Read Echoes of the Heart: Poems for Free Online Page A

Diane spoke in a matter of
fact way while walking toward the door, her manner businesslike and
concise.   “I’ll get Mike and Craig, they
can help.   I will have Mike go talk to
Tom and between the three of them, they can notify the guests the wedding will
not happen.   I’m sure Mike or Tom will
talk to Chris, as well.
    “I will go speak
with the minister and tell your parents.   Your mother will be hysterical of course, but it won’t be the first
time.   You start getting your things
together.   The train leaves tomorrow
night and we have a lot to do.”   She left
the room in a hurry and Raeden heard the sounds of footsteps running down
stairs.
                Raeden
stood staring at the open door, unable to think clearly.   Oh God,
what is happening?   Relief suddenly
washed over her, a smile formed on her lips.   Yes, this will work out just fine.   She ran to the cellar and dragged several
large trunks to her room.   One stood in
the corner already packed with her trousseau leaving the others for her
fabrics, notions and remaining clothing.   She could help at the store, do tailoring, and sew garments for the
women in town.  
    The thought of
using her talents and starting fresh gave a burst of energy.   If things went well, perhaps she could go to Paris
in the spring with nothing standing in her way.   She had read so much about Europe and the fashion
world, the shows and famous designers.   It would be there she could really make her mark.
    With things
definitely looking up, she filled up the trunk and stacked packages of fabric,
carefully wrapped in heavy Manila paper to avoid the dust on the train.   Excitement amplified as she put her extra set
of riding clothes in the trunk along with extra boots, warm cloak and riding
jacket.   No one would criticize her
riding apparel now.   Next, she would go to the stable to
collect Arte’s gear.
    Her wedding dress
hung in the armoire, the most beautiful garment she had constructed to
date.   She had spent many hours stringing
the miniature pearls and it shimmered in the light when she removed it for
inspection.
    Maybe she could
sell it in Chamberlain.   Surely, a bride
would buy the gown.   No, I will leave it for Cynthia .   Her sister near marrying age and their size being the same, she pictured
the gown on her sister.   She knew it
would look striking.
    Placing the
wrapped dress carefully in a small trunk she added the shoes, veil and purse
then pushed it into the back of the closet.
    The marriage
completely out of her thoughts, she continued to collect the items necessary to
make her stay at Diane and Mike’s comfortable along with all her toiletries and
fancy silk undergarments.  
                Deciding
she might stay in Chamberlain if she liked it, she packed some of her favorite possessions,
family tintypes and photographs to take along together with her jewelry, which
she carefully placed in a lesser case to carry on board the train.
    Hearing footsteps
approaching her room, she turned to see her mother standing in the doorway, a scowl
on her bright crimson face.   Raeden
straightened her back and held her chin high bracing herself for the inevitable
humiliating confrontation.
                The
veins in Sophia’s neck bulged, her cheeks on fire when she screeched at her
daughter.   “What do you think you are
doing?   You can’t do this.   I will never be able to face anyone in this
city again.”   Tears flowed uncontrolled
while she put her hands over her eyes and began to weep.
                Seeing
her mother in this pitiful state, Raeden rushed to her enfolding her in
outstretched arms.   “I’m sorry,
Mother.   I don’t love Christopher and I
can’t marry him.   I don’t know why I let
this happen in the first place.   I want
more from life and it may not include a man at all.   If I did find someone I really wanted to be
with, it would have to come second.   I
want to make a