Licorice, 13
Author: sunsetsinthewes
Challenge: Licorice, 13. Take the key and lock her up
Extra: Sprinkles
Word Count: 731
Rating: G
Story: Polyfaceted; the title of this story is The Key.
Summary: Less than a month after her mother's death, Gina Sophia makes a shocking discovery regarding the past she always thought she knew.
Notes: This takes place within the second week of January, 2019. Virginia Winch, Gina Sophia's mother, previously died on December 17th, 2018. For years, Gina Sophia has thought her mother's fiancé-- her father-- died shortly before her own birth.
***
Virginia Winch has left no loose ends when it comes to her affairs. Of course she hasn't-- she's had plenty of time to prepare and has spent a career surrounded by fine lawyers. If anything, as far as Gina Sophia is concerned, things have wrapped up too quickly and too neatly.
"So that-- that's it?" she asks the lawyer, voice timid. With her hands clasped against her new black skirt, head bowed so low that her hair hides her face, she imagines that she looks nearly as young as she feels. "Nothing else? It's d-done?"
The lawyer is a nice, sweet man, an old acquaintance of Virgina's, though Gina Sophia can't recall ever meeting him. He offers her a sincere smile as he confirms, "That's it. There's not much, but what is left will go to you. Your mother took care of everything."
Of course she did, she thinks. Mom always does. Did.
"Oh, just a moment." The lawyer fumbles through the stack of papers, retrieving a crisp, white envelope. "She wanted me to give this to you personally."
"Thank you." Gina Sophia palms the envelope, rising to her feet as though in a daze. "Thank you very much."
***
Natalie is still gone by the time Gina Sophia arrives home, having been assured that it was all right to return to work despite the morning's meeting with the lawyer. The apartment is cold and dim, uninviting and unfamiliar, but she makes no effort to turn on a light. Sinking onto the worn couch located just five steps from the door, Gina Sophia opens the envelope with a shaking hand and removing the paper with the greatest of care.
At the sight of her mother's familiar handwriting, fresh tears begin to spill down her cheeks.
November 29th 2018
Sweetheart,
Three letters I've begun for you, Gina Sophia. And even in writing I can't bear to admit what a horrible thing I've done. But it's clear to me now that my end is coming soon, and the thought that I might die without ever confessing the truth is a thought I can't stomach. So I write to you, too cowardly to admit it to your face, to witness your disgust and hatred. I love you, my sweet baby girl, my everything. I love you so much, sweetheart, more than you could ever know. Whatever else you may think, please remember that your mother loves you and always has.
Gina Sophia lowers the letter, fighting the urge to sob, blinking rapidly against the tears. Once she's sure that she's composed, she continues.
I lied.
That is the simple fact of it. I lied, to friends, to neighbors, to everyone. For twenty-three years, I've lied every day. That I lied to you is the worst of all.
I told you that I was in love with your father. This was a lie. I told you that I knew your father, that he was a smart, bright, loving man. This was also a lie. I told you that your father died before you were born. This is a lie I can no longer tell.
The truth is that there was no fiancé and no planned wedding. There was only a strange man in New York, a business partner for a client of my old firm. He was charming, intelligent, and kind. I don't regret our time together, brief as it was, and I will never regret that it gave you to me. But I knew nothing of him beyond his tentative connection to the firm, a connection he severed shortly after our dealings, and that his name was Corlioni. Sweetheart, I made a horrible mistake when I chose to keep you a secret from him. I know that now, that it was a selfish move on my part, despite my fears that he might try to take you from me.
I made a mistake when I kept him from you.
Your father didn't die before your birth. Not to my knowledge, at the least. And as far as I know, he is still alive.
I am so sorry, my sweet daughter, more than I could ever express. I only pray that this glimmer of hope will ease the betrayal. I pray that in time, you will forgive me.
Your ever-loving mother,
Virginia
Gina Sophia's chest tightens with such ferocity that the breath is ripped from her lungs.
***
Challenge: Licorice, 13. Take the key and lock her up
Extra: Sprinkles
Word Count: 731
Rating: G
Story: Polyfaceted; the title of this story is The Key.
Summary: Less than a month after her mother's death, Gina Sophia makes a shocking discovery regarding the past she always thought she knew.
Notes: This takes place within the second week of January, 2019. Virginia Winch, Gina Sophia's mother, previously died on December 17th, 2018. For years, Gina Sophia has thought her mother's fiancé-- her father-- died shortly before her own birth.
***
Virginia Winch has left no loose ends when it comes to her affairs. Of course she hasn't-- she's had plenty of time to prepare and has spent a career surrounded by fine lawyers. If anything, as far as Gina Sophia is concerned, things have wrapped up too quickly and too neatly.
"So that-- that's it?" she asks the lawyer, voice timid. With her hands clasped against her new black skirt, head bowed so low that her hair hides her face, she imagines that she looks nearly as young as she feels. "Nothing else? It's d-done?"
The lawyer is a nice, sweet man, an old acquaintance of Virgina's, though Gina Sophia can't recall ever meeting him. He offers her a sincere smile as he confirms, "That's it. There's not much, but what is left will go to you. Your mother took care of everything."
Of course she did, she thinks. Mom always does. Did.
"Oh, just a moment." The lawyer fumbles through the stack of papers, retrieving a crisp, white envelope. "She wanted me to give this to you personally."
"Thank you." Gina Sophia palms the envelope, rising to her feet as though in a daze. "Thank you very much."
***
Natalie is still gone by the time Gina Sophia arrives home, having been assured that it was all right to return to work despite the morning's meeting with the lawyer. The apartment is cold and dim, uninviting and unfamiliar, but she makes no effort to turn on a light. Sinking onto the worn couch located just five steps from the door, Gina Sophia opens the envelope with a shaking hand and removing the paper with the greatest of care.
At the sight of her mother's familiar handwriting, fresh tears begin to spill down her cheeks.
November 29th 2018
Sweetheart,
Three letters I've begun for you, Gina Sophia. And even in writing I can't bear to admit what a horrible thing I've done. But it's clear to me now that my end is coming soon, and the thought that I might die without ever confessing the truth is a thought I can't stomach. So I write to you, too cowardly to admit it to your face, to witness your disgust and hatred. I love you, my sweet baby girl, my everything. I love you so much, sweetheart, more than you could ever know. Whatever else you may think, please remember that your mother loves you and always has.
Gina Sophia lowers the letter, fighting the urge to sob, blinking rapidly against the tears. Once she's sure that she's composed, she continues.
I lied.
That is the simple fact of it. I lied, to friends, to neighbors, to everyone. For twenty-three years, I've lied every day. That I lied to you is the worst of all.
I told you that I was in love with your father. This was a lie. I told you that I knew your father, that he was a smart, bright, loving man. This was also a lie. I told you that your father died before you were born. This is a lie I can no longer tell.
The truth is that there was no fiancé and no planned wedding. There was only a strange man in New York, a business partner for a client of my old firm. He was charming, intelligent, and kind. I don't regret our time together, brief as it was, and I will never regret that it gave you to me. But I knew nothing of him beyond his tentative connection to the firm, a connection he severed shortly after our dealings, and that his name was Corlioni. Sweetheart, I made a horrible mistake when I chose to keep you a secret from him. I know that now, that it was a selfish move on my part, despite my fears that he might try to take you from me.
I made a mistake when I kept him from you.
Your father didn't die before your birth. Not to my knowledge, at the least. And as far as I know, he is still alive.
I am so sorry, my sweet daughter, more than I could ever express. I only pray that this glimmer of hope will ease the betrayal. I pray that in time, you will forgive me.
Your ever-loving mother,
Virginia
Gina Sophia's chest tightens with such ferocity that the breath is ripped from her lungs.
***