Heart divided

Smoke

I found Maria in a corner trying to keep to herself seeming to shrink just by standing there. She could do that very easily and counted it as a blessing, but I thought it a curse to go around unnoticed. My mother always thought it a shame she was so shy because she was so beautiful and suitable suitors would notice more if she put herself out there.

"Maria what are you doing over here? You should go dance and meet some new friends or handsome gentlemen."

I winked at her which made her smile just a little bit.

"Here why don't you come dance with me? It will be just like at home! Remember how fun that is?"

She nodded her head but didn't seem to want to move still.

I was now getting impatient there is only so much babying you can give a person and I was at my limit.

"Come now Maria wouldn't you rather I take you to dance than mama setting you up with some strange boy?"

"No!"

She quickly followed me and we danced the rest of the night and when it was time to leave I knew my mama had a million questions for me but right then all I wanted to do was fall asleep.

I woke up the next morning with my mother frantically shaking me awake.

I smelled smoke.