Behind the fence

Chapter eight

I watched as the colors of dusk  creep down lower and lower in the sky, and eventually fade to black. Then the stars come out. They shine far brighter in Chaffendale, they still give me hope like back in my old house. They promise that tomorrow will shine brighter. 

My stomach is for once full of  food - mashed potato, green beans, thinly sliced ham, and strawberry ice-cream. That was definitely the highlight. I got another glass of orange juice is well. It's only now, as I'm watching the changing sky outside, do I remember the gift from Mrs Donaldson. 

I collect it from my sack. It's a locket. Sliver, set with three very pale pink gems about the size of crumbs, placed in a tight triangle shape so that they are just off touching. To me they resemble berries. Berries are food and hope. I open it, and find the locket empty of any photos. There is no sign of there ever being ant either. Although I can't be sure.

I think about Enyah, sleeping in the neighboring room with Maysie. They really wanted to sleep together, and I am just so very pleased they get along. I'm doing well myself. It turns out Natalia has an older girl too. Ella let me sleep in her room. 

She is about 16, and has long raven black hair tied back in a simple ponytail. "How olds your mum" I ask her. "She's 30" how's that supposed to work? "Your sisters 10 right" I ask. "Yea" she does not seem bothered by this at all. "Your mum must of had you young" I blurt out without thinking. But still, 14 is an extremely young age, Your still a child yourself! 

Ella's face clouds over from her happy self. It's not angry, just sad. "I'm adopted" she mutters, then buries her head under the soft blankets of her bed. I feel really bad for making her upset, but now that I understand, I'll try not to bring up the subject. I wonder what it's like to be adopted. It would be sad, but I would think happy is well, because, you are cared for and loved still, not  wandering the streets alone. 

 "I'm sorry" I whisper into the quiet air after falling into the softest thing I've ever slept on. 

"Forget it" Ella mutters through the blankets. I gently rub the locket and the gold pin from Lucy between my fingers.

Through a small gap in the curtains, I make out a single star, shining out over the blanket of black. Tomorrow will be brighter.

I drift off to sleep.

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When I wake up, I am surprised to see the sun seeping through the ivory curtains, and head the sea crashing softly against the grain. When I look beside me, Ella is nowhere to be seen. I really hope I haven't upset her to much. 

How have slept in this much anyways! I swing my legs over the side of the bed, and lower myself till my toes touch the floor. Then I leap off, and land with a thud. I didn't expect a house to make so much noise! The loaned pajama fabric feels so soft against my skin. Too soft.  

I walk over to where I left my clothes last night, and find only bare floor. As I'm weighing what to do, Ella walks into the room, a clean looking bundle strung over her arm. "For you" she says, handing it over. "I'm really sorry about last night" I stroke the pristine linen fabric as I speak.

"No, I'm sorry, you didn't know. And when I think about, curiosity probably would have got the better of me too. A child at 14, what the heck!" 

I beam at her. At least we are on the same page now. And just like staring up at those stars last night, today will be brighter. It already is.

Once Ella left the room, I examine the bundle. Some undergarments, a grey singlet and matching shorts, and a pale blue frock to go over the top. 

After I'm  dressed, I go downstairs, and who do I find myself looking into the face of, but the one and only famous hierarchy defenders...

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