THE CROW & THE BUTTERFLY

10. Mother's Dress

Another month went by. Nothing changed much. James focused on business and Mary on her work she did for a company. It was two days before a birthday celebration, when Mary was with Lorna in kitchen and James came inside. "Mary, could you come with me, please?" He asked her, gesturing her to follow him.

She looked up at his sudden pressence and nod gently before she stood up slowly cleaning hands on her apron. "Where are we going?" She asked curiously, walking behind him.

"To your room," he told her and continued in walk in silence.

He never walked in her room. Only when she attended to kill herself. His words made her blood froze at first, but instantly her heart beat started to race. It seemed like an eternity, since they got upstairs on her room.

When they entered, she saw a woman standing there, who politely nodded. "This is Jane, Mary. I asked her to make a dress for mayor's celebration for you. She finished it yesterday, so I was thinking you could try it, if it fits or if it needs to fix somewhere," he said. In front of Mary a long beautiful floral dress were hanging. Even though made from more layers since it was almost winter, airy and surely unique. Nothing like she saw ever before. "I'll give you a privacy," James said and nodded toward women, before he left the room.

Mary was shocked by the gesture. When she found her voice again, she tried the dress and it fit perfectly, like the dresser sew it on her. Long after she found James on the living room. Truth was she loved the dress, she really did, but she realised, how expensive it must be. Maybe it was her fault James bought it, after the way she talked to him that day. "James..." maybe it was for the first time, she called him with his name. And when she realised ,how she called him, she cleared her throat. "I'm sorry...I mean Mr Delaney."

"Does it fit, Mary?" He asked her, rising his eyes from a book.

"Yes," she admitted with a brief smile. "But I'm afraid, i can't keep it. It's too expensive. I wouldn't possibly accept something like that... but it's very beautiful. Thank you, even for the thought."

"And what will you wear?" He asked again.

Mary looked down for a moment, shook her head. "Maybe i shouldn't come." She said quietly.

James sighed deeply and brushed his cheek. "As you wish," he said. "I won't persuade you," he told her, standing up. He left toward hallway, where Jane was waiting with dress. "My wife doesn't want it. So, give me back money and keep the dress. I am sure, somebody else will buy it from you," he told her, making her smile freeze on her lips.

"Oh," she swallowed hard, then gave him back money from leather bag. "Have a good day, sir," she whispered and packing her things, she left the house and James left to his room.

Mary wasn't sure, what she should do. Using his money wasn't something she wanted, but also she didn't see any payment yet. Taking a deep breath, she walked upstairs, but this time towards the attic, where she knocked on his door and waited.

"Come in," his voice echoed from the back of the room. She could tell, he was surprised, when he saw her. "Yes?"

Mary stood for a moment awkwardly on his doorway and looked up at him. "I... I.. I'm sorry, you had to return the dress. But I didn't find it appropriate to use your fortune for my attires." Looking inside his eyes, she continued. "I think, I can have a gown, when the company decides the payment of his stuff."

My fortune, he thought. Confused. Get her a dress, women like gifts, he heard a month ago from Lorna, then from Anika. Well, surely, I won't ever seek an advice from a woman ever again. "Mary, you and Anika are responsible for salary for the work you do. Anika always comes to me, gives me cheque for her and John and I give her money. I haven't seen such thing from you. So, if you wish to be paid like this, you have to tell me how much."