A Weather Eye on the Horizon

A Weather Eye on the Horizon (3)

keep commenting, you guys! THe good part's coming!

May 25, 1720

Dear little book,

Well, the wedding is over. Sarah has moved out. The house seems strangely quiet already. The wedding was beautiful. Sarah was the prettiest bride you have ever seen. Davy was the ring boy, and I was a bridesmaid! I got a new dress just for it. Most of my dresses are quite plain, my everyday ones, that is. But this one is beautiful, a light green silk with a lacy throat and cuffs, and five slits in the sleeves! I was only ever allowed three, so this is a step up for me. Jane and Abigail could, and I was always envious of them. I love it! I would not want to wear it everyday, but for special occasions…

Well, Mama was crying through it, along with John’s mother. He made a very handsome groom, and I can tell Sarah will be happy with him. I am so pleased for her. She deserves him, I think. She will have a good life. When she was walking up the aisle, I thought my heart was being squeezed. I do not know exactly why. And the ceremony was beautiful. Sarah looked radiant with joy. I am so pleased for her.

I am starting to sound like an old lady! Speaking of old, Grandma came for the wedding. I love Grandma. She’s my mama’s mother, so she speaks mainly Spanish. I can mostly understand, but sometimes she talks too fast. She was the life and soul of the party, though.

I do not think John’s mother approved of Grandma. Or Mama. She seems to be under the impression that they’re Spanish, which they’re not. Well, I guess they are, really, seeing as they’re from New Spain. The colony is ruled by Spain, so I guess they are Spanish. But Mama came over here to Barbados, which is an English island. And even if our whole family can speak Spanish – if not completely fluently – we are still English. I personally think she is jealous of Mama. Mama is beautiful, with her long black hair, and her dancing grey eyes. I am supposed to look exactly like her, but I do not think I am pretty. Sarah is, with her long sandy hair and blue eyes like Father, but me? I do not think so.

It was a nice wedding, though. I was a little awkward through it all, but I must admit, watching Sarah walk up the aisle, holding herself so confidently, I could not blame Mama for crying. The priest said the ceremony, and then there was a long reception afterwards. I was rather bored through it all, for everyone was congratulating the couple, and hugging each other, and reminiscing about their weddings. Blah. It was all rather dull. So when Luke left the party and went around to the back of the house to throw a ball around with some other boys, I went too, although I had to be careful of my dress. Luke and Sam were with them, which was odd, because for a moment I felt as though I were seven years old again, tagging along with Luke and his nine-year-old friends. At that age, he began to grow a little more annoyed with me. I think he did not want to be around me anymore. But the moment soon vanished as the boys refused to allow me to join in. When I (furiously of course) asked them why on earth I could not, they told me because I had a dress on. I was very bothered by this, and even more so when Luke did nothing, simply sided with them. Not, of course, that I expected him to side with me.

I went back to the reception in a rage, and walked a little with Grandma. That cooled me down, even if I did not understand all that she said. Unlike Mama and Grandma, none of us children, or even Father, can speak the language fluently. I know enough to force my way through with a Spaniard, but I do not think I could pass as one. Although, I do look like one, even with my grey eyes.

I am rather tired now, of course, but the grownups (now Sarah is among them!) are downstairs, I think drinking wine. I think I shall go join them to see what they’re talking about.

Later that Night

Dear little book,

Well, there is good news. Grandma is moving in with us! She decided that life is too hard on her own. She had lived with Mama’s brother Perico after Grandfather died, but Uncle Perico has eight children, all of which are younger than me, so it’s hard for her to stay. So she’s now living with us! Hurray!