1. Goodbye (Fragment)

“It’s okay Olivia. We all know Charlotte is just having a hard time taking care of five of us and—”

“Ahhh!” I screeched. Lottie also shrieked. I dropped the knife I was using. Just another mistake I made. What is wrong with me? I felt my finger. For an instant I’m happy I’m blind as I feel the wound I made.

“Olivia! Are you okay? Wrap your finger in a wet towel! How could you forget—” Lottie paused as she was asking, realizing there’s no use. I heard her voice quiver as she panicked. I felt the water trickle down my fingers as she cleansed my hand.

“Is Sissy okay?” asked Elsie as she ran into the room. Elsie was the youngest of us all. She was only about three, I think.

“Hold still, Elsie! I need to braid your hair!” complained Lucy as she ran into the kitchen following Elsie. Their bare feet sounded like a galloping horse against the old wooden floors.

Lucy was only about eight and so was Laurie. If you didn’t know, Lucy and Laurie were twins.

Lucy gasped.

I swiftly turned my head and whacked her with my long braid of hair. Her mouth snapped shut. She watched quietly as Lottie wrapped my finger in a towel. Then Lottie took the bread and started slicing. Elsie just stood there in an unusual silence.

“Is Olivia going to die?” Elsie asked in a whisper. Lucy slapped her forehead as she laughed at Elsie.

“No! Run along now. And Lucy, braid Elsie’s hair and tuck her in bed. No stories tonight. We have a little business to take care of,” Lottie was quick to respond as she touched my skin with the damp towel.

Soon I was told to set the table. I took out the plates, and I suddenly remembered to be careful, since they were Mum’s favorite.

Thirty minutes later, the table was set. At least I can do that without being able to see. I came upstairs and kissed Elsie goodnight. Soon, I was quietly crawling into my tiny bed Father made for me before he left for the military. I tucked myself under a few of my blankets and pillows that were all hand sewn by Mother.

I quietly waited for Lottie to come upstairs and bring me what she could sneak into her pockets for me to eat. Charlotte never let me eat anything but leftovers. My stomach grumbled. I sighed and buried my head into my pillow, soon realizing that I was being ungrateful.

God gave me so many different things like clothes, family, a home, water, pillows, blankets, a bed, a dining table, a life! Yet, I still have a want for all the things I don’t have. Why don’t I have nice clothing, and parents, and new pillows, and new fuzzy long blankets, and a bigger bed, and more dining table chairs, and why am I blind!?