peace as it used to. There had to be more than living for just one command after another. She had dreams of her own, just didn’t have the time, opportunity or the money to follow them.
But Malcolm’s appearance gave her hope. I mean, how many men came from the past to the present? None as far as she knew. So she too could travel, well not to the past of course, but in the present. See the world, breathed in new sights, sounds and feelings. That would be much better than wasting her youth on one belittling comment after another. With a heartfelt sigh, she returned to her labors with a new resolve. After I get Malcolm back home, I’m going to find a new home of my own.
~~~~~~0~~~~~~
Malcolm spent hours perusing Summer’s books but they did not clear up his confusion and only added to it. Women and men in dressed in obscene clothing, barely covered and in scandalous poses. When he put them away and moved on to more historical works, the words and their meanings were unclear. He noted that poverty still appeared to be a problem in many places of the world, and he felt the strong desire to help his staff even more upon his return. The intriguing notion that he had been sent to this time to understand what he should do with his life seemed to merit some consideration. And now that he knew he would eventually marry, he hoped his wife would also share his views.
The sound of approaching feet brought a flustered Summer, breathing in a most irregular fashion and he flashed her a quick smile. “You should take care my dear. You do not wish to become ill with so much scampering about.”
Oblivious to his endearment, she walked over and fell down at his side. He saw tired lines around her eyes, and immediately his protective instincts came to the fore “Tell me what ails you so.”
With a woeful smile she shook her head “It’s all right. Just the same ol’ same ol’. At his expression she held up her hands “Sorry. I mean the same old thing happens all the time and I am tired of dealing with it.”
His warm and inviting gaze brought her some degree of comfort and she elaborated further “It’s just that I have been living with my aunt all of my life and she always treats me like trash…uh…I mean waste. Something to throw away. I feel that I need a change because I don’t want to stay around here anymore.”
Malcolm touched her hand and Summer felt a warm glow spread over her. It had been a long time since someone had touched her kindly. “Thanks for the support. I need it.”
“Why do you remain here when you are so sad?”
Summer thought hard. That was a great question and yet, her mother’s words were still in her heart. “Well it has to do with a promise. When my mother passed away, died I mean, she told me to care for my father and my aunt. My mother felt she was the cause of a great division in the family and she couldn’t bear it, so she thought that I could heal the divide between us all. But that didn’t happen. My aunt has treated me worst than a slave, and I must confess it hurts. It hurts very much.”
When tears sprung to her eyes, she brushed them away with an embarrassed smile. She didn’t want to act like a blubbering fool, but tiredness sapped her energy. When his fingers touch her cheek, she held her breath. Softly he wiped the tears from her face and kissed her hand like a true gentleman. “You should not fear your tears. Sometimes we need to cry, but I would like to know if you can’t do anything to change your fortune? Your father? Surely he loves you.”
With a strangled laugh, she shook her head “Please. He does nothing of the kind. He can’t stand the sight of me since my Mother passed away and besides he’s a drunk. He drinks himself stupid each and every day. The only words he can say are ‘good Vivian’ and ‘that’s wonderful Vivian’ and that’s that. I don’t think he ever loved
But Malcolm’s appearance gave her hope. I mean, how many men came from the past to the present? None as far as she knew. So she too could travel, well not to the past of course, but in the present. See the world, breathed in new sights, sounds and feelings. That would be much better than wasting her youth on one belittling comment after another. With a heartfelt sigh, she returned to her labors with a new resolve. After I get Malcolm back home, I’m going to find a new home of my own.
~~~~~~0~~~~~~
Malcolm spent hours perusing Summer’s books but they did not clear up his confusion and only added to it. Women and men in dressed in obscene clothing, barely covered and in scandalous poses. When he put them away and moved on to more historical works, the words and their meanings were unclear. He noted that poverty still appeared to be a problem in many places of the world, and he felt the strong desire to help his staff even more upon his return. The intriguing notion that he had been sent to this time to understand what he should do with his life seemed to merit some consideration. And now that he knew he would eventually marry, he hoped his wife would also share his views.
The sound of approaching feet brought a flustered Summer, breathing in a most irregular fashion and he flashed her a quick smile. “You should take care my dear. You do not wish to become ill with so much scampering about.”
Oblivious to his endearment, she walked over and fell down at his side. He saw tired lines around her eyes, and immediately his protective instincts came to the fore “Tell me what ails you so.”
With a woeful smile she shook her head “It’s all right. Just the same ol’ same ol’. At his expression she held up her hands “Sorry. I mean the same old thing happens all the time and I am tired of dealing with it.”
His warm and inviting gaze brought her some degree of comfort and she elaborated further “It’s just that I have been living with my aunt all of my life and she always treats me like trash…uh…I mean waste. Something to throw away. I feel that I need a change because I don’t want to stay around here anymore.”
Malcolm touched her hand and Summer felt a warm glow spread over her. It had been a long time since someone had touched her kindly. “Thanks for the support. I need it.”
“Why do you remain here when you are so sad?”
Summer thought hard. That was a great question and yet, her mother’s words were still in her heart. “Well it has to do with a promise. When my mother passed away, died I mean, she told me to care for my father and my aunt. My mother felt she was the cause of a great division in the family and she couldn’t bear it, so she thought that I could heal the divide between us all. But that didn’t happen. My aunt has treated me worst than a slave, and I must confess it hurts. It hurts very much.”
When tears sprung to her eyes, she brushed them away with an embarrassed smile. She didn’t want to act like a blubbering fool, but tiredness sapped her energy. When his fingers touch her cheek, she held her breath. Softly he wiped the tears from her face and kissed her hand like a true gentleman. “You should not fear your tears. Sometimes we need to cry, but I would like to know if you can’t do anything to change your fortune? Your father? Surely he loves you.”
With a strangled laugh, she shook her head “Please. He does nothing of the kind. He can’t stand the sight of me since my Mother passed away and besides he’s a drunk. He drinks himself stupid each and every day. The only words he can say are ‘good Vivian’ and ‘that’s wonderful Vivian’ and that’s that. I don’t think he ever loved
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