Speakeasy 140 – The Life Decision

The instructions for Speakeasy 140:

Your piece must include the following sentence in the first line: “ I found the tracks in the deep snow between the trees.”

************************************************************************

I found the tracks in the deep snow between the trees. I wondered how she trudged through such wearing the dainty dress and dancing heels. When the party started there were only flurries floating lazily from the grey winter sky, hardly a reason to dress for a blizzard. She came prepared for the party and not the weather.

I remember her face as if it was etched on a photograph or painter’s canvas. The sparkling blue green eyes, raven hair, deep dimples in her cheeks, long lashes, the way the dress mimicked her form. She mesmerized me before she ever spoke or glided so effortlessly across the dance floor.

She was a mystery to me, since I spent my fall in Cambridge, at University. Concentration on my studies meant no dalliances with the fair maidens of the city. But this was no mere maiden; this was a girl who would change my life, if I could find her. I continued to follow her trail through the ever deepening snow. She had traveled quite a distance to attend the party my parents hosted.

I thought of mother’s reaction as I crossed the covered bridge that led to the part of our village considered the home of the lesser families. The social differences were stark on the other side of this structure. Mostly servant’s homes were collected here. I slowed so as not to reveal my identity as I continued. I wanted to no more about Penelope.

Peering from the corner of a dark green structure I followed the trail to the door of a home I surmised was hers. I got confirmation when she approached the window to remove her bonnet. She dusted snow from her coat as her face shone excitedly in the lamplight. She was relating the events of the night to someone behind her.

Those eyes were magical and mesmerizing again as she explained to someone, possibly her mother what she had enjoyed this night. How I wished I could knock on her door and tell her my feelings. But I knew that was foolhardy. It simply could not be done. We were from different worlds and no one from my family would accept her or understand my feelings.

I turned away from this painful thought, closing my eyes as I rested against the wall of the house and took deep breaths. We could do it, defy the expectations, just like the classic books I read while in my literature classics course. I had the will, but did she. Would she defy her parents if they did not favor our choice? What was her path in life expected to be?

I had a decision to make, but what would should I choose? It was a decision that would change two families forever. My deep breaths pulled a chilling cold into my lungs that permeated to my bones. Weighing my options, I closed my eyes to say a prayer. The decision made I tightened my jaw and moved toward my destiny. 

 

************************************************************************

 Check it out here:Speakeasy #140