Lie to Me

Chapter Two:

       

“Mrs. Roselyn, you must go shopping for some more clothing this afternoon.  These dresses are far too youthful for you now.  You should not be wearing some of these old dresses.”  Charlotte murmured while fumbling through the wardrobe.  Roselyn thought of the last time she went shopping, it seemed to be months ago.  The memory of her sister and herself picking out dresses for each other fluttered through her mind.  “I have no desire to go shopping today.”  Roselyn replied sharply.  “I did not mean to anger you.” Charlotte said softly.  Roselyn knew this was a strange response from Charlotte.  Charlotte would not have let her off so easily for snapping at her. “I apologize,” Roselyn sighed, “it just feels like such a strange day.”  She rolled herself out of bed and crossed the room to her vanity.  She sat down and looked at her reflection.  Her dark brown hair had big curls that reached slightly past her shoulder blades.  Her olive toned skin seemed to have no color in her cheeks this morning.  She saw Charlotte make her way to the vanity, with a brush in her hand.  She frowned, “Well, if you’re not going to get new clothing, at least allow me to scrub and wash your old dresses.”  She sighed.  Roselyn watched through the mirror as Charlotte combed through her long locks of hair.  She studied Charlotte’s face. Deep lines and wrinkles on her face etched months of unhappiness and stress.  She appeared to have dark circles under her eyes as well.  She seemed to have aged since the death of Mary Margaret.  Like she has stressed about it as much as the Ewell family has.               

              “Maybe you could go with me this afternoon?”  Roselyn asked, suddenly realizing how childish she sounded.  She saw a smile creep up on Charlotte’s face, “Of course I will.  Your father will be glad to hear you’re leaving the house.  It will be good for you, Roselyn, I promise.”            

               Roselyn felt strange without her mourning clothes on anymore.  She felt as if she left her last connection with her older sister now.  She looked at her reflection one last time.  Her hair now half up and the other half free falling down her back.  She wore a light green dress that clung to her figure down to the hips, where it belled out enormously with many layers of the same soft, green fabric.  Roselyn scurried pass her father’s office.  “Roselyn?” She hears him call.  She sighs and peers inside the room, “Yes father?”.  “Don’t forget to get a dress for Founder’s Day.  I’m glad you have decided to go out today.  It’s best to move on from your sister’s death.”  He says coldly, only raising his head to take a sip of his morning tea.  “I’ll be home before supper.”  He clears his throat as a response and runs his hands through his slick brown hair.  Roselyn leaves the house with a sense of urgency and awaits Charlottes company.