Lost in Time - Part 1

Romance

After the 'incident', Hetty and Saoirse spent a week without visiting John. The family was having dinner when Treves brought it up:

"I have news," said Saoirse.

"Don't tell me you barely arrived and are already pregnant. You're a mouthful as it is," joked Treves.

"Frederick!" scolded Ann.

"No, my good Doctor. I am engaged."

Everyone gasped, especially Hetty, covering her mouth.

"What do you mean, 'engaged'?" Hetty stood up "To whom? Since when? And why wasn't I the first one to know?"

Treves was trying not to laugh, barely. Ann was slapping his arm.

"I... Hetty, promise you won't freak out when I announce."

"I promise nothing of the sort and I don't even know what that means! It's Charles, isn't it?"

Silence.

"Saoirse?" Hetty called her abruptly.

"Yes! Yes, it is Charles! Are you happy now?"

"No. Just disappointed."

It was as if Saoirse was seeing that stare in Agnes. She felt like crying.

"Come, come, girls. I won't have my daughter fighting over a man..." intervened Treves.

"Tell them, Saoirse! Tell them!" cried Hetty.

"You quit it! It's none of your business!" shouted Saoirse.

"I thought he would be dead by now. Right, Saoirse?" scorned Hetty, "And oh, there's a garnet on your finger. I thought it was some family heirloom, but I should have realized! I'm so stupid!"

"Excuse me. What exactly is happening here?" cut in Treves.

Both girls looked at the parents and kept mute.

"I believe I asked a question. And when I ask a question, I expect an answer."

"Ask Jesus, he has all the answers. But either you won't hear it, or he won't be inclined to answer. So then, what will you do about it?" snapped Saoirse.

Ann lowered her head, Hetty was amazed and Treves was livid.

Or why God never told me the reason he took away my parents in that car accident and left me all that money to make me feel even worse, she thought, her eyes stinging.

"And that's how you treat the people who help you, little girl," he said, disappointment coloring his tone.

"Doctor Treves..." Saoirse pinched the bridge of her nose, "You're all my family now. That's why I'm gonna say it. But refrain from judging me. I always visit John and there is a violinist playing there."

"Charles! Why didn't you say so! He's a wonderful boy! Hardworking, talented..."

Hetty snorted.

"He's sort of a delinquent, Doctor. Tried to gang rape me... He and five more of his friends."

"My God!" said Ann, dropping the fork on the plate. "Then why are you marrying him?"

"Because... because... Well. Whatever," she just shrugged.

Why was she marrying him? She didn't even like him. Come to think of it, she hated him. She loved someone else.

But that other romance would be too complicated. No matter how right it seemed to be.

"Because you love the bastard despite him having no character," Hetty said, gritting her teeth.

"Manners, Hetty!" said Treves.