𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐘 | 𝙅𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙝 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙨

5: you want in, but you just can't win

My Maman's hands shaking me were the first thing I felt after falling asleep in the taxi. Opening my eyes to see her disapproving glare wasn't really all that fun. 

"Come on Madeline, we don't have all day," She hurried as I stumbled my way out of the cab, thanking the chauffeur quickly as we both jogged over to the hospital doors. "I have to get home to make dinner and iron your father's clothing for tomorrow as well," 

I roll my eyes at the mention of her chores, the smell of the hospital slapping in my face as the doors opened. "He's not going to care if we eat a bit later Maman, and I'm sure he can iron his clothes himself," I mutter, only to get a dissatisfactory slap on the wrist from her. Ouch. 

We walk up to the register, and Maman stars talking to the woman at the counter. I let my eyes wander to all of the patients and hospital staff walking around. I don't understand how anyone would want to work here - it smells of death, and the sight isn't all that pretty either. 

But the world needs doctors and nurses anyway. As I turn my head back, Maman grabs my hand and we march our way down one of the hallways. "I thought only family members could visit--"

"Hush, Madeline," Maman cuts me off, pressing a finger to my lips. "I have done a sin to get us in, and I'm sure God will understand that it was with good intention," She says quietly, and I stifle the laugh that's on it's way out of my lips. 

We get to a specific room, and Maman turns around to correct my hair and clothes before knocking on the door. "Be nice Madeline, the boy just lost his eye," She mutters under her breath, just as Mrs. Descamps opens the door. 

"Susanne!" 

"Oh, Mary," They hug each other, Maman 'comforting' poor Mrs. Descamps as she pats her back. I sneak my way past them both, the sterile smell of the room making me scowl slightly. I take a small look around. placing the pastry basket I had initially planned to bring as a snack for church on one of the side tables. Might as well make it a gift now. 

Suddenly, I hear a groan behind me, and I turn around to see Joseph's sorry ass laying in a bed, his eye wrapped with gauze and cotton. 

"Hi Joseph," I stiffly mutter, and I can see the slightest smirk appear on his mouth as he sits up. 

"Hi Maddy," He retorted back, eyeing the basket that I had just put down. "Why do you have that look on your face? Not happy to see me? Or are you worried about me?" He teases, and I resist the urge to punch him. I take a quick look over at Maman and Mrs. Descamps before stepping closer to Joseph, glaring. 

"No, actually, I'd rather slap you, but I guess losing your eye for making me and the butcher's daughter the victim of your prank is enough," I sneer quietly, and he just smiles wider. Oh, how this devil reincarnate was getting on my nerves. "And stop calling me that."

I take a quick look at him before grabbing a chair and sitting down, huffing loudly. "Oh come on, it wasn't even meant for you," Joseph defends, as if that makes things better. He rests his hands behind his head, leaning back on the hospital bed. "The bucket was supposed to only be for the butcher's daughter, not my fault you opened the door first." 

"You're lucky I haven't told my maman yet," I threaten, rolling my eyes at his obvious relaxation. "I could just tell your mom right here and now." 

Joseph looks over at me, as if to really check if I was joking about telling his mother. He rolls his eyes at my antics, looking over at our mothers. "Oh please, as if she would care. Her son just lost an eye," He retorts, and I couldn't do anything else but scoff.