putting away clothes, Livvy notices a calendar. On it, Pearl Harbor was circled. For Daniel. She flipped back and saw Livvy 3 months lightly written. She realized that she knows more about Ray than she knew about Edward.

The tension soon left. On Pearl Harbor, the day Daniel died, Livvy woke up to a box sitting on the table. She peered in and saw photos of Ray's family. The ones she thought were gone. Ray explained that when their parent's died Daniel boxed up all of their things and put them in the attic. Ray granted Livvy permission to decorated the house with the memories of his family. Also in the box, were babies stuff for Ray's and Daniels past. Ray and Livvy later went to explore the part of the farm Livvy hasn't seen. There Ray told more stories of Daniel and him. Allowing Livvy to see into his past.

Response:
I thought it was very brave of Ray to go to Camp Amache. Livvy knows he doesn't like going there. When the girls were talking about Thanksgiving in California it brought back memories of when I went and saw many gardens. I wanted to live there it was so beautiful. Ray wanted nothing more but for Livvy to love him but she thinks she isn't good enough. Ray doesn't care about quality, he just fell in love with his wife nothing more. But I think Livvy is warming up and realizing her destiny. Ray is the sweetest person I have ever read about. He wrote on his calendar about there 3 months even though Livvy doesn't love him. Ray is even over coming his sadness because of Livvy. Livvy opened up his heart again. She brought happiness into his heart after the deaths in his familiy. Livyy just needs to realize that her dreams may not happen. But instead will make her even happier because love is standing right infront of her.