Sweet Pea

Chapter Two: Oak

Chapter Two: Oak

Two weeks had pasted and I had fallen into the rhythm of my extended family. Breakfast was served at seven, dinner at noon, three was tea time, and supper was at six. After the incident with Lucas my first day there, I kept mostly to my room when I knew of his visits with Connor, not wanting to run into him again. He looked too much like Matthew… Who I still couldn’t believe was gone.

            What would I give just to hear his voice again? I pondered, as I looked outside my bedroom window. It was a beautiful day out as the skies were a clear pale blue. I could see the tress that outlined the Mason property sway with each breeze, the leaves rattling. As the season began their transformation from fall to winter; leafs started to change color falling unto the plush grassy ground. The property was stunning; from my rear facing window I noticed a hedge maze that seemed to go on for miles, but in the center she distinguished a fountain surrounded by white rose bushes.

            Knock! Knock! I heard someone rap on my door before they opened it, “Caroline?” I heard Rosalie’s gentle voice call. I turned quickly from the window to the door, as I did I felt a nauseating feeling come over me. Covering my mouth I rushed to the attached powder room throwing up. “Caroline!” Rosalie screeched.

            Scurrying to my side I felt Rosalie holding my hair back rubbing my back in a soothing motion. When I finished, Rosalie held out a wet wash cloth taking it I wiped my face and brushed my teeth getting rid of the terrible bitter taste that was left on my tongue.

            “Are you feeling alright?” Rosalie asked, with true concern on her face. I had been getting sick every now and then for the past week and I knew it worried my sister dearly. Putting on a smile, I replied, “I’m fine, I just turned too quickly.”

            “If you say so,” Rosalie told me unconvinced, but let the matter go. “I’ve come up to see if you’d take a walk with me in the maze.”

            I beamed, “It’s as if you knew exactly what I was thinking,” I giggled, explaining how I wanted to explore the properties ground. Going arm in arm we made our way down the stair case and out the glass doors that lead to ground opened balcony. It was large and covered the length of the house; every few feet there were lanterns that would illuminate the balcony in the most obscure nights. 

            However as we reached the mouth of the maze, one of the servants came rushing our way. “Lady Mason, Mr. Mason would like to see you in his office. He says it’s urgent,” the servant proclaimed flickering his eyes in my direction.

            Rosalie grumbled under her breath before she responded, “Tell him I’ll be there as quickly as I can.” Sighing Rosalie turned to me. “I’m terribly sorry Caroline, I probably should go. Who knows what Connor needs now…”

            Nodding I understood, “It is okay. I need the fresh air anyways.”

            Rosalie hesitated to agree with my plan to continue alone into the maze, but nodded anyways. “Alright, I’ll see you at supper then,” turning she walked up the stairs of the balcony, wobbling on her feet as her protruding stomach made it more difficult to walk with.