My Comfortember 2023 contribution for the prompt : Books.
I'm sorry for the mistakes, English is not my native language. I hope you like it.
Disclaimer : Outlander belongs to Diana Gabaldon.
The Book From Her Childhood
Brianna entered Jocasta's library and looked around. There were dozens and dozens of books neatly arranged on the shelves. There was a fireplace and two armchairs in front of the window. Because of her blindness, it had been several years since Jocasta had not been able to use the library.
Brianna had been at her aunt's house for a week. She lived in dread. Every day she imagined the most horrible things of what could happen to Roger. She was pregnant, the man she loved may be dead. She had trouble feeling at ease at Jocasta's house, despite the fact that her aunt did everything to help her feel good. But she was far from her home and from her time. She was far from everything she knew.
When she moved in with Jocasta, her aunt told her that she could read as many books as she wanted and Brianna felt the need to take her mind off things. She looked at the edges of the different books on the shelves, when a book caught her eye. She took it and looked at the cover. The title was written in large letters and in gold. Mother Goose Tales. She opened it and read the date of printing on the first page. It was printed in 1729. She was holding one of the first English editions in her hands.
This book had a special meaning for her. It was the book that her father, Frank, read to her when she was a child. He read it to her when she was sad or sick. This book always comforted her. She flipped through it and delicately touched the page she had stopped on with her fingertips.
She missed her father, especially during these difficult times she was going through. Even though she now knew that he was not her natural father, he was the one who raised her and took care of her. She was close to him and she had often had the feeling that he was the only one who could understand her.
Ever since she had traveled through the stones, she had wondered what he would think of what had happened to her. She was sure of one thing. He would never have told her the horrible things that Jamie had told her. She was angry with him and even if he did everything to make amends by looking for Roger, she had not the strength to forgive him.
"Brianna"
She turned around and saw Jocasta entering the room.
"Yes ?"
Jocasta smiled and approached her, guided by the sound of her voice.
"Ulysses told me you were here. I wanted to know if you were okay."
Brianna smiled tenderly. Even though she knew that her situation was very delicate for people in the 18th century, Jocasta was always warm and caring towards her.
"I'm fine."
"I'm glad to see you here. It's been a long time since this room was used. Did you find a book you like ?"
"Yes. Mother Goose Tales. This is a book that I really loved when I was a child."
"My daughter loved that book too," Jocasta said with sad eyes. "Can you read it to me ?"
Brianna smiled and nodded. She approached her aunt, gave her arm and led her to one of the armchairs. Brianna sat down on the other armchair and opened the book to the first page. She began reading to Jocasta. As always, this book comforted her. She felt a little better and thanks to this book, she had the feeling that Frank was with her.
The end