Secrets in the Battlements

Chapter II

Violet heaved a sigh of nostalgia as she glanced around her room. It was empty except for her bed, dresser, and couple boxes of memorabilia that she didn't have need to bring with her. She grabbed her purse and closed the door of the childhood room behind. The aura of waffles and hash browns filled the air as she descended the stairway heading towards the kitchen. 

"Good morning, sweetie," her father said, placing down his newspaper. 

Just then, her younger sister skipped into the room, in a most innocent juvenile manner. She squeezed Violet with a hug. 

"I'm just pretending that you're not leaving today," she smiled half-halfheartedly.

"It'll be alright, Vivi, I'll be back before you know it, for Fall break. And I left a surprise in the attic playroom for you!"

Viviana, being eight years younger than Violet, had not spent much time playing with her older since they had always been in different stages of life. So Vi left her favorite dolls for her ten year old sister.

Ms. Arnold laid the plates heaping with brunch onto the round breakfast table. The family sat around chatting and reminiscing about what seemed to Violet, her whole life. They had done this a few too many times before today, at restaurants and dinner parties of friends, neighbors, and family all wishing Violet best of luck as she headed to university. Although she would miss her family dearly and cherished the time she had spent with them, she felt embarrassed by all the attention directed toward her. Characteristically, she contained these feelings and listened quietly.

When breakfast was finished she helped her mom and sister clean the dishes while her dad went to make certain that everything was in order with her car. Then came time to bid farewells. The family walked down their paved sidewalk to the curb where Violet's Volkswagen bug waited. Her mother began to stifle a cry, as Violet had expected and dreaded, as she was an extremely empathetic individual.

"I made you some snacks for the road trip,"she said as she handed over a bag of homemade goodies. Vivi stepped up."Oh, and I made you a CD of my favorite songs, so you can listen to them while you drive." She wrapped her small arms around Violet's abdomen and Violet gently put her hands around her sisters head. "I love you," murmured the little voice. Violet kissed her on the forehead then turned towards her parents. "Goodbye, I love you both," she hugged each then got into her car. "I will call you as soon as I arrive!" she called. Then with a putt-putt of the motor the little car pulled away down the sunny street. Violet waved back at her huddled family standing beneath her quaint brick house which was lined with the daisies and roses of her mothers garden. She would miss that refreshing smell of late summer flowers. She would miss the soft green grass and wooded yard where her tree-fort stood and memories remain. She would miss their loved patio where she always spent her time on the worn porch swing. Nevertheless she was beyond eager to begin a new adventure.

She gazed ahead into the morning sunshine paving a way through the lush green oaks. She breathed in a breeze of new beginnings.