Present 1910
Frostheugh, the city located at the mountains, was known for its beautiful snowy mountains and cold autumns. The city was always cold and experienced the summer and spring in short period of time. It was the beginning of autumn. The trees stood bare, their leaves scattered. The sky was cloudy. But the sun showed up slightly.
The churches rang their bells, calling the faithful to prayer. Meanwhile, the bakeries and restaurants opened their doors, filling the air with the sweet scent of bread and coffee. As the city came to life, few vehicles rode on the road, their wheels echoing through the streets. While the citizens of Frostheugh began their daily routines, a sense of normalcy settled over the city
It was early morning. The sun didn't even show up, but still the women knew it was morning. The daughters woke up early and did the chores as their mothers instructed. Their faces set with purpose, while the sons went to the mountains to collect wood and other needs, their whistles and calls echoing through the hills.
''Evelyn! Wake up! It's already morning!'' Stera called out, her voice urgent. The room was still dark, but the faint light of dawn crept through the window. Evelyn stirred, stretching her arms and yawning. ''Coming, Mama,'' she mumbled, her voice husky with sleep.
Evelyn woke up with her sleepy eyes struggling to focus. She snuggled deeper into her bed, the softness enveloping her like a warm hug. But duty called and she reluctantly threw off the covers, her bare feet dangling over the side of the bed. She yawned, her mouth opening wide like a tiny cave, and rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.
With a heavy sigh, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, her joints creaking like old wooden floorboards. She shuffled to her closet, her feet dragging like lead weights, and pulled out her clothes, the fabric rustling like leaves in the wind.
''How many times should I call you?'' her mother asked a hint of exasperation in her voice. ''You take a lot of time to wake up from bed, Evelyn. Remember, you're a young woman now. You need to wake up early and help your mom. It's important to start the day with a sense of purpose.'' Evelyn groaned as she got off from the bed, her voice muffled by the blankets.
She knew her mother was angry, her voice tight with frustration. But she still took her time, grasping the milk container firmly as she headed out the door. ''Deliver the milk quickly and come home!!'' her mother shouted after her, the words echoing off the walls.
Evelyn rolled her eyes, feeling a surge of resentment at her mother's constant nagging. But she knew better than to argue, so she just kept walking, the milk sloshing gently in the container as she made her way down the stairs.
Evelyn loved to read books in the morning. But she knew her mother would be angry if she found her reading instead of doing chores, yet the words transported her to a world beyond their small, impoverished life. She sighed, the milk container feeling heavy in her hands as she trudged out into the bright sunlight.
The streets were already bustling with activity, the smells of fresh bread and roasting coffee filling the air. Evelyn's eyes stung as she thought about the books she couldn't afford, the education she couldn't access. She pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand, her feet carrying her to the market on autopilot.
Entering the village she meets Edmund, her friend, sitting on the broken water fountain.
''Hey, got up early this morning? Don't you feel cold?'' Edmund asked his breath visible in the chilly air as he gathered the tools for his woodwork. Evelyn looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. ''It's freezing,'' she said. ''But I have no choice.'' Edmund chuckled, the sound warm and rich. ''You're always so determined, Evelyn. I admire that about you.'' He paused, his eyes crinkling at the corners. ''But maybe I can help you warm up a bit?'' He offered her a sheepish grin, and Evelyn couldn't help but smile back
Evelyn cupped her hands and splashed water on her face, feeling the chill dissipate some of the fatigue. She dried her face and hands with her napkin, then tied her messy hair back, her fingers working deftly.
As she finished, she looked up to see Edmund holding out a warm loaf of bread. Their eyes met, and Edmund smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. ''Take it, Evelyn. You need some sustenance.'' Evelyn's heart swelled with gratitude as she accepted the bread, its aroma filling her senses.
She sat on the fountain's edge, breaking off a crusty piece, and took a bite, the flavors exploding on her tongue. Edmund sat beside her, his presence comforting, like a warm embrace on a chilly morning.
''The autumn is going to begin,'' Edmund said his eyes squinting slightly as he gazed out at the trees. ''We have to work hard to get paid well then.'' Evelyn took a bite of her bread, her eyes fixed on the ground.
''Yes, they'll make us work overtime,'' she said her voice low and resigned. Edmund nodded in agreement, his jaw clenched. ''We need to be prepared for the long days ahead.'' Evelyn sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly.
''Anyway, I have to do my job,'' Edmund said, shouldering his bag and grasping his stick. ''Bye Evelyn.''
Evelyn finished her bread, feeling a sense of satisfaction. She picked up the milk container and headed to the small bakeries, delivering the milk to the women who needed it. The sun rose up and her feet ached, but she persisted, completing her tasks with a sense of pride.
Finally, she headed towards her home, the empty milk container swinging from her hand, her heart feeling fulfilled.
As she reached her house, her mother was standing at the door, her arms crossed. She looked angry and frustrated. Evelyn reaches to her, taking a deep breath, trying to catch her breath, and seemed tired. Her mother looks at her and yells ''what took you so much time? I had told you to come home quickly. Why did you come late?'' Evelyn heads her face to her and says ''one of the bakeries were closed but opened late.''
Her mother sighed and said ''Fine, go and wash the clothes. Then clean the yard and feed the sheep and chickens. Then store the water from the tap and mop the floor. I'm going to work at house. Understood?'' Evelyn feels irritated still she replies ''yes mom'' hearing this stera took her bag and headed to the city.
Evelyn waits until her mother, Stera, leaves for her maid job, and then retreats to her bed, exhausted. She closes her eyes, savouring the brief respite, before finally getting up to tackle the long list of chores.
With a sigh, she washes the clothes, cleans the yard, feeds the animals, mops the floor, and stores the water from the tap, just as her mother had instructed.
Despite her fatigue, she pushes through, knowing that the work needs to be done.
After completing her chores, Evelyn collapses onto a chair, exhausted and famished. She musters the energy to head to the kitchen, where she heats up a bowl of milk and pairs it with a slice of bread.
As she devours her simple meal, her thoughts drift to her desire to purchase some books. Her hunger and fatigue momentarily forgotten, she savors the warm milk and bread, finishing her snack quickly.
Evelyn heads to her bed and retrieves a small pouch, spilling its contents - a handful of coins - onto the bedspread. She carefully counts them, her face falling as she realizes she has only 10 croons. "I still need more money to buy that book," she sighs, leaning against the wall in frustration. "If only I could get a job and earn some pay... but Mom would never allow it." A determined look crosses her face as she thinks, "But what if I offer to give her all my earnings? She might just agree to let me work if I promise to help out financially."
With newfound hope, Evelyn sets off towards Edmund's house, rehearsing her persuasive argument in her mind. "Mom always complains about our financial struggles. If I assure her I'll earn enough to make a difference, she might just say yes."