Without My Wings

Modest, Obedient, Silent, Submissive, are the words her father brought Margaret upon. To be a wife that will someday honor her husband. The day she heard those dreadful words that made her heart feel like it became entwined with chains, “It’s time to fulfill your duty to this family” her father said. Margaret felt like the chains were holding her down, the weight unbearable. Having her wings clipped at 18 when her life was just beginning. Margaret didn’t want this however, She wanted to leave this life behind and follow her mother, traveling the world. To be free of an arranged marriage. Leaving behind her cozy but stifling country home. Tired of being invited to balls having young men with their mothers come up to be introduced to her.

Margaret stared outside her bedroom window and continued with her thoughts until a loud bang made her slightly jump. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw something fall out of a tree. It was a Barn Owl. Margaret watched with a distressed look on her face as the poor Owl writhed in pain. Its injured wing was crippled with blood trailing down. Margaret hurried and ran to the Owl’s side. Sounds of footsteps ran from behind her as she coddled the injured animal. “I got it, Maggie!” yelled her younger brother Frederick. “Frederick of all animals to shoot, why this poor owl?!” Frederick kneeled down next to his sister and frowned “I’m sorry I was aiming for one of those birds” he said pointing to the birds flying above them.

“Are you out here shooting alone?’ she asked. “Apologies Miss, I’m with him.” Edgar, the elderly head Butler came from around the house. “I suggested to the young lord that we should go hunting in the forest but he insisted on shooting the larger birds in this tree.” Margaret gently held the Owl in her hand and slowly rose to her feet. “Frederick, when Father isn’t here, listen to Edgar and do as you’re told, for heaven’s sake you’re only 16.” “My apologies Miss, I should have watched him more carefully.” “It’s not your fault Edgar, he knows better. Please go to the forest and hunt there, I’m going to take care of this poor thing.” “Yes, Miss.” “Sorry Maggie,” Margaret bent down and gave her little brother a peck on the cheek and smiled. “Go on now.”

After tending to the owl’s wing, Margaret set it in a birdcage she had her maid fetch. “It will take a while for your wing to fully heal, so I’m sorry little one but you have to rest here for a bit.” *hoot* “You’re so beautiful, snow-white feathers all over.” Margaret went to sit on her bed. “You must get tired of hearing how beautiful you are, don’t you, little one? So do I.” *hoot* The owl flapped its uninjured wing. Margaret went over to calm it. Immediately after there was a knock at her door. “Miss? Your father is home, he wants to see you in the Parlour Room.” “Thank you, Thalia, I’ll be down soon.” Thalia did a quick bow and left.

Down in the parlor room, Margaret found her father, Vincent, sitting on the sofa, smiling when seeing his beloved daughter. “Margaret, sit down.’ The last thing Margaret wanted to hear was more of her engagement that she wanted no part of. Being the wife of a man she doesn’t know just to get her to help settle her father’s debts. “I know you’re not happy with marrying,” Her father took Margaret’s hands. “But it’s the only way to save our family,” he said. So Margaret has to pay for her father’s mistake? She couldn’t hold her tongue anymore. Her sadness and anger began spilling over like water in a glass. “Papa'' Margaret broke away from her father. “I wanted to travel the world like Mother! '' she finally confessed. Margaret was nervous. She didn’t know what to expect her father to say or do. She never opposed his wishes before. Her father simply smiled gently. “I know darling,” He placed his palm on Margaret’s cheek. “It’s my fault our family is in debt, and now you have to pay the price.

“Your mother was always a free-spirited woman. She never took a liking to this life of grandeur.” Margaret remembers her mother before she left the family. Beautiful hair the color of Onyx and eyes the color of blue marbles. Margaret’s father tells her all the time how much she favors her mother. When Margaret was 11, her mother told her and Frederick that she was leaving, but that she loved the 3 of them very much. To be the wife of a man with unimaginable wealth but held down by expectations that you have to be Modest, Obedient, Silent, Submissive, or to travel the world as free a bird, sailing on the sea so deep humankind has no idea how deep it s or what’s in the water at the very bottom. Seeing buildings as tall mountains and uncovering secrets of the earth. That’s what I’ve always wanted sweetheart, and it’s what I want for you. Her father wouldn’t let her mother take her away, however.

Since then, Margaret felt like it was her responsibility to take care of her family, but she still doesn’t want to get married to someone older than her and especially to someone she doesn’t know. “I’m sorry, Margaret’ “I wish there was something else I could do .” Leaving the family like that caused her mother’s name to be shamed. He didn’t want that for his daughter, he also wanted Margaret to be taken care of. “I know it’s not the life you wanted, but you have a duty to this family darling, you simply must.”

Margaret was back in her room gently stroking the Owl.” Your wing seems to be healing fast,” she noted. “What would you do if you were in my situation?” Margaret asked. *hoot* “I wish I could keep you here with me. The Owl blinked and almost immediately, her father knocked on her door. “Margaret? Frederick told me you have a pet Owl?” Margaret looked confused. “No Papa, he accidentally shot it and I’ve just been taking care of it.” Her father nodded. “It’s beautiful, would you like to keep it once it’s healed?” Margaret looked at her father stroking the Owl’s uninjured wing. “Can I, Papa?” “I don’t see why not. I have a meeting I have to get too soon so I’ll be leaving. Try to make sure your brother doesn’t hurt anymore Owl’s” Her father kissed her forehead and left. “That was strange,” Margaret looked at the Owl *hoot*

2 weeks had passed and Margaret’s wedding was today. She had seen her beautiful dress and met her betrothed William, and his family. He was a sweet man who was about 6 years older than her, but Margaret could tell by the look on his face and how he acted when she saw him that he didn’t want to go through with this wedding either, he was just doing it to make his parent’s happy. They both came from good influential families but they didn’t know the real reason Margaret was getting married. While getting finished, Margaret excused her ladies so she could be alone. She looked at herself in the mirror. Pinned up hair decorated with flowers and pearls, A Wedding dress made from the finest silk by the finest dressmaker in the world. She walked over to her owl. Margaret brought her Owl, whom she named Willow with her to the wedding ceremony.

“Well, today is the day, Willow. Maybe along the line, I’ll be able to have the courage and do what Mother did” *hoot* “Miss, It’s time” Margaret could feel the butterflies in her stomach. She took a final look at Willow, smiled and left the room. *hoot* The wedding was grand and beautiful. Margaret didn’t know every face there but there were supposedly a lot of important families. What would this new life bring? How many children will she have? Will she be a good mother? Those thoughts haunted her ever since she was told she would be getting married. As he lifted the veil, Margaret soon wished her Mother was here with her. Suddenly the doors to the church swung open. All eyes turned to see a middle-aged woman wearing pants and a billowing white shirt standing there. Her curly black hair was loose, held back with a headband. “Mother?!” Margaret’s father and brother rose to their feet. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m not sure darling, I was eating at a cafe and next thing I know I’m here,” she said. She ran to give her daughter and son a hug. “You look beautiful, I didn’t know you were getting married.” The eyes kept staring at the two of them. “Frederick, look how big you’ve gotten! You both look well.” ”Mother, this is your future son in law” The young man stepped forward in his black suit. Margaret’s father came rushing over. “Phoebe! I don’t know why you're here but you need to go, now” he said, trying to suppress his anger. “You’re ruining your daughter’s wedding.” “My apologies for not wanting to spend some time with my children after not seeing them for 7 years, Vincent.” “That’s your own fault no one told you to leave!” Everyone in the church began making comments. “Why would I stay?” she asked. “Your children,” Vincent responded. “Don’t act like I didn’t want them to come! You wouldn’t let me take them, it’s not like you would never see them again. I just wanted to show them there’s more than this life!” Margaret’s father looked dumbfounded. “No, you have our daughter doing exactly what was done to me and I bet she’s not happy with getting married at 18, are you, Maggie?.” The people in the church waited to hear her response. Margaret summoned up the courage and gave her answer. “No, Mother, I’m not, I’m only doing this to save the family.” Her mother looked confused. “What do you mean?” Margaret gave her father a side glance. With wide eyes, her father simply shook his head. “Papa needs my help with something, that’s why I’m getting married.” Her mother began to laugh, her laughter echoing throughout the church.

“Let me guess, gambling again?” she said with a grin. How did you know Mother?” Frederick asked. “Your father had this problem when we were together. That's one of the reasons he married me.” Everyone in the church continued their gossip. “This is exactly why I wanted Maggie and Frederick to come with me. All you have on the brain is money and gambling, dear.” “Tell you what, I’ll pay your gambling debts if you let me take Maggie with me and Frederick for 2 years. He’ll be 18 when he comes back and he’ll be able to make his own decisions whether to stay with you or me. “Where would you get that kind of money?” Margaret’s father asked. ``Let's just say I’ve found some things from my travels over the years” she said with a mischievous smirk. “Can I Papa?” Margaret asked. “You’re sure you can handle it?” Margaret’s mother winked and turned around. “I’ll send the money tomorrow” “Alright,” he said “Ladies and gentlemen I do apologize, but this wedding has been called off, have a safe trip back home!” she yelled.

Everyone got up in confusion and headed for the doors. “Frederick sweetheart, what do you want to do?” “Well, I had hoped to go sailing on a boat soon and have experience being a sailor” “Come with me and we can do that, darling!” “Margaret’s betrothed walked up to them. “So we won’t be getting married?” he asked. “No, I’m sorry William, I know how much you wanted to make your family happy by settling down.” “It’s alright, at least now I can go back to studying Science at school.” Margaret looked confused. “You’re still in school?’ she asked. “I just enrolled into the Acacia School of Science and Technology. I’m studying to be a Chemist.” “Wow William, that’s great. I wish you the best with that.” William kissed Margaret’s hand and left the church with his family.

Back in Margaret’s room, she showed her mother Willow. “Oh, it’s beautiful! I’ve never seen a snow-white owl like this before, especially at this time of the year. You said Frederick accidentally shot this poor creature?” “Yes, he said he was aiming for a bigger bird.” “Sweetheart, it’s a miracle he didn’t hit you,” she said. “Believe it or not mother, his aiming has actually gotten better” “I believe it” she responded with a smirk. “It’s winged has completely healed, that’s great. You’re too pretty an Owl to be covered in blood” *hoot* “Mother, I don’t know if you’ll believe me or not, but I think this Owl grants wishes.” Margaret was ready to hear her mother laugh in her face, when she didn’t, she looked up. “You’re not laughing?” Her mother smiled, “No darling, I’m not laughing.” Her mother walked to the window and looked up to the full moon. ‘There’s no telling what secrets this world and the animals hold. That’s why I left, that’s why I want to show you and your brother something more before you decide which life you want to live. The world is changing every day, advancing. Women are becoming important political figures, Doctors, Engineers, some even have their own successful businesses.

“Mother that sounds marvelous! When I’m traveling with you, how will I know what I want to do?” Margaret’s mother took her hands. “There’s no rush, you’re only 18. You have plenty of time to find a husband, to have children, to figure out what you want to be and do, not what anyone wants you to be” she placed a hand on her daughter’s cheek. “Now, let’s get packing because we have a big day tomorrow” “Yes, tomorrow my life finally begins.”

“Frederick, hurry, make sure you have everything because we won’t be turning back” “I believe that’s everything.” “Did you remember to use the restroom?” asked Margaret. “Very funny Maggie, and yes, I did.” Their mother chuckled. Margaret ran up to her father and gave him a hug. “When do you think you’ll be back darling?” he asked. “After I’ve seen the world Papa, but I promise I’ll write to you.” “Be safe and keep taking care of your brother.” Her father kissed her forehead. “Goodbye Edgar, Thalia” “Please be safe Miss, and have pleasant travels.”

“Here you go Vincent” Phoebe sat a large box down in front of him. “What is this?” “Open it” she said. Inside were so many golden treasures and jewels. Vincent’s eyes widened. “Where did you get this!?” Phoebe laughed. “I found it on my travels, and there’s still many more to find” “I must say, I do miss this part of you, Phoebe.” They both laughed. “Thank you, and take care of my children.” “That’s my priority, darling,” she responded. “Shall we?” Phoebe hopped inside the carriage and gave the signal for the driver to move. Frederick and Margaret continued waving to their father until they could no longer see him. “Mother, I can't believe this is actually happening. Where will we go first?” Frederick asked. “We can go wherever we want, the world is our oyster,” she said. “We do have to go back to my hotel to get the rest of my things before I was summoned here by this little cutie. Phoebe said, pointing to Willow. *hoot* “What’s that?” Frederick said. “Nothing, just a joke between me and your sister.” Margaret smiled and opened Willow’s cage door. “Allowing her to sit on her arm, she gently kissed her.

“Thank you Willow, she said caressing her head,” *hoot* Margaret held her arm out of the carriage window, finally releasing her. “Maggie! Why did you let her go?” asked Frederick. “I never wanted Willow as a pet, I should have released her as soon as her wing was healed. I suppose I became too fond of her.” “It was the right thing to do,” said their mother. “Freedom is a precious thing.”

“Yes, Freedom is indeed a precious thing.” No longer feeling her heart tied down by chains, Margaret took a deep breath and exhaled, something she’s been holding in for a long time. For the first time in a while, she feels free, eager to see what her future has in store. No longer caged birds, we’re both free Willow. Thank You. Margaret watched Willow fly away into the sun. *hoot*