Susi Harris

Marie left her house when she was little; so little that she needn’t pay for taking a bus. And as she left with some fancy clothes she liked a lot, people wouldn’t believe her when she asked for money. They would say “You don’t need money Miss, I can tell from your outfit, go back with your parents”. She had been taught not to reply unless there were a question, and when the question came she knew exactly what to say. From all the people she asked for money one shoed a real interest. A sweet old lady with a gentle, though elegant white hair asked her back “Where is your parents sweetheart?” At that moment Marie was about to say what she had to say (that was the truth), however, she had been so well taught that she couldn’t reveal her secret to a stranger, so instead she said “I don’t know where they might be”. The old lady introduced herself and, of course, she expected the same from Marie “It is very nice to meet you Miss Lourdes, I am Susi Harris.” Susi Harris was the main character of the only book she ever had. Somehow Joan, as Miss Lourdes preferred to be called, reminded Marie of Susi’s grandma. “Is that your real name baby girl? So far I couldn’t find an eye that could lie to old Joan.” Marie had then no choice but to tell the truth. She said all she could before the tears arrived and wet her tiny tidy face. Old Joan, wise as she were, understood the situation and asked little Marie to go home with her. Hidden behind the weeping there was a yes and so, Miss Lourdes walked Marie to her house holding hands.

The weeks passed and Marie wouldn’t tell the reason why she left. So Joan tried telling something about her past. Joan had lived alone in the big house for quiet a long time. In the beginning it was home. They all lived together. She and her husband had formed a beautiful family with two gorgeous sons. They had moved in when the big one entered high school. Joan was as happy as anyone could get. She had a beautiful house in a lovely neighbourhood and the most wonderful family to share it with. She was living the time of the life. But time passes by for all of us. Eventually, her sons grew up and they grew old. Her two little pieces of heaven were then adults and left the country to study abroad. Then, from time to time, she received a letter from them where she could hear how they were doing. But one day they just stop arriving. From her sons departure until her husband’s death she tried to overcome the absence, but she never could. She would spend entire evenings crying in silence; saying nothing but “I’m fine dear, I’m fine. Just give a moment would you?” When the moment came she looked at him in the eyes and realized she had been absent for the last twenty years and that from then on she’d be all alone.

“Susi Harris always speaks with her heart. And that way she always ends up happily ever after.” Marie said after hearing the old lady’s story. Joan knew the girl was right. She should’ve told her family how she felt when it was still time. Now her two sons have made a whole new life in some country in Europe and she cannot talk to her husband anymore. She realized once again how mistaken she had been. “You’re right dear; truth is always the best way”. At that moment there were two people feeling sorry for past errors. One of them had lived several years lying to herself and to her beloved; and the other was just about to do the same. Then, they saw each other and made a pact. Each of them had to fight for a better life with the truth as weapon. And so was haw it happened. Joan sent her sons a couple of letters to try and get in touch with them, old Joan was not a friend of technology. As soon as that was done she took little Marie to her parents’. And both of them said what had to be said.

One might think this ends with little Marie happy with her parents and old Joan happy with her sons. But the truth is that Susi Harris’ way is, though always the best path, a confusing one. Joan’s sons never replied her letters so she decided to call them, but the answer was the same; her sons had forgotten about her. As far as Marie’s family, it never really existed. She was adopted when she was just a baby. The family who picket her thought of her just as another mouth to feed. She never received the love she needed. What happened next is easy to imagine. Miss Joan Lourdes took the custody of Marie and gave her the family last name. From then on the young and the old lady lived together a very happy life in beautiful house that reminded them how much love you can get and which mistakes you should not make.

Now, everybody has a Susi Harris and everybody has heard her at least once; but was courageous enough to heed her?

Nahuel Lombardi

06/08/09