I never thought it would happen to me. We were so happy or so I thought. Then, one day, he told me that he was leaving the kids and me. I still can't believe it. It was the worst moment in my life. I'm still struggling to understand why he left without saying anything to …
Birthdays and Engagements
"Nessa, has Jane come home as yet?" Mrs. Langstaff asked me as soon as I entered the drawing-room. "No, Madam." Mr. Langstaff glanced up from his newspaper. "Where is she?" "She went to a concert with her friend, Hilary." "They went to a concert?" "Yes. They went to see the Hillbillies and Hitchhikers." "What?" he …
A Tour and Lunch
Gerhardt had just returned from a walk on the moors and was outside on the porch when Alexandra stepped out. He was pleasantly surprised to see her. "Hello," he said. "Hello. Nice dog. He's sitting so still that I thought he was a work of art. What's his name?" "Cinder." "Cinder?" "It was Helena's idea. …
Father and Son
There was a man who had two sons. One day, the younger son came to him and said, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ His father divided his property between the two sons. Days later, the younger son gathered all he had and left home. He went to a far country …
Slavery and Grooming
"What's on your mind?" Mats asked Abi. She looked like she was thinking about something. "Downtrodden doozies and winded waxers." "I'm sure you're going to explain what you mean." "Downtrodden doozies are people who are mistreated because they are thought to be troublesome, difficult or problematic. When slaves rebelled against their masters, they were seen as troublesome …
The Vicar’s Daughter
After she had put some distance between Mr. Rivers' property and herself, Dora stopped to examine her torn dress. She was panting and her heart was racing. She was lucky that all she suffered from her foolish decision to take a shortcut through Mr. Rivers' property was a torn skirt. He had set his savage …
The Intruder
A storm was raging outside. The rain was beating relentlessly against the windows. The lightning flashed across the sky and soon followed by the loud thunderous clap. She hated storms. And being alone in the house didn't help the situation. She chided herself for coming ahead of the family to this place which been closed …
Plead for the Widows
They still hope when they die, that their son probably will come and light their pyre. A son who breaks your legs, a son who hits you so hard that your skull breaks, a son who is willing to put cow dung in your mouth - and yet you want the same son to come …
Notes to Women 