Bewitching the Beast

Chapter 4

  Chapter 4

Ainsley

After the house is empty and I cleaned up the kitchen; I played with Sophie and read her stories. She seems a lot happier and she is giggling nonstop. While she watched TV in the den, I planned out a pot roast with potatoes and carrots for dinner and apple pie for dessert. For lunch, I made us grilled cheese sandwiches and drown them down with glasses of milk.

After lunch I laid Sophie down for a nap and while she slept, I explored the massive house. On the first floor there is a library that if I get the job, I will so use and I find that there is a basement with a game room and movie theater. Also there was a room with a metal door that was locked. Going back up to the main floor, I decide to look at the cars in the garage. While I was looking at them, I realize that all the cars are here. That’s strange since Nathan said that he was going to work.

I sense Sophie stirring from her nap and I go back inside. When I walk into her pink room, I find her standing in her crib. Smiling at the little girl, I ask if she wants to help me make cookies and she squeals in joy.

Deciding to make chocolate chip and snicker-doodles, we make a dozen each and Sophie seems to get more flour on her than in the bowl. As I clean up, she licks the spoon and gets batter all over her face. While the cookies bake, I put a bulky roast in a large pot and cut up potatoes and carrots with rosemary, salt, and pepper. It’s only three so it should be good and tender by dinner. Moving along to start the apple pie, I cut up fresh apples and mix them with brown sugar and cinnamon before piling them in a homemade crust. Taking the cookies out and putting them on the cooling rack; I slip the pie in the over and set the timer for an hour. As soon as I shut the oven door, I hear the front door bang open and the sound of children yelling and talking.

“Hey guys, I’m in the kitchen with fresh cookies!” I greet to them and they all run in.

Alexander smiles and grabs a handful of cookies while he says, “You are the best Ainsley!”

Smiling I get everyone a glass of milk and I notice that Payton is nowhere in sight.

“Hey where is Payton?” I ask with worry.

Sighing, Emma answers, “She had a bad day and wouldn’t talk to any of us on the bus. She went to her room.”

I tell them to watch Sophie and to keep an eye on the pie and pot roast before climbing the stairs. Stopping outside of Payton’s door, I knock on the door before calling out to her. She doesn’t answer, so I walk in to find her face down on her bed.

“Payton honey what’s wrong; how did your spelling test go?” I ask as I sit on the edge of her bed.

Looking up at me, I see unshed tears and I go to rub her left arm causing her to flinch away from me. With talking, I pull up her left sleeve to find bruises on her arm. My heart beats fast and I look at Payton, but she wouldn’t meet my eyes.

“Who did this to you? Please tell me, I can help.” I ask, but when she doesn’t answer; I realize who it is so I add, “It’s your teacher isn’t it?”

She burst into tears and leans into me. I hold her tightly and wait for her to let it all out. My blood is boiling and I want to tear her teacher apart for hurting her. Once Payton is all cried out, she pulls away from me and I wipe her tears away.

“Tell me what happen?” I ask her gently.

Gulping in air, she answers, “It was after lunch and we were painting. I accidentally knock over some green paint and Miss Phillips grabbed me by my arm really hard. She told me I was worthless and made me stand in the corner until the end of the day. I don’t know why she hates me; I have never been bad in class. If I pass a test, she always says I could do better and if I ask for help, she says I’m hopeless. I hate going to class and I try so hard to be good, but nothing works.”