1. Goodbye (Fragment)

I heard Laurie abruptly come in shouting something I couldn’t even understand until he stopped mid-sentence. He climbed up to the room Lottie and I shared and stood quietly as if he were waiting for me.

I laughed at myself. Why would he be waiting for me?

Then, I realized, I was being waited for as Laurie came up to me and tugged me out of my bed. Slowly and cautiously, I climbed down the little stairs Father made especially for me so I would never fall.

As I approached the table, I heard Charlotte loudly chuckle. I sat down and stiffened as I heard Charlotte chuckle again. Lottie offered me some tea trying to break the silence.

“Charlotte, I don’t think this is fair, I—” Lottie silenced, then sat back down with her back hitting the chair with a crash. But I wasn’t scared. If I could help it, I’d never be scared. But there’s always something to be afraid of if you’re not with God.

“So, I have some news,” Charlotte said proudly.

Lucy sat down with a thump. I sat there longing for something to eat as Laurie was stuffing his mouth with slices of bread and pork.

“You all are leaving for Birmingham, England tomorrow,” Charlotte announced. She covered up an excited giggle with a cough. Laurie stopped chewing and Lucy started to sniffle quietly. Lottie touched my arm. I was glad I couldn’t see her sober face.

“Oh sorry. I thought you were leaving tomorrow. Well, nevermind. Let’s be grateful you’re even leaving. Elsie shall join you,” Charlotte said with a hard pat on my head. I felt the wave of her anger hit me through her hand. I shuddered.

Even though I couldn’t see, I could feel her glare after I shuddered. I felt a swoosh of wind. I squinted expecting to be hit. But I didn’t feel anything because Elsie came down the stairs.

“Where is Mum?” she asked for the first time ever.

Charlotte froze. She sounded as if she were ready to just fall on her knees and cry. She didn’t, of course, because she was too prim and proud to do that. She just let silence hang in the air as if time were frozen.

Then, Lottie directed me to the bed where Charlotte sleeps, sat down, and patted her lap for Elsie to sit. She was signaling for us to sit with her. As I dumbly stood there, Lucy stood up and pulled a chair up to the bed for me. I quietly thumped down in my chair, relieved that Elsie saved me. I wiped sweat off my face. Laurie ran towards us but then slowed down when he came closer.