Untitled Still
an excerpt

“Come in.”

Lisabeth’s soft request barely made it through the thick door. He stepped into the room and closed the door behind him, waiting.

“Matthew said you’d come,” she whispered. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to greet you. I’m sorry I forgot you said you’d be here.”

“Like I told him, I ain’t about to miss those girls graduatin’,” said Wil. “I just ain’t sure what I walked into.”

She laughed, “That makes three of us, then. Matthew and I aren’t sure, either.”
“Ya don’t think…”

“No,” she cut him off. “I still have a clear memory. I’m not about to run into your arms, so stop acting scared of me. I’m scared enough of myself without your help.”

He stepped further into the room, noting the drape over her vanity, just like every other mirror in the house. “Matthew didn’t tell me why all the mirrors are covered.”

“I didn’t feel like breaking anymore.”

“Thought your memory was clear.”

“It is. So long as I don’t see myself,” she whispered. “That’s when it gets confusing.”

“Makes it tough to make yourself pretty, don’t it?” He grinned when she turned to look at him, “Even at your worst, ya always made sure ya looked good.”

“Times change, Wil.”

“But you don’t.”

“Yes I do. I have. Many times.” She turned back and stared out the window again. “Time hasn’t been kind.”

“It has to you. Ya still look good as ya did steppin’ off that train. Remember that?”

She laughed, “Sure. I insulted you and Lee. I believe I said that you were no gentleman.”

“You were right.”

“And I told Lee,” she started. “I don’t remember, exactly.”

“Ya told him he couldn’t make a whore, much less a lady, feel welcome,” laughed Wil. “Ya raised a hornet’s nest in him. Don’t think he ever forgave ya.”

“Did I really say that? Oh, I was terrible,” she said. “You’d think I was never raised with manners.”

“Nah. Ya just had a fire in ya. What happened to it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Look at ya! Middle of the day and you’re still in your robe. Not even them farmers get up early as you ever did. Ya never had a hair outta place. Now, ya look like Hell.”

“It’s appropriate. I’m just tired of fighting it.”

“And like I just asked. What happened to that fire?”

She stared out the window in silence, watching as the ball was tossed between the children. Somehow Matt had even convinced Charlotte to play. Their laughter could be heard through the glass panes.

She lifted her eyes to his, shaking her head, “You don’t know?”

“Tell me.”

“It’s in them,” she said, turning back to the window. “Out there. The four of them have all of me.”