Courtney DeWitt
Honors English 9
January 25, 2007
Period 3
An Ancient Grudge
It was on the third day that my tears ran out. My now silent sobs brought forth nothing. I was numb to all feeling except the pain, the constant never ending pain. It never lessened, it only grew. My mind was filled questions, "Why me? Why Edward? It was only an accident."
Three days ago I was a mother, a mother to my darling son and only child, Edward. Even to think his name brought pain. He was barely a man, yet still a child, sixteen years old and looking for a bride. Now it was gone, all gone stolen away by those Montague's. Their very name burns my tongue and make an anger flare in my cold, dead heart.
The only innocent in that wretched family was Renaldo and he too was dead. Only Edward and Renaldo truly knew what happened that fateful day at the river, and only Edward came away alive. The pain swelled as the scenes played back in my troubled head.
My sweet baby boy and Renaldo had decided to go for a swim in the cool river. That was a fact that both families acknowledged. However not but an hour later Edward returned, sopping wet, crying hysterically, and alone. I rushed to hold him as he told his tragic tale. My body shakes as I remember my son's last adventure, gone terribly wrong.
They had ventured into deeper water than was usual, and both were looking for lost trinkets that may have lain on the bed, when Renaldo failed to resurface. Edward valiantly dove many times to try and rescue his friend, but Renaldo was to tightly entangled in the reeds growing on the bottom. He was most horrified however that he could not even bring up the body so he could be properly respected. Almost as if in a trance, I called to Mary, a nearby maidservant to deliver the devastating news. It wasn't until after I had led Edward to bed and drank a strong cup of tea that the shock began to wear off. Edward had lost a brother and I felt like I had lost a son.
Several hours later I heard loud rioting taking place outside our manor. I did not know at the time what was taking place, but suddenly Ashley, a manservant in the home burst in and requested that I accompany him. I followed him blindly as he escorted me to the servants' privy and told me to hide inside. Numbly I obeyed without arguing.
I know not how much time passed while I sought refuge in the cramped privy, but eventually my husband pulled me out with a grave face, and clothes tainted with blood. He did not attempt to water down his words he just simply stated them his voice monotone.
The Montague's blamed Edward for Renaldo's death. I could not understand at first. How could they blame him, it was Edward who tried desperately to save him. He explained that they thought it was cold premeditated murder. Understanding began to sink in. His face broke, showing extreme pain, and then it hardened with hatred. Edward is dead. The Montague's killed him.
I have been here in Edward's room for three days numb to all but the pain. It overwhelms me. A new feeling however, is flickering around the edges of the immense pain, anger, hatred. I am a mother without a child and only one hope; the child within me due to arrive in several weeks will be a boy. He must be, he has to be. While no son could ever replace my Edward, this unborn babe may someday avenge him, may someday make the Montague's pay. The child and all future Capulet's will hate them for all eternity. The Montague's must pay every generation must pay.