Riding the Mist: The Ballad of Half-Moon

Not sure if her father noticed the letter she hid in her pocket was missing from where he left it, Phee presented as blank of a face as she could muster. “Yes, Father?” “Ophelia, please sit.” Mr. Arthur Berry’s voice was similarly devoid of emotion. Phee was uncertain if unpleasantness would follow. Miss Eugenia had returned to her bedchambers, her door shut. His daughter situated, Mr. Berry continued. “Miss Martin shall be returning to us within a week. Upon her return, we shall wed on the date she wishes, either here, or the First Presbyterian Church.” Mr. Berry eyed his daughter carefully. “Phee, it is her express wish that upon my death, you shall be the sole heir. Her father has left her with a small fortune which she will have Mr. Cochran of Levitt and McCool manage. She thus has no need of further support from my estate when the time comes.” Phee fiddled with the garnet ring on her right index finger. It once was her mother’s. It was preferable to gaze at it over meeting her fat...

Miss Eugenia peered out the window which faced the street. Her chambers ran the length of the home, and the front part was still grand for a home its size. A pocket door on the other side of Miss Eugenia's bed divided the chamber from the back room where Miss Martin stayed. Two weeks earlier, Miss Martin was called back to her home state of Virginia to help settle her parents’ estate. It was unknown when she would return. In the interim, Miss Eugenia was faring better than anyone would have guessed. Mr. Berry’s shock in seeing his aunt at the dinner table that evening was only rivaled by Phee’s conclusions. “Father, I supposed it should not have surprised me; I have not been noticing much lately. But you have been seeming melancholic and I finally figured it out.” Phee sat with her elbows on the table, chin upon her interlaced fingers. Miss Eugenia could scarcely hide her irritation. “Ophelia, I for one would like to know what you figured out. But I must insist you place your hands...

Miss Eugenia’s eyes flew open. She raised herself upon her elbows in her bed as she blurted out, “Ophelia! You must rejoin the world around you!” Phee set aside the journal to stare at her great-aunt. She had been thinking a similar thought, but it was startling to hear her auntie say so. “Niece, I do not know why I took so long to leave my rooms. So silly! And with Miss Martin away these past few days, I realize I do not need her either. I hereby…declare my independence!” With that, Miss Eugenia righted herself to a seated position. She pointed to her cane which had fallen to the floor, and Phee retrieved it. This action brought a further revelation to the older lady. “Well, I suppose I do need some help from time to time. If not Miss Martin, then you, Ophelia. But that is not the goal.” “Goal, Auntie?” “Plan. I have been working out a plan in my head. It is high time you associated with friends and acquaintances closer to your age.” Phee gestured to Miss Eugenia to take a seat in the...