by Girard, Dara
Velma took Isabella’s cold hand and cradled it in hers. “I know that, too.”
After Marilyn left, Velma continued to sit by the bed softly humming. She could tell that Isabella had little fight left in her and didn’t know what to say. She hated the feeling of helplessness. Alex always asked about her, but he rarely came into the room. It wasn’t like him to be skittish of sickness, but she didn’t want to force him.
She looked lovingly at Isabella, her face ashen, her frame small and fragile in the large bed. “You know you’re not being fair to us. You’re not giving us a chance. We aren’t perfect but we’re nice to know. Your mother wasn’t a wonderful woman, but she loved you and so did your father and they wouldn’t want this for you.”
Isabella dreamt of flying. Like a kite, like a cloud, free. She saw her mother descending like an angel from the heavens, more beautiful than she’d ever been on earth and reached out her hand to her. Then she saw her father, handsome and strong as he had been before illness whittled his vibrancy away. It was so good to see them again. She wanted to be with them always.
Velma jerked awake when someone gently shook her shoulder. She looked up and saw Alex. “Go to bed, Mom. I’ll stay with her.”
Velma looked up at him; although he spoke calmly the darkness in his eyes worried her. He looked older and tired. But she knew there was nothing she could say to lessen his anguish, so she left. Alex sat beside the bed and grasped Isabella’s hand and brought it to his lips. “Look, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll give you anything you want if you’ll…”
He took a deep breath then shook his head. “No, I won’t play games. We were always honest with each other and I’ll be honest with you now. I thought it was just this house that called me back, but it was you. It took me a long time to realize it, but it’s true. I love this house, but I love…”
He bit his lip unable to say the words he wished to and caressed her hand then lay beside her and fell asleep.
Early the next morning, Gabby sneaked into Isabella’s room and saw Alex fast asleep with his arm around Isabella, but what brought tears to her eyes, was seeing her sister awake.
“Izzy?”
Isabella pressed a finger to her lips and pointed to Alex.
Gabby crept up to the bed. “Oh, Izzy.”
She held out her hand and Gabby grabbed it. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
“I couldn’t stay away.”
“I’m sorry I made you run away.”
“You didn’t. It wasn’t your fault. I discovered you were right all along. I was marrying Alex for all the wrong reasons. But I didn’t think that you would have to marry him instead.” Gabby bit her lip. “Do you love him?”
“I do love him.” She looked at the sleeping man beside her. “Very much.”
Gabby kissed Isabella’s hand. “Then we’re all happy now. Truly happy.”
“Yes.”
Alex moved and Gabby released Isabella’s hand. “Looks like he’s waking up. I’ll leave you two alone.” She slipped out of the room as Alex slowly opened his eyes.
When he saw Isabella staring down at him, he blinked, trying to adjust his gaze.
“Hello, Alex.”
He sat up, his heart racing. “You’re awake.”
She smiled softly. “Yes.”
He dug in his pocket and pulled out the key she’d given him. “I discovered what the key opens. Can you guess?”
She shook her head.
“No? Then I’ll tell you.” He turned her palm up and placed the key inside it. He felt worn and broken as he stared down at her hand, knowing what he had to do. “This is the key to your freedom.”
“My freedom?” she said her mouth caressing the sweet sound of the words. “You mean that I can leave?”
“Yes,” his voice broke, but he didn’t lower his gaze. “I love you. I’ve always loved you and I always will, but I’d rather see you happy alone than miserable with me.”
She gripped the key in her hand and held it close to her heart then handed it back to him. “I choose to stay with you.”
He took the key, his hand shaking, joy evident in his eyes. “But you hate this house.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I thought I did, but I was wrong.” She searched his eyes which reflected the love she had always felt for him. She lay back on the pillow and reached up to touch his cheek. “I was just waiting for you to come home.”
Winter brought a snow chilled breeze that swept through the town, dusting snow on the hills and clothing the naked trees. That Christmas, presents lay piled high under a Douglas fir, but no one noticed them. The Duvall sisters were all together and happy — that was the greatest gift of all.
ISBN: 9781426800597
THE GLASS SLIPPER PROJECT
Copyright © 2007 by Sade Odubiyi
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eBook Info
Title:The Glass Slipper Project
Creator:Dara Girard
Date:2007
Type:novel
Format:text/html
Identifier:ISBN 9781426800597
Source:PDF
Language:en
Relation:None
Coverage:None
Rights:Copyright © 2007 by Sade Odubiyi
