The Little Widow

A Little Redhead Girl

Violetta Gaines has been a Southern girl since the time of her birth. She is the only child from her parents. Marsha and Peter Gaines made sure their daughter had everything granted to her. They lived in Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston brought opportunities to the family. Marsha was a homemaker. Peter worked for the South Carolina government. Sometimes, he worked away from his wife and his daughter. He always came back to them at the end of the day.

Marsha and Peter kept a secret from their young daughter. Marsha was a former Black Widow. She escaped the Russian based group before she could "graduate" the school. Marsha fell in love with an American boy on her first mission. Peter had been working for S.H.E.I.L.D since the mid - 1980's. It was the Cold War when two strangers met and fell in love. They got married in 1987. A few months later, Marsha became pregnant with their first and only child. Violetta was born in November of 1988. They fell in love with their daughter at first sight. Violetta was the most beautiful baby. She was a redhead like her mother. Her eyes were the bluest of blues. Violetta's eyes changed to the color brown a few months later. She has her father's nose and ears. Everything was perfect for the little family.

It was the middle of December. The day was clear and mild. Peter was finishing packing his suitcase. He had to go up to Washington D.C for the week. Marsha was sitting on her vanity bench. She was putting her earrings in her lobes. A giggling little girl popped her head into the door. Her red hair covered her face. Marsha noticed a three year old Violetta at the door. Peter smiled at his daughter.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Violetta called out to them.

Marsha turned her head towards the door. "I thought I heard a little giggle worm." She said as her Russian accent came out.

Violetta ran up to her mother at the vanity. "Make me pretty, mommy." She told Marsha.

Peter picked Violetta up. "You are already pretty, little red." He replied. Peter kissed his daughter's cheek.

"Oh daddy." Violetta giggled. She hugged her father.

Peter handed Violetta over her mother. Marsha took Violetta from Peter. She placed her daughter on her lap. Marsha began to work on Violetta's hair. She gave Violetta a little ballerina bun. Then she insert little pink roses around the bun. Violetta smiled as her mother worked on her hair. Peter watched them at the vanity. They were his girls. Also, he wanted to give a sibling for Violetta. She was three years old. After Marsha was finished with Violetta's hair, she let Violetta go. Violetta ran out of the room.

"Do you have to leave, Pete?" Marsha asked her husband.

"Howard needs me. He and I are going to meet with Peggy in Washington at the S.H.E.I.L.D base." Peter answered.

"Be careful." Marsha warned him.

"I will. You too." Peter commented.

Peter grabbed his suitcase off the bed. He left the bedroom with Marsha behind him. Peter found Violetta in her bedroom. She was playing with her toys. He hugged and kissed his little girl. Then he left for the airport for Washington D.C. Later in the evening, Marsha was making dinner when the news came on the television. Then she heard the house phone ring in the living room. Violetta was laying on the couch. She walked over to the phone. Marsha picked it up. It was Peter calling from the airport in Washington.

"Turn on the news right now." Peter ordered her.

"I have the news on right now." Marsha replied.

"Howard is dead. Car accident outside of his home." Peter informed her.

Marsha put her hand on her mouth. She was in shock. They saw Howard and Maria a month ago before Thanksgiving. Surprisingly, Tony hung out with Violetta for a little bit. Marsha wanted to sob. "How's Maria and Tony holding up?" She asked her husband.