Find a Critique Partner
Loving Aidan (tentative)
By S.A Mannon
Aug 31, 2009, 13:41

�Sarah, come sit by me.� Mary said in a very feeble voice.

Sarah walked over to her mother and sat beside her. She held her hand in hers and prayed that God would cease her pain.

�Sarah, there are some things I must tell you� Mary said

�Don�t tax yourself. Just concentrate on getting better.� Sarah replied

�I know my time here is coming to an end soon. Ever since John past away last year, I have not been myself.�

�Don�t say that. You will get better, I know it� Sarah almost choked on her words.

�Sarah darling, listen to me. You will not get this information from anyone else once I am gone and I want you to know everything.� Mary said evenly.

�You and dad are my parents as far as I am concerned. I don�t care about any other mother or father. John was the best father and you are a great mother. I couldn�t ask for more than that.� Sarah said it with as much conviction as she could because it was the truth.

�I know you feel that way. But I want you to have some closure. Let me tell you the full story, and please Sarah, don�t interrupt. I want to tell you everything.� Mary said. Her voice seemed to be getting stronger. Sarah guessed that Mary had something she had to get of her chest. She complied by nodding her head. Mary began her story.

�When you walked up to our house bloody and scared, we didn�t see all of that, we saw a gift from God. You were a blessing. For years, John and I had been trying to have a child and as you can see, it wasn�t working. Seeing you brought tears to our eyes. We cleaned you up and tried to get as much information out of you as possible. You could only remember your first name and because of the shock of your accident, you couldn�t seem to remember much about your parents. We took care of you. We asked around the town but no one had heard of an accident or a family missing a daughter. To be quiet honest, we didn�t try to look too hard because we wanted you for ourselves. But, from your speech and the way you carried yourself, I know that your parents had to be peers of the realm. Also, you had that necklace with the S shaped pendant. We knew that the pendant had diamonds in it and the chain was made from real silver. When we asked you about it, you said it was a birthday gift from your parents. You couldn�t remember the exact date of your birthday except that it was in January.

I had been a governess for some time and I knew a well-brought up child when I saw one. You used to have nightmares when you were young. From what you told us of your nightmares, we deduced that you must have been in some sort of carriage accident. We didn�t know your exact age, but you looked to be about five years old. As the years went by, you would tell us pieces of memories you had about your parents. You said your mother was very tall and had dark hair and your father was a big hulking man who was very jovial. Also, you remembered that recipe your mother concocted for your father�s leg. It worked wonders for John�s leg as well. I have had time to think on this.�

Mary paused before continuing,

�I think that your family was titled and that they most likely resided in London. If they are alive or other members of your family are alive, you would find them in London. I know that you fell safe and comfortable here at our little town, but I would like you to try to at least find some information about who your family was. Also, you have lived in Maidstone almost all your life, and none of the men appeal to you. I see them look at you appreciatively, but you don�t pay them any attention.  Sarah, even if you don�t find your family, I want you to at least find someone to spend your life with. John and I were very committed to one another and you have seen how his death has affected me. I want you to find someone special like that. Life can be very lonely, especially for an unmarried girl with no family. I want you to find someone who appeals to both your heart and to your mind. A man of strong character who will confide in you and treat you like a partner and friend. When you find this man, you will know. No one will have to tell you.

Sarah, I want you to go to London, not only to find your parents, but to find a mate. I still have some contacts from my governess days. Their addresses and names are in the drawer next to the bed. Look through it and write to them. Take help wherever you receive it. If you meet someone, you could always be honest with them.

Sarah, do not mourn me too much when I am gone because I have led a very happy life with the man I love the most and a beautiful daughter. You have answered our prayers and we will forever be indebted to you. Please, Sarah, promise me you will go to London.�

�I promise. I will try very hard to get information.� Sarah replied.

�Good. You don�t know how happy that makes me feel.� Mary said

Sarah had tears in her eyes. She knew deep down inside that she should enjoy these last moments with Mary because it wasn�t going to last.

Mary, tired from telling her the story asked Sarah to come closer. When Sarah got near, Mary whispered,

�Read to me Sarah. I enjoy listening to your voice.�

Sarah picked up a book of poetry. She knew Mary loved poetry. She sat down and began to read. Soon, she could hear Mary�s light snores. She closed up her book and whispered �I will always love you whether you are my birth mother or not� in Mary�s ear.

The next morning Sarah woke up with a heavy heart. She immediately went to Mary�s room. There, with a smile on her face was a sleeping Mary. But as she got closer, she noticed that there were no snores and Mary�s chest wasn�t moving. She put her head on Mary�s chest and when she didn�t hear anything, she sat up straight and looked at Mary. She looked happy. Sarah sat in the chair across from the bed and was over come with tears. Her whole body shock and she brought her knees up and hugged herself very tightly. Even though Mary had told her not to mourn for her, Sarah couldn�t stop the tears. She sat there crying for what seemed like hours. Finally, she got up; put a white sheet over Mary�s body. She went upstairs and took a long bath. She put on a simple black dress and went to go find Father Aberforth. He would know what to do.