A Song for My Mother

Chapter One-A Letter

The old lady lay in bed, eyes dim with age and sickness. She turned her head with an effort, looking at the young man that stood by respectfully. She spoke in a quiet whisper, causing the man to lean forward to hear her better.

"Have you finished with the letter, Samuel?"

Samuel nodded. "Yes, My Lady. I will be delivering it as soon as I am able. But you must rest now. All that dictation has tired you out. Rest now, Lady Sullivan."

Lady Jessicah Sullivan sighed in relief, and fell back onto the pillows. She hoped with all her heart that she would be able to reconcile the biggest mistake she had ever made.

Samuel waited until she had fallen asleep, then he quietly left the room, heading for his horse. Tucked in his breast pocket was a letter. One that Lady Sullivan had insisted on dictating. The disease left her unable to hold any writing instrument without agony, so she had hired Samuel to do her writing for her. Her normal correspondence had been rather trivial-business memos, letters to friends, and to do lists. But when the doctor had come three weeks ago, and informed her that she had very little time left, she had immediately told Samuel that she wanted to write a letter-and that he was to make sure the letter was received. Samuel had obeyed. The letter took three hours to write.

Alannah was sitting out on the bench in front of the cottage when she noticed someone riding towards her. She shielded her eyes, and watched as the rider halted, then headed up the walk. He was a young man of about twenty. Alannah watched warily, and then spoke as he came within her range. "Good morning to you, Sir. Have you any business with me?"

Samuel looked at her solemnly. "Are you Lady Alannah Stayne?" At her nod, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter. "I was asked to deliver this to you, My Lady." He handed it over, then bowed and rode off.

Alannah turned the envelope over in her hands, puzzling over who could have sent it. The envelope was blank, with no markings or writing anywhere on it. She opened the envelope, and read the letter.

My dearest daughter,

I am writing this letter with a heavy heart. I am the most foolish woman-nay, the most foolish person in all of Underland. I have been unable to see just what a truly wonderful person you have become. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I made a rash and foolish mistake that day so many years ago. I was so blind to what I rashly expected you to be that I was unable to see what you were. And what you are is an amazing and beautiful woman. I never told anyone this, but the love and loyalty that Stayne showed to you in the brief time you were here was heart wrenching to me, mainly because I had never experienced that from your father. In that moment, I realized what a complete and utter fool I had been, but my stubborn pride would not allow me to try and reconcile with you. I have sincerely regretted that ever since. Even more, I regret that I won't be able to see my grandchild grow up.

Alannah, I am dying. The doctor says that I have less than two months to live. The one thing I want most in this world is to see you, to tell you that I am proud of you, and that I love you. Please come.

Your Momma.

Alannah slowly folded the letter, tears running down her face. She gulped, trying to maintain her composure, but it did no good. She began sobbing, her body shaking. She didn't even see Stayne come up the walk.

Stayne sat on the bench, gently touching her shoulder. She turned around, and buried herself in his arms, sobbing. "My…momma…"

Stayne spoke softly. "What's wrong, love?"

Alannah sobbed harder. "My….momma…she….she…she's dying."

Author's Note-Apologies for a short chapter. There's more to come.