Wicor Manor

Three

2019
Phoebe walked around the house picking at her fingers. Her mind was on over load trying to remember who that man was. Many nights she would dream about finding love and only a blurred face would appear. She could never remember seeing him but once she saw that news article she knew they met before.
Danny continued to look through the books and papers. He desperately tried to find more about this man. Charlie Stander was only mentioned twice throughout all the documents. Danny got up and went to find Phoebe. He walked carefully through the broken down house. The floor boards creaked with each step. Cobwebs covered most of the entry ways. The once beautiful house was now run down into the dirt. He finally found her looking through the window of her room.
"Phoebe?" He slowly walked to her. She turned her head to him. There were tears in her eyes and her face was puffy. "Are you okay? Why are you crying?" Danny didn't know how to comfort her. He has never seen someone cry as much as her. His heart ached. He desperately wanted to help her. He wanted to make her happy.
"Mister Danny, you have been so kind to me. I appreciate all that you have done to help me. I am sorry for being so emotional about this situation." She pulled her head down into her hands. Danny reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. She didn't stop him. He continued to sit down beside her. The night sky grew darker as midnight approached. The view was breathtaking. Trees surround the front gate and the traffic of the street was hidden by them. An occasional car would pass by but the sound of the crickets and nocturnal animals covered the roar of the engine. He couldn't imagine how difficult it must be for her to see the way the world has changed. A sudden thought came to him.
"Phoebe, why don't you take a walk out side with me? We can get some fresh air and clear your head."
She looked at him sadly, "I am unable to go outside. I have tried many times but a force pushes me back into the house."
"Oh, why don't you try to walk out with me?"
Her face grew softer. Her eyes brightened. "It is  worth a shot."
He pulled her up and together the walked to the back door. Phoebe braced her self for what was about to happen.
"On a count of three, one," they took a step forward, " two," he squeezed her hand, "three." They walked out the door. Phoebes face glowed.
The cold air blew her hair across her face. The over grown grass brushed against her legs. She was out side. Danny loosened his grip on her hand. He couldn't help but watch how happy she was.
1865
Miss Grandalin lead Phoebe down the stairs and into the room her parents were in.
"Miss phoebe Wicor, I presume," the stranger bowed and grabbed Phoebes hand, giving it a small kiss.
"Yes, I am she. Who may you be?" She pulled her hand back and wiped it on the skirt of her dress. Miss Grandalin gave her a stern look, letting Phoebe know she saw that.
"My apologies, where are my manners? I am Sir Charlie Stander, from the next town over."
Phoebe looked to her parents. They were beaming with excitement. She knew something was about to happen and she didn't like it.
"Miss Phoebe, I have come here on the business of uniting our families and our towns. As our families being the most wealthy in the towns we decided the marriage of the eldest children will combine them."
"Pardon me, the marriage?" Phoebe interrupted. She shook her head and let out a small laugh. "We have only just met Sir, I am not going to marry you!"
Mister Wicor stood up and folded his arms behind his back. He cleared his throat, getting the attention of the children. "Phoebe you will marry Charlie and you two will live here until the house is built between the towns. There will be no exceptions. It has already been arranged." He reached out to Misses Wicor. Together the walked to the master room, leaving the two with Miss Grandalin. She walked to the corner giving the couple some privacy.
2019
They laid on the floor next to the fountain. Danny watched as Phoebe traces the stars with her fingers.
"I haven't seen the stars in so long. I have forgotten how beautiful they are," she reached over to Danny and gave him a hug. "Thank you for this. I am so fortunate to have met you."