~ The Southern Belle ~
A Short Story by Ora Lea Harrison

      The Southern Belle sits on a swing hung high from an old Oak tree, planted by her grandfather in a long ago day. Ever so gently she swings, feeling the breeze on her face as she sings softly of her sweetheart that soon will come.
      The tiny wildflowers sit on the grassy carpet beneath her feet and the fragrance from the nearby Magnolia tree wafts towards her.
      Little brother and sister play in the treehouse across the lawn.
      Soon the dinner bell will toll and Momma will be on the front veranda calling her children in to dinner.
      This is the time that she's long waited for, to have her turn to be the Southern Belle. Momma had been one before she and in just a few short years, little sister will have her turn.
      Now is the time when her lifelong dreams and playlike are culminating. She is becoming a woman and soon will be by her own husband's side, raising her own children.
      No longer is she in a hurry to grow up, she'll enjoy her remaining days as a girl knowing that she'll have the rest of her days to be grown-up, the mistress of the house.
      This is a happy time, in love with her world and feeling the warmth of love from her family and her chosen.
      Hazel has been making sure of her housekeeping and cooking skills that she's been building on for most of her young life.
      Mother has honed her social skills so that she won't be an embarrassment to her beloved.
      School lessons have been learned and laid aside for another day when she will teach her own children.
      "Christy Leigh" Momma's gentle voice breaks her reverie. "Will Harrison be coming over to have dinner with us?" she queries.
      Christy smiles at her Mother while answering her, "Yes'mam! he should be by before too long."
      The Louisiana Autumn sky has begun to turn an azure blue as the day dwindles down and Christy and her Mother walk together towards the house where Papa's waiting, the children running on ahead, eager to greet him.
      Hearing Harrison's carriage coming up the drive, Christy turns back to watch as he drives up.
      Bringing the carriage instead of coming on horseback only meant one thing, he was planning on a drive with her after dinner. Christy smiled to herself, thinking ahead.
      Dinner is delicious as usual with the fresh beef and garden vegetables.
     Christy held the children's chatter and her father's stories close to her heart knowing that soon she would be at her own home, away from these familiar scenes, closing this chapter in her life.
     Harrison and her father got along so famously, you'd think he was the son, not she, the daughter, she thought, happy that it was so.
     Wanting to see the sunset, she finally got Harrison to leave so they could take their drive before it was gone.
     Driving towards the sunset in all of it's glory, Christy held Harrison's free hand, that felt so natural in her own, as they talked of wedding plans and the days ahead.
     Looking down at her face while she is talking about their lives together, Harrison is once more in awe of her and the fact that she would choose him.

Ora Lea Harrison ~ Copyright October 7, 2005

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