Red

The Day I lost My First Love

"Papa?" called into the room. "Papa?" I pushed open the door and stepped through, the skirts of my nightgown swishing against my legs. Papa lay on the floor surrounded by red juice all over the floor. "Did you spill your wine papa?"

Papa turned his head towards me and smiled. But his smile didn't look like it normally looked. He looked very tired. He mumbled something.

"What papa? I can't hear you." I asked.

"Go call Auntie Bernice, run!" Papa's voice croaked out.

I frowned, confused as to why he sounded so poorly. "What's the matter, papa?"

"Go! Now!" Papa demanded in a frightening voice.

I jumped back in fright at the urgency in his voice and ran out of the door. I ran as fast as my eight year old legs would carry me. I tripped over a rock and scraped my knee. But I knew that there was no time to cry over the pain that shot up my leg, papa sounded afraid.

I pushed myself up and ran to the best of my ability. Soon, auntie's house came into view.

"Auntie! Auntie! Help! Auntie! It's Katherine! Help!" I yelled as I approached the house. By the time I made it to the door, auntie was standing there, her nightgown covered over with a shawl.

"Good gracious dear! What in heaven's name is the matter? Where is your papa?"

"He told me to call you! He was sleeping on the floor but shouted at me to come and get you! I don't know what's wrong!"

"Oh my heavens, child! Jack! Something is wrong with James! Fetch the horses and buggy!" She ushered me into the house and held me close, brushing my hair out of my eyes.

"What is the matter with papa, Auntie?" I asked, looking up at auntie with my wide innocent eyes.

"It will be okay, my dear. I will always look after you. I promise." She smiled, fighting back the tears that I could see were clouding her eyes.

Auntie's smile was always able to clear all my worries.

"Can I have a cookie, Auntie?" I gave auntie my biggest smile.

Auntie smiled gently at me, "Not now dear, maybe when we get back."

"But why would I come back here? Wouldn't I stay with Papa?"

"We will see. Come, let's see if Uncle Jack has finished getting the horses ready." She pulled a dress over her gown and put her shawl back over her shoulders and handed another one to me. We walked out to the horses and got in. Jack whipped the reins and we set off.

In no time at all we arrived at papa's house and uncle jumped down and helped auntie and I down safely. Both of them ran into the house ahead of me. Before I could even get inside I heard auntie scream.

Fright coursed through my veins as my little body went cold.

"Auntie? What's the matter?" I asked.

"Oh my Lord. Darling, go to your bedroom, now! Put some clothes into your suitcase, you are staying with me tonight."

"Oh goodie! But why are you sad? Was daddy drinking wine? Is that what that is?"

"Go child. Please for me, wait there until I come and get you. Do you understand?"

I nodded my head somberly and ran to my bedroom. As I left I heard auntie sob, "Oh my beloved brother. Why, James!?"

The strain in her voice made me want to comfort auntie, so I peeked around the doorway to see auntie bent over my papa, but then I remembered the desperation on auntie's face when she told me to pack.

I ran into my bedroom and struggled pulled out my largest suitcase and threw it onto my bed. Opening my chest of draws, I pulled out some underclothes and placed them in the suitcase and then selected my favourite gowns. First the pink one with orange frills, then my blue one with the green ruffles. I could still hear Uncle trying to comfort auntie.

Hurriedly, I stuffed more dresses and a couple pairs of shoes into the suitcase. Then added my toiletries and finally the small jewelry box my mother gave me before she died. I traced the crown on the top of it, a tear escaped from my eyes as I thought back to the day my mother had given it to me.

"Happy birthday dear!" Momma smiled brightly.

"Oh momma! It's beautiful!" I replied.

"Open it, look inside."

Unhooking the latch I gently lifted the lid and inside I saw a heart shaped locket. "Momma. This is perfect! Thank you." I breathed out.

"Care for it always my darling my mother gave it to me and her mother before her. It signifies that you are special. Never let anyone tell you otherwise."

"I won't momma, I pro-"

The door crashed open and three big men came bursting through the door.

"We are here for you, Alyssa. You never should have left. Face your punishment!"

"James, run! Take Katherine. GO!"

"I won't leave you, my darling." He replied.

"I love you darling, show me you love me too, and protect our child." Tears ran down her face in streams. She gave him a final kiss and pushed them out the back door.

"Take me, but leave my husband and the girl alone." I heard my mother say in a strong voice as papa and I ran towards the horses.

"For now all I care about is you! Your head will get me one thousand pounds!"

I was broken out of my memories when auntie opened her door. Her face was red, clearly she had been crying. Finally, I had to admit it. "Is papa, gone to momma?"

Her auntie's face crumpled and she collapsed to her knees in front of me and she bundled me in her arms. "I will protect you darling. Tomorrow we will come back and collect the rest of your belongings and we can set up a room for you at my house, alright?"

I looked down at my hands and nodded. "Please, auntie, may I say goodbye to him."

"He cannot talk back my darling."

"I know, I just want to say goodbye."

Auntie nodded and took my suitcase from the bed and ushered me into the living room where my father lay.

I slumped to my knees next to my papa. I took his face in my tiny hands. His face was becoming cold. "Goodbye papa. Please tell momma that I love her. And please know that I love you too, papa. I know you love me too." I placed a kiss on my father's cooling forehead, then took auntie's hand and walked out the door.