Lost Names and Illusions

Chapter 2

Cindy looked through Jamie’s closet. The clothes are so beautiful. Who would not wear these things?

            She happily dressed up in a sea blue A-line dress with a one shoulder strap that had glitter all of it. The bottom of the dress faded into a darker shade of blue. She slipped into white ballet slippers and curled her hair. Cindy looked in the mirror. Something’s missing… Ah yes! She put on a seashell necklace and pink lip gloss. There, done.

            A knock interrupted her. “Miss Roberts, a Mr. Romeo Daldore awaits your presence down in the garden for brunch.” The butler announced and walked away afterwards.

            Cindy walked quickly downstairs and took a seat in the garden of titanium and copper. Romeo sat across from her with his right cheek tinged with a little red.

            “What happened to your cheek?”

            “Your slaps do sting. Don’t act like you don’t remember,” he kissed his teeth.

            “I truly am sorry. I was not feeling like myself.”

            Romeo raised an eyebrow. “I suppose I can forgive you just this once but I expect better manners from now on Jamie.”

            “Shall we eat?” Cindy smiled nervously.

            Lunchtime in the institute passed quickly and after a few hours, it was dinner time. Latoya and Jamie were handing out food as usual and collecting dirty dishes.

            “Hey Latoya, are they going to feed Zane?”

            “Yea, I wonder whose job it is this time.”

            “Why does it matter?” Jamie was confused. Why is feeding him such a strange job?

            “For one, he’s dangerous. Two, he is not in his cell. Isolation cell requires the feeder to sit in the cell and watch him eat because there is no food hole.”

            “I sure wonder what he’s like,” Jamie took the dishes to the kitchen sink. Latoya who was right behind her with more dishes laughed.

            “C’mon Jamie. I mean, the guy’s cute but he’s practically a savage.”

            “I don’t think so. I would feed him dinner if that gave me the opportunity to talk to him.”

            “Well, why don’t you ask the head nurse if you can? You’ll be the first volunteer in history but do be careful. The only guys you are used to are guys like Wendell,” Latoya continued to laugh.

            “Fine. I do think I will.” Jamie stormed off in search of the head nurse. “I would like to feed Zane.”

            Everyone stared at her as if she had three heads.

            “You know where the stuff is, hop to it. Don’t blame me if you come back missing a couple of fingers,” The nurse checked off Zane’s name and walked away without a care.

            Jamie grabbed a bowl of rice and chicken and knocked on the isolation door. No sound…  A guard noticed her hesitation and opened the door for her.

            “I will be right out here little lady. Be careful.”

            Jamie turned on the light, walked right in, and the door closed behind her. She was not surprised to see that the whole room was white, even the floor so that when the light was off, it would be dark. He was only allowed to see light at mealtimes but it was not much of a view.