The Glass Voice

The Glass Voice — page 1 — You know the story You’ve heard it before Everyone has Now read it again A new twist A new gasp The story is told again TWICETOLD

The Glass Voice — page 2 — 1 Chantella Verre sat in the dressing room in the church and sniffled She ran her fingers over the green velvety fabric of the couch No more crying she mumbled She lifted her chin and found her reflection in the mirror on the dressing table Ugh I look awful she said to herself Her eyes were red and swollen Makeup ran down her cheeks She stepped into the bathroom blew her nose and wiped the smeared makeup from her face Then she heard a knock on the door You in there Chantella her dad said He stuck his head in as she came out of the bathroom Hi Dad she said doing her best to cover up the crying in her voice and the runny in her nose She sat on the couch again and tried to smile for him he had just gotten married after all but it turned to a sobbing hiccup Her dad sighed and walked into the room He squatted in front of his daughter of course he wouldn’t sit down next to

The Glass Voice — page 3 — me Chantella thought and put a hand on her knee You’re upset he said barely glancing her way He never looked her in the eyes anymore I miss Mom she said I’m sorry Her dad sighed again I miss her too he said And when I look at you I miss her doubly She took her dad’s hand He flinched a little as their hands touched You’re her all over again her dad said his voice and eyes soft and caring They almost never were nowadays He looked at Chantella and pushed a chestnut lock of hair behind her ear But Chantella knew he wasn’t seeing his daughter He was seeing his late wife She coughed and her dad’s trance ended He cleared his throat and stood up That’s over now he said tugging at the lapels of his tuxedo Now we have Mara and the twins A new family It’ll be a fresh start But I don’t want a fresh start Chantella thought as he left closing the door behind him

The Glass Voice — page 4 — Chantella followed him out a moment later but rather than heading to the front of the church to throw rice and cheer with the rest of the guests she went out the side door into a small serene graveyard From there Chantella could hear the cheers as her dad and new stepmother hurried out the ornate doors and down the steps to their waiting limousine She could picture them both smiling and running crouched against the rice that was raining down on them She stepped gently past graves old and new and stopped at one of the newest It shined Its letters were still sharp and crisp Cordelia Verre beloved wife and mother She is singing in heaven

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