𝑳𝑨 𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑻𝑬𝑼𝑺𝑬

𝑶𝑵𝒁𝑬

𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒆 𝟏.
♱♱

𝑺𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝑷𝑶𝑽

"I'm coming down right now!" I yell out downstairs as I slipped on my shoes. Taking one final look in the mirror I scurry out of my shared room, making sure to grab my purse and lace shawl.

"Ah, elle est là." Aunt Beatrice clicks her tongue, holding baby Madeleine in her arms. "Hurry off so you can handle the bébé." Ever since I held Madeleine she has been attached to me, I was the only one who could contain her daytime fussiness.
"Oui Aunt Beatrice."
"Don't cha' worry Beatrice, I'll 'ave 'er back 'ere after 'er prayers are said and done." Miss Polly stood up from the kitchen table. "Ready darling?" Miss Polly takes a cigarette out of her purse.
"Yes ma'am." She nods her head before walking out the kitchen, I quickly give a kiss to Aunt Beatrice and Madeleine's cheek before walking out as well.

"I hope you don't mind walking to the church." Miss Polly lights her cigarette with the flick of a match. "The boys are off to the fair and took the car."
"Oh I don't mind walking, been walking to church even after Papa bought a car." I catch sight of a content smile on Miss Polly's face before she faced forward.
"My mama always said walking is good for the bones."
"A wise woman."
"Very much so." Walking through the dirty streets of Small Heath in comfortable silence, seeing all the faces of different residents.
The way they looked Polly Gray showed fear as all of them turned their heads and spoke in hushed tones. Then there were some who gave a quick "Morning Miss Polly" and kept it moving. Both never crossed her path as she walked with a confident stride, head helded high with that familiar smirk everyone in Small Heath knew. I had people looking at me like I was a 2 headed cow for even walking with Polly Gray, I knew these stares wouldn't last long because soon everyone will know that I was the niece of Beatrice Blouin, the close friend of Polly Gray.

At the altar, me and Miss Polly stood in a beautiful church, a empty beautiful church once any church-goers caught sight of Miss Polly they quickly finished up their prayers and left the church. The father was quick to greet us and scurry off to somewhere in the church.

1 candle for my mother, Dinah Lucille Blouin.
1 candle for my brother, Antoine Nicolas Blouin.
1 candle each for my family back home.
Lighting each candle, all of their smiling faces flash in my head as I prayed for them. I smile in sadness as I missed every single one of them dearly.

Looking over at Miss Polly through my white lace shawl, seeing she does the same, gracefully lighting a number of candles.
Not wanting to interrupt Miss Polly I go to take a seat in the front row, not wanting to seem impatient I take out my bible and start to read on where I left off.