Relle and the Owl

As the dusk settles on The Southern Concession landscape, the ringing of supper bells and mothers’ voices calling to their children from day-long play that you can hear from miles away. Hearing all that chatter through her little sleepy town as Relle chopped away at the logs, stopping and wiping her brow and her auburn red hair blowing in the evening breeze before her stepmother, Vinaora called her in for supper…

“Nina has supper ready, get washed up like an proper lady” Vinaora snobbishly said

“yes, ma’am” Relle reluctantly answers

The Scyluers’ dinner table was set for a king with crystal goblets, gold encrusted plates along with shiniest silverware you have ever seen as everyone settled down at the table as Nina and Anita served the plates…

“How was your day at work, hon?” Vinaora said as cutting her chicken de la king sophisticated

“Just alright, nothing crazy or out of the ordinary” Kenneth said

“Well, I talked to Angelita today at the marketplace..she has an older son named Leonardo that could take our Relle to the Confederates’ Ball, isn't it great?” Vinaora cheerfully said

“I told you that I'm not going to that rooty tooty ball, it's not for me!” Relle said in a stern voice

“Girl, our family will be shamed out of this town, hell even the whole county if you don't attend!” Vinaora in a vexed tone said

“I. Don't. Care. I'm not your little pretty doll that you can control!” irritated Relle said

“Relle, listen to your mother.” Kenneth sternly said

“She isn't my mother and never will be, Dad!!” Relle said in an rash tone

“You are so ungrateful for everything I've provided for you and this family!! I'm trying to find you an husband you can have an happy life ” Vinaora said in displeased tone

“Because you’re wealthy, you think you can control my life because southern society standards say you have to prove your worth as a woman, what if I don't want a husband right now or ever..” Relle, peevishly said

“Do what she said, Relle. She have good intentions and cares for you” Kenneth said with concern

“For real Dad?! I need some air..” Relle in a miffed voice

She marched out the back porch door into the breezy, twilight sky to the barn to clear her mind. She turned on the gas lantern as she entered into the barn, She climbed up the ladder to the makeshift reading loft that her and mother made years ago. This is her safe place to get away from the world’s troubles and woes… as she grabbed “The Three Musketeers” off of the shelf, an blond-ish barn owl flew on the barn window and to started to screech softly then, all of a sudden the owl leaped from the window landed on Relle’s forearm…

“Whoa, this is unusual?” Relle, confused tone

“Yeah, you can say that again..” the Owl said

“ Wait, you can talk!?!” Relle said

“ I can.You seem upset about something” the Owl said

“My stepmother and Dad, they don't understand who I really am and want me to live up to high expectations that… I can't ever reach and be this prissy, perfect person that I'm not meant to be..” Relle said

“One of the greatest truths of this world that I've learned is that we must be genuine and honest with ourselves because people has a different perspective version about you, and sometimes our self image can be lost in those different perspectives if we stare too long” The Owl said

“that’s a lot of wisdom packed inside a bird” Relle said

“we owls are known for wisdom, ya know” The Owl Said

“What is your name?” Relle asked the Owl

“Andromeda or Meda for short” Andromeda replied

“Cool name. Mines Relle” Relle said

“I must be heading to catch my dinner, see you later” Andromeda said as she leaped back on to the window ledge and fluttered her wings

“Relle!” Kenneth called to her outside the barn as the owl flew off into the night sky

Andromeda and Relle became fast friends over the last few days before The Confederates ball, talking about their hopes, dreams and fears of an unknown future that lies ahead for this pair…

“Well, tomorrow night is that stupid rooty tooty ball that my stepmother wants me to go to, ugh!” Relle said begrudgingly

“I heard they can be lot of fun” Andromeda said

“I can tell it's not fun. it's a bunch of snobby rich people who have sticks up their butts, trying to mate their equally snobbish children with other families for more money!” Relle said

“Oh, it's nothing like the fairytales” Andromeda said

“You can say that again. That guy that my stepmother is trying to set me up with is an meat-lug douche bag that only cares about looking good and what under your dress to say the least, ew”

“Wow, that's romantic?” Andromeda in a sarcastic tone

“I don't want to go with him” Relle replied

“Then don't, follow your heart” Andromeda said

“Well… I was thinking if you would go with me to this stupid ball tomorrow, only if you want to..” Relle asked

A pause of silence between them..

“sorry I--” Relle said

“I would love to go with you. Just meet me here before the ball starts, I hope you don't be frightened by my appearance tomorrow..” Andromeda replied

“I won't, Meda” Relle said

The day of The Confederates’ Ball has arrived Relle’s sleepy little town, people was bustling along the main streets, carrying the finest of dresses, perfume and chocolates and flowers to give to their beau or beauty at the ball tonight as Relle walked through the town square to pick up her dress at Miss Landry’s Dress shop…

“Oh Hi there! How can I help you today?” Miss Landry said

“I'm just here to pick up my dress for the ball” Relle said

“Oh yes! The biggest event of the year.. Who is going to be your beau?” Miss Landry asked

“You’ll see, oh can I get an extra corsage?” Relle asked

“Sure, its will be 5 dollars” Miss Landry replied

She left the store and headed back home..

“That's odd…why did she get 2nd corsage for?” Miss Landry questioned

Several hours later as the dusk settles, like other families getting dressed to the nine and in their Sunday best for the ball of the year, Relle and her family get ready and dressed for the ball. Relle’s dress was a floral mint dress with a windfall of flowers going to the tail of the dress. Her Father, Kenneth wore his confederate army uniform, slicked back hair and the shiniest black boots that you can see your own reflection and her stepmother, Vinaora’s dress was a royal purple dress made in the fashion of a Greek toga with the matching shoes to die for..

“Well, Well look what the fairy godmother dragged into a dress” Vinaora said

“You look very becoming, Relle” Kenneth said

“Thank you, Dad” Relle said

“Don't tease the girl, com’on naw” Kenneth said

“I won't be long, Dad” Relle said

“See you There” Kenneth said

As soon as the car zoomed out of the driveway, Relle dashed to the barn to meet her friend, Andromeda…

“Meda, Meda… where are you?” Relle called out to her

“Coming!” Andromeda said

Andromeda steps out of the bushes, brushing off the dirt of her beige cream feather dress and to Relle’s awe, she looked like she came down from the stars above with her wavy blond brownish hair, her rose colored lips and cheeks, fair complexion and her eyes are the midnight sky that would captivate the whole world..

“You look--” Relle said in awe

“Odd” Andromeda said

“No, no. Majestic. Stunning. Awesome” Relle said

“Thank you, you look like one of the princesses out of the fairy-tales” Andromeda said

“Oh please, I'm far from being someone's princess..” Relle said

“Shall We?” Andromeda said

“Yes, Please!” Relle said

Locked arm to arm until they got to Calamity Hall front entrance, Relle started to feel nervous before they opened the door…

“Whatever happens when we enter in, I got you”Andromeda said

“Thank you for being an good and wise friend, Meda” Relle said

Rude gasps and stares, snide whisper comments and chatter around the ballroom as Relle and Andromeda walked in, holding hands and matching corsages. Vinaora was in disgusted disarray at the sight of her Stepdaughter but the music kept on playing…

“I Never!” Miss Hatfield declared

“This Poor, Misguided Chide! she never got right after Fiona’s death” Miss Landry said

“Vine, this is looking bad for you.. Tsh tsh” Mrs Hathaway

“She wild as oxen in heat, I can't control her at times” Vinaora with irritated tone

“This is unbecoming and improper of a lady in our society! Leo, get over there..” Angelita said

“Yes, mother” Leonardo said

Gigging and dancing the night away together, they were interrupted by Leonardo wanting a dance with Relle..

“Hey Relle, I can get a dance with you?” Leonardo said

“Buzz off!” Relle said

Some of the young boys laughed at Leo for his efforts, and he stormed out of the hall. Not wanting to see her socialite reputation go up in flames because her stepdaughter’s “Violation of Southern Values” and her father is oblivious and naive to his daughter’s conduct, Vinaora followed suit and left the hall. Relle or her father did not see her for the rest of the night…

Early the next morning, Relle and Kenneth woke up to some doors slams and engines revving, going downstairs with a half empty house and an indignant, crass detailed letter for her father telling in short that she ran off with her new and rich lover named Leonardo and went to their new Chateau along the Connecticut River and she never really loved him. Her father broke into tears on the kitchen floor, she went to console her father…

“All this time she was using me, all she wanted me for was the cozy status quota lifestyle!” Kenneth sobbing

“I'm so sorry about this.. I feel like this was my fault..” Relle said

“No, no Turtledove.. It's not your fault for this. What I am supposed to do is to protect you more as a father. I was naive and stupidly blinded by love, not realizing until now that I neglected you. The only person that needs to apologize is me, I'm sorry.” Kenneth said

“Dad, I already forgive you and don't beat yourself up for that because all of us make mistakes in this life, but a person that knows those mistakes and reconciles them is the greatest person in this world.” Relle said

“Where did you learn that wisdom” Kenneth said

“From an very old friend of mines” Relle gleefully replied

The End