*-Of course none of these characters are mine, I am just temporarily borrowing them.
Quiet
Barton Cottage was quiet, too quiet.
Mary Dashwood remembered the day she moved into Barton Cottage with her daughters. When her husband died, she knew their time at NorlandPark was coming to an end. Fanny, John’s wife was too polite to articulate her feelings, but she was not happy having to share her new home with her husband’s stepmother and step sisters.
The letter from her cousin, Sir John Middleton was a great relief for them all. Of course, Barton Cottage was far from the size and luxury of Norland Park, but the truth was, Mary had learned to appreciate the intimacy that the small cottage allowed.
They had moved in six years ago, it seemed as only a moment had passed.
Marianne and Elinor were both married and had blessed their mother with four grandchildren.
Margaret had also recently departed Barton Cottage.
Marianne’s husband, Colonel Brandon had been offered a position with the admiralty and had relocated his family to London. The excitement of London and the society it offered had drawn Margaret in and with an invitation in hand to spend the season with Marianne and Christopher, Mary watched her youngest child depart for London.
“Mama, it’s time” Elinor’s voice broke through.
“Of course” Mary agreed as Elinor’s husband, Edward Ferrars took the last of her belongings. With her children gone, there was no need to reside at Barton Cottage with just the servants. Mary had been offered a room at the parsonage with Elinor and her family.
“I will be in your way” Mary had protested when the idea had been suggested.
“Mama, I promise you, you will not be in the way, Edward and I would love for you to stay and the children would love your company”.
“No, you have your own lives, I do not want to interfere, I will gladly come when asked, but I am happy to stay where I am”.
“Mary, I assure, you will not be interfering in anyway. We have discussed the idea with Marianne and Christopher and they are of the same mind, especially with Christopher being called to London”.
“At least let me consider the idea” Mary asked.
Two weeks later, Barton Cottage was empty. Mary had agreed that her time at Barton Cottage had come to end. It was indeed quiet.
The End
Writergurlny 