"Sweet Sorrow"

A Beginning Of Painful Laughter

CHAPTER TWO

In a couple of minutes, Claudia was out of the house already dressed for going out .She carried her ash gleaming ford car and took off. she finally arrived at Maggie house.

The house was quiet, dark and unkept, as if it hadn't been cleaned since the day it was constructed.The weather began to change from bad to worse. It was a bit sunny as at then but gradually become cozy, windy and snowy.

Thanks to Claudia's lucky stars, she had brought her jacket along with her and she was left with no options than to put it on as occasion demands.

"Hello!" Claudia said as she knocked on Maggie's door,"is anybody at home?" asked Claudia as the door knob soon turned unlock from the inside and the door was open.

"Hi girlfriend!" Smiled Maggie as she reached for a hug "hi sweetheart!" Can I come in? Inquired Claudia "of course! Sure! you can" permitted Maggie "thanks"

Claudia said as she entered into the warmth, dark and old living room then Maggie sensitively shut the door.

"So where the heck is Dustin? or you'll tell me he isn't yet back till now?" began Claudia "

No he isn't! He should be on his way so I'm not sure he will make it to the house on time" Maggie replied with searching eyes. At the look of things, she wasn't comfortable and was also lost in deep thoughts.

Claudia noticed it and quickly called to her attention. "Maggie!" No response"Maggie" "yes!yes!" Replied Maggie now back to her senses.

"What is totally wrong with you? It's as if you are totally lost it or…..(pauses) is there something that I need to know ,you're not telling me?"

Suspected Claudia "of course! no! no no! no! There's nothing! It just that... em…"Maggie was saying as she caught sight of something and suddenly stopped talking all of the sudden. Claudia was shocked and soon become afraid.

She noticed Maggie's eyes starting indignantly at something without taking her eyes off. Her eyes revealed fear and brightness.

Her lips began to shake and to Claudia's surprise a tear trickled down Maggie's succulent widened eyes and all what Maggie could mange to say was " No!No! I can't! I can't! Fear soon occupied Claudia too and she managed to call Maggie

"Maggie! Maggie, what is it?"

But Maggie couldn't talk. Claudia noticed that Maggie was looking behind her and turned to see what was the problem only for her to turn behind and discover that a toy teddy bear was lying right in front of the open door opposite them.

She wondered if it could be a teddy bear that instilled fear in Maggie, besides; when did Maggie develop unnecessary fears for teddy bear in fact if she could remember vividly, Maggie played with them as a child more than she did.

So what specifically could be the reason for Maggie's fear. Claudia teasingly stood up with a noticeable smile and went towards the door, opened it but could not find anything or anybody there.

She simply closed the door and was about to pick the teddy bear when Maggie yelled "No! Stop! Don't do that! That's ….very…. Ugly and …. dangerous" exclaimed Maggie as tears continued to roll down frequently.

Claudia became confused but definitely not afraid.

How can a cute little toy teddy bear loved by kids and almost everyone turn out to be ugly and instantly dangerous" that was absolute madness and ridiculous!

Claudia still didn't listen to her and stubbornly picked up the teddy bear and Maggie screamed.

Eventually, nothing happened to Claudia. She was perfectly okay and fit as usual. Claudia began to think that her beat friend had began to lose her mind.

"I can assure you Claudia that, that thing isn't good, I can even ….." Maggie was cut short "oh yes! I perfectly understand. It would suddenly open it's mouth and devour me and then I would scream and then it would..."

Claudia was cut short "Stop it! just stop it! If you won't believe me then fine! But don't you dare mock me"

Maggie said now infuriated by the way Claudia teased her."well ….em… I'm sorry Maggie for doing that but I was so confused.

I don't understand why you feared the teddy bear..." "I'm not afraid ….of teddy bear!" Yelled Maggie.

This made Claudia even more startled and bewildered "then if it isn't the doll that frightened you, then...what actually did?" Asked Claudia furiously.

"Maggie couldn't say a word all she did was stare. Suddenly she yerked up like a bull and said " wait here Claudia; I'll be right back" Maggie continued as she went into the room.

Few seconds later, she came back with something in her hand. It was two charming small boxes made from copper and Gold.

"What is that?" Asked Claudia curiously. "This...this...this is for you and... and your unborn child" replied Maggie.

"Each box contain a pendant one for you and one for your unborn child as soon as he or she turns lovely enticing pendant made of green crystal and emerald were found lying inside each box.

" wow! Those are really pretty! Where did you get them from because it is obvious they aren't traded in New York so where on planet earth did you get those?" asked Claudia excited,"

well I...em..i...well...em… it's no use knowing where they come from all I want you to know is that they are yours and for your unborn child from now on and I really want you to have them".

Said Maggie obviously faking a smile.

" Really" wow! I love them. These are the best gifts ever; but wait a minute, why all these sudden gifts?" Another round of unexpected question from Claudia and Maggie couldn't seem to get enough of them.

"Well..i..i em...i kinda...decided that...em since you will be having my little niece or nephew in a couple of months time,I should probably give you something before the birth. I want it to be the most...special...gift (breathed in) you've ever heard" replied Maggie.

Her uncertainty showed so vividly that even a blind fellow can notice.

"Well thanks a lot Maggie! I really appreciate; you're the best in my world" Claudia said as she tried hugging Maggie with her protuding stomach.