A Day Passed, One Hundred Years Passed

Chapter 3: Secrets

I look at Jenna, “It says she was born in 1997.”

Jenna nodded, “I know, they made a mistake when we sent our order in they must have read the numbers wrong, but it was so expensive we didn’t have enough to change it. Now when people see it we have to explain it.”

I nod understanding and explain to my mom who laughs. My mom then says, “Okay honey, I am picking up your father, we’ll be home in a few days. We will call you tomorrow.”

I hang up and smile, “I don’t know what that was all about, sorry.”

Jenna smiles, “It’s not a problem. I think the auction is over. I have to get home. Bye!”

I wave good bye and start to retrieve my shoes and see a young woman standing holding my painting. Jenna hugs her and starts talking to her. I assume it’s her mother and slip my shoes on. I run up to them; Jenna introduces me, “Natalie, this is my mother.”

I hold my hand out, “It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Albright.”

The woman has the same dark black hair and brown eyes. It’s long and beautiful like Jenna’s and she is thin as well. Mrs. Albright smiles, “It’s nice to meet you too Natalie.”

Jenna looks at her mom, “I met her at school, and she helped stop the bullies.”

Mrs. Albright looked surprised, “I see, well then, thank you very much.”

I nod and say, “You’re welcome; Jenna is a good friend of mine now. I’m lucky to have met her.”

Mrs. Albright nods and then smiles, “We must be leaving, excuse us please.”

Jenna waves good bye and I walk home. I sit down on the couch and then receive a phone call, “Hello?”

A man asks, “Hello I’m Paul from Hutten’s Retirement facility, is Natalie there?”

“Hi Paul, it’s me Natalie.”

“Hi, how are you?”

“I’m doing great! How are you? How’s Mrs. June.”

“I’m good thank you. Mrs. June is doing great, she’s a lot better now and that’s thanks to you.”

“I’m so glad to hear that.”

“Really it’s because of your help this summer that she’s as healthy as she is.”

I ask slowly and softly, “Has her…daughter come yet?”

I can hear him sigh deeply and whisper, “Her daughter hasn’t visited once since she dropped Mrs. June off last year.”

I nod, “I’m sorry I haven’t visited, school is almost over so I have to study for exams.”

“I understand.”

“If I may ask, why did you call?”

Paul hesitates, “Oh it’s nothing.”

I can tell he’s hiding something from me.”

“Paul what is it?” I ask him nervously twisting the phone cord around my finger and then untwisting it.

Paul clears his throat and then replies, “I don’t want to burden you but two months ago after you stopped visiting as frequently Mrs. June’s health started to go bad again because she refuses to eat. She was doing so well with you around and the doctors are worried.”

I slide my bare foot across the cold tile and listen for Paul’s reply, “The doctors say she has anorexia nervosa, and has had it ever since she was a child.”