Whenever I would cry, my mother would always say "Little Red, it's ok to cry, but remember if you spend all your time crying, you'll never be able to fix your heart." I haven't cried since she died, but I haven't fixed my heart either. It was Dad who always helped me with that. Like when I found my pet bird, Daisy, dead. I was so upset and he held me for a long time. He didn't say anything but he helped me dig a grave and find a good stone. He carved her name in it and then took me inside and fed me warm soup. Then we sat in the garden and the only words he said were from my favorite story, about a little girl in a red riding hood who goes to see her granny. Somehow he knew that no words but the one's that he read would help. I miss him so much, I miss them both. 

I was sat in the swing in the garden, the manor was to my back. It was built from the ground floor to the third and up to the attic from red bricks. With it's beautiful dark roofs and trim turned green with age it gave the appearance of an elegant old lady. It's flower boxes bloomed with all sorts of red flowers like, geraniums, poppies, and tulips. The windows were crystal clear and framed by green curtains. They complimented the ever large amount of red in the manor. Much of the furniture and art was colored shades of red. My aunt and uncle, no my whole family loves to play into the "red" theme. It started with Grandmother giving a red hooded cloak to Grandma Julie when she turned 15. Now when anyone in our family turns 15 we get our own cloak. I turn 15 soon, and when I do I'll have more responsibilities. 

My family does a lot of work in our community. My uncle and aunt are always out of the house, and so were my parents when they were alive. My mom showed me how important it was to help those not as well off. She always said that our blood was meant to run red, not blue. So even though we could hide away in our mansion and enjoy life's comforts away from the rest of the world till we die, we don't. I don't much like talking to people, but I'll fake it till I make it for the people of our village, but mostly for my parents. I want to make them proud, wherever they are. So when the time comes to go visit Grandmother for my first assignment and to accept my cloak, I know I'll be ready. 

I get up from the swing and start walking towards the house. As I get closer to the entrance of the back garden I could hear a commotion. It didn't take long before Edith and Dune came into view. Dune was running and giggling and Edith was chasing after her. Mr. Porridge, Edith's stuffed bear was bouncing with every bound, held tight by the arm in Edith's small hand. I watched them turn a corner, out of sight before stepping into the manner. I entered a living space and walked past multiple vases of red flowers before I reached the kitchen. Our family cook Amy stood at a table rolling cookie dough. "Oh! Chocolate chip cookies!" I said. Amy looked up, "Oh hello Scarlet! Yes, I wanted to make something special for tonight." she said. "What's the occasion?" I asked, sitting at the small wooden table in the corner of the kitchen. She grabbed a plate from the top of a shelf with bread and cheese on it. I thanked her before stuffing my mouth with bread. 

"Well, it is nearing your birthday and so someone wanted to visit before your big day." Amy said, grinning. I swallowed quickly and cried, "Rouge! Is she coming home?". "Yes," Amy answered, "and she'll be here soon to have dinner so why don't you go clean up so you can go greet her." "Ok!" I shouted and bounded up the stairs to wash up. A couple minutes later I was rushing back down the stairs. I ran to the front door just as a stately carriage drawn by two black horses pulled up the gravel path.