Sabbath Day

My Imagination

Part 2

"Do you not...?" William Charles for the first time ever seemed to not know how to finish his sentence.

"Do I not what?" I tilted my head in confusion.
William grabbed my arm. He blankly stared until the church bell chimed. The one that only rang when another session began.

"Mother is going to notice I've disappeared."
He didn't move an inch.
"William, let go." I spoke in a harsh tone and he finally snapped out of it.

I stepped back and turned around to walk away, leaving him in such a distraught state. What exactly did he mean? Do I not know? Is that what he had meant to say? But that's exactly why I asked...simply because I did not know. And why did he touch me like that?

In church he behaves. He does everything he is told even when he is not told. I've never seen him harass a lady. Is that what he was doing then? He was harassing lady...?

I passed the stained glass windows once again. This time the entrance to church was full of people ready to leave, and older people buzzing right in.

I spotted Mother with Father. How terribly out of place I looked without them near me telling me to stand up straight. To pick up my gown so I shall not step on it and trip. I rushed to them as fast as I could.

"Oh, there she is!" Mother pointed.
As I got closer I could see the carriage ready to pick us up. It was dark black with strips of silver surrounding the windows and doors. The wheels were big and oversized.

"Bridgette Annalise Beth! Where have you been?"
She looked more worried than Father.
"I was just..."

The coachman, Andrew, opened the door carefully and bowed his head. Mother steps in, the coachman holding her hand like a fragile vase to help her in.

Father steps in without any help whatsoever.
"I pray for you Miss Beth. The only reason your father hasn't spoken is because he has too much to say." Andrew whispered.
I gulped at his words and he closed the door. In my imagination it took forever for him to do so.
My mothers hands found mine which caught my attention.

"You remember the Hamilton's family, Bridgette?"
I tried to remember. A couple. A short lady whose hair looked like it was painted a bright orange and dazzling set of hazel green eyes. A man barely taller than her. A young beautiful couple with a perfect reputation. It would take something big to ruin them. So what ever could it be?

"It turns out Mrs. Hamilton was unable to give Mr. Hamilton children."
My mother could not bring herself to say the words so my father continued. He sat back and crossed his arms then opened his mouth to speak only using his voice when he found the words to do so.

"Together they planned to take in a child."
"You mean like adoption?" I asked.
He nodded his head.
I couldn't understand. I retreated from my mothers hands.

"That's wonderful news is it not?"
Mother and Father both exchanged a look.
"The boy was promised everything. All his documents were given to the Hamilton's. Today they were meant to finalize the adoption but..."
Father couldn't finish his words.
"But what?" I asked.

"Bridgette, they died the night before." Dad muttered.

•|| FLASH FORWARD ||•

Eleanor could not stop blabbering as she helped me get ready for bed. She somehow managed to continue speaking as she slipped out each and every string from my corset.

The windows of my room were letting in the soft glow of sunset.
"Miss Beth! I cannot fathom how you stand all day in a corset at church. My mother did not dream of letting me wear those things until I reached well over eighteen."

It was well into the afternoon. The afternoon of such an intense day. William Charles never got to telling me what was with him and that girl.

I was beginning to wonder if I even wanted to know.
"I don't understand...why is it such an awful thing for a young lady to wear a corset? The girls at school wear them too."

She knelt down and helped me step out of my large petticoat.
"I'm going to assume your mother will have my head if I tell you anything past what she and your governess have taught you."

As soon as the pounds of fabric were off me, petticoat and all, I skipped to my bed and collapsed into its soft comfortable pillows and mattress.

"My lady, you have yet to put on your night gown." Eleanor scolded.
"Tomorrow..." I was half asleep as I noticed her walk away and close the door behind her.

I must have fell asleep too early because I had awoke in the middle of the night. It was almost pitch black outside and I couldn't tell how long I was asleep for.

I got up from bed and drifted away still in a doze. I found myself in front of one of the mirrors in my room.

The one with extravagant gold lining and a natural light pink color mostly taking over its frame. My hair was awfully messy. It was hard to take care of it when it fell down to my waist. It was too dark to be seen as its natural black color. My dark brown eyes looked practically black.

I was made fun of at the schoolhouse for not looking like other girls. My complexion was unusual. Freckles spread across my face like little pecks of paint. My lips were full and pinkish.

As for everything else, I was normal and average. Most boys like girls with bigger hips and frail figures right? But it would make me cringe, falling down to my knees just for the pleasure of a man.

I thought of the lady William was with at church. Letting my mind wander as to what she looked like. He seems like the type to like pretty girls with blonde hair and blue eyes. I thought of how her dress looked. A gown made from the most expensive Tailors. Made with the most expensive fabric, and what if each piece was hand made, down to the silk gloves. My governess says I have the imagination of a child.