Chapter 1

 I remember the day clearly. It was sunny, and the temperature was warm. It was the middle of May, and there was not a cloud in the sky. We had just celebrated Mothering Sunday. My mother left early that morning for work. She had a small bakery cart that she stationed outside of a series of local stores. Mr. Briney had once owned the store she usually stationed her cart in front of. Mother previously had a relationship with him. He owned a candle-making store, this was before he disappeared. Mother would bring home the candles for me; I loved their smell. Some smelled like Chamomile and honey. Others smelled like Cinnamon and vanilla. Others I cannot explain. A sweet and calming combination that I cannot place. Each one had a way of making a person’s soul feel loved and relaxed. I enjoyed his company in our household, and I thought I was finally going to have a father. There were days when he would spend hours of time with me. We would play chess, scrabble, and various other games. We enjoyed dinner together, and I recall he was a great cook. Much better than the creative attempts my mother would try to conjure up. She was a very imaginative cook but, they rarely tasted good. I would never say that to her. I was always taught to be appreciative when someone cooks for you so, I would fake a smile and do my best to swallow.

He was a wonderful man. I would hear mother frolicking with him late at night. I used to dream that they would become married, and our family would be complete. One night, I was about to fall asleep and ignore them when I heard him ask her about the state of my condition. I waited anxiously to hear something yet, mother never replied or said a word. Oddly though, I never heard him leave the next morning. We never saw him again. My mother never cried, she said that he had an emergency and moved to Wales.

About a month later, after Mr. Briney moved away suddenly. my mother came home with a completely different man. He was very handsome, he was tall I would say, about six foot and three inches. He had dark wavy hair and hazel eyes. He was muscular fit but trim like he was a professional boxer. With broad shoulders. I never mentioned this but as a young girl, I found him quite a catch. We all had dinner together, and she introduced him to me as "Hunter Eldridge." I was sure I had heard of him; he was successful in America with stores devoted to selling books. I loved to read so I was overjoyed when my mother announced that she was going to be having a relationship with him. She said there was something about him that called to her soul, and believed it was true love.

He started to visit me as often as mother would allow him to, and I loved interacting with him. Mother never let me leave the house in my crippled state. I had no idea how my mother was able to afford such luxuries as a tutor since we were not very wealthy. I will forever be grateful to Hunter. One day I overhead him talking to my mother. He was inquiring about my condition and how it happened. I waited again to see what would happen. Mr. Brinley disappeared after asking. I prayed that Hunter would not disappear as well. I was shocked to find that my mother was answering him. She has never done that with anyone else. She would usually never speak of it. If she did speak of it, she would talk up how pathetic I was in my illness. Honestly, the way she would always exaggerate the story had me doubting the truth of her words. She was always trying to make me a charity case for pity to gain attention. Some people would contribute money to her, in efforts to find a cure for me or to help me get better. I watched as Hunter tried to ask her concerning it. His eyes said seemed to have held her captive, and she shared the same story she tells everyone else. To my delight and her shock, he offered to provide me with his own medicine. My mother did not say a word, she only glared at him as he tried to persuade her. She within time snapped “Fine” then walked out of the room.

 He arrived the next day at our house with a small bottle of liquid. It was reddish color yet, it tasted kind of sweet. I do not know what concoction he administered to me but, it worked. I was cured within a week, and I could finally have a normal life! My mother, though, I am not sure why, she looked as though she resented me. It deeply hurt, I thought she would be happy that I could finally be normal again.

Being normal again meant that I could finally spend time with my best friend. Her name is Barbara, she was my only friend that associated with me even after I was crippled. Barbara lived down the lane from our house. Shortly after I was cured, the first thing I did was run to her house. I arrived at her door, I knocked on her door and her maids answered. Carmina was shocked to see me standing at the door. She let me in without a word. Barbara had just turned thirteen years old. I had walked in on her birthday party. Barbara was shocked and excited to see me looking well. She introduced me to everyone in the room.

 

When I had returned home after celebrating with her Hunter was visiting. I excitedly told him about my friend and everyone there. How everyone in the house had welcomed me and showed me lots of love. After that day, he persuaded my mother to allow me to attend school with her. He wanted me to attend the best schools, and he wanted me to have an amazing life. He said that he wanted me to regain the years of life I had lost, making friends, and living my life.

I was elated to attend “Belvedere Academy” with Barbara. I previously attended “Whitefield Primary School” it was found close to my mother’s old house.

I remember vaguely hating it there. I had many friends before my demise. I hated it cause there was a boy who would constantly dominate me. He acted as if we were chosen for each other. I knew his parents, and they always gave me bad vibes. Through my physical disability, and isolation. Henry and Barbara were the only ones who would be allowed to visit me. I could not tolerate him. He would not leave me alone. After a few years, he stopped coming to visit and I was thrilled.