Canvas & Keys

11. Will Work For Food

                  

Chapter 11

Will Work For Food

I barely got any sleep that night with the pains shooting through my back and my aching muscles...well, everywhere.  I would close my eyes, be out for a few minutes, and wake up a little while later.  After the fourth time it happened, I gave up altogether. 

When five o'clock rolled around the next morning, the clattering of pans in the kitchen made me get up.  It took a few moments for my stiff muscles to get used to the movement, but I was up just as the smell of ham drifted into the room as I opened the door.  Before I left my room, though, it was safe to bet that I need to clean up a little bit and brush my teeth, even after taking a shower the night before with Lorna's help.  Sure, it should have been awkward, but I was more focused on not falling and hurting myself even more than I already was. 

Walking down the hallway, my gaze swept over the walls.  All along them were family photos, mostly of the two girls I hadn't officially met yet.  Some looked a few years old and others fairly recent, all taken here at their home or places they'd been to. 

The short hallway ended into a cozy sitting room just off the small kitchen.  A round table dominated the space in front of the back window.  Three places were set as Lorna bustled around the kitchen.

She jumped when she turned around and saw me.  "Oh, Hattie.  I didn't hear you!  And you shouldn't be out of bed!"

I shrugged, grimacing when it tugged at my stitches.  "I'm tough.  I can take it."

But I couldn't take it for very much longer.  I was already tired out from walking from my room. 

Throwing her dish towel down on the counter, Lorna rushed over to help me into one of the chairs at the table.  "You could have called for me, sweetheart.  You didn't need to come all the way out here when you're still obviously hurting.  I was gonna bring you breakfast once it was done."

"I'm fine," I said, shaking my head.  "I needed to move around."

Giving me a stern look, she pointed a finger at me.  "Just don't overdo yourself," she warned as she walked back to the stove.  "The last thing we need is for you to pass out in the kitchen."

"Do you guys always get up this early?" I asked.

She nodded as she started cracking eggs in a pan.  "The girls get up early to do their chores before school work.  Angus already left this mornin'.  He's got an order he's gotta pick up in town and will be gone for most of the day.  It's just us girls today, and I know Shannon and Gertie won't get much done with you up and around."

"I can..."

"You can do nothin' for now," she said, shaking her head.  "You're still healin' and if you do anythin', you'll no doubt open up your stitches."

I watched her bustle around the kitchen for the next fifteen minutes, cooking breakfast, making tea, and cleaning up.  She wouldn't let me do a thing but sit there. 

It wasn't until the food was ready and the plates were full that her girls, Shannon and Gertie, finally emerged from their rooms.  When they saw me sitting at the table, their eyes widened. 

"It's you!" the youngest, Gertie, cheered as she bounded for me.  Throwing her arms around my neck, she gave me a tight hug that only hurt a little, mostly because I was laughing at her enthusiasm.  "You're awake and okay and now Shannon won't be freaking out 'cause of the way we found you!"

"Gertie, let go of the poor girl!" her mother chided.  "You're gonna hurt her again!"

Gertie gasped, pulling back in a rush.  "I'm sorry!  I didn't mean to hurt you!"