Shattered (Watty Awards 2011!)

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

I awoke early the next morning, Mr Dinsmoore's use of my first name still in my ears. I hardly understood why I found it so interesting or even unforgettable; surely I was simply tired after my first week at work.

Today was Saturday; the first of my two days off for the weekend. I was going to walk into town to the apartment later this morning and make sure my sister was getting along fine. I would probably need to run to the market as well, considering she wouldn't even have thought of grocery shopping.

I stretched, flicking back my brown braid over my shoulder and slowly stepping out onto the cold floor. The wooden boards creaked as I snatched up my dressing gown, pulling the quilted pink material around myself as I hurried to closet.

I didn't have an abundance of clothes. I had three dresses, one skirt, one blouse and two pairs of shoes. I picked out my maroon colored dress, fingering the velvety corduroy as I pulled it on. Once my hair was secured, my valise packed for overnight use and my hat donned, I stepped out into the second-floor hallway and started off down the stairs, nodding and smiling at Mrs Dinsmoore as I passed her.

"Oh, Emma dear," she called, her voice ringing out as clearly as church bells, "ask Charles to give you a ride to your apartment! He's going into town today. He won't mind." She waved elegantly behind herself as she continued up the staircase.

I finished the stairs and walked into the kitchen, the morning's breakfast already cooking if the smell was anything to go with. Darla was organizing some type of folder in her usual spot at the kitchen bench. Deciding that she probably knew everyone and everything that existed around here, I approached her about Charles.

"Charles Miss Butler? He'll be in the carriage house."

"Thank you!" I called over my shoulder, walking over towards the side entrance leading from the kitchen, passing "Cook" who was muttering to herself about the condition of today's tomatoes.

I quickly slipped outside the side door, smoothing my skirt in one hand and still clutching my valise in the other as I made up the short distance between the mansion and the carriage house.

Stepping inside, I could immediately smell wood polish and a strange smell that made my nose tingle slightly. It was very strong, and I almost felt dizzy. A short, white headed man was fumbling under a carriage, running his hands under the short step leading up to it.

"Pardon me, sir, but are you Charles?"

The little man looked up in surprise, his mustache twitching with the shadow of a smile as he slowly rose to shake my hand.

"Indee' I am! Now then, ya muss be tha new 'ousekeeper fer upstars? What's ya name, lass?"

I smiled warmly. I liked Charles a lot already. "My name is Emma Butler, Charles. I'm pleased to meet you."

"An' I be pleased ta meet ya too, Miss Emma. Are ya lookin' fer a ride inta town? Go hop inta that fancy automobile there and we'll be off soon."

I followed where he pointed, finding a large automobile, it's black paint glossy even in the dark of the carriage house. Several moments later, Charles sat up the front, driving us into town. Everything sped by at amazing speed. I felt a little frightened, although I rather enjoyed it.

"This be tha new un'," said Charles with a nod. "Runs well, don't it?"

"You mean you had another? Where is it?"

"It was crashed inta a tree some months ago - almost a year now, I'da say. Caused more trouble than it's worth, fer sure."

"What do you mean, Charles?"

"I mean that it's tha reason Master Peter isn't quite so happy anymore, young missy. Bu' here I go, rattlin' on again like an ole codger. That's not my place ta talk about."

"What do you mean? Was he in the crash?"

"Both him an' another young lady, but tis none of our business as staff, Miss Emma. Let's enjoy tha ride now, shall we?"

Charles dropped me off outside the apartment. I waved goodbye as I pulled the wooden door open. "Ruth," I called out for my sister. "Ruth, I'm home."

"Come in, Emma! We're just having a drink in the sitting room." She giggled and hiccuped loudly. I tried to prepare myself for scene I new to be all too familiar.

I dropped my keys on the dining table, walking around the corner into the small sitting room. There, to my immense horror and dismay, was my sister, a chipped wine glass in one hand, rocking in a chair opposite from a disheveled looking young man clutching a bottle that frequently sloshed deep red liquid on the arm of the chair as he moved around in it. It was obvious that they were as drunk as pub regulars. The site disgusted me.

"Ruth," I said slowly, anger shaking my voice, "who on earth is this man?"

"Thisss," she slurred, licking her lips and slamming down her wine glass, "is my good... and 'ansome friend, Tommm."

"'Ello," Tom grinned, his wink as sluggish as his tongue.

"Ruth, it is nearly noon, Saturday morning. I have been at work all week so that I can pay for you to live, and I find you - on my only full day off, mind you - "socializing" with a strange man, completely off your face drunk, with the house and yourself a complete mess. This is ridiculous Ruth!! I'm not putting up with this again!"

Ruth whined softly at my speech, curling her lips in disdain as played with her wine glass.

"And you," I said, turning to the man in the chair, "get out of my apartment. Get out and take your rubbish with you." I grabbed Ruth's glass and threw it into his lap, disgusted by his drunken state and lack of care about the entire situation. He stumbled up, and wandered out of the room. I followed him until he paused at the door.

"And don't you DARE come back, Tom!" I called as I pushed him out the door, slamming it on him and locking it firmly. I marched back into the sitting room to find Ruth fast asleep in her rocking chair.

Hey everyone!

Thanks for reading! I hope you like the update. Please let me know what you think so far!

-LizzyLouLou