The Place On The Other Side

Big Changes & Greda

　Running around, playing and grazing in the field a young mare and her beautiful mother watched as Dolyia's father steered the horse and carriage out of the barn and down the road leading to town. Dolyia watched as well, she wasn't sure how to feel, not knowing what his intentions were.

　　The sun was shining bright, dew sparkling in the light over the grassy yard in front of the cottage. Dolyia walked out into the sunlight, feeling the warmth on her face remembering how pretty her mother’s hair was when the sun shone this way. She also remembered how she and her Ma would run through the field with the horses, picking bundles of wild flowers that grew out there.

　　Suddenly she felt a rush of need. A tugging/pulling type of feeling towards the forest edge. She had little to no control over her own feet. She was being forced to walk into the woods. She fought back with all her might making herself think about her mother and the memory of losing her to the forest. With that thought she felt control in her feet again, then turned and ran as fast as she could back to the cottage.

　　When she was safe, she felt strangely exhausted as if she had been working for over two days straight. She laid in her bed looking at the ceiling. Her feelings turned into worry, thinking about how she hadn't gotten any actual work done and would have to double her workload tomorrow.

　　Monday passed. When Dolyia awoke on Tuesday morning, she had a new state of mind. She did her chores quickly after not doing them the day before. Though it was difficult trying to stay focused on her chores, knowing what she had felt regarding the forest and not knowing why Pa had left for so long.

　　Pa came home that Saturday morning. A young beautiful woman sat by his side on the carriage as he drove the horse towards the front of the cottage. She was dressed very proper in a gorgeous day dress. Her face was covered in foundation that made her high cheeks glow. Her lips were plump and shiny with a very vibrant red lipstick. Her hair was done up as if she were going to a ball. She looked like she jumped right out of a fairy tale.

　　Pa helped the woman out of the carriage and walked her up to the house, leaving her there standing next to Dolyia as he took the carriage and horse back to the barn. The woman looked around at the barn and field, padlock, and cottage, then to Dolyia. She was chosen to marry Pa for a trade deal to work between Greda's father and Pa for more cows. As long as they were married Pa had free range pick of any cow and steer he wanted.

　　When they met eyes Dolyia knew right away this was not going to end up in her favor at all. She started to feel a wrenching nasty feeling in her stomach. The woman spoke first, with a nasty, stern, stuck up face.

　　"My name is Greda and I’m guessing you are Joseph's daughter, Dolyia." Dolyia's stomach wrenched more when Greda spoke her name, "You are to do as you are told. Do not cross me." Greda finished before she walked into the cottage.

　　Dolyia was not happy about the woman her Pa had picked to remarry. But deep down, she didn't really care because of the way her Pa had been treating her since her mother’s disappearance. She had just turned 13th only a month ago. And the anniversary of her mother disappearing was coming up. This was not a good time for Dolyia. She spent the rest of the day in the barn doing chores keeping her distance from Pa and Greda. She had even gone to bed that night without dinner.

　　　　"Dolyia, Where are you!" yelled Greda from the cottage.

　　The next morning Dolyia had left the house before Greda had awoken. Determined to not have to look at her for as long as she could, Dolyia was running far into the field with the young mare and other horses. She was in a good mood, despite the recent events. She knew she had to go back eventually though. Disobeying Greda like this was going to earn her discipline from Pa. She went to the barn to seek out Pa to apologize for not listening and promise to do better.

　　"Pa, are you in here?" Dolyia called into the barn as she walked through the large doors.

　　"Yeah, I'm back here with old Millie." Pa called back to her.

　　　He was tending to their pregnant heifer, she had been bred with the promise of trade for wheat and corn for the new calf. She was closing in on delivering. Dolyia had wanted to see this happen since they bred the cow. So she hoped that Pa would be in a good mood and let her help. It was a long shot but a chance she wanted to take.

　　"Can I help out with Millie, Pa?" She asked in a calm, small voice. Looking into his eyes hoping to see kindness instead of resentment.

　　"I know you want to help, but I also know you haven't done any chores over the last two days and have been avoiding Greda. You will listen and do as you're told." He repeated what Greda had said the day before, as if they planned a speech before arriving home yesterday.

　　"Yes, Pa." Dolyia replied, turning away from his sight before she rolled her eyes in anger.

　　Dolyia listened to her father and went back into the cottage. She found Greda in the kitchen preparing lunch for Pa. She had already rearranged the small home to her liking. It made Dolyia's head hurt more than ever with the ache of losing her Ma.

　　She walked up to Greda, repressing her feelings, and she asked, "How may I help?"

　　"You may prepare the fire for tea and set the table. I can see and tell that you will be difficult, but I will try to look past it knowing that your Ma left you and your Pa without any notice. I can't see why, with how wonderful your Pa is." Greda said this with a burning in her eyes as if she was putting the blame on Dolyia's Ma.

　　Time went on, but Greda did not change her ways. Chores seemed to be adding up instead of being done faster. Dolyia was being treated worse and worse everyday. Pa had become more and more distant, to the point of mistreating his own daughter. She was losing her Pa to Greda and she wasn't going to get him back anytime soon. She had spent the last two years enduring Greda's and her Pa's hatred. Being forced to do almost everything. Greda wouldn't do any work outdoors as her Ma had done. She would only cook for Pa. Dolyia had to fend for herself even for supper. Dolyia was about to have her 15th birthday soon. And like the previous two birthdays, she would spend it alone with the farm animals.

　　Sitting in the barn petting the young bull their cow had, she thought about her Ma. How she would've made a beautiful cake and ice cream with a treat of candy. She used to handcraft a new gown for her to wear on the day and would celebrate with Pa and Ma in the cottage throughout the day canceling all chores just for her. But sad news from her Pa interrupted the memories.

　　"You are to pack your belongings and make room in the loft here in the barn." Pa said with a sneer on his face, "Greda, and I are expecting a child and need your room for the baby."

Pa’s words were like a slap to the face. Pa had no concern for her thoughts or well-being. Dolyia had over the few years learned to not argue with her Pa and just do as she was told. Dolyia didn't mind getting kicked out into the barn too much. It made it easier to stay away from them and their cruelty. She had already given up trying to talk to her Pa about everything as he didn’t care anymore.

　　Consumed by greed, and with a baby on the way Pa cast her out. Forced to leave her home, Dolyia found herself a nice spot in the barn loft with the hens. She wouldn't last long there, before she too was fed up with how she was being treated. She dealt with everything until the new child was about a year old. She had just had another birthday.

　　16 now and more upset than ever before. Pa had completely given up on her and given up on finding her Ma, she knew this now. The calling feeling was stronger than ever as well. She had fought back for too long. It was time to leave..