Blackmailed For Love

Hi, my name is Anna.

Because my Mama thought it would be cool to name me that because her name was Elsa.

But unlike Mama, I did not have golden, sun-like hair, nor her blue eyes.

My eyes were grey, Mama said that they reflect light and change from bright to dark- I didn't know the difference though, and my hair was as black as a dark night.

Mama said that they were beautiful but sometimes I wish I had her hair.

1 Because I got my hair and eyes from my father.

And it was a subject that my mother rarely talked about or when she did, only when I would insist on it, she would get sad.

You must be wondering, how did I know so much when I was just a five year old, right? Well… I was soon to be six years old, if that helps.

But let me tell you a secret, I was really smart even when I was five.

I knew my multiplication tables up to thirty.

I could add and subtract without using the pencil and eraser.

I knew pneumonia starts with p.

And I knew my grandfather wasn't a nice man.

I knew Mama was worried about me and Gammy.

I knew Gammy was sick and it wasn't just cold.

Also my father's name was Kristian.

3 I knew it because Mama sometimes dreamed about him.

I knew it because I heard Gammy talk to Mama.

Gammy told Mama to ask for my father's help but Mama didn't want to.

I didn't know why Mama never talks about my father.

Sometimes, I felt angry that she wouldn't tell me anything about him.

Sometimes, I felt sad that she had to be the only one to take care of us.

Sometimes I wanted to ask her that she tell me everything about my father and take me to him.

Sometimes, I was afraid that if I met my father, he would take me away from Mama, just like Mama did me from him.

4 Sometimes, I just didn't want to be this smart.

Mama didn't know, because I took my time writing down my sums even though I already knew the answers.

Sometimes, I just pretended to not be interested in reading and studying.

But they were the only things that made sense, not like how Mama pretended to be happy when she was actually sad.

Right now, Mama was standing behind a tree and a tall man was standing in front of her.

I couldn't see him as he was hidden behind a tree so I walked to the edge of the park and called, "Mama!"

But she didn't hear me.

The tall man suddenly turned around and walked away.

I wondered if he was the one she wanted to be friends with.

Was he the one she went on a dinner with last night? Mama had never gone to dinner with a friend before, and it made me feel really sad for her.

I got excited yesterday when I heard that she was going to dinner and it was the reason I gave her my lucky charm.

I hope it worked.

Mama could really use a friend.

Just like I made new ones today.

I looked back to where the two girls were still playing with the flying disk.

Phoebe and Hanna were nice.

It felt nice to be out here and play with other girls of the same age.

I really enjoyed myself.

It felt normal.

was the first time I had seen such a beautiful park, And it was nice to pretend that everything was normal even though I knew they weren't even as Mama tried her best to make

stay here longer than the other places but I

had her reasons, though

"Anna?"

to face Mama and notice her blotchy cheeks

She was crying.

"I live here, Elsa.

I own this building."

stood there shocked and scared anew as he walked away and disappeared out of the

and then walked up the stairs

standing in a storm and made my

the edge of the park behind the small

felt a hundred times heavy as I walked

"Mama?"

tears and

"Come, angel.

up

have been here for

she easily

are you

She asked.

"I am not, angel."

cheek and she turned my face

pressed her cheek against mine and said, "You are lying,

say anything else as she hugged me tight,

the kitchen, making herself a herbal tea that she had always

you know what

to tell her about everything she did downstairs, and made my way

door behind me and let the tears fall once

I was going to do

the same building as

owned the

known, nothing could

one day in the near future he would

In an elevator.

Outside, in the hallway.

when he dropped in unannounced

would be something I wouldn't

for what I

I hid his daughter,

would've to tell

no

let him know what happened all

and decided that I would try again, I'd ask him to trust me and listen

not believe

he couldn't take my daughter away

I was choosing to tell him everything, he had to consider

shower and dressing up for the day in one of the sundresses that filled my closet, I came out into the living room to

and that

found Mom near the windows

the appointment we have at ten, she said, "You know… When

out of the

think she is her father's daughter because of the way she looks and how

to myself, my heart swelling with

my shoulder and said, "But she has your

She has your chann.

has your heart,

both of you,

"Don't call me that."

I hated that endearment.

ignored me and said, "She smiles and pretends to be the kid we

a

and met the blues that were

said, "I never

She nodded.

"I know.

I never wanted all that happened

have a choice,

isn't

something happen to his

a tear escaping my

wiped it away and pressed my lips tightly