She was nine. Arabella had just returned home from watching the sunset. It was her favorite time of the day. The sun created the most beautiful colors as it collided with the ocean. It was almost like it wanted to leave it's mark before it left for the night; like it was saying a final goodbye as if it wouldn't return the next day. She walked into her home and up the main staircase to her room. Just as she was about to open her door she heard something coming from her mother's bedroom. Arabella tiptoed quietly over to her mother's room down the hall as the noise grew louder until she could recognize it as crying. She gently nudged the door open to find her mother sobbing on the balcony. Her first instinct was to run over to her mother and wrap her little arms around the hysterical woman. After a minute she asked her what was wrong.
"He didn't come."
That was all she said.
"He didn't come."
Arabella didn't know who she was talking about and decided not to ask. They just sat there for hours as her mother cried until the grandfather clock in the corner of her room struck midnight. She then proceeded to stand up, wipe her tears off onto her handkerchief and walk towards her door.
"Arabella, darling, if you don't mind, I would rather this incident stay between just you and me. Thank you sweetie," she said quietly and exited the room.
After she left the little girl sat there trying to sort out what she had just witnessed. When she had gone through all of the possibilities she gave up and returned to her room. Little did she know, that day would be one of the most important days of her life.
