Maybe Someday

Growing Up

Over the years, Bucky became a close friend of our family. Many times, Steve and I ventured over to his house and as they played, Mrs. Barnes tried to teach me how to craft and cook. As we grew older, Steve continued to get in arguments and come home beat up. I was kept in the house under the protection of my mother and brother as the world became a more dangerous place. By the time I was eighteen, I was only allowed out with both Bucky and Steve at my side and only during the day. I carried a photo of the two incase I got lost.

Today was my lucky day. They were taking me out! Today was my nineteenth birthday. Bucky and Steve told me this morning that they were going to go to the amusement park for a while then take me out to dinner. I was just putting on a necklace when someone knocked on my bedroom door. "Annabelle, are you ready?" Steve asks.

"Just a second!" I call back I strap on my shoes and open the door.

"Do you have your picture?" I nod as Steve puts my hand on his arm and escorts me to the car where Bucky is driving. "Good."

"Good afternoon, Bucky!" I greet as he helps me in.

"Happy Birthday, Annabelle. Are you ready for dinner?"

"I'm ready to get out of the house again," I tell him. "I feel like a caged bird sometimes. I have room to play in but I can't leave."

"Tonight, you're going to have fun for your birthday. Steve and I talk to your mom and she's letting you stay out a little past dark with us so we have extra time."

I gasp, "Really?! Thank you!" I laugh as Bucky drives us to my favorite diner down the street. Steve helps me in as Bucky parks and we sit down. "So, what have you been up to lately, Bucky?" I ask.

"Nothing much. Charming ladies and working really. Anything new for you two?"

"I've been learning lots of crafts from your mother, Bucky," I smile. "She's taught me some knitting and I think it's going well."

"That's great!" Steve says, rubbing my back. Our food comes and we talk as we eat by the time we're done and leave, it's colder outside. I don't feel the heat of the sun. We get back in the car and I smile the entire way. The ride feels different and when we stop, I hear music.

"Steve, Bucky, where are we? This doesn't seem like home." I don't get a reply. Bucky opens up the side door and helps me out. As we walk in, the music gets louder. "Where are we going?"

"You always wanted to dance," Bucky states. "Here is your chance!" I smile and twirl around. I feel someone wrap their arms around my waist and guide my hands. We start slowly and I step on his toes a few times. By the end of the night, I've danced with both Steve and Bucky a few times. Finally, it's time for us to go home. Bucky drops us off and walks to the door.

"I had a really great time tonight. Thank you." I wrap my arms around Bucky then Steve. "You don't realize how much tonight meant to me." I wave to Bucky as Steve leads me inside. Our mother comes and makes sure we're both alright before sending us to bed.

Months pass. In the autumn, Steve let me outside and we play as leaves fall around us. We drink hot chocolate in the winter and he and Bucky even take me skating. My birthday passes and I listen to the fireworks as Bucky, Steve and I sit on a blanket. When autumn comes around again, my mother gets sick. Steve spends as much time as he can with her and I sit with her, trying to comfort her. I don't really know what's going on. Each time I ask, Steve redirects my questions. I'm scared of what's going to happen.

Bucky comes over one day and I sit with him in the living room. "What's happening to my mom?"

Bucky hesitates for a second. "Your mom is going to be fine. It's just a cold."

I turn away, my head down. "Please don't lie to me." He starts to talk but I cut him off. "Please, tell me the truth. Steve won't tell me anything and I know it's not a cold. She's been sick for so long. I need to know."

He sighs before wrapping his arms around me. "She has tuberculosis. She caught is taking care of the people at the hospital. It's not looking so good, right now." Tears well up in my eyes and start to stream down my face. I sob as Bucky tries to calm me down. "I'm so sorry, Annabelle."

The door opens. "What's wrong, Annabelle?" Steve ask. He gives me a hug and I push him off.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I scream. "Why?!"

He hesitates. "What do you mean?"

"Why didn't you tell me our mother is dying?!" I whisper shout so she can't hear. Tears fall faster and faster.

Steve pulls me into another hug and I just sit there. "I didn't want you to worry. I hoped," he pauses. "I hoped she would get better and you wouldn't need to know. I'm sorry."

I cry and cry, holding my brother like my life depended on it. Eventually, the tears stop and I feel exhausted. I feel like I'm being carried. I'm set on my bed and the blankets pulled up to my neck. The door is opened and close downstairs and Steve comes back to my room. He pulls the blankets up and wraps his arms around me. I cuddle into him, finding warmth and comfort.