Arabella James is a die-hard romantic. She believes in the fairytales about the knight in shining armor who will sweep her off her feet. Despite having lost her mother at a young age, and basically left at her aunt's doorstep by her step-mother, Bel...
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Almost two years later...
Belle walked across the lawn and towards the headstone. The sky was clear and the grass, lush and green. She stopped in front of the slab of marble and looked down at it. She felt a dull ache in her chest and her eyes welled up with tears, but she shook her head and plastered a smile on her face. She knelt and picked up the withered flowers and replaced them with fresh daisies. Then, brushing the leaves off the marble, she folded her legs beneath her and made herself comfortable.
"Hey, mom. It's been a while. I'm sorry, I've been busy with assignments and Bridget has been pestering me about looking for a new place for us so we can finally move out from Aunt Mable's place. But I don't really know. I don't know if I want to stay in this town. I've always seen myself working and living in the city", she sighed rubbing her forehead. "My studies have been going well. I am finally graduating in a week. I've started to apply for jobs in publishing houses. I'm hoping to hear from at least two of them by the end of the week."
She fiddled with her shoelace as tears welled up in her eyes yet again and spilled down her cheeks, "I miss you, mom. It's been too long. Too long! Ten years today. There is so much I wish I could talk to you about. I miss your Mama Bear hugs." she sniffled. "I am going to see Father today. I will probably meet him in the evening at Henry's diner. I know how much you loved their fries and milkshake. Strawberry with extra whipped cream." She smiled and brushed off her tears.
"I will come back to visit soon, okay? I promise." She kissed her fingers and caressed the stone, before getting up and rubbing her hands on her dress. She looked down for the last time before she made her way back to the parking space where she left her car. Belle got into her vintage VW Beetle, which used to belong to her mother, and turned on the radio before driving back home.
___
"Maa! I am taking some pie from the oven, okay?" Bridget yelled as she took out a plate and some cutlery for herself. She paused and looked up at Belle, who was sitting at the counter, munching on an apple, with her nose in a book. "B, you want some?", she asked her. Belle shook her head without looking up, "I am meeting Father today", she said, hesitantly.
Bridget nodded and went back to serving herself without saying anything. Belle looked up at the lack of response and sighed, putting down her book. "Look, I know how you and Aunty feel about him, but he is my father and it is Mom's death anniversary. It's not like he is a part of my everyday life, just the important occasions."
"I know. It's not like you could be a part of his everyday life even if you wanted to, B." Bridget commented, not looking up from her plate. "Bri, please!" Belle exclaimed.
"Fine. Fine. Go meet your stuffy father. Where are you meeting him anyway?"
"Henry's," she replied, "Yes, I know. I will get you a chocolate milkshake with rainbow sprinkles and an extra-large scoop of French vanilla ice-cream in it!" Belle added and got up. "I should go change. I'll leave in about 20 minutes."
