Loving and Leaving Him

Chapter 7

My whole room was just a bed and a dresser. On my dresser you can find a small box in that box you will find pictures, jewelry and other small things but under the box you'll find a ring. That ring is a small ring it's old and not extravagant but it's mine. The golden band and small diamond suited me. I wear this ring whenever I can but not around my family they would question it. 

A year has gone by and I had not seen Ryan. Last time I went into town I stayed with my cousin Roger who changed his name to make sure Tex had nothing on him. I looked for Ryan but couldn't find him I wanted him to be there though. My mother and father say I won't go to the city very often because I need to care for my siblings and I need to work. 

"Lacey come help me!" I thought that I was home alone but Marlee's cries told me different. I slid the ring off and under my box. 

"What is it Marlee?" I looked around the house but couldn't find my sister. 

"Ugh stupid bookshelf!" I looked into the living room to see Marlee trying to get something from under the bookshelf. 

"What you trying to get there?" I asked trying no to laugh. 

"My picture."

"What picture?" Marlee's arm was halfway under the shelf. 

"The magazine picture of me I clipped before Tim's coronation." She pulled her arm out to massage it only to stick it back under. 

"Why not just move the shelf?" I asked then unfolded my arms and I pointed to the shelf her hand was sitting under.  

"To heavy" it looked like she was trying to get her whole body under the shelf. 

"Move." I signaled Marlee to move and I reached under the shelf and grabbed the clipping first try. 

"There you go." I handed her the picture. 

"Thanks look!" She pointed to us I longed to be that girl again. There she was in her puffy yellow dress and beautiful bun smiling because her life was perfect. 

"Look at my dress I wished it still fit." Marlee moved her picture over to her eleven year old self. Her dress was pink and less puffy then mine she had her dark blonde hair in a braid and had her maids cover her freckles with makeup. 

"I don't see why you covered your freckles Mar they're so pretty."

"Yeah brown dots on my face beautiful!" Marlee took the picture and let out a sarcastic laugh. 

"I have the magazine if you want to look at it." I nodded since I really wanted to see the publics view on our family. 

Marlee ran up to her and Mallory's room and came back with a small booklet in her hand. I took it and she say beside me on the small couch. 

"Oh go to page ten!" Marlee shook my shoulder enthusiastically. I flipped to a quiz on page ten the title was which royal are you? 

"Let me guess you got Marlee!" I joked she gave me a sour look. 

"I just like the descriptions and questions but take the test!" Marlee was so happy to be looking at a magazine all about us. 

Question one: which is your perfect date? A) stroll in the park B) dinner at a concert. I chose A because that sounded way better. 

Question two: in one word you are, A) proper B) drama queen. I hated drama so I chose A again. The quiz consisted of question boxes and then smaller boxes with arrows leading to a picture of one of us. I did the whole thing and surprise I got Lacey. 

You are prim proper and pretty. You are a Lacey you sit straight wear your hair up and always remember your p's and q's. You are also like a mother hen always caring for young children you are gentle and genuine. Your pet peeve is you hate unmannered citizens you think the world should know what to say and where to say it.  

"Accurate I'll give them that." I handed the magazine over to Marlee. 

"Listen to Mels!" Marlee cleared her throat. 

"You are a spontaneous burst of energy and adorable. If you asked any of your friends to describe you they would say one word fun. You are a joy to know and be around you're the center of attention defiantly princess material. You're only pet peeve is that you hate party poopers." She let out a big laugh I did too. That magazine just described my baby sister Amelia a spark of energy that brings joy to everyone. 

"How'd they get all that from some interviews?" Marlee asked I shrugged since I didn't know the answer either. Our happiness was broken by the sounds of someone screaming. 

"Dear God Derk come help me please!" Marlee and I ran to the windows to see Mrs. Carbon on the ground in a panic.   

"Mommy what's wrong?" Aubrey came running for her mother. 

"Bre honey go get daddy." Mrs. Carbon spoke gently to her daughter. 

Aubrey followed her mothers orders. Mr. Carbon came running to his wife's aid. 

"Annabel what's wrong." Mr. Carbon was especially worried because Mrs. Carbon was heavily pregnant. 

"B-baby c-c-coming." Mrs. Carbon managed to get out. Her husband picked his wife up and carried her inside from where she would be safe. Aubrey trotted after them. 

"Lace is she..." Marlee stared at me I had almost forgot she was only a child this was probably terrifying to her young mind. 

"We're going to get a new royal member." I managed to give Marlee a faint smile and then walked her upstairs to her room. Only moments later the others stormed in order and peace was replaced with chaos and noise. 

"Amelia Clair Gillia you get back here this instant!" My mother's usual calm and collected self was absent most of the time now. In her defense she was a mother of six who was overthrown and forced into isolation. 

"No! I am never speaking to you again!" I heard the familiar steps of my baby sister only this time they were louder. 

"Why must you be a challenge all the time?!" Mother was at the bottom of the stairs while Amelia stomped up them. 

"I'm not a challenge you're just a terrible mother!" Amelia stormed though the halls passing Marlee and Mallory's room not even glancing inside. 

"That's it! What you did to poor Mrs. Van Hall was embarrassing and uncalled for! You are grounded bet you can't wait until Daddy gets home!" 

"Mrs. Van Hall is a witch and so are you! She deserved what she got!" With that Amelia slammed her door shut knocking a picture off the wall. My mother grunted then picked a rag up and started to stress clean. 

"Mom... Do you want me to..." I stood at the bottom of the stairs. My mom looked up at me tired, ashamed but most of all she was sad that her daughter was leaning away from her. "I would give her some time to relax Baby." her voice hoarse from the yelling she smoothed her apron and started to clean some more. 

"Mom at least let me help you... she didn't mean any of that she is only seven." I picked up a rag of my own the table was my best bet. I watched my Mom's hands it was strange she had been a farm girl once her own Mother trained her for this life. But her destiny was far different those once rough tough working hands got replaced with soft gentle caring hands. Those hands were gone and they weren't coming back without a fight.