Crumpled Dreams

*** Bayne’s Residence “Honey! I’m home. Get these groceries out of my hands”, Mr. Bayne shouted as he opened the door but was met with Goofy waggling his tail seeing his master arrive with his treats. Marcela, his wife, still didn’t arrive after attending the Local Community Fund Raisers Club. Such was an important event for her as she started participating in every events in the community after one of their neighbors reportedly got sick and was supported by the community funds. “Mom still haven’t gotten home after attending the fund raisers meeting”, young Sirila greeted from the couch watching her favorite Disney movie. “What about Sophie?”, Mr. Bayne asked. “In her room as usual, reading”, Sirila replied. Sophie, in her own world was about to discover that her favorite femme fatale was about to die as she was surrounded by all the knights of the enemy and no hope was oblivious when young Sirila opened the door and crushed the knights and her idol. “Dad wants you to come downstairs to fix the groceries and cook us dinner”, Sirila said. “What about mom?”, Sophie replied. “Still didn’t arrive”, Sirila said leading the steps down. ****Parent’s Room “She really needs to find a job suitable for her age”, Marcela said in a hush voice as she and her husband already settled in their room for the night. “We’ve already talked about this hundreds of times and my answer is still no”, Mr. Bayne gruntly replied. “She’s not going to be our baby forever and besides who’s going to take care of her when i-pray-God-will-not-let-it-happen something will happen to us”, Marcela continued worried about her eldest daughter Sophie who is already part of the adult age group and already in the age of independency. “I know honey but I fear for our daughter. Our daughters to be exact. Especially Sophie who’s becoming prettier each day and that I think is the real reason I couldn’t let her go. What if she will encounter a terrifying experience outside?”, Mr. Bayne replied still worried and got the premonition for Sophie. **** Sophie’s Room “Sophie, I couldn’t sleep in my room”, young Sirila whispered as she tries wake up the already sleeping Sophie. “Mmmm.. Come sleep here by my side”, Sophie replied as she extended her arms to hug Sirila to join her in bed. “Sophie? Can I ask you a question?”, Sirila asked after eavesdropping the conversation of their parents. “Yes”, Sophie replied whose eyes were half closed. “Will there be a time you will leave me, and Mom and Dad?”, Sirila inquired. “And why would you ask that? Have you been eavesdropping Mom and Dad again?”, Sophie answered. “No, but you are already a grown up. Yesterday, as I was washing the dishes I peeked outside and saw a girl same height as you together with a boy and they holding each other’s hands”, Sirila mentioned. Sophie didn’t reply as she realized what Sirila told her. It’s true. She’s old enough already. Old enough to do what she really wants but that her father wouldn’t let her so. For all those years in the tiny bedroom with only her books and her former teacher to educate her, she has this adventurous curiosity about the world outside. What it is like already after vivid memories of her childhood in the park was of thought. She was really curious what it’s like but her father was always in her way and wouldn’t let her even to peek to see their neighbors. Curious about why her father wouldn’t let her go outside even for a walk, she confronted him once and he told her and Sirila the story of a girl from their neighborhood who went missing after her family went out for a picnic. But that was way back in childhood, Sophie thought as she was analyzing the situation now. She could fight just like Xena, the warrior princess she always read when she was 13 years old. **** Smell of coffee drifted to her nose fully awakening her up from sleep. Seeing Sirila still sleeping and her left foot hugging hers, Sophie carefully lifted Sirila’s foot trying not to awake her. It was still 4:39 am and it’s best for Sirila to wake up when the sun rises. As she tiptoed downstairs, Sophie could hear her mother humming as she was toasting some loaf breads for them. “Good morning sweetheart”, Marcela greeted as she kissed Sophie. “Morning Mom”, Sophie replied dizzily. This is what Sophie enjoyed in the mornings. A great time catching up with her Mom as she tells her about the latest updates in the neighborhood. “You know Sally, Eva’s daughter, she already is working at a company earning 500 dollars a day just replying to emails”, her mother told her indirectly comparing Sophie’s home-based status to that of the neighbor’s daughter. “Goofy!”, Sophie exclaimed as Goofy grubbed the bread from her hand but also to Sophie’s delight as she wanted to divert the topic her mother just opened up. “You could really get a job you know”, Marcela said pitifully looking at Sophie. “But Mom, as much as I wanted to also, Father won’t allow me. Don’t you think I also didn’t crave for what it’s like to live outside?”, Sophie answered much more like a complain. “You could tell him you know. That you like to explore. That you could also provide for this family in a little way that you can if hoping you will get a job”, Marcela said frowning. “That won’t do”, Mr. Bayne roared coming from their room. “I’ve already made my decision to this matter and I am resolute about it. I will provide for this family and Sophie will not leave this house for some money reasons”, he exclaimed. “Too much for a peaceful morning”, Sophie said to herself. **** Afternoons are the best time for Sophie and Sirila as they are free to do whatever they like in the house as their parents were outside with their dealings. “What if all of a sudden you will have to go outside and work?” Sirila asked Sophie who was busy making a smoothie for their afternoon snack. “Then I’ll have to work. I will be early like Dad. I will be like Sally who pays and supports her family by sending emails”, Sophie replied. As their afternoon show is already on set, the telephone rang jolting them both from their seats. Sophie turned the receiver on. “Sophie, are you there?!”, their mom called out panting. “Yes mom. Its me, Sophie”, Sophie replied. “I want you to listen to me carefully. Your Dad met an accident at his work and we are both at the hospital. Doctor Norrington informed us that they will have to perform his immediate surgery. I want you and Sirila to pack some of our clothes good enough for one week. And also, make sure to lock all doors and windows tonight before going to bed”, Marcela blunted. “Okay Mom, how is Dad?”, Sophie asked in a state of mixed panic and fear. “He is okay. The nurses told me he could either be bedridden due to the sever damages in his spine”, their Mom replied. Sophie was stunned. Earlier that morning they were only discussing about the matter of her getting a job and now, it is time already. She knew that despite her Father’s future protests he will be left with no choice but to send her to work as her family will need it the most.