The Pathes of Life and Love

This is an alternate ending to Barbara Kingsolver's novel, The Bean Trees. In this response it is displayed that love is a powerful thing and it can dramatically alter a person's decision. The main character, Taylor Greer, has fallen in love with a refugee named Estevan. Him and his wife had recently left the small town of Tucson where Taylor lives. In the novel Estevan and Taylor never see eachother again, but I felt that they desearved one last goodbye, so I altered the ending. Through their seperation they discover their love for one and other, but even their true love cannot pull each of them from their true path of life.

Slowly I pulled out of the driveway. I wasn't sure which way to turn. As I watched Estevan turn away I could feel the hot tears begin to roll down my face. I drove, drove for miles, crying all along the way. I had never felt this way; the one man I ever loved, I let walk away right before my eyes. But the thing is, I couldn't do anything about it. The car slowed down and I pulled it to the side of the road. I looked to the back seat to check on my sweet Turtle. She was in a deep sleep and she looked happy. She was so content with her goodbye, why couldn't I be like that? It was so hard for me. It's confusing, I had never really gotten what I wanted but things seemed to stack up anyways, why is it so hard for me to lose him when I'm so used to losing things?

She finally opened her eyes. "Good morning sunshine." I smiled.
"Ma!"
I picked her up and hugged her close. I could feel the tears once more. After a couple minutes of holding each other I realized what I had to do. Starting the car was the first step, I put the car in drive and pulled it back on the road. My sights were set on home. Lou Ann was waiting for me and that was where the comfort was. Lou Ann and I could get through this together.

"Lou Ann! We're home." I yelled.
She ran down stairs and gave me a huge hug. Then she leaned down and lifted up Turtle and smiled real big at her. I was home. There was no doubt about that, I just missed Estevan.

Three weeks later, Mattie knocked on our door. "Taylor, I have something to tell you." Mattie said with grief in her eyes.
"What is it?"
"Esperanza is dead."
I burst into tears. Mattie grabbed my hand and began reassuring me that everything will be alright and Estevan is a strong man; I already knew that. Then she looked me straight in the eyes and told me something that left me speechless.
"Taylor, I want you to listen to me. When I talked to Estevan you were the first one he mentioned. He didn't even want me to tell you about Esperanza, but I felt like I had to. He wanted to tell you himself, so he asked if you would come visit him."
I wanted to smile, but I knew that was not the way to react. Immediately Mattie took me to my room and helped me start packing. The room was silent. I wasn't sure what to say. I was in such shock.

As we loaded up the car and began to drive, Mattie looked to me. "I want you to know its okay to love him. He cares for you so deeply and you’re the only way that he will get through losing Esperanza. I can't help him as much as you can." I smiled, but I also cried. It was so touching to know that I was the one he wanted to turn to for comfort.

We pulled into the drive and I got out right away. I ran up the stairs of the building, frantically searching for Estevan. I knocked on the door, and a woman answered. She looked at me and right away she knew who I was. I walked in and saw him immediately. He stood up from his chair and walked towards me with a smile on his face. I burst into tears; I didn't understand why he was so happy.

"Taylor, I have been waiting for you." He took me in his arms and held me as I cried. "I love you. Will you come with me? Will you grow old with me? Will you make a family with me?"

I looked up at him and smiled. "Oh Estevan, I want to do all those things, but my life is here. It makes me so happy to hear you say that, I wish that it was easier, but I want you to know that I love you and that will never change. I pray that you will be safe and find your way. You will always be on my mind." I began to cry again. "I have to let you go Estevan. Please know that I care more than anyone could possibly understand. But this has to be goodbye. It's for the best." The tears rushed down my face as I locked eyes with him.

"Taylor, I want you to go on with your life and raise Turtle in a safe and comforting home. I do not expect you to come with me, I just want you to know that I will be missing you. And I had to ask."

I hugged him once more and then left. I felt satisfaction, which seemed strange considering what had just happened. What I needed to hear had been said and that was the end of it. Now it was my turn to start my own journey-- to live a life worth remembering.