Stranger to Me

~Ten~

Sajana's P.O.V.

My mind raced with the possibilities. What could Ms. Gilda have to confess? Especially to me? I was stumped.

 "Well," she began. "That first day I saw you, the day you came looking for someone to help. I actually needed it. I just said no to you because - because-"

"Of my colour," I finished for her.

She nodded sheepishly, her head hanging. I didn't know what to feel. I thought to feel angry because she was another one of those racist white people, but I couldn't, because she was nice to me all this time, but then she never did anything to help me before, even though she saw Luxshana and I at the store and she rejected my help because I was brown, but then she just admitted it to me right now and she was sorry for it, but then-

"I'm so sorry," Ms. Gilda said, lifting her head.

"That's -that's okay," I mumbled, still feeling confused. Determined to not show it, I reached out my hand in greeting.

"Let's start over," I suggested. "I'm Sajana. Sajana Satharnan."

Ms. Gilda smiled. Her hand met mine and I shook it firmly.

"I'm Gilda. Gilda Perkins."

"How about you tell me more about you?" I asked.

"Okay, sure. What would you like to know?"

"Umm... Tell me about..." I knew she wouldn't be happy about it but I took the risk- " Albin."

Ms. Perkins' smile dimmed a little, but she said," Okay."

"Albin and I were married when I was 22," she began, her smile returning. " He was 24. At that time in our lives, it seemed things just couldn't get any better."

"How'd you guys meet?" I interrupted. Ms. Perkins smiled even wider.

"That was a terrible day," she recalled.

"How so?" I asked.

"Well..."