After Francesca's wedding Penelope went to look for Eloise to talk, but instead of her, she found Hyacinth leaning against the wall, sitting on the floor and crying. She immediately rushed to her and hugged the young girl, who startled when she felt her touch. She was quite sad, because of her friend Olivia, they had a very nasty fight. From what Hyacinth told her, she saw her friend with her mother, who said something to her, what made Olivia angry, then she lashed out on Hyacinth, in front of the Bridgerton house. So instead of her being there for a sleepover, the girl went home, leaving Hyacinth there, broken hearted.
- Sweetheart, you know, this wasn't about you, right? It was all about her mother. You are a safe person for her to lash out, because you would never hurt her, and there is a chance, that you will forgive what she said. She can't say the things she wants to say to her mother, so you became the target of her pain.
- But why can't she tell it to her mother, if she is the problem? They could just talk about it, and fix things.
Penelope exhaled. How can she explain the concept of a family without love to a girl, who grows up with always being loved?
- You know, it isn't that simple for most people. Unfortunately not every family is as loving as yours. Not every mother loves her child. Some of them have the capability to hurt their child's feelings very much, without even realising it or caring about it. Some of them ignore their children to the level that they had to become their own caretakers. The only people they can count on, are themselves. They have to look after themselves, if they want to eat, they need a new dress or they want to study. They need to make their own future, because they don't get a helping hand. They had two hands to use. Their own. Not every family is loving and supportive, and we might not understand the reason behind it, but it is the harsh reality of life for some of us, we only can count on ourselves. I'm sure for Olivia it is quite hard to deal with the fact, that she doesn't have this loving environment to live in and she is maybe a little bit jealous of you, that you have it. It is very isolating and painful to grow without the love of a parent or sibling. It is very lonely, but the hardest part is when you actually understand this and realise that the only thing you can do is to accept it, because then the fact that you are unloved by the people who are supposed to love you the most it becomes reality and when reality hits you, it also can break your heart. So for Olivia it is a very hard time, because she might start to realise it or she is trying to deny it. Can you understand that?
- Yes, but this is unfair, everyone needs a loving family. Even if we are different we love each other. Like Mama and El are the complete opposites but they love each other so much.
She laughed a little, which surprised Hyacinth.
- You know, they are actually very much alike.
- Mama and El?
- Yes. The tunnel vision, they share it. Both of them have very strong opinions on things, and what they believe, and they think that their option is the only right option, the only right way. They also have a very hard time to see other people's point of view, and except that there is more to it, then what they believe. Their opinion hardly changes, if ever. In themes, they might believe in different things, but the logic behind the way their mind works, are very similar. There is a lot of love and stubbornness in them.
- Please, tell this to them! I pay you! Just let me see El's face, when you say that!
They giggled. Pen was very happy, that is what she did, lighten the mood with this. An unloving family is a hard concept for someone as young as Hyacinth, it takes time to work through these thoughts.
- Well, I wouldn't risk that, but I'm happy you can smile a little.
- Yeah. Pen, when do you think, I should say to Olivia?
- That even if you don't understand entirely, what she is going through, you are there for her, and you listen to her. Having someone who can listen, is the best gift a person can have.
- Thank you! - she hugged her, and she started to go, then stopped and turned back. - If there is anything, I'll listen. You deserve all the love in the world.
Pen felt her heart aching, but healing at the same time. She didn't realise before, how much she needed those words, to hear them: You are worthy of love.
- So as you. You are the sister I never had. You can always can't on me.
Hyacinth run into her arms, and hugged her again.
- You are the sister I always wished to have.
They just stay in the silent hug afterwards. Let the emotions speak for themselves. Because sometimes you don't need words, just the feeling of love, to heal your broken heart.
