Shattered (Watty Awards 2011!)

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I found myself breathing heavily, my heart fluttering ridiculously fast as I tried to smooth my skirt once again. I took another look at Ruth, her pretty mouth hung open in blissful, snoring sleep.

Drinking. At this time of the day?

I shook my head. I will never understand my sister. Not ever. She's not like me. She's confident and well-liked - albeit, a little too liked when it came to the boys. Oh well. I shouldn't worry, she's a grown woman anyway.

I walked into the tiny kitchenette and swung open the stove door to push more firewood in. There was hardly any left, and I felt myself grow a little angry as I realized that Ruth had probably not done anything all week long.

I picked up the few dishes scattered about and quickly tidied the living area. There. Nearly back to it's post-Ruth state. How she could live like that I will never know.

I found myself missing the grandeur of the Dinsmoore's mansion; the beautifully carved furniture and rich coloring and beautiful artworks that hung upon every wall. The gold embossed cushions, the delightful cuisine from the kitchen. It was wonderful. Yet, a nagging voice in the back of my head whispered that maybe it was more than just the luxurious manor that I missed. Maybe there was something else.

Or someone else.

Oh Emma, I thought, that's absurd. Don't be ridiculous. But I couldn't help but wonder what Peter was doing at this very time, who had helped him to his chair or dusted his bust of Mozart. Or smiled to him and greeted good morning.

Oh dear. I'm ridiculous.

~

About an hour later I walked to the markets, relishing the sounds and sights and smells. There were big, bright baskets of apples from up north, and big stacks of crusty brown bread. Children ran yelling through the streets, tagging each other and calling out names. Farmers called out their wares in loud, booming voices, announcing prices in an effort to beat the neighboring stalls. I had forgotten how I'd missed it.

After wandering around for a moment, I bought some goods with part of my earnings, pleasantly surprised at the amount I still had left over. How nice. I couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corner of my lips - money left over was a rare occurrence for me.

Walking back home, I pulled out an apple from my basket and rubbed it on the hem of my coat. It began to glow a perfect glossy red. I paused to admire it for a moment, when suddenly-

"Hey!!"

I gasped as I bumped into a solid, white-clad figure, faintly feeling my basket tumble from my hands and hit the ground as I began to fall after it.

"Sorry, miss, you alright?" Strong hands grasped my shoulders, pulling me back up off the ground. "You should really watch where you're going."

I tugged on my coat and patted my hair before I glanced up at my accuser. "Me? What about you?!"

I would have continued, but the dark blue eyes and grinning tanned face made me falter slightly. We stood there in the street for a moment staring each other in the face when I remembered my basket. I dropped to my knees and scrambled around, picking up tomatoes and apples and a loaf of bread, trying to put it back in the basket as quickly as possible. He was suddenly there too, handing me slightly bruised fruit before he helped me up.

"Yes, I should have been careful I guess, but you were the one trying to make a gas light out of your apple, miss."

I stared, my mouth agape in incredulousness.

"A gas light? You are even ruder than I first thought!"

I attempted to push past him, but his annoying blockage of my path slowed me down somewhat. "Wait," he pleaded, removing his sailor's cap and turning it in his hands. "I'm not that rude. Honestly. I helped you, didn't I?"

"Yes," I begrudgingly admitted, "but it's the only common courtesy you've shown thus far. Let me through now, please."

"With pleasure. I wont assault such an elegant and well-to-do mademoiselle any longer with my brusque ways and crude wording."

He donned his cap and gave me a quick nod, glancing at my obviously well-worn coat as it was definitely not well-to-do or elegant as he sauntered down the street. I huffed to myself slightly before I continued in the opposite direction. I suppose it was my fault. Partially. But he was rude.

When I got home, Ruth was finally awake and changed into slightly fresher garments. She had washed the dishes and sliced some cheese, which she thought would be nice toasted on bread for supper.

I sighed as I bit into it that night, only thinking of the delicious roast meat and honey carrots with fluffy mashed potatoes and sweet rolls my employers would be enjoying. Oh well. I would return the next afternoon anyway.

Ruth wasn't chatty at all during the evening. Finally, as we sat at the table reading or sewing before going to bed, she spoke.

"How's your job?"

I glanced up, feeling slightly surprised at her sudden talk.

"Wonderful. Employers are nice, room is beautiful and the pay is better than we have ever had before." Ruth nodded and turned her head back to her book. She didn't speak again until she bid me goodbye the next afternoon after church.

When I was finally on the steps of the Dinsmoore's house the next day, I couldn't help but smile.

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Hey readers!

So I'm not getting much in the way of votes lately. I'm not going to be mean and say I won't upload unless I get a certain amount, but do you think you could vote if you enjoy it? Let's try get maybe 6 votes on this chapter? Thanks everyone! I hope you enjoyed it!

-LLL