The Musician's Maid

ON HOLD

THIS CHAPTER IS BEING REWRITTEN

I stood uncomfortably on the other side of the table, with my hand still holding my cheek. As I realized this, I quickly put it down. I also realized that I must have looked rather frazzled. I was so scared at that moment, I thought that for sure he was going to fire me. "Come here child." He said sternly. I walked around the table with wobbly knees, shaking from fear. I stood in front of him. His hard eyes looked over me in a way that made me feel uncomfortable. "Sit" he ordered. I quickly obeyed. He took a napkin and ripped it, and then dipped it in a glass of water. He then leaned forward and pressed it to my cheek. He was very close to me now, so I felt very awkward. "take it" he said, so I pressed it to my own cheek. He leaned back into his chair and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"She cut you." he said. I brought the napkin down to see, and sure enough, there was a streak of blood. I put my hand to my cheek to feel and I felt a small cut. "It was probably her ring." he said, as he puffed on a pipe. I put the cloth back to my burning cheek and sat awkwardly, waiting for him to fire me.

After a while, I was the one to break the silence. "Im dreadfully sorry..." I began. He interupted me. "Dont be child. Erika was the one who moved the glass. I saw the whole thing. Now, what is your name?" A sense of relief passed over me, and I relaxed a little.

"Annette Stieffel, sir..." I said softly. "Stieffel?" he asked. "No relation to the singer Hertha Stieffel, yes?"

A cold chill went through my body at the mention of the name. I softly replied, "She was my mother." He sat back in his chair. "Really? My, what talent she had. You know, I saw her in an opera once. She was splendid. Just splended. What ever happened to her?"

"She died." I sharply replied. He laughed. "No no. Well, I mean I know that. I mean why did she quit the theater? What did she ever do with her life?" I didnt know what to rely to this. Honestly, I had never known that she was ever in the theater. I always thought she was just talented. The only times she ever sang for me was when she was in the house. "I suppose that she quit to raise me." I finally replied.

His eyebrows arched. "I didnt mean to offend you. Im sorry for your loss. It must have been hard on you." He took a puff. "Now im afraid we must discuss your punishment." I was taken aback. "But sir!" I began, "You just said-"

He interupted me. "I know it was an accident my child, but still I must punish you or I wont hear the end of it from Erika." I sank in my chair. I had already been slapped. Well, at least I wasnt going to be fired. "For your punishment, you shall have no supper tonight. Now go to bed. Im sure you have journeyed far today, and you are exhausted."

I was afraid the punishment would be much worse. I smiled a little, and curtsied. As I began to leave the room he called, "Annette?" I turned. He leaned forward, "I'm not your enemy Annette." I bowed my head and exited the room. I quickly shut the door and leaned against it as I breathed a sigh of relief.