Missy The Unsought

Richard wanted to take her advice, but he knew that he did not have the courage. He folded up like an umbrella whenever she was close to him.

'I cannot make my intention known. It is not easy.' He gulped his Barley.

At least Missy was not there to distract him from making the right choice on his drink.

'Whatever do you mean? During my time, men called with flowers and biscuits, and I do not think times have changed that much.' Tabitha said.

Richard looked at the old woman before him and at that moment, he did not want anything more than to take her advice.

Even though Richard's shyness caused him to push Tabitha's advice aside, he was glad that she had not mentioned anything concerning Gina. At least, Ansley was keeping his mouth shut in that regard.

After a few more mugs of Barley, Richard went home. Ever since Ansley mentioned their meeting, Richard had not said anything to his mother.

How could he? The woman was waiting patiently to travel to her husband. How could Richard tell her that their trip was to be canceled?

But he knew he could not keep silent about it. It was only but a mere five days left, and it was better his mother knew about the change in plans earlier.

'Mother, I have come to tell you of my meeting with Ansley.' He announced to his mother who was sitting at the terrace, watching people pass by.

'Ansley? Do you not hate the man?' His mother asked.

'We must put our difference aside for business. I must meet with him in five dawns.' Richard dragged a stool and sat by his mother.

'You must speak with Ansley at once. We are to go to your father in five dawns. Or has it suddenly been forgotten by you?' His mother widened her eyes.

'Mother, I require materials from him. He has set the date; I am only to comply.' Richard looked out to the people who passed by too.

He wondered if those people who walked so innocently also had secrets as he did. He wondered if they were also trying to run away from their pasts as he had done. To him, they were perfect and did not have the struggles he did.

'Richard, if you shall not go to him at once, then I shall go to your father alone.'

Richard's mother hated the strained relationship between her husband and their only child. The two of them never saw eye to eye and there was always something to fight about between them.

When Richard's father realized that his son was growing into a man, he began to hit him, to instill fear. And whenever his wife tried to save their son, he pounced on her like a cat pounced on a rat.

'Then I shall prepare for you to go alone.' Richard stood up and stretched his body.

His mother looked at him and groaned. She was fed up with her son's attitude whenever the topic of his father came to the surface.

'Whatever is your reason for being this way? Your father may be dead before your return. Do you want to meet his corpse instead?' She shouted.

'Meeting with Ansley is more important than seeing my father, mother. I give you my word, I shall come after you.' Richard sat and continued to look at the people walking by.

'Ansley has become better than the man from whose loins you emerged?' Richard's mother made to stand up, but her body was too weak.

He noticed her attempt and ignored it. He knew there was no need to help her up, she was only going to sit back down anyway.

'You need not tell me that. Father has never been good to me, whatever is my reason for standing by his side in death?'

Although Richard was only trying to make sure his mother did not talk him out of meeting Ansley, he also wanted to know why it was so important to her that he saw his father.

'He toiled to give you everything. I saw what he did, and you must value it.' His mother turned her eyes from him.

She did not want to speak much on the issue. All she wanted was for her son to say Ansley's meeting could wait.

'I value it. That is why I send letters and money home, mother. But he needs my presence not. I must see Ansley.' Richard stood up again, this time, he left the house to his ranch. Anywhere was better than the side of his nagging mother.

For Richard, running away from his mother was best but for Missy, sitting at her mother's feet was important that night.

After Gina told Missy that she had been getting suitors, Missy began to worry. After all, both of them were of the same age. It was only normal that if one was already getting suitors, then the other should too.

'Mother, Gina has a suitor, whatever shall happen to me then?' Missy asked as her mother braided her hair with nothing but the light of the starry sky guiding her.

'Do not speak like that. The noble men wait until the snow touches the ground to seek the hands of their bride. That is a long time from now.' Donna lied to her daughter.

She knew that Missy was going to find out why she did not have any suitors eventually, but until then, she did not want her daughter worrying.

'Gina spoke of her many suitors. Surely, I must have gotten one, be he a noble man or not.' Missy looked straight at a flickering light coming from one of the rooms in the tavern.

'Surely Gina does not know what she speaks of. Do not listen to her, Missy. Men shall come for your hand; you need only be patient.' Donna looked at the flickering light too.

Donna wished she had not accepted Benedict's request for Missy to work at the bar. She knew a problem was to arise later, but she did not perceive it was going to be as bad as her daughter not getting any suitors.

'Mother, may I go back to my drawing? I must draw the stranger I served at the bar.' Missy smiled to herself.

She could still see the nervous stranger she served at the bar the previous day. She knew the details of his face and wanted nothing more than to preserve that memory in one of her papers.

'You reckon your father hates to see you draw. From now, we must go out more. The men must see you clinging to my arms so that they may come to seek your hand.' Donna plaited the tip of the last braid and tapped her daughter's shoulder.