Breeze

I

"ROMEO

(taking JULIET's hand) If Iprofane with my unworthiest hand

This holy shrine, the gentle sin isthis:

My lips, two blushing pilgrims,ready stand

To smooth that rough touch with atender kiss.

JULIET

Good pilgrim, you do wrong your handtoo much,

Which mannerly devotion shows inthis,

For saints have hands that pilgrims'hands do touch,

And palm to palm is holy palmers'kiss."

"Oh Grace, are you listening to me?" my mother's voice brought me back to reality, I looked at her with my book between my hands and Alexander, my youngest brother, on my lap "I was not, mother," I replied lowering my head.

"You and your holy books!" she replied, rolling her eyes. I was sure she was telling me and my family how we should have prepared for the ball and how me and my sister Beatrice should have worn our finest dresses in case there were some great catches at the ball.

"Mother, were you talking about the ball by any chance?" I asked, putting my book down and caressing Alexander hair, who was already sleeping. My father chuckled hearing my question, my mother gave a mad look at my father and looked at me again, "Yes, my dear, you know how these kind of events are very important"

I rolled my eyes; her obsession about marriage was exhausting.

"My dear wife, I believe it's time to go to bed and say our prayers," he said, getting up from his armchair and offering his hand to my mother.

"Children in your rooms, now!" my mother said, clapping her hands, all my siblings stood up and headed for the bedrooms.

Alexander, my little 5 years old brother was still in my arms and he wouldn't have left them until the next morning, but I didn't mind, it was our little routine.

My sister 16 years old Beatrice took care of our 8 years old sister Winnie, they shared the same bed.

Before Alexander turned 2 years old Beatrice and I used to share the same bed, but our little brother wouldn't have slept without me so we quickly changed our habitudes. Arthur was the middle child, 14 years old and already a man.

"Grace" Alexander called my name with his sleepy voice, "Do not worry my angel, I am here," I said while putting him to bed before changing myself into my night's clothes.

***

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was Alexander playing with my blonde hair, he was the sweetest child, I had ever seen, I turned myself to face him and I started tickling him. "Stop it, stop it," he said, laughing, I did as he said and sat on the bed before stretching myself.

I knew it was early and that only my parents were up. Alexander was following me like he was my shadow, "should we wake up the others?" I asked, smiling already knowing his answer, in fact, Alexander made no reply except to nod.

I started knocking on my sisters' door and then my brother's, Alexander followed me saying "Wake up! Wake up!", we could hear the grunt of our siblings annoyed by our behavior.

Our breakfast wasn't the richest neither the finest of the town, but we loved spending our time together, except for our mother, she said we were too loud.

"Grace, my dear, I have to train a horse today, would you like to come?" my father asked me, knowing how much I loved horse riding.

"This is no job for a girl Philip! You should take Arthur with you." my mother thought I should have stayed all day home playing piano, sewing and helping with the housework.

"But mother please, you know how much I love horse riding and plus Arthur is scared of horses!" I answered, giving to Alexander a part of the apple I cut for him. "Look, Agnes, I take Grace with me and we will be back before your sister Elvira will be here." I smiled at my father, happy with his choice but at the same time, something bothered me if my aunt Elvira was coming that meant something was wrong.

I quickly got up from the table, giving Alexander a kiss on his forehead, "Thank you Father" I mouthed to him.

My father was quite open-minded for our time, he didn't mind that his oldest daughter preferred horse riding or spending her day reading books instead of going to town and make new acquaintances that could lead to a future wealthy husband.

***

My father wasn't a stable hand, horses were only his passion and he was incredibly good at training horses. My father was a landed gentry; we weren't poor, neither rich, we had normal lives.

"Father..." my voice was hesitant, but I was curious "... Why is mother's sister coming to visit us today?"

My father looked at me with a funny look, like he knew that I was scared that she had some extravagant news for me or Beatrice; "I think she wants to talk about the ball with your mother." he answered, putting one of his hands on my shoulder.

I could see from outside my mother and aunt Elvira talking while drinking tea, Alexander, Winnie and Arthur were outside playing with the geese and I was sure that Beatrice would have been in the room with my mother.

"Grace! You are back!" Alexander shouted, running towards me; when he arrived near me, I took him in my arms and I gave him a kiss.

"You should go inside and great your aunt, my dear." I nodded to my father, but I had to take Alexander with me, knowing that he wouldn't have left anyway.

"Good morning mother, good morning aunt Elvira. It's a pleasure to see you." they both looked at me, but neither of them smiled.

"My Lord! Grace, look at you! Is this the way to present yourself?" my mother was surely mad because of my look, I wasn't the cleanest person in that moment: my dress was dirty and my hair was a mess.

My aunt looked at me disappointed and resigned: "come, my dear, sit next to Beatrice." I did as she asked, taking my seat next to Beatrice, placing Alexander on my lap.

"So you are aware that the ball will be tomorrow and I know some of the good families will be there. I want you to wear your finest dresses and please Grace act like a girl" My mother nodded, agreeing with her sister.

"Yes, Aunt Elvira, I will do my best." Beatrice started laughing at my words, making fun of me. "What is it so funny Beatrice?" I snapped quite irritated at my sister's behavior, "Nothing, nothing!" she replied, I rolled my eyes at her.

My mother and her sister spent all afternoon talking about the ball and the latest gossips, me and my sister were glued there nodding and faking smiles.

"Well, my beloved sister it is time for me to go." Aunt Elvira said getting up from the sofa, "We will see each other tomorrow and make sure to look at your best girls!"