By the Potomac

Chapter Four

Aunt Susan arrived fifteen minutes late. She looked both me and Annalise over, making sure we were fit enough to live with, or for her to come live with us. She didn't want misbehaved children running around her house, nor did she want to be responsible for us if we were naughty. Aunt Susan was a stout women, with haunting green eyes and brown hair pulled back in one single braid. Sadly, I inherited some of her traits. Brown hair, long face, green eyes; though Father said my eyes were brighter than hers. Annalise inherited my Mother's traits(whereas I inherited my Father's side). She had almost white-blond hair and beautiful blue eyes.

"They're decent enough," my aunt said.

"All right girls, you are dismissed. Let us adults talk in private," Margaret shooed us off. Annalise patted my back.

"Cheer up, Liesel! Your birthday's tomorrow!" Annalise said cheerfully. I stared blankly at her.

~

The sun streamed in through my window, hurting my eyes. I hated the sun. It was too happy for me. I sat up, remembering that it was my birthday. I didn't care anymore. My mother was dead.

As I sat down at the dining table, Annalise, Margaret, John, and Katherine all yelled "Happy Birthday!", rather half-heartedly. They all tried to act brave in front of me, but I knew they were upset too.

Margaret gave me tons of sweets, Annalise gave me a kitten to cheer me up, Katherine gave me a hair ribbon, and John gave me the journal Mother would've given me. I managed a half-smile. I at least felt a little better.

After lunch, I went up to Mother's room. One by one, I took all one-hundred some books from her bookshelf and moved them to my bookshelf. Mother loved reading.

That was how I spent my days: reading Mother's books in my bedroom. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. Aunt Susan came to live with us. Annalise and Margaret were still worried about me. My new journal lay empty on the desk. Empty like my heart.