9 - Four Years On - Draft

On the fourth anniversary of Henrietta’s death, her family privately mourned her loss, each carrying their own pain, suffering and secrets.

Frannie visited Henrietta’s grave alone to talk to her best friend about the tragedy that seemed to never end since she died. Henrietta had always calmed her fears and made her feel like everything would be better soon. Frannie never felt safer than by Henrietta’s side. Now she had to be strong not only for herself but Juanita as well.

The past year saw the triumph of getting Juanita back. They both worked back breaking, low paying jobs just to survive in the worst of situations. Nobody wanted to hire Frannie after the scandal. She had to take whatever work she could get. Juanita needed to drop out of school to help support them but found it equally hard to find employment because of her age and lack of experience. They did whatever they had to survive and were together but Frannie had wanted so much more for her daughters. It broke her heart to see her highly intelligent daughter mindlessly scrub down kitchens just to survive.

They had both seen the news articles about Darcy. Her Royal Highness was constantly featured. They saw her dressed in the finest of clothes and jewelry that could feed the nation for a month. Juanita both missed and despised her sister as she labored in difficult circumstances with rags for clothing and an empty stomach.

The hardest news to take though was when the press reported on the views of the princess. Darcy was parroting all of what Narcissus believed. It stung them to think that Darcy had changed so much from who they knew so well. It was hardest on Juanita who still missed her sister and best friend. She felt betrayed.

The biggest betrayal came when a reporter asked Darcy how she was faring on the anniversary of the end of her famous and tragic ordeal. Darcy replied, “I am doing very well considering all that I had gone through. Some moments are harder than others of course but I’m doing well.”

The reporters and commentators talked about her bravery after enduring such horrors in the care of those women. The sting of that anniversary was almost too much to bear for all of them. Juanita would never forget nor forgive Darcy for those words. Frannie mourned for her loss of her daughter, Darcy.

For Darcy, she struggled in silence. She spoke the truth but in a way that wouldn’t anger the Queen. For the Queen and the nation, all that Darcy had gone through had ended when she was rescued four years ago. For Darcy, it was the tragedy of losing her mother, Henrietta to a gun and the rest of her family to the desires of the Queen. Her ordeal began four years ago and she was coping the best that she could.

As for Bird, he fell in love with Juanita the moment he saw her four years ago. He had spent these years doing anything he could to help her and her family while keeping his feelings to himself. His love for her had only grown stronger with time. She had become a strong, resilient, gorgeous young woman. He was absolutely devoted to her and she to him.

On Juanita’s eighteenth birthday, Bird took her out on a date that lasted the entire day. While Frannie and the whole community were involved in the planning and execution of Juanita’s special day, nothing was revealed to Juanita herself.

Frannie had laid out an outfit for Juanita that morning. It would be her only clue for what awaited her. Juanita made a million guesses and begged her mother to tell her Bird’s plans or at least give her a clue as she got ready that morning. She hated surprises in general but since it was Bird, she was excited for what lay ahead.

Bird showed up at Juanita’s door with a bouquet of sunflowers that morning. It was her favorite flower. Bird had planted them in a vacant lot in their neighborhood earlier that year just for her. Today they would adorn her bedroom.

“Good morning and happy birthday, Miss Juanita,” Bird began when she came to the door. She looked amazing in her signature blue jean overalls and a hot pink tank top. Nothing could take the smile from Bird’s face that day even if his words frequently escaped him.

“Are you ready to go, ma’am?”

“Of course. Where are we going?” Juanita asked on the off chance that Bird would slip up.

“Out,” he replied with a smile on his face dashing all hopes that Juanita would get a clue about the day’s events.

The pair set out hand in hand. When they arrived at the vacant lot that Bird and the rest of the community had made into a garden, Juanita almost burst into tears. There was a blanket laid out in the grass next to Juanita’s sunflowers. Two sets of dishes with wine glasses were set out. An old pail filled with ice held a bottle of wine and a picnic basket contained some of Juanita’s favorite foods. There was even an old vase in the middle with a mixture of flowers from the garden. A radio played Juanita’s favorite music. It was perfect.

A few of their friends had stood guard over the scene and greeted Juanita with well wishes before making their exit. Bird and Juanita sat down, enjoying the lunch that he had prepared. Nothing could spoil that moment. The normally putrid air of their neighborhood from nearby factories now smelled like the finest of gardens. The birds chirped happily in a nearby tree and on the power lines. The sun shown brightly and a slight summer breeze gave relief from the heat. Bird had managed to transport her from their bleak surroundings to a beautiful wonderland.

Bird had never been more in love with her than that day. She sang along with her favorite songs. While her singing voice wasn’t perfect, her joy was infectious. He couldn’t help but smile. They chatted, enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful day.

When they finished their picnic, Bird took Juanita home for a wardrobe change before their next stop. Frannie had her outfit laid out and helped her get ready for their next stop as Bird checked on the progress of their final stop.

Bird returned to find the love of his life looking more beautiful than he could’ve ever imagined. She wore an elegant, off the shoulder, dark pink dress that flared out at the waist and landed just below her knees. A simple pearl necklace adorned her neck and dropped pearl earrings flowed from her hair that was done in an updo.

Although Bird could never match her beauty, elegance and grace, he made his best attempt in a classy, black suit and tie. Although Juanita found him to look strikingly handsome, she preferred him in his signature faded jeans and T shirt.

It took Bird a moment to compose himself when he first laid eyes upon Juanita. His heart was overcome with love for his precious Babe. He bowed his head slightly and offered his arm. They walked off arm in arm to their next stop.

Frannie watched them disappear around the corner with tears in her eyes. Her precious baby was all grown and had found happiness with Bird amidst all of the pain and suffering of the last four years. She had no time for emotions though. She had to rush off to their final stop.

Bird took Juanita to their favorite diner, the same one where Bird met Henrietta. They were extremely overdressed for the restaurant but no one cared. When they walked in, everyone in attendance gave them a standing ovation and wished Juanita a happy birthday.

The staff doted on them throughout the evening. They never even asked them what they wanted. The food just kept flowing. Appetizers of mozzarella sticks, onion rings, pot stickers, fried veggies and shrimp cocktail. A hamburger and French fries for Bird. Chicken parmesan with garlic bread for Juanita. Lastly milkshakes for dessert.

When the time had come for them to go to their final destination, Betty, their waitress and friend, placed the bill face down on the table in front of Bird as a signal to go. Bird got out his wallet and flipped over the bill. To his surprise there was no bill, only a note from Betty. “Good luck, Bird! We love you both!”

Bird placed a tip on the table. He motioned to Betty with a smile on his face, tears in his eyes and love in his heart as the couple exited the diner.

The couple chatted happily as they walked arm in arm into the night. They were too lost in their love for one another to notice but the fairies who always watched over them were weeping tears of joy that night.

Juanita hadn’t even noticed where they were until Bird stopped suddenly. He motioned her to go inside the local community center that was normally closed at this hour. She opened the door to find everyone from the community shouting cheers of “Happy Birthday!” The center was filled with balloons and streamers. A huge birthday banner hung behind a table filled with homemade food that everyone brought in to share. After greeting many of the guests, Bird and the others gently led her to the small stage. She was about to give everyone her thanks for such a wonderful birthday when she noticed Bird from the corner of her eye. He dropped to one knee and opened a small jewelry box. He had the biggest smile on his face, tears in his eyes and hope in his heart. Once Juanita set her eyes fully upon him, she fell to the ground before him, embraced him and kissed him. Tears were streaming down their faces when the crowd jokingly asked, “Well?”

They both burst into laughter before Juanita gave the crowd her answer of an emphatic yes. The crowd cheered the couple as they got up from the ground  and didn’t stop for another ten minutes. In their neighborhood where the grim reminders of life’s difficulties were ever present, they had forgotten them all for one night. The tremendous love of Bird and Juanita had allowed them to dare to have hope for a better tomorrow at least for one night.