Summer 2
The clattering of cutlery on fine china was the main sound that could be heard in the dining hall as I spread some butter and strawberry jam on my toast. Sipping noises and quills scratching on paper could also be heard as my father and brother had their noses in business papers.
"Father? Max?" I asked as they both looked up from their paperwork and towards me. "Couldn't you…do work at a later time? Maybe in the office?"
"Ah, b-but Rosalind…" father began, however my brother interrupted.
"No, no…Rosalind's right, father! We can finish up in the office. For now, let's enjoy breakfast! Together! As a family! After all, today is a special day!"
"It is?" I asked, not sure why today was a special day.
"O-of course, Rosalind. Don't tell me you don't know!" Father bellowed out, shocked.
"Uh, I…what is today, again?" I asked as Max gave a small chuckle.
"It's Summer second, Rosalind!" As my face lit up in delight and realization.
"Oh! It's mother's birthday!" I exclaimed happily as my brother laughed.
"That it is! I hope you have a note written for mother in heaven!" Max exclaimed as I giggled.
"Of course I do!" Every year on the evening of the second of Summer, my family and I release three lanterns from the port, one from each of us, into the heavens! It was a tradition my father came up with when I was a little girl, so I wouldn't feel as though our mother one hundred percent left us and that she always read our notes!
The note always went into the fire before the lantern floated away. My father told me the smoke transferred the paper into the heavens to a form that our mother could read. Although I knew better now, it was still very nice to send her the letters and pretend that she reads them knowing how very much she is missed.
My notes were usually very short; stating how much I missed her, and how I hoped her birthday in heaven was delightful. This time, however, I wrote a little more to her. I did write to her, telling her how much I missed her, but I also wrote about Jack, too. I wondered if she were alive, would she approve of my feelings for Jack?
Remembering the story my father told me about how he and my mother met, I know very much that she would approve of Jack! In fact, I think she would absolutely love him!
"Sir?" Cecilia asked, walking into the dining hall, "My apologies for interrupting your breakfast, but…a letter from Mr. Beauregard came in."
"Oh?" Father asked as Cecilia approached my father, presenting the letter to him on a small silver platter. My father took the sealed envelope as Ceci curtsied before leaving the room.
My father pulled back the wax seal and removed the paper from the envelope, scanning the letter.
"Uh-huh…Ahhhhh, excellent! Excellent!" He exclaimed in satisfaction, placing the letter back in the envelope.
"Father?" I asked, "What was that about?" He gave me a joyful smile.
"Don't worry about that now, my darling, Rosalind! But…let's just say some important future plans are going to be taking place soon!" He stood up from his seat.
"I have some paperwork I need to file. Max, come with me so I can teach you more. Rosalind…why don't you go spend time with Julia and Dorothy? Max and I will meet you at the port around 6 PM! Don't forget your note for your mother before arriving!" And with that, my father and brother left the dining hall. I looked over at the dishes they left and sighed.
"Are you finished with your plate, Miss Rosalind?" I looked up over at Cecilia, blushing.
"O-oh! Yes! Thank you, Cecilia!" As she grabbed my plate along with the other dishes.
"Uhm, Cecilia?" I asked as she looked over towards me.
"Yes, Miss Rosalind?" I blushed slightly.
"Could you…perhaps…if you have the time and if you want to…teach me how to clean?"
"What?" Cecilia asked in surprise.
"Ah, s-sorry…I just…"
"Oh, that 'what' wasn't meant to push you down, I was just surprised! But, why do you want to learn how to clean?" I blushed.
"I mean, I-I know the basics…but…" I blushed deeper.
"Ah! I think I know why now!" Cecilia giggled, giving me a wink. "I did learn how to clean from two of the best women in my youth and I will now pass on that knowledge to you, Miss Rosalind!" Cecilia gave me a playful curtsy as I giggled.
"Our first lesson will be washing the dishes! Follow me, my star pupil!" Cecilia led me into the kitchen as I blushed.
"Ah, Ce-Cecilia?" She looked over at me, "I…I do know how to wash dishes."
"Then show me." I picked up one of the plates off of the platter as Cecilia placed the platter on a nearby island. She followed me over to the basin as I filled it with water, watching me scrub the plate. I dried it and held up my work.
"Nicely done! But, would you like to learn how to add some pizazz?" I furrowed my brows in confusion.
"How else are you supposed to wash dishes?" I asked as Ceci giggled.
"Watch and learn!" Cecilia brought over another basin filled with milky white water, dipping the plate I had cleaned into the water. She then rinsed the plate in the other basin, drying it and holding it up for me to see. My eyes widened as I gasped. The plate was so shiny!
"How did you…?" I began in surprise as Cecilia giggled.
"I learned this trick in my teenage years from a woman named Eunice! Eunice actually gave me a lot of cleaning tips! You place your dishes in rice water and then rinse and dry them! You only have to do this trick every other week, though!" Cecilia gave me another curtsy.
"That concludes today's lesson! I'll come up with another lesson plan tomorrow! Until then, you are dismissed!" I giggled and smiled at Cecilia.
"Thank you, Cecilia."
"You're very welcome, Miss Rosalind!"
I knocked on a wooden bedroom door with Julia standing next to me. The door opened slightly as Dorothy peeked out.
"O-oh! He-hello Rosalind. Julia." Dorothy said, opening her bedroom door all the way, "C-come in." Julia and I entered Dorothy's bedroom. "What b-brings you two he-here?"
"Rosalind dragged me here because she wanted to visit." Julia said bluntly.
"Well…you could have said no, Julia." I scolded.
"Well, when you said you were going to hang out with Dorothy and asked if I wanted to come, I didn't want to say no." Julia replied with her arms crossed. Dorothy began to giggle.
"I-I do appreciate your v-visits! A-are you two doing anything l-later? M-maybe we can have a s-slumber party?"
"Oh?" I began, smiling, "Well…I am going to the port around 6 to release the yearly lanterns. But, maybe another time?"
"O-oh. Ye-yeah! We can p-plan for another t-time. Uhm, te-tell your mom D-Dorothy wishes her a happy heavenly b-birthday." I smiled.
"I will, Dorothy!"
Dorothy and I actually weren't close friends in the beginning, unlike Julia and I. However, after her mother passed, I was able to connect with her in an understanding way! I ended up learning a lot about Dorothy after our connection and we became fast friends! Even if it has only been four short years!
"Hey, Dorothy?" Julia asked as Dorothy tilted her head curiously, "What do you think of Ray and Rosalind as a couple?" I groaned.
"Uhm…I-I guess they would be cute?" Dorothy replied as Julia squealed.
"I know, right?! Ray has a huge crush on Rosalind!"
"And Julia has a huge crush on my brother!" I retorted as Julia became flustered.
"I-I told you! That was a child's crush, at best! Why not pick fun of Dorothy's crush for once?"
"Because Dorothy doesn't have a…." I began matter of factly, but stopped my sentence in confusion, "I mean…at least I don't think Dorothy likes anyone?" Julia and I looked over towards Dorothy who shrugged her shoulders.
"I-I mean…i-it's true…I don't have a crush on a-anyone. I'm too n-nervous to really talk to boys."
"Huh…" Julia began pondering, "Do you think you might be asexual?" Dorothy blushed.
"I-I don't th-think so. I j-just don't think I f-found the right guy."
"Hm…well…maybe someday someone will sweep you off your feet?" Julia said in a rather uncertain tone.
The clock read 5:45 PM as I stood up from Dorothy's bed.
"Thank you for letting us hang out, Dorothy!" I exclaimed.
"Yeah, we'll see you later!" Julia exclaimed.
"Ye-yes! Th-thank you for visiting." And with that Julia and I left the church, heading down the street. I stopped in front of the manor as Julia continued on towards the bathhouse.
I walked up the stairs and into my room, opening one of the drawers of my vanity, pulling out the note for my mother. I unfolded it while smiling. I know my mother is looking down on me proudly.
A knock on my door erupted as I jumped.
"Miss Rosalind?" Cecilia's voice asked.
"O-oh! Ye-yes, Cecilia?" She opened my door.
"Do you need anything else for the day?"
"Ah, n-no…you may retire for the night." She gave a curtsy.
"I'll see you tomorrow morning. We'll do another lesson after breakfast. Good night, Miss."
"Thank you! Good night, Cecilia." With that Cecilia left my room, the main doors of the manor closed and locked behind her. I clutched the note for my mother, making my way out of the manor as well. I locked the doors again and headed to the port.
"There you are, Rosalind!" Max exclaimed. I noticed my father and brother were waiting patiently for me.
"I hope you brought a note for your mother." Father said, handing me my lantern.
"Of course I did!" I replied, holding up the folded note.
"Then, let's begin!" Father exclaimed as the three of us lined up at the edge of the port. Father struck a match, lighting the lanterns. I placed my note to mother into the flames of my lantern, releasing it. The wind began to carry it away.
"Gwendolyn…" Father began, "We miss you very much. But I think you will be pleased for the future I will be providing for our offspring! Please, continue to watch over us. We love you."
"We love you, mother." Max and I said in unison.
"Uh…wh-what's going on?" My heart began to flutter. That voice…I turned around.
"Oh! Good evening, Jack!" Father exclaimed. I felt elated, was this a sign from my mother?
"Did something happen?" Jack asked in concern, noticing the tears in our eyes.
"Well…yes…" Max began, "But it was a long time ago." He wiped his eyes with his palms.
"Today is mother's birthday. Every year we go to the port as a family and release lanterns with a note for her!" I explained as Jack smiled.
"That seems like a wonderful memorial tradition." He looked down. "Oh! You fixed your mom's shoes! I like the flower embroidery you added!" I blushed.
"Thank you! They're orchids! My mother's favorite flower!"
"I'm sure your mother is proud of you, Rosalind." I blushed.
"Yes, and…I know she's watching over me." And at that moment, I felt as though my mother had sent me Jack as a statement of her past and my future.