The Beauty and the Burden
The numbers on the order tickets blurred before Lisa's eyes, swirling into a meaningless jumble. Mrs. Henderson's voice, normally a soothing hum, now felt like a relentless drone, each repetition of the same instructions grating on her nerves.
The greasy smell of the hot fries she held made her stomach churn. Is there really a world for me? Can I really reduce the load? she whispered to herself. Then, a flash of memory: her mother's weary face, Emma's hopeful eyes, the twins' grimy hands reaching for food. No, I can't abandon them. Not now. Not ever.
The aroma of Emma's stew filled the cramped kitchen. Lisa forced a smile as she sat down at the table, the worn wood digging into her elbows. Leon and Leo bickered over the last piece of bread, their voices echoing in the small space.
"Hey! That's mine," Leo said, his blue eyes flashing.
"Finders keepers," Leon retorted, already halfway through the bite.
"Boys, please," Anna said softly, her gaze distant. "There's enough for everyone, okay?"
Lisa watched her mother, noticing the dark circles under her eyes. "Mom, you need to rest. You've been working too hard in the garden. Please take some days off."
"It's good to keep busy sometimes," Anna replied, her voice barely a whisper. "Keeps my mind off things."
Emma, ever the peacemaker, changed the subject. "Lisa, did you hear about the school trip to Asheville? We're going to the Biltmore Estate!"
Lisa's heart sank. The Biltmore was a world away from Harmony Creek, a place of wealth and privilege she could only dream of. "That sounds great, Emma. When is it?"
"Next month," Emma replied, her eyes shining with excitement. "But it costs fifty dollars. I know it's a lot…"
Lisa's smile faltered. Fifty dollars was nearly a week's wages at the diner. "We'll see, sweetie," she said, avoiding her mother's gaze. "We'll see what we can do about it."
Leon, ever the observant one, stood up. "Why don't you just ask Mr. Abernathy for a raise, Lisa? He's always staring at you."
Lisa's cheeks flushed. "Don't be ridiculous, Leon. Mr. Abernathy is just…being friendly."
"Friendly? He practically drools when you walk by," Leo snorted, earning a glare from Lisa.
"Enough, boys," Anna exclaimed sharply, her voice gaining a rare edge. "Lisa works hard enough as it is. We don't need you making things harder for her, okay?"
As the family finished their meal in silence, Lisa pulled her chair back from the table, the knot in her stomach twisting tighter with each passing moment. A life beyond Harmony Creek, a life of her own, seemed to fade with every sacrifice she made, every dream buried under the weight of her responsibilities.
A heavy silence fell over the table. Lisa poked at her food; the taste had suddenly gone bland. The weight of their expectations pressed down on her, suffocating her. She didn't know what to do or where to start.
"Maybe...maybe I could pick up some extra shifts," Lisa said quietly, barely audible.
"Don't overdo things, honey," Anna replied, her voice softening. "Your health is important too, sweetie."
But Lisa knew that her health was the least of their concerns at the moment. The truth was, they needed the money. And she would do whatever it took to provide for them, even if it meant sacrificing her own dreams.
As the family finished their meal in awkward silence, Lisa couldn't shake the feeling that the knot in her stomach was tightening, pulling her further and further away from the whispers of what could be.
Even with her hair tied back in a messy ponytail and her face dusted with flour, Lisa caught her reflection in the greasy mirror and couldn't help but stare.
She was beautiful, she knew that. The men of Harmony Creek had made sure she knew it, their stares following her every move, every day. But their attention felt less like a compliment and more like a violation, putting her in a place she hadn't chosen.
Her height and figure, often admired, felt like a burden, another thing setting her apart in this small town.
Leon, a fraction of an inch taller than Leo, snatched the last piece of bread with a playful grin. "Hey!" Leo complained, his blue eyes flashing. "No way, I had it first!" Leon retorted, already halfway through the bite. His blond hair sparkled in the kitchen's gentle light. Lisa sighed, a familiar wave of exasperation washing over her. They were brilliant, both of them, acing every test and devouring every book they could get their hands on. But their constant bickering could drive even the most patient person to the edge.
They were the most identical twins in Harmony Creek, which made it hard for people to tell them apart. They both had a cute smile, but people still struggled to identify them.
Emma was the second child and daughter of the Morgans. She is friendly, kind, and beautiful. She has the eyes of their father, John. People call her princess because she is a pretty and cute girl in the neighborhood.
In Lisa's home, they only had two rooms: one for her sister and mother, and the other for her brothers. Lisa crashed on the torn couch in the living room, where she rarely slept comfortably. The worn couch offered little comfort; its springs sighed in protest as Lisa lay down on its uneven surface. The musty scent of old fabric filled the air, a constant reminder of the couch's age and disrepair. Through the thin walls, she could hear the soft rhythm of her mother's snores, a sound that usually brought her comfort but tonight only amplified her restlessness. The occasional creak and rustle from the twins' room completed the symphony of sounds that made sleep a distant dream.
The occasional creak and rustle from the twins' room completed the symphony of sounds that made sleep a distant dream.
Sleep rarely came easy on the couch. Sometimes she took turns with her sister, but Emma rarely agreed unless she was pleased with Lisa. They also took turns waiting for each other to use the single toilet. Sometimes, Lisa had to take her bath at work in the public restroom. The small sitting room barely contained their belongings; it was where Lisa crashed each night.
As she finally fell asleep on the familiar, uneven couch, Lisa's thoughts kept returning to Emma's excited eyes as she spoke of the Biltmore Estate. The amount of money seemed impossible to afford. But Emma's dreams and desires were important to Lisa. Lisa made a promise to herself, a promise whispered so quietly it was almost silent: Emma would go on that trip.
She deserved to see a world more exciting and fulfilling than Harmony Creek, to know that everyone deserves to achieve their dreams, not just others. Lisa would do whatever it took to make it happen.
To Be Continued