August 2011
The next morning Vivien hangs out the bed sheets to dry, when a woman wearing all black with dark red hair enters the back garden. '' May I help you? '' Vivien asks.
'' I'm Moira O'Hara. I'm the housekeeper. '' The woman introduces herself. '' Oh. I didn't know the place came with a housekeeper. '' Vivien smiles.
'' Why are you hanging your sheets? Perfectly good electric dryer inside. '' Moira says. '' I don't like all those chemicals in the fabric softener...so I just like to do it naturally. '' Vivien smiles.
Moira nods. '' I work Monday through Thursday. Thanksgiving on, Christmas off. That was the deal with the last fellows. ''
'' I'm sorry. I'm just not sure that we're gonna need a housekeeper. '' Vivien says. '' What have you been using to clean the floorboards? '' Moira asks.
'' Murphy's Oil Soap. '' Vivien answers. '' Oh, no. White vinegar. Oil soap kills the wood. '' Moira tells her as Vivien smiles. '' I like that better. It's more natural. ''
Moira looks at the house. '' Have you ever owned a house this old before? ''
'' No. '' Vivien shakes her head. '' It has a personality and feelings. Mistreat it and you'll regret it. May I come in? My cab's left and I'd like to call another. '' Moira says
Vivien escorts Moira inside and they make some tea, just as Katherine enters the kitchen.
'' Oh, Katherine this is Moira O'Hara the housekeeper, Moira this is Katherine, my daughters friend. '' Vivien introduces them.
'' It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Katherine. '' Moira smiles., while Katherine gives Vivien a look and the older woman shrugs.
'' Nice to meet you, too. '' Katherine nods. '' Tea? '' Vivien asks the brunette.
'' Sure. '' Katherine sits down next to Moira as Vivien gets another cup. '' So you worked for the previous owners? '' Vivien asks Moira as she pours the tea.
'' I've been the housekeeper here for years. They come, they go. I stay. They were both nice boys, the ones before you. '' Moira pauses. '' I found the bodies. ''
'' What happened? I mean, I hate to gossip. '' Vivien asks.
'' They fought a lot. Money, I think. But who can know when something so horrible happens? Sometimes people just go mad. '' Moira looks at the two women. '' I cleaned the mess. You'd never know. ''
The three of them take sips of their tea.
'' I'm gonna go drink this in the garden. You know, get some of that fresh air in my lungs. '' Katherine nods, slipping out.
'' Can I ask you a personal question? '' Vivien asks Moira after opening the door for the young woman. '' Do you ever get tired of cleaning up other people's messes? ''
'' We're women. It's what we do. I just get paid for it. '' Moira replies as Ben enters the kitchen.
'' Oh, hey, this is my husband, Ben. Ben this is Moira O'Hara. She was the housekeeper for the previous owner. '' Vivien introduces them.
Ben has trouble catching his breath as he stares at a younger version of Moira. '' Nice to meet you. ''
A car horn honks. '' That's my cab. I'll use the lavatory first if you don't mind. '' Moira stands up.
'' Sure. '' Vivien smiles as Ben peels a banana. '' What do you think? '' She questions. '' Wait, you-you want to hire her? '' Ben asks.
Vivien smiles and shrugs. '' Yeah. I mean, she's a little kooky, but she seems trustworthy. She knows the house really well, and I feel like I could use the help. ''
Moira enters the kitchen.
Vivien turns to her. '' So, can you start tomorrow? ''
'' Thursday's better, but I'll make it work. '' Moira says.
'' Okay. And you know, Moira, you don't have to wear the housekeeper's uniform. You can just wear your own clothes. '' Vivien tells her.
'' I don't like cleaning people's houses in my own clothes. '' Moira shows herself out.
Ben exhales. '' What? '' Vivien asks.
'' Nothing. '' Ben smiles. '' Just-you always surprise me. I like that. '' He puts his banana down and starts to kiss her.
Vivien gently pushes him away.
Ben places his hands on her face. '' You're gonna have to forgive me one day. '' He kisses her and then leaves.
YOU ARE READING
Miss Katherine (AHS) {Discontinued}
HorrorKatherine finds herself compelled to stay in the vicinity of the 'Murder House', drawn in by an unseen force. Even when she tries to find sanctuary and solace with The Countess in the Hotel Cortez, she always goes back. The answer is so simple, yet...
