Creating Fiction from History

Elizabeth was a gentle young woman who lived in town. She took care of her aging father who had run the bank for thirty years. He had lost function in both his legs and now Henry was bound to his wheelchair in the house. He had been a kind man and now he sat lonely, counting money into different piles like he used to do.

Elizabeth had spent these past few years dedicated to taking care of her father. She used to go out around town and socialize with all the women. She was content to take care of her father, never complaining, or becoming upset.

Henry watched his daughter with a sadness he couldn't describe. She used to host parties and functions, she was the daughter any man would want: caring, kind, social, and above all, willing to help others. Now, Henry believed she was imprisoned here in the house with him.

He concocted a plan. He sent out a letter to Ellie Mills, the most social woman in the entire town. Ellie immediately started planning for the biggest gathering the town had seen in years. Henry coaxed Elizabeth to go on an afternoon walk through the town with him, leaving the house open for Ellie.

Within minutes of their departure, Ellie swooped in and set up everything. She had the florist and potluck dishes, everything was ready. The whole town squeezed into the little house and waited for them to come back. Elizabeth, unaware, brought her father back, careful not to bounce her father's wheelchair too much. As she turned around to put away his hat and jacket she was surprised by the entire town.

Henry smiled as Elizabeth put her hands to her mouth in excitement. She started to cry and rushed forward to greet everyone. Henry knew that she was happy and from now on his daughter would enjoy the company of everyone in the town. He would never let her feel lonely ever again. Now he felt a little less lonely too.