Another Day, A New Hope

Needs

The feeling of the carriage was there before she opened her eyes. A whinny loud and clear is what did the trick. She had been leaning on her brother’s shoulder, sleeping through the ride.

“It’s about time you woke up.” Jonathan, her brother, whispered with a smile, “Mother’s been rattling on the entire trip.”

Their mother sat across from them, in the family carriage, speaking more to herself than to either of her children. Deciding not to disturb their mother she whispered back, “Where are we going? I don’t remember planning a trip.”

“Leave it to you to forget your own betrothal celebration.” He exhaled in exasperation and continued. “We do this every year, I wouldn’t think that you’d forget it again.”

“Hopefully she won’t need to remember another year.”  Their mother spoke, this time to her children, “I’ve been speaking with his mother and she would think better if he left the house. She’s been having troubles getting him to leave his room these days and your union would give him a reason to finally get his own home.”

As long as she could remember Hope had been told that she and Ronald would be joined in marriage, but she could never imagine it. He was smart and rich, but boring, whenever they were together she would drown out the things he did or said and she knew he did the same; all the time they were together was really spent thinking of where they would rather be.

“How much longer will we be driving?” She asked, wishing it would be longer than she expected. As this thought had run through her head the wheels squealed and her father opened the door of the couch, “Do you still need an answer?” Jonathan asked.

They gathered outside of the couch and were greeted by Meredith, Ronald’s mother, she exchanged pleasantries with their parents and gathered the siblings in her arms. She lead them to the middle of the yard where a dancing area had been made, she said in a low voice to Jonathan, “That young lady,” she then began to point, “has been waiting for a dance partner the whole day.” She gently shoved him in that direction.

Hope watched him stumble off and bump into the girl Meredith had referred, it was a treat to see them head off together. While this happened Hope had not heard any of what the woman leading her away had said, but it turned out to be important since now she was standing just outside of Ronald’s room, wondering what she had done to arrive here. She knocked on the door and heard a soft call from behind. Not entirely sure of what he said she decided to enter, knowing there would either be maps or horse tonics covering the floor.

“Good morning, would you mind shutting the door? The draft that it creates could knock something over.” Realizing it was still morning Hope regretted ever opening the door in the first place, she closed the door and sighed.

“Good morning, would you like to come down to the party? I’m sure this . . .” She noted the flasks, papers and bottles on the floor, she asked, “What have you been doing?”

“This,” He said holding up the jar in his hand, “is my newest formula for removing ticks from horse fur. You are right it can wait. Why don’t we head down?”

Stepping forward he tripped over some of the papers that had been destined for this moment. The contents of the jar spilled out and all over her clothes. She did not make a sound as he rushed out of the room, returning moments later with his mother in tow; remaining silent she was cleaned and led downstairs to the party. She only spoke after Ronald had begun to speak about a young girl across the dance floor, he did not realize he was speaking until Hope replied, “with the way you speak of her, she seems more fit to marry you than I am.”

“You were listening to me?” Ronald was surprised more about that fact than what she had said.

“Yes, it surprised me as well, but listen to me when I tell you to go after what you want, by what I hear she would listen to any proposal you make.” She looked into his pocket to make sure it remained there and said, “That ring may have been meant for me, but it would fit better on her finger.”

“You’re right.” He laughed; it was the first time she had made him laugh. “Thank you.” He gave her a hug and ran across the yard, no one, but Hope watched as he pulled her aside and until later that night on one, but she knew that they had run away. Hope’s parents were furious, but as she fell asleep she was glad her fingers were clear.