Spring Mornings, Summer days, Autumn Evenings and Winter Nights

Chapter 1

My walk down the hospice hallway became slower with each visit. I memorized this route like an attendant who worked there. I had promised her I would visit every week without fail. This was the first week I almost failed. My Manager lined me up to sing at some talk show later that night, but the host cancelled early that morning because of a busted pipe. I was, at the moment, thankful to have the day to myself, but remembered that my little sister needed me more. Not to mention, it took all the begging I could muster to get my manager to approve today’s visit.

Shaking my head, I paused in the doorway to observe her for a moment. Today she wore her purple beanie hiding her bald head. Her jammies looked three sizes too big on her scrawny body, but the purple ones were still her favorite. She looked so pale as she stared out the window. The sunny day made the stone wall hard to look at. I walked across the room casually, as to not to terrify her or get her Iv’s tangled up again. I had a bad habit of doing that.

I have a story to tell you, I whispered as I sat down on the bed.

Dr. Dad once told me a tale, she replied, her eyes still on the stone wall outside.

What was it about?

A bear and a girl, I think. her voice was raspy from the lack of using it.

Any princesses?

No. she answered, turning to glance at me. Her eyes were glazed over, her lips dry, her body was more relaxed than usual, I like stories about a princess.

I know you do. I fluffed another pillow and put it next to her on the hospital bed.

Jessica?

Yes, I answered distractedly, fluffing the pillow in between her and the bed.

Am I going to die?  My sister asked, deadpanned. The question sent a shock through my body. We all die someday, but why is she asking this now?

Olivia! I cried, placing a hand over my heart, What is your heart telling you?

She gave me a look of confusion as to where I was going.

Come on! What is your heart saying to you right at this moment? I questioned again.

She thought for a moment, then with a smile said, That we will always be together.

Then no, you won’t die. Not as long as I’m here with you. 

She had bone cancer. Her skeleton was so frail, she was in hospice care to help calm the discomfort. I knew what was happening. The doctors at the hospice prepared me for the worst. 

One month, He said. She has just one more month left, maybe less.

What can I do? I asked.

We can move her to a new building, one that will help her and care for her until she passes. She will be comfortable. I promise you that. He reassured me. I broke down in tears. My sister was dying and there was not much I could do. The following day they moved her to hospice. She did not understand where she was or that she had even been moved.

Her cancer was discovered when our parents died in an automobile accident, two years ago. During our ER visit, that is when they found her sickness. We both cried hard that night. First for losing our parents and then for Olivia. For a fourteen-year-old, she had so much life left. Sadly, I knew her story would end quickly.

During our first hospital visit, we found wonderful friends in the staff. It didn’t take long for Oliva to call them mom and dad. I thought it was cute, and they did not seem to mind. 

You have a princess story to tell me? she asked with a smile. I settled in next to her, kicking my shoes off the bed.  

I do. I replied, pulling at a blanket. They always keep these rooms so cold. 

Will you tell me your story?

I will, let me know when you are comfortable. 

Olivia rolled her eyes, still tugging on a blanket that wouldn’t move. I walked over to her bed and pulled the blanket up in place. She smiled at me before her lips dropped again, Ok I’m ready.

Chapter 2

Summer stretched on her bed just as the sun rose over the windowsill. She had chores to do. Rubbing her sky-blue eyes and swiping her sunny hair from her face, she called out to her sleeping sisters in the room, Autumn, Spring, Winter, it is time to wake up.

There was a muffle, a couple groans and a pillow suddenly hit her face. Sum, I am very sleepy. I don’t wish to get up.

Come on, Spring. If we do not get up now, mother will discipline us again. Summer said, putting the pillow on her bed and leaving it. I do not wish to waste the day perfecting the ballroom.

I absolutely agree, Said Winter, jumping up out of her bed. With her messy white hair descending to the floor and her grey eyes looking sleepy, but pleasant. I am up!

I don’t enjoy cleaning the ballroom, we never use it, said Autumn, getting out of bed. Her maple brown hair hung down her back in two braids to keep it from becoming twisted, her bark brown eyes were focused on the task she had set for herself.

Spring rolled over in her bed, mumbling about it being too early. Her crimson hair was damp from sweating because of how hot she ran when she slept. Groaning, Spring pried open her green grass eyes to glare up at the wood structure beams above. Why is this room always so hot?

***

This is so cool! Jessica, are they the four seasons? Olivia asked, perking up.

Nope, that is just their names. Like Olivia, is your name I said pointing to  her, And Jessica is mine I explained.

I like their names. Olivia smiled, hugging her stuffed bear.

***

Once dressed, the four princesses headed downstairs to the kitchens.

Good morning Princesses, did you all sleep well this time? asked Gretchen, the kitchen cook. Her brown dress was covered in many food stains for cooking over the years. Her hair was kept under a cap, no one really knew the actual color of her hair. She had a soft spot for the princesses and had watched them grow from the comforts of her kitchen.

The room is hot, complained Spring, using an empty plate to fan her face.

The beds are getting smaller, complained Autumn.

We had a tough night, replied Summer. Just like the other nights we have had.

Winter shrugged in agreement to the hot room and the small beds.

Gretchen scoffed as she set the broth and yesterday’s hard rolls on the table. I just wish Queen Clara would reconsider your living quarters. It is unfair how she treats you. 

Summer sat down at the maid’s table and gave her sisters a soft reprimand. It’s not so bad. We are after all just her step-daughters.  

Winter passed her a dish of broth, and Spring handed her a stale roll.

I do not think it to be fair. Came another response from the maid’s table. Rose was an older maid with white wispy hair and bright blue eyes. She loved poking her nose in other people’s business and had a knack for putting others in their right place. When your mom and dad were monarchs, they treated everybody with dignity and equally. It’s not like that anymore. We all have a place, a title and that is what we are. That is what Queen Clare defines us by, but it is not who we are or chose to be.

And who are you, Miss Rose? asked Gretchen with a smirk.

I am an author, answered the chambermaid proudly as she held her head up high.

Not today.

Rose signed and acknowledged, True. I am a maid like the princesses, but one day I will have a bookshop with books and compose lyrics.

Don’t let our step-mother hear you say such about your wonderful dream. Hold on to them for as long as you can. Winter replied encouragingly. When it happens, I bet Autumn will be the first one to purchase a novel from you.

Spring got up from the table and placed her bowl in the sink for Gretchen to clean. And I will be the second one. 

Autumn and Summer followed right behind her. Winter was still at the table. She missed the way things once were.

Chapter 3

Jessica, what happened to their mom and dad? Why are they living with a step mom? Olivia asked just as an assistant walked in with a cart of medicinal supplies. They checked Olivia’s vitals every three hours. This was normal to make sure she was comfortable and not in any pain. It also helped comfort me knowing she was doing well.

If you are patient, I will tell you. I answered. Will you remain still for Nurse Jill?

Hello Mom. I will be as still as a statue.

Thank you, Miss Jessica, Jill replied with a smile. While the Nurse took care of Olivia, I continued the story to keep her slightly distracted.

***

Winter, we need to get going. Summer called out to her, If we are slow it will be more trouble.

I honestly don’t wish to go this time. Winter sighed, her previously happy gray eyes looked like a dark storm.

Autumn took Winter’s hand, encouraging her to come, I know, but we will all be there for each other.

Winter sighed and stood, following her sister to their step-mother. Winter just needed this part to be over with.

Summer guided her sisters through the servants’ back halls, winding this way and that way up a set of stairs and stopped just before the Queen’s receiving room. All four girls knew the way, they had been doing this for so long they could do it with their eyes closed. Walking through the dining area would have been quicker, but Queen Clara would not want that. When they arrived outside the drawing room doors, it was spring who knocked.

Enter, came an exceedingly cold voice. The princesses entered the room as swiftly as possible, trying not to let in a draft. 

Queen Clara turned from the picture she was looking at on the mantle as we entered the room. It was one of father, Summer, recognized from across the room. Queen Clare had an unusually thin salt and pepper short hair, her eyes were a mud brown, her lips were thin and held steady, an unusually long thin nose, and high cheekbones. Today she put too much rose on her cheeks. Her gown was long and lavish, graceful in every way. She was not exquisite herself, in fact the four princesses were ten times more appealing than she was. 

In her youth she was an average beauty, and age had not treated her kindly. She still tried to keep a youthful glow. Looking for any miracle that would give her back her youthful glow. No matter what she tried, it never helped. 

You may all sit on the floor today, she said with a sneer. Today is the fourteenth anniversary of the death of my dear husband. In his will, he left orders to care for his daughters. A task no one dreamed I would appreciate, but I have. For the past fourteen years, I have continued that promise to keep you safe, warm, clothed and under his roof. Queen Clara took a seat on one of the softest chairs in the room while the four sisters sat on the floor. Once a year, always on the day they lost their father, their stepmother would tell them the same story over and over. The princesses had it memorized, and would sometimes mimic her, but not today. She looked extra mad and terribly cross.

Twenty years before that I met my handsome Basil at his ball. I never dreamed I could fall in love again. He had just finished mourning the loss of his first bride and I was mourning the loss of my second husband, Queen Clara continued. We danced all night long, and he asked if he could see again later that week. It was an amazing romance that flew so fast. By the next month I was his wife. He met my two wonderful boys, and I met his daughters. She sneered the word daughters, peering down her long nose at the princesses seated on the floor. Autumn shifted a little to let blood flow to her foot, Sit still, GIRL!

Sorry Mother, Autumn whispered, hanging her head.

Winter flinched at the immediate outburst, making Queen Clara force a laugh, Still very skittish. I see.

Sorry Mother, whispered Winter, also hanging her head.

Any more interruptions? Queen Clara asked, glancing at Spring and Summer. Neither girl moved.

Perfect. Upon encountering his daughters for the first time, I saw how disturbing they all were. Summer being the oldest was always in charge and told the others how to play. Autumn could not sit still for anything or anybody. Some people have not changed. Spring made a mess wherever she went, and Winter jumped at the slightest of noises. I knew these princesses were horrible beasts. They needed discipline, and they needed to work for their meals. My own two beautiful boys were so much more well behaved. Queen Clara smiled at her own recollections.

Summer remained perfectly still as she mentally rolled her eyes.  Clara’s boys were not nearly as perfect as Clara would have liked to think.

It was Summer who was telling Carson he could not paint the playroom walls. Autumn was chasing Clarkson because he stole one of her books. Spring tripped over a bucket of paint Carson had placed in her path and Clarkson stepped on Winters hair while running with a book. Given the princesses were all only five years old, and the boys were six and eight, Summer knew then that these two older brothers would be a handful. They were the ones who needed disciplining. Not her and her sisters. Summer quickly snapped out of her memories, returning to the present.

We got you a tutor and gave you all schooling. It was not long before I noticed Autumn and Winter were cheating on every subject and then given lessons separate from the others. You both still did poorly. To Spring that never made senses, Autumn was the smartest of the group. When Summer went looking for answers, she discovered that Carson and Clarkson were the real cheaters. Queen Clara would not admit it was them. Your father and I gave our children everything. Then the unpredictable happened, my handsome Basil died while hunting with Carson, Clarkson and Autumn.

Autumn knew this story well. She was the one who found her father fourteen years ago, with a hunting knife in his chest. It was not her blade; she did not keep one. No matter how hard she pleaded, no one believed her. She used a bow and arrow, not a dagger. She did not like owning something so cold, or having it