The Weeping Witch

Chapter Thirteen:

  A kiss of bad luck.

That is what I chose to call what Thomas had done. In the days following that night, once again I kept my distance due to my being scared and uncertain with how I felt. Although I was very curious and intrigued after the shock ran its course. I became more prone to the thought of returning such an intimate touch. Though I buried that idea in the deepest corners of my mind. The days didn't seem so dull now that I had found that Thomas' feelings for me did seem to be sincere. I felt like I finally had something to live for. Day to day my mind was often lingering on that forbidden night. Grandmother taught me to guard my heart -more my soul very diligently. Allowing no one, even a man such as Thomas to find an easy path to my heart. Grandmother told me that if a man is true to his profession of love for you, then he is willing to walk through hellfire to one day call your heart his. I never doubted her wise words until this point. What if I was putting Thomas through unnecessary trials? Maybe I had headed Grandmother's words too carefully. Perhaps she forgot that there are no perfect people in this world. And I feel it selfish to believe there are. If I were to put Thomas through such a hard time would he not just tire and find someone else who was less trial and more victory? He could so easily do so. I would lose the only person I loved. I couldn't think of such a horrid thought. How could I let him go to be with someone else? I just couldn't, and I wouldn't. He meant far too much to me.

The clouds parted and a bright glistening light shone down. I sat in silence allowing the warm rays of the sun to smile on my gloomy spirits. I was sitting under the large oak tree close to the fields in which my Father worked. This was the place Grandmother and I would come and sit when I was very young. She would tell me stories of the old world where she and Mother traveled from. I would sit so quietly taking in every last detail. Sometimes it sounded a great deal more exciting than the life we built here. When I complained, Grandmother would tell me each time that no matter where I went, trouble would always follow. She said evil spirits had a way of doing that. And that was each person's destiny: To overcome the evil spirits who try to rip our minds and souls apart. Grandmother was fairly certain that they had ripped apart the people and their lives in the old world. Which is why they came to make a life in the new world. It was that day I begun to see another side of life. Grandmother would start revealing more and more to me.

Reaching down to pluck a blade of grass, I caressed it between my forefinger and thumb, before tearing it down the center. I nodded to myself, I decided that maybe I would speak to Thomas. I would tell him that I was ready to be his wife. And this time. This time finally I would truly, sincerely mean it.

"Milli?" Shocked, I turned my head to see Rose walking towards me through the growing green grass.

"Rose!" I exclaimed, rising to my feet.

"Milli, we must talk." Her voice revealed a tone which told me something was not quite right.

"Is everything alright?" I asked.

Rose shook her head. "I had thought you made up your mind."

An uneasy feeling crept up my spine, forcing my body to shiver. "My mind?" I repeated. "Made up my mind about what?" I was unsure I wanted to hear her answer.

"About Thomas! Milli, I heard, and saw he has agreed with his mother's wishes to court, and marry Lily Cardwell!"

My heart dropped to my feet, and I felt a horrible, horrible ache in my chest. I quickly swallowed the large lump forming in my throat, and hurriedly blinked back the stinging tears which were trying to escape my cheeks. I had been aware that Lily Cardwell had been eyeing Thomas for quite some time, ever since she came of age. Although she is merely fifteen, she seemed to be eagerly awaiting marriage. Especially to Thomas. Lily is a very lovely young girl. Her hair was a honey brown, and curled softly over her shoulders when it wasn't stuffed into her perfectly white cap. Her eyes were a large, doe brown. I know all she longed for was love. She radiated a loving, kind soul. Quite a perfect wife for any man. Yet, my fear was brought to life. I had forced Thomas to endure waiting for too long. Now, through my selfishness I would never have him. I was given so many chances. I allowed them to slip through my fingers. There was no one I loved. No one I cared for. It had always been Thomas. Somewhere deep down inside my heart I always loved him since the first day I met him and he teased me until I was close to tears. Now I had lost him forever.