The Sea & The Storm

three

It wasn't true. It couldn't be.

I walked along the empty hall, running my hands along the dusty furniture.

Uncle Henry had set things out for me. The piano was organized to sheet music Mother had taught me and there was a banner strewn across it, reading: Welcome Home, Natalie!

The N in my name dipped low and ornate in his deep red paint.

There was a blank canvas set against the window and the rolling plains beyond. I stepped further, the sound of my stiff shoes echoing across the room.

Uncle Henry had sketched something. The slopes and curves looked all too familiar and I knew it was me, despite it being a painting of my round, dimpled cheeks and stubby legs of nearly fifteen years ago.

That was the last I'd seen of him. I was a mere babe then.

Regardless, my heart ached to have lost him.

I still couldn't believe it. He had written me less than two months ago, telling me of the room he had fixed for me and the stories he had gone around telling his staff of me. Everything sounded so wonderful...he sounded so wonderful.

And now...

"Ma'am, you could stay here if you liked. The guest room is all set up for you, and I'd stop by every morning to make sure you're alright. Would...would that suit you?" The maid, Martha, dropped her eyes when she talked to me. I knew the look well. It was pity and respect.

I didn't think I had a choice. I would be staying here, in this great big house all by myself. A pang of loneliness crept through me, settling in my stomach till I accepted it.

"Yes," I breathed. "I suppose it will."

"I'll be setting your stuff upstairs, ma'am." Martha, in her late forties I supposed, dipped a curt curtsy and turned to leave before I stopped her.

"Martha?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Call me Natalie." Her eyes widened and I added, "Please, I insist."

It seemed to reassure her a bit and she smiled, "Mistress Natalie, then."

She turned and left as quick as she had come.

Mistress. Oh, good God.

I perched myself on the piano bench.

Uncle Henry had married long ago and she had died of fever. They never did have children, and so now, I supposed I was the lady of this house.

And I was alone. Nothing scared me more than that.

I had no income, no means of supporting myself, I knew no one, and I had no help to aid me in maintaining a house surviving solely on Uncle Henry's savings.

It would be mere months before disaster.

My chest tightened.

"You look sick."

I tipped my chin to look at him, my face furrowing with concern.

"How did it happen?"

"Shipwreck, off the American coast. He wasn't a fisherman, you know. He owned a few boats himself."

"He's lost then, since last month?" My stomach flipped.

I couldn't possibly do this. I couldn't, I couldn't, I couldn't.

"That's what they say, yes."

"Can I even do this? I can't fish."

"You can't," he agreed.