Quiet

1.

Every morning, I wake up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window. The sun shines through the curtains like it's telling me hello, and good morning in the most beautiful way it knows how to. If you haven't already guessed I'm a dreamer. The kind who finds beauty in all aspects of life. Just last night I dreamed I was dancing in the field of wildflowers behind our house. I've never felt so free as I did in that dream. Why don't I just go down the stairs and out the door to dance in the field of flowers? Well to put it simply I'm afraid. Afraid of someone seeing me ... of someone really paying attention to me. Because in my opinion it's better to go unnoticed than unloved. I don't know maybe I've gotten it all wrong in my twenty-one years of living. At least that's what I can't help but think as I get dressed and go downstairs.

I walk into the dining room where my mother is helping our maid Greta put out breakfast unto the table. Greta looks at me and nods her head with a smile. My mother greets me and says "We made your favorite. Pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup."

I give Greta a knowing smile, knowing she did the cooking because my mother can't cook to save her life.

"Thank you both." I mutter quietly as I sit down in my spot at the table closest to the end

My father waltzes in with an unusual smile and takes his seat at the head of the table, and my mother sits to the left of him leaving a seat between her and I. I take a glance at that empty seat meant for my older sister Brietta only she isn't here and hasn't been for some time now.

There's three of us. People refer to us as the Daniels sisters. Brietta, Scarlett, and I.

Brietta the missed and most loved of us all. Scarlett the middle child wild and reckless with the oldest daughter mentality...And then there's me the wallflower of the bunch. I learned young it was better to not be seen. If you weren't seen, then you couldn't be rejected. If you stayed quiet, you wouldn't start arguments. Most of all if you learned to blend in then you wouldn't be targeted or kidnapped...but what do I know I just turned twenty-one today.

My thoughts are interrupted as Scarlett comes barreling through the door, as usual. Everywhere she goes she knows how to make a big entrance.

"Happy Birthday Anna!" My sister says proudly, and I give her a smile.

"What are you doing here?" I ask because she's been away on business trying to help our father lessen his workload

"I couldn't miss your big day! After all you only turn twenty-one once." Scarlett tells me then proceeds to add "I also didn't want to leave you in the hands of our parents on your birthday. So, after you finish eating, we'll go shopping and get you something stunning to wear to dad's business dinner tonight. Seeing as how he couldn't be bothered to change the date for your birthday, we'll crash and tip back some drinks for your big day."

"Scarlett, you know I would've changed the date, but it wouldn't have looked good. It would've given our competitor an edge." Our father tries to explain his reasoning

"Robert, we could have at least done something to celebrate Annalise's birthday at the dinner. To not exclude our own daughter." Our mother tries to get her own thoughts in the conversation rather gently as usual

"Or you could've just remembered your own daughter's birthday and planned the dinner for another day. Like most caring fathers would've done." Scarlett pushes

"Scarlett, I'm sure your father meant well. He's only looking out for our family." Our mother says

"No Claire, she's right. I should've remembered. However, it's too late now. I apologize for my forgetfulness Annalise; we'll make up for it next year." My father says not really showing emotion on his face, but I know he means well.

"Funny. That's what you said last year when you went away on business. So, this year I've taken it in my own hands to make sure Anna has a good birthday." Scarlett adds in fiercely

She means well even though sometimes here words are harsh. She's never once forgotten me. She is probably the only person outside of Greta our maid that actually sees me. Scarlett isn't wrong though. Our father has forgotten my birthday, more than he's ever remembered it. Perhaps it's because our sister went missing three days before my fifth birthday, ever since then my mother refers to my day as bittersweet. I get older and yet we still wonder where Brietta is today.

My father gets up and excuses himself from the table but not before I quietly say "It's okay. Maybe next year we can plan a vacation as a family and invite Grams and Gramps."

My father nods and walks out the dining room likely to start preparing himself for his big business dinner tonight, my mother kisses my head then walks out following closely behind him. She doesn't cook nor does she have her own business, but her job has always been raising us and being his peace. Because that man doesn't have calm bone in his body. I admire my mother's strength for always being the calm relaxed one trying hold us all together even in the eye of tragedy she never broke her composer.

After they leave Greta walks back in to start cleaning up the table and she says "Happy Birthday, Ms. Anna. I hope this year brings you the love of your dreams. Whatever that might be."

then she walks out heading back to the kitchen. Scarlett looks at me and smiles widely.

"Ready to have some fun?" she asks in the tone that would always end up getting us in trouble as teens

"We're just going shopping." I remind her looking into her dark green eyes that are much different than my own light blue ones

"Yes... but we're also crashing a business dinner. " She replies with a smile

Whatever she's got up her sleeve it's clear she intends to follow through.