Calumbra 23 - Book 1: The Maid

11 - Arise

Trinidad had just about enough of this Samson kid and it took all he could do not to scream. Talking in itself was a chore but trying to tell a spoiled boy not to mess with his things and stop picking on his brother was harder. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and threw a good right hook into Samson's face. Olivia was horrified at the big black eye that he was sporting and Dominick had to stifle a laugh.
"Trinidad, that was a terrible thing to do. What happened?"
"Sam wouldn't give my picture back! He tried to rip it up and since Trin doesn't talk he... he only did it cuz he had to!"
"I understand, Tavit, but Trinidad knows it's wrong to fight, don't you?"
"Believe me, Master Blackwood, the young master got hits too. That Samson isn't one to take one for the punch and just lay there." Angelica said as she put some salve on the scratches.
"He beat Trin up more than Trin beat him." Tavit said, watching Angelica.
"He's pretty good though." Sullivan said. "Samson seems to have a lot of pent up anger."
"Yes... He does seem to be a bit of a hothead."
"If Del was here she'd beat it out of him." Tavit said.
"Ms. Tate can't lay a finger on him." Dominick said. "And when did she beat either of you?"
"She spanked me once... But Del wouldn't hurt him. She'd make him behave."
Dominick looked at Angelica and Sullivan.
"She touched you with violence and you never told me, Tavit?"
"It didn't hurt." He said, hunching over to hide himself.
"I think I should have a serious-"
Trinidad ran to Dominick, shaking his head furiously. His father looked down at him and sighed, putting his hands on his hips.
"Trinidad, maids are not allowed to do that sort of thing to their masters."
"Del said that she would just come back if you told her to leave."
Dominick sighed and rubbed Trinidad's head.
"I guess she's right on that aspect. I won't do anything to her until she is able to defend herself."
"When can we see her, Papa?" Tavit asked.
"When she has woken up. Now, go apologize to Samson please."
Trinidad just glared at him and left the room.
"Trinidad! TRINIDAD!"

*******************

Trinidad ran to the garden house and opened the door. He closed it hard and slid down to huddle into himself. He looked down and sniffled. He wasn't going to apologize because he couldn't. He hated that he couldn't talk and it was hard for him to do that on his own. Delaware made him feel safe and comfortable. He was able to speak when she was around... She makes me feel normal.
"Hmm... I spy a little boy in my house..."
Trinidad gasped a little as he looked up.
Delaware leaned on her knee as she watched the little boy she loved so dearly look up in surprise and a bright light shine in his golden eyes.
"Del!" he cried, getting up quickly and running to her.
He jumped into her arms as she hugged him tightly.
"Ooh, my smart little boy... You were hiding in my motor car, weren't you?" Trinidad nodded furiously in the crook of her arm. "What's wrong, Little One?"
Trinidad said nothing as he held onto Delaware, crying like the child he really was. He missed her and he had felt useless without her there. He also wanted to pour his heart out to her, tell her all the things he was feeling, wanting to say something to her about Samson and Lady Valmont. He wanted to tell her the pain he had suffered from the scratches from the mutants, how they burned at him in the night and the queasy feeling he got every time he got so far from the forest.
But he couldn't open his mouth and talk... He just couldn't.
"You've gone through a lot, huh?" she asked quietly. He nodded and Delaware pulled away from him. "You can't tell me?"
He buried his face in her chest and just cried.
"You yelled my name a minute ago. I know you are lacking in voice, but when you're pushed, you can do it. You won't be able to go on if you keep all your problems all to yourself." He nodded and she rubbed his head gently. "If you can't quite voice it out, you can always write it down and I can read it for us. How about that?"
Trinidad nodded again as he sniffled. He looked up and Delaware smiled at him.
"How about we go and meet up with your father so this old maid can get back to work and earn her keep?"
He gave her a broad grin and got up.
Delaware moved her legs over the bed and started to move when her stomach caught and she hissed in pain. She began to cough and was surprised to find blood on her hand.
"Aw, shit... What's this?"
Trinidad turned to her, worry in his eyes.
"Don't worry, Little One, I'm sure it's a side effect of having my guts torn out of me and put back in." she said in dark humor.
Trinidad smirked and she held out her hand.
"Come on, help me up, Little One."

*******************

Dominick, Angelica, and Sullivan were running around trying to find Trinidad when Tavit looked behind him from the gazebo, where he was supposed to be keeping Samson company.
"I don't know why they are looking for him. One thing I've learned about your brother is that he's good at hiding." Samson said, flicking some dust off his pants. "They'll never find him... Making even the lord of the house-"
"Be quiet." Tavit said casually.
Samson frowned as Tavit turned back and then smiled.
"Del!" he cried as he got up.
He ran to her as she walked out with Trinidad. She caught him in her arms and he wrapped his legs around her torso.
"Whoa! Watch out, love... My stomach isn't up for that yet."
"You're awake! And you found Trin!" he said.
"I found him at my door. Where is your father? I must apologize to him for my reckless actions."
"He was looking for Trin."
"Who's that?"
Delaware looked at the young boy that was slowly walking up and narrowed her eyes at Samson.
"My name is Delaware Tate, I'm one of the maids here."
"Why are people so excited about a maid? You just do housework... Low class."
"So I am. And you are?"
"Samson Graham, future count."
"Well!" Delaware said in an overly exaggerated tone. "I am honored to be in front of a future count, young master Graham."
Samson seemed a little confused at her flattery and Delaware sat Tavit down.
Dominick and the others finally came into view and Angelica screamed.
"Ms. Tate!"
"Don't act like I'm a mummy, Angelica, and that I'm going to eat you... Jeez, you'd think I was dead or something."
"Well, you-you were pretty "open" that night." Sullivan said.
"I feel a bit different, that's for sure. And Arnold?"
"He said you owed him a lot."
Delaware laughed. "Yeah, I guess doing something like this is a bit daunting... Lord Blackwood, how are you?"
Dominick smiled a little but his eyes told Delaware that she was in trouble.
"You and I need to have a little talk, Ms. Tate."
"I figured you would want to. Boys, play nice and I will go get in trouble."
Trinidad grabbed her arm and looked up at her.
"Don't worry, Little One, I won't be gone long. We'll talk later."
He nodded and she walked off with Dominick.
Samson looked at the Blackwood boys and turned his head at them.
"What's so great about your maid? You act like she's really important."
"Because she is. You're stupid." Tavit said with a laugh.