And Peggy

A welcome guest

The next week flies by. Our family goes on many outings. We swim in the lake at the nearby park and even hire a kayak. We go to church on Sunday and have a roast lunch outside. The next day, Monday, Eliza leaves and the house falls into a boring dull atmosphere. I've decided to start knitting a pair of socks for my nephew.

Now that the war is over, father is spending less time at work. He's finishing two hours earlier now. We started a new hobby. It turns out we both like puzzles. We have completed a puzzle of lollies, puppies and we're now working on a 1000 piece puzzle of life under the sea.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

While father is at work, I continue on our puzzle. Every so often, i glance at the clock on the wall above me.
He should be home soon or at least have finished work by now.

As if reading my mind, the door opens. I fly out into the hallway talking a million miles an hour

"Daddy! I finished the whale and we're now onto the orange fish but I think we're missing a piece because when I sorted through-" I stop when I realise that father is holding the door open for a young man in a navy blue trench coat. When the man turns around I gasp:

"Stephen?"

Stephan Van Rensselaer breaks into a smile and nods. I hold out my arms to hug him and walk towards him. Even though I've only met him once, I've been lonely and in need of company outside the family.

"While I was at work, I ran into your father and then he started talking about you and when I told him that I knew you, he invited me over." He explains.

Finally I find my manners and lead him into the living room.

"So how are you? I didn't think you worked for the army." I inquire.

"Well, father had to pull a few strings but he's been granted permission for me to be his secretary. I only do small jobs such as bringing him paperwork and scheduling his day but give it some time and I'll gradually move up to more hardworking positions.
But enough about me, how are you? How has the ending war changed your life?" Stephan asks.
"Ah, um.....I found out a few days after we met, that my love was killed in battle on the way back from the war front. I've just come out of mourning." I fiddle with the ring that John gave me.

"Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss." He says simply.
I nod, a silent tear running down my face. I stay quiet for a minute before perking up.

"Well, do you want some food?" I ask finally. Stephan nods, eager to escape the awkward situation.
I trot over to the kitchen and come back with a small fruit platter and some crackers.
We spend an hour discussing Stephans career, my sisters, and the pros and cons of war. Occasionally father pops his head in with an approving nod and a smile but I shoo him away with a raise of the eyebrows and a hand gesture.
When it starts to get dark, Stephan I stand up for him to leave but father quickly intervenes and leads Stephan into the dining room.

"Would you like to stay for dinner, Stephan?"
He asks, already pulling back a chair for him.
Stephan, confused, honoured and overwhelmed, sits in his seat and splutters his thanks.

"Uh, thank you sir. I would be most delighted."

Father smiles down at him and pulls out the chair that is positioned right next to Stephan. Reluctantly, I sit down but not before raising an eyebrow and crossing my arms (which father chooses to ignore).

Is he trying to matchmake Stephan and I together?
Father sits opposite Stephan and mother sits opposite me, right next to father. They are watching us like two animals in the zoo. They're behaviour is making both Stephan and I feel very awkward. We eat our potatoes with gravy in silence, occasionally glancing at each other. Then it gets worse when father starts interrogating the poor man.

"So Stephan, have you ever courted anyone before?"
"No sir. My mother says that I can decide for myself who I choose to love."

I think of Angelica, forced into a marriage with a rich man who she met once in her lifetime before engagement. The same will probably happen to me. I envy Stephan.

"And where is your home land?" Father continues.
"Here sir. I was born here in New York in our family manor." Is Stephan's reply.

I can't help thinking "Well, at least if we're married, I won't have to go too far away and I'll still be close to the fam."
But I quickly shake the thought from my head. I don't like Stephan like that. He is just a friend.

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As soon as the door closes after Stephans retrieving back, I turn on father, arms crossed, eye brows furrowed.

"What was that?" I exclaim. "You just completely humiliated the poor guy!"

Father tries and fails to keep a straight face

"I've got no idea what you're talking about." He says, already retreating down the hall.

"We're just friends!" I clarify to his back.

"Sure, but you could be so much more!" He says mysteriously. Then he turns around:

"I'm just keeping your options open!" And he dramatically exits the hall, leaving me confused, flustered and humoured.

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
In bed that night, I contemplate Angelica and her life choices and my relationship with Stephan.

Angie went happily into her marriage even though she didn't love John Church.
Or did she? Was she just taking her place in society, willing to live up to the expectations set by decades of generations of people? Should I also consider following in her footsteps and heading into a loveless but wealthy marriage?

And then there's Stephan. Does he like like me? Do I like like him or am I supposed to love him? Will father make me get married to him?

All this is so confusing and unknowable that I just give up and go to sleep.
I'll let the universe handle my fate.

Hey guys
I know this is a short chapter BUT it means you get two chapters In 3 days! That's all for now.
Thanks for reading! Please comment!
Cocolocosam 😊🐔