I slow down at the window, resting my forehead against the cold glass. I’ve kept the curtains open ever since Ms. Austin cleaned my rooms. The sunlight gives me a headache, but I realized that it’s because I don’t get enough the rest of the time.
“Rupert,” comes Kellen’s gentle voice from behind me. “Do you care about Ms. Austin?”
I turn and squint at him. “Of course I do. Her well-being has become quite important to me.”
He nods, as if this answer isn’t surprising in the least. “Then you will figure out the right thing to do. If you want what’s best for her, if you truly care about her, you’ll know.”
Those words, while sounding very wise, still inspire no answers.
“I will add,” Kellen says as he heads for the door, “that Ms. Austin is working harder than ever at her job. I found her up at six this morning, already at it. She still is now, I believe.”
I peer out the window again. The light has long faded, now only a hazy shadow on the horizon.
“She is afraid I’ll fire her.” I shake my head and sigh at the realization. “She will do her small part to rebel, but ultimately, she is afraid. What happened to her, do you know?”
Kellen shakes his head. “I don’t. She has told me some things about her life, her career, but not why she wassleeping in her car. I think that whatever transpired, it’s a private and tender subject for her.”
Perhaps she is a wounded soul, too. I shouldn’t have been so callous with her.
What can I do to possibly fix this?
The rest of the week passes much the same, and I eat many, many ham sandwiches. I am frustrated, yes, but I can’t be arsed to go downstairs and cook something for myself.
Is she daring me? Trying to lure me out? Or simply putting me in my place? I wish I knew. Instead, all I can do is stew in my misery and self-loathing. This could have been prevented if I had just gone to her dinner.
Sleep eludes me. I go on late-night hunts, venting all my frustration through my teeth and claws. But it doesn’t bring me any solace, nor does it calm my soul.
All I wanted was to meet her, to know her, and I might have lost that chance forever.
I continue to write her a note with every plate, hoping she might respond.
A delectable feast for the taste buds. Wonder Bread truly does make the world a better place.
I know you are peeved with me, Ms. Austin, but I hope we can discuss it.
I would like you to take the day off, and please, stop working by six p.m. or Kellen will have a word with you.
This last missive she seems to understand, and the following morning, Kellen reports that Ms. Austin has not come to fetch her cleaning equipment.
Good.
It is that afternoon when I spot her leaving the house intothe chilly afternoon. Even though it’s sunny, the breeze is blowing briskly and throwing fallen leaves all about. She wraps her cardigan tighter around herself as she takes a leisurely walk through the gardens, stopping occasionally to admire a flower or a bee. I watch her, riveted, as she makes her way around the koi pond and over the bridge, then takes the path away from the house.
She looks cold, but persistent. I get the sense that persistent is a lot of what she is.
As Ms. Austin disappears into the trees, I call up Kellen immediately, and we look together through a clothing mag for what I would like to buy for her. He says he can have it overnighted, so I choose a solid green coat with a fur-trimmed hood that I think will look good with her dark hair and eyes. Then he makes the call.
I hope she doesn’t think I am trying to buy her affection. I simply want her to be warm and happy and able to walk the grounds without her teeth chattering.
And perhaps I can include something with the gift.
twelve
. . .
peony
I’ve been feeding Mr. Edgewood ham sandwiches for days when Kellen comes to the door to my room and knocks. I know it’s him, because who else would it be? We’re the only ones in the house who will step out into a hallway.
