𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭

~𝐃𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐲~

"Mother I will not marry him!" I state.
Mother seems to be baffled, so does Fredrick.
"Aren't I to marry Fredrick?"
They both let out a snort, shortly followed by a laugh.
"No" mother says, breathless.
My cheeks flush red as I feel embarrassed.
You foolish, why did you say that aloud?

"Darling, you will not marry anyone." She says trying to contain her laughter.
"Oh, um- I- I thought."
"Look, this is serious though, meet me at the office"
Wow mother, this is definitely not my first time here. I hold the urge to babble that as she gestures to a man in what I assume is his fourth decade.

He takes me to the office, during which I take a little glimpse of the house.
It's very old, I could tell the house was once something beautiful, but it's now worn out.
The floors are creaky, wallpaper peeling, and picture frames falling off.
The office akin to the rest of the house.

I take a seat and patiently wait for mother.
Investigating the room, I notice loads of things.
I could spot a very worn out fireplace, with books blocking it's view.
Perched on the dusty desk loads of papers scattered everywhere, ink, typewriter, candles and what not.
But my eyes land on one thing in particular, a picture frame that's faced towards the window.
Though the whole room is stripped of frames, this is the only one standing.
I grap it in my hands and take a good look at it.
My heart beat races as I notice it's a picture of me and my parents.
In the picture, I was a baby, barely 6 months old I assume.
They're both holding me with tight arms.
I notice my tears started dripping on the glass, making a pathway clear of dust.
But I remind myself that they're alive and well.

Father.
I have totally forgotten about Father.
I cannot wait to see him. To hug him. To hear him call me baby one more time.
And since I've been mad at him for leaving me alone all these years, I will personally demand he makes up to me.

A light knock on the door bursts through my thoughts, quickly I wipe my tears, and place the frame back in it's place.