The morning light crept through the curtains, but Elaine did not stir. Her body lay still, caught in the grip of a dream that felt more like a memory.
In the dream, her mother's voice rang sharp and merciless. Viremont stood before her, scolding with venom. "You didn't do it the right way," she snapped, her words cutting deeper than any blade.
Elaine's mind drifted back to the secret she had always kept locked away — her first love. Meredith.
When they were young, Elaine and Meredith would play together in the gardens, mocking the boys who stumbled through their games with clumsy bravado.
Their laughter was pure, their bond effortless. It was innocent, until one day, while they played with toys, Meredith's gaze lingered on Elaine. Elaine, still a child, laughed without understanding. Meredith leaned closer, and with a sudden courage, kissed her.
From that moment, everything changed. Elaine felt something she could not name, a warmth that drew her back to Meredith again and again.
She begged Madeline to let her play with her, and every hour spent together filled her with joy. She did not know it then, but the feelings were love — love for Meredith.
But love was not allowed.
One night, as Elaine lay in bed, Viremont entered her room. Her mother's eyes were sharp, her voice cold. "Were you with Meredith today? Did you miss your classes?" Elaine hesitated, then nodded. The slap came swiftly, burning across her cheek.
Tears spilled as Viremont shouted, "How will you find a man if you don't know the rights and wrongs? Your playtime with other children is over."
The next day, Viremont sent word to Meredith. Elaine was forbidden to see her again. The message was cruel, final. Meredith was erased from her life.
Elaine learned then that her feelings were wrong, foolish, dangerous. She wiped her tears, swallowed her pain, and carried the lesson in silence.
The love she had once cherished became a wound she never spoke of, hidden beneath layers of obedience and shame.
And in her dream, as her mother's voice echoed, Elaine sat quietly, silently, just as she had all those years ago.
To be continued…