PEACE, TRUTH, AND SECRETS

Anna tenses, her grip on the chair tightening as the world around her seems to blur and her head throbs with the weight of memories she thought she'd escaped. She tries to focus on the mundane scene before her, but the past presses in, relentless. It’s not just the memories of chaos but of loneliness, abandonment, and the scars that are left behind. Sometimes, remembering hurts more than anything else.

Laughter from a little girl interrupts Anna’s thoughts. She looks up at the joy the father is giving his child, and a pang of sadness hits her like a tidal wave, making her want to bury herself in her misery. The father suddenly notices Anna’s sorrowful demeanor. What is making that poor girl so depressed? he wonders to himself. He glances at his beautiful 8-year-old daughter, then back to Anna. If that were my daughter, I wouldn’t want her to look so defeated, he thinks.

“Daddy, what are you looking at?” The little girl asks. “Is it her?

All Anna can see is a little finger pointing straight at her, then she looks down, embarrassed for staring too long.

“Why does that girl over there look so sad?” the little girl asks, her eyes filling with tears. “I don’t want her to be so sad.”

“Honey, it’s ok, don’t cry,” the father says quickly, trying to make her feel better.

Anna sees the father trying to console his teary-eyed daughter, which brings back memories she’d rather not think about. Maybe I should help and see what’s wrong, she thinks. Anna gets up, wanting to walk over to the father and daughter, but her legs won’t move. Her heart rate speeds up. She’s holding her hand on her chest like she can’t breathe. What is this? Why am I suddenly feeling like death is coming near? Why am I such a failure to everyone I come across? I can’t even walk to see why that girl is upset; she thinks to herself. She accepts her fate, ready to end everything, right here.

Suddenly, the little girl is in Anna’s arms, hugging her with all the warmth her tiny body can muster. Anna is taken aback for a while. Her heartbeat slowing down and can finally breathe again. She looks down at the crying precious girl, with confusion on why she is hugging her.

“Are you ok? You looked like you were going to pass out just now,” the girl said.

“Yes, I’m ok, nothing to worry about,” Anna said, wiping the tears from her eyes, smiling falsely. Nothing to worry your little head about.”

“You looked extremely down over there on your own. I know I don’t know you, but as a father, it made me worry nonetheless,” the father explains, walking up by his daughter, looking at Anna.

Anna’s eyes widen as soon as he says that.

“You’re worried?” Anna said.

After some time to gather her thoughts and put them in order, she bends down, looking into the girl’s eyes, and sees a reflection of her own past—an unsettling reminder of when she was thrown onto the streets. She must learn to cope, to be better than those who hurt her. She remembers one person who was always kind to her, making sure she was safe and fed. Those delicious chocolaty cakes, pies—she remembers the amazing smells of the kitchen then. She snaps back to reality, still gazing into the girl’s big, beautiful eyes.

Wiping the last of her tears, Anna feels the warmth of that one person who cared about her—the one she will forever miss. People might think she’s too young to remember, but this little girl’s tears help fill her with special memories that overshadow the painful ones. She is not broken, though. Those who hurt her emotionally and left scars will now have to reckon with the strength she has found.

Anna looks up at the father, with newfound determination and says, “I’m sorry for looking so down earlier. I know what to do now, I remember… Someone that was very special to me thanks to you both, especially this little one.”

Anna taps her nose playfully, in a good mood now.

“Are you ok little one?” Anna said to the girl.

The little girl sniffs and replies, “I was just scared. I don’t want you to be sad.”

Anna smiles softly. “Thank you for your kindness. It means a lot. Sometimes, even adults need a hug.”

The father nods. “I really appreciate your patience. It’s not easy for her to see someone upset. I am also very happy that you feel better. My daughter tends to know exactly what to do when someone’s feeling down,” he winks and walks away with his now happy daughter.

Anna smiles genuinely and laughs that the father did all this on purpose, with his sneaky daughters help.

The father offers a reassuring smile from across the room making sure that she is in a good mood. Anna looks at the father, feeling a sense of peace. ‘Thank you,’ she mouths to him.

Anna finally remembers her mother, after all these years. They tried to bury you, mom, but I remember. I will never forget you, thanks to this little girl, and the plan the father made to make me feel better. I will find out who murdered you, no matter the cost. You saved my life from those who harmed me, no, those who harmed us. I will make them pay.

Alexis Pendergrast is from Missouri. She has many hobbies such as reading books/audiobooks, playing with her dog, and role playing/open world video games.