All Cloaked Up For You

Chapter 23 - Sophia

I decided to talk to that old hag again instead of attending school. So the school can kick me out for all I care.  Before talking to that old hag, I decided to knock on other neighbors' doors who lived near Madeline. A young girl stepped up and I had to tilt my head to her. "Do you know about that girl that lived there?" I asked while pointing at the ruined house. The kid nods her head no. The mother stepped out. "Can I help you?" she coaxed.

I look at the mother. "I'm Sophia Reynolds and I'm asking questions about the girl who lives in that house," I affirmed. The mother smiled at me. "Her name is Madeline Windsor, I remember she is a plant mom and borrowed plant books from the library," she said. I got curious because one of the books was a history book that Madeline picked up. "Any changes with her book choices?" I asked. The mother's eyes widen.

"Yeah, she once brought in this history book," the mother said. I smiled. "Thank you," I said. The mother smiles. I head to the old man's door. I knocked on it three times so he knows it's me and not tax invasion people. The old man opens the door I can see the tea is ready. Cookies were out too. "Finally, I was waiting for you." the old man eager at the door. I sat on a chair and faced the old man. "What was Madeline to you?" I asked. 

"A delight," he said. I chuckled. "What?" he said. "Nothing I thought you would say something else," I said. "Hey I enjoy tea, keep up with my vocabulary," the old man said. "Alright," I said. The old man grabbed the teapot and poured me a glass. "I taught Madeline tea etiquette, I know it would not help her in any case but I'll tell you a secret," he said. I leaned in closer. "Tea etiquette can be helpful," he whispered.

"Pouring your enemies tea first makes them think you are a nice person but you are always ready to strike," he said. I stirred the tea gently and then tasted the teaspoon. The old man grabbed his fan and smacked my hand. "Ouch," I said. "You never taste the teaspoon. Got it?" he said. I nod. I grabbed a scone gently and took a bite. He smacked my hand. "What!" I said. "You break the scones into small pieces before you eat," he said and smiled. 

"You look awfully like Madeline Windsor," the old man said. I look at him with my eyebrows furrowed. "How?" I asked. "Your face, your first time doing tea etiquette. It all looks like Madeline," he said. He paused. "I can always tell the differences though," he said. He pointed to my face with his fan. "You look like you are well matured and more gloomy than Madeline," he said. "Madeline always smiles through pain," he said. 

"You look like someone who was rejected by their husband." he joked. I raised one eyebrow. "And what do you know about that?" I asked. "I'm suspecting that you liked someone," he said. Well, there you have it. I just got humbled by an old man, that I could have easily beat up. "Can I be honest without it being a wildfire?" I asked. The old man nods and puts down his tea. "When you mentioned someone who wears a cloak, I happened to like him," I rattled softly.

His ears ranged in joy. He gave a wide smile. "Well did you know about Madeline dating him before I said that she dated him when she was alive?" he said. I didn't say anything. "I didn't know because C.M. didn't want to tell me about her," I said sadly. "Oh so he has a name." he joked. I snickered. "I can tell you this, he was really happy to be with Madeline until he never came back here much after her death." the old man said. 

"Well, he came to my house here in the wasteland," I said. He smiled. "You were the reason why he came back to the wasteland," he said. I smiled. "Do you like him still?" he asked. I paused. "It's a long story but, I think my first move on him was so bad because he still has love for his ex," I explained. The old man frowned. "You didn't do anything wrong, my dear, he probably illusioned you for his ex and wanted space before he wrecked himself," he taught.

"What do you mean wreck himself," I said. "When you look like his ex, he will do anything to you for information about his ex and also substitute you for his ex. Then he wrecks him realizing that you two were different people then he will feel guilty for using you as his sweet escape," he crooned. I was shocked. I now learned the truth between C.M. and Madeline and why he left me alone when I touched his hand. I gulped. 

"He used me," I gasped. The old man nods. That gave me another reason to hate C.M. "Do you ever think he is going to like me back?" I asked. "Of course, if he ever realized he cares for you more than the other or when he realized he needs you with him right now." the old man said. "How do you know all about this relationship stuff?" I asked. "Well you looking at them, a piece of tea for a bit of information. I learn from people I talked with," he said. 

"Well thank you, Hank, thank you for the conversations we have today," I exited. The old geezer just waved goodbye. I went back home feeling annoyed by C.M. because he used me and left me but at the same time, I felt that he kind of has a reason because he misses Madeline very much. Congrats, I have figured out I scared him a bit because I looked like the replica of Madeline Windsor. What would Madeline think of his actions?

It's like he got rid of me, replaced me with a dead version of me, and now he's going along with it like I never existed. Strangely or not, we all have a type that we prefer, that is most attractive to us. If he thinks that Madeline is attractive, go ahead and pretend like I didn't exist. On the walk home, I sense something in the air. A sniff came another a sniff and I felt sleepy. My eyes blinked and blinked for stability but I can't help but crumble.