Hey, sorry I didn't update yesterday. I had a Spanish assesment today that needed revising for, unfortunately

- Violet -

A Few Days Later:

Today was to be a sad day. Not just sad, though. Unthinkably, torturously depressing. The seven remaining family members were all suited up in neat black suits and, in Violet's case, a straight, long black dress and a hat with a netted veil, one that was her mothers. Her mother wore it to her mother's funeral. The grandma, Anne, whom Violet's middle name is after, and who Violet inherited the 'love of horse riding' genes from. It was nice, and her father told her to wear it. After all, it seemed to be a family thing. The dress Violet was wearing was ankle long and beautiful, making Violet feel like a grown up. Although she didn't need to wear a dress to prove she was mature

"And so today, we entrust our sister, Lucille, to God's mercy. And now we commit her body to the ground. Earth to earth" The priest said on the church ground, where the coffin bearing Lucy Tracy's body was encased, ready to be lowered to the ground forever, the marble tablet holding her name forever

Violet, twisting a few different coloured roses in her hands, was afraid to let her tears show. But her brothers didn't have that problem

If only I did something

"Ashes to ashes"

Her death was my fault

"And dust to dust"

Violet looked into the buds of the roses, the white one catching her eye. Pure white. Pure unharmed white. Clear. No problems. Safety. And Lucy was in that, the colour white. The memories of the mother to six children flooded around her mind like ghosts slowly taking over the dark caverns

"And now I would like to invite Mister Jefferson Tracy to say a few words"

The entire crowd remained respectfully silent as the children's remaining parent joined the priest at the head of the grave, looking over the deep, dark mahogany coffin with various flowers over it, like the waves consuming the sand on the beach, or the slow growth of colour when watercolours bleed into one another. After all, Lucille liked to paint

"I'm sorry, I'm really not prepared for this at all" Her father apologised "But... Lucy will be dearly missed" He had a small pause before continuing "She was a beloved mother to six children, who all loved her equally in return. And when they were all born, we were overjoyed. The twin's birth was when she received her daughter"

Why didn't I do something to help you?

Violet felt prying eyes look at her from all around, even her brothers. Everyone present knew that he was referring to her. And it was difficult to shake off the nagging feeling that everyone was watching her. She didn't react. Just looked at her father

"Lucy was always kind-hearted and understanding. Always appreciative and supportive. Especially through all of our children's hobbies and interests. Scott's love of flying. John's love of the stars. Virgil's love of the arts. Gordon's love of swimming. And Alan's love of sports"

Why didn't I do something to help you?

Violet was a little downhearted that he never mentioned her. But then she realised that she had thought that too soon

"But then there was Violet's love of horses" He continued "Lucy loved horses too, as her mother was a keen rider. But she wasn't deterred from any of her sons' hobbies. She was a keen painter and musician, like Virgil. But loved the stars and the sky, as well as the down to earth sports like swimming and running"

It was difficult for Violet to continue listening. She couldn't bare listening to her father talk about her mother in all these good ways. Not that she hated Violet in any way or Violet hated her, but she was trying to forget that her mother was never coming home. She had gone. Trapped in a mahogany case covered in flowers to be buried six feet in dirt and forgotten. Violet didn't want to forget her mother. But remembrance is painful when there's nothing anyone can do to bring back the dead

Why didn't I do something to help you?

"There was a time when we were on holiday at the beach one summer a fair few years ago, and Lucy showed everyone just how brave she was"

I remember that

Violet remembered it well

It was when she was about 5, and Alan hadn't been born yet

It was a gloriously hot day in Devon, and the beach was the place to be for children and adults alike. The waves splashing against the rocks quite a way away and the waves sliding across the sand, as if trying desperately to touch the houses on the seafront. But not having much luck. The sand was warm beneath ones feat, which is something Violet enjoyed the sensation of. The water was refreshingly cool, making one shiver at first, but relax once they go used to it. Gordon was spending as much time as possible like this with his father, purely because it was a new experience for the 4 year old. The copper-top was a water baby and always had been

The mother and daughter had been tasked with getting lunch for the rest of the family, and were inside a small supermarket shop. Lucy had left Violet picking up some fruits for them whilst she was in the next aisle getting bread, promising she would be right back. When it happened

Violet's hands were full with a variety of fruits and was awaiting the arrival of her mother. But as she turned in the direction of the closest end of the aisle, there was a man in her way. Not her father. A stranger.

Violet tried to see if she could go around him. He might only be trying to get to the fresh strawberries that she was stood in front of. But before she could, his rough hand grabbed her wrist, taking her by surprise. She now had a clearer view of his face. This man was fairly young. He had his hood over his head, but she could still see his brown hair under it. His piercing grey eyes slicing through her like a knife

"Violet?"

That was her mother. From the aisle. Violet heard the terror and confusion in her voice. She could see her

"M-Mummy" She stammered, her eyes still transfixed into the mans

With a quick move, too quick for Violet to realise it happened, the man had turned her around, so she wasn't looking at him, but her mother, then there was something cold and sharp against her cheek. This man was scaring the small five year old so much that she daren't move. Just tremble. She didn't look into her mother's eyes either. It felt scarily sharp, the thing on her cheek. It was pressed into her cheek, and felt something warm and oozy slide down her cheek below the thing. It felt like water. But not water. She knew it couldn't be

"Okay, sir..." Her mother said calmly "W... What is it you want?"

She felt the knife on her cheek tremble a little, just like she was

"But... Before you tell me you want my money..." Her mother continued "I want to ask you something"
Violet felt a tear fall down the side of her face, and heard the sound of a few other women behind her scream a little. And they couldn't see what was going on properly

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

What?

"Wife? Children?"

The man hesitated for a moment before answering

"Yeah. A... A little girl. Called Sarah"

"And how do you think Sarah would feel if she saw her father like this? Or if that little girl was your Sarah under someone else?"

The man loosened the thing from her neck a little, but she daren't move even still

"All you have to do is put the knife down... And walk away" Violet's mother continued calmly "Because that little girl is my daughter. And if it was Sarah..."

The man seemed to hesitate for a second, then the thing - Alright, knife - was removed from her cheek, and the man slowly let go of her, put the knife down on the floor and walk away. Violet didn't stop looking at her mother, whose gaze was diverting between both her and the man. And when he was gone, Violet felt her face where the thing was and her mother rushed to her quickly. Then Violet really let the tears go

Yes, it's true. My mother did save me on that occasion. And she was so brave and calm and...

"Lucille... A beloved wife, mother and friend... Will be missed" He finished "Thank you"

Violet stepped forward and placed the flowers by the coffin as everyone else did, laying out the roses so they were neatly arranged. And trying not to break down completely, she said under her breath...

"Goodbye Mummy" She cried

Why didn't I do something to help you?

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I know its short, but I promise things get interesting next week :)

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