Twilight's End-
A Prequel to Children of Ingleside-
Ever since he had died, she felt like she had been living in a dream- no, a horrible, horrible nightmare. She tried to function as best as she could, but it didn't take a discerned eye to see the sad look in her face for she was like a flower wilting. Her family had worried over her as had many others dear to her and all hoped that she would get better as time passed. Yet, she wasn't getting any better. Her life was always the same day by day- all the meaning shaken out of it. This could not be called living.
So, she prayed and prayed that there might be some way of escape of her but an answer never came. Until one day, when she in church, she realized that her life was not going to get any better. She would continue until she died, living the same way over and over again. Death would not come quickly for her, most of her family was horribly long lived. She stifled a cry as she saw her life flash before her eyes- the days an endless blur of monotony and she knew- knew that she had to leave this place and all of it's memories behind her or her soul would die. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Rev. John Meredith had often been called a dreamy man and not apt to notice people or things, but he, as of late, had been paying special attention to his daughter Una. He wasn't so dreamy as to not see her fading before his very eyes. He and Rosemary had exchanged many a worried glance over her but what was to be done with her, he knew not. Something had to be done, that was plain as plain, it would not do to sit idly by watching his sweet Una, whom Cecilia had asked him to take special care of, die by inches.
So, he betook himself to Dr. Blythe for some advice. Dr. Blythe was a wise man, however, he didn't fully understand the cause of Una's depression- of course the war was hard, but it was over now and that ought to be a cause for celebration. Mrs. Dr. Blythe, seeing more than her husband could, knew Una felt the way she had when she thought Gilbert was dying but Lady Fate had been kind to her and had given her a second chance. There had been no such luck for Una. Anne suggested to Rev. Meredith that he send Una away, perhaps she ought to take a course at Redmond?
John Meredith went away from Ingleside with a sad heart. He hadn't thought that he would actually have to send Una away from him. In fact, he had hoped that there might be some sort of magic cure that Dr. Blythe could give Una---but to send her away! He didn't know he could let Una go out into the world for he feared that it might be curl to her and Una always felt things so keenly. But life, even with her father by her side hadn't always been so kind. Mrs. Blythe was a wise woman but he wouldn't decide until he had talked to Rosemary first; surely Rosemary could figure out what to do.
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Rosemary Meredith sat darning one of little Brucie's socks as she listened her husband's concerns. This was the fifth pair of socks that she had had to darn for Bruce this fortnight; Bruce was always so hard on his socks. Rosemary picked up one of Una's stockings as her husband went on. Una had always been so careful with her pretty things, never wanting anything to be marred. But lately, Rosemary felt that Una no longer cared. She almost felt Una saying that pretty things never stayed pretty for long. Una was becoming old before her time.
"John, she needs to go." Rosemary said gently, "Let her leave and remember who she is. I'm afraid that she's lost herself and I don't believe she'll be able to find herself again if she remains put." Rosemary put her hand on her husband's and patted it.
John looked down at his feet, wanting so much to help his daughter and feeling so helpless because he knew that he couldn't-- at least not in the way that he wanted to. Could he really be so selfish as to keep her with him? Could he continue to see that same look in her eyes? She reminded him so much of a robin that he had once caught when he was a small boy. The robin at first had chirped gaily enough but after a week stopped eating and had such a longing look it's eyes. He had been selfish and had not wanted to let it go and tried everything he could think of to entice it to eat, but the robin would have nothing of it and died three days later. NO! He would not let that same fate come upon his daughter.
"You're right Rosemary, I'll make some arrangements." He spoke determinedly- Una was not going to fade away if he had anything to do about it.
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A week later, father came upon daughter in Rainbow Valley with a letter in his hand. The especial chum of his late wife, Laura Bailey, had readily agreed to host Una while she attended Redmond college. Now all that was left to be done was to tell Una that she should go to Redmond and John had serious doubts that he would have any trouble convincing her. "Una," he spoke, "There's something that I need to tell you."
Una looked at her father, "Dad, there's something that I need to tell you too. Dad," she looked down at her feet, this was going to be harder than she thought, "I need to leave."
John put a hand on her shoulder, " I know."
Una wondered if she had heard him correctly, "You do?"
John cleared his throat, "I thought--well, that is,--- Una, how would you like to go Redmond. The fall semester starts in a few weeks and I think it might be good for you."
Una looked up with joy in her eyes as if a great weight had been lifted off of her heart, "I'd like that very much."
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A/N- What do you think? Review and let me know.