Calumbra 23 - Book 1: The Maid

13 - Unannounced

"Well, your blood pressure is a little high but I'm sure it's from getting excited and upset. I suggest you lay down and take a rest." Arnold said, as he took the blood pressure cuff from Delaware's arm.
"Bah... Stopping is for normal people."
"But it works." He said with a smirk.
"I don't know why I'm listening to you. You sewed me in too tight."
"No I didn't. I can't help that I'm trying to sew organs and entrails together. It'll be a bit rough..." Arnold said with a frown.
"So it is..."
"I'd expect a little more gratitude from you. Not many people are willing-"
"Oh, shut the hell up, Arnold. I could have asked any doctor family to be my constant in my life. I just happened to know your ancestors so you came first in my mind. If you're going to continue to be haughty, I will most definitely acquaint myself with another surgeon."
"Don't get defensive, Delaware..."
"I'm not being defensive, Arnold. I'm just saying if you keep up the cocky attitude like your shit don't stink, I will find someone who will not nip at me all the time wishing for my gratitude. You should feel grateful to me for entrusting your family with my secret and allowing you to even touch my body."
"Alright, alright!" Arnold said, holding up his hand in a defensive gesture. "I'm sorry... I was just worried about you."
"Is this about the little fling we had way back when?" Delaware said, giving him a look.
Arnold laughed. "No, Del, it has nothing to do with that. Besides, you made it clear that I need to push those events from my mind and never speak of them again. I was worried because I'm your doctor and the fact that your guts were splayed all over the place like a meat display."
"Just making sure." She said with a smirk. "How long do I have to do nothing?"
"Two to three weeks. For the first week, you better not walk unless it is to use the bathroom then the rest of the time you can take a small walk to get yourself limber again."
"Ugh!" Delaware growled, falling back onto her pillows hard.
Arnold just chuckled to himself and packed his bag to leave.
He opened the door just as Trinidad was turning the handle.
"Little One, what is it, love?" Delaware said sweetly.
Trinidad trotted past Arnold and up to Delaware's bed. He handed her a folded piece of paper that turned out to be two when she unfolded it.
"Is this your feelings?" she asked softly.
He nodded and crawled into the bed with her.
"Do you want me to read it out loud?"
"No."
She nodded and looked at the letter.

I'm really scared. I don't want a new mama and I don't want a new brother. I like it the way it is. Papa don't get it that Tavit and me are fine without her. I don't like her... she feels weird. And Samson is mean... Papa gets really mad at me cuz I can't talk but I try! I really try but I can't make stuff come out. But Papa still gets mad and sometimes says I'm stupid cuz I don't talk. It makes me sad when he says that cuz I'm not dum... I got mad and punched Samson in the face this morning cuz he was being mean to Tavit. I couldn't tell him to stop picking on him and I tried and tried but he wouldn't stop... so I punched him. Papa didn't like it and told me to say sorry but... He says that I won't make a good air cuz I have to talk when there is dokumentle stuff. I think he hates me...
My scratches itch really bad and they won't stop. I have bed dreams at night but no one wants to help me make them go away. Papa says that I have to tell him so he will get it but he don't see. I can't sleep good cuz the dreams make me scream and I wake up Tavit... I think Tavit hates me too cuz I keep him up at night and he gets mad at me. They really burn and I don't know how to stop them from hurting
That lady Papa said he has to marry makes me feel dum too. She says that only commeners and beggers use their hands and stuff to get what they want. She said that lords and ladys say what they want to get what they need. She only said it when Papa was gone tho but it hurt my feelings.
I wish Papa would marry you. At leest you would stay and not hurt my feelings.

Delaware was a little surprised at the content of the letters and looked at Trinidad as he played with a button on his lapel.
"Is this how you really feel, Trinidad?" He nodded. "I'm so sorry, love."
He only shrugged, which concerned Delaware even more. The fact that he felt immune to it made her wonder how long he had gone through this sort of thing. She didn't want to get in the way of family but something had to give.
"Do they always make you feel this way?" Trinidad shrugged and Delaware sighed, ruffling his hair. "Well, if you ever need to talk to me I'll be here to listen. You can write everything you want to me, alright?"
He nodded when the door opened and Dominick walked in.
"Trin, could you please give Delaware and I some privacy?"
Trinidad looked at Delaware and she smiled. He left the house and Dominick closed the door behind him.
"Is there something we need to discuss, sir?"
"As a matter of fact there is. I wanted to discuss the way that you act around my children."
Delaware lifted a platinum blonde eyebrow. "Really?"
"Yes. Tavit told me that you spanked him?"
"I didn't spank your child, Dominick, I only did what he needed. I do not hit children but I will discipline them when need be. Just because a child is born in hierarchy doesn't mean that it shouldn't be punished when need be. He was being insubordinate and so I showed him that a child has his place and a grownup has theirs. As any nanny would do."
"But you are not a nanny."
"I might as well be considering how much attention you pay to them. All of the other servants are afraid to say anything when a child of ten tells them what to do. I understand that they are under your authority but when they sometimes put their lives in danger then they have to step up as mentors and adults. I have lived a long life and have been pushed around many of those years. When I watched the children I let slide grow up, they became selfish and made very bad decisions. I'm sure you have heard about the horrid scandal involving the Nestbettles?"
"The Nestbettles? You served them?"
"I swaddled their grandfather, dummy. And I was severely punished for doing the exact same thing I did to Tavit to him. To which I didn't even hurt him. And you see how the Nestbettles turned out: scandals and heartbreak. Now they have nothing. Their youngest son is out on the streets selling flowers and begging for food because his uncle spent every penny of it."
"What does this-"
"Everything. A child who does not know his place cannot take his place in society. That is a virtue that should be learned by all children. A child who cannot take punishment or words of discipline cannot function in this world. You know that and I know that. Do you even realize how much your sons need you? Here! This is how your sons feel about you... At least one..." she said, handing Dominick the note.
He snatched it from her and read what his son had written.
Delaware waited and he looked at her.
"This is all him?"
"Every word of it."
Dominick sat on the edge of the bed and sighed.
"I never realized how much he really needed me. Or how against getting married he was."
"Do you see? You don't know anything about your sons. And I do not hurt children, I discipline them. Would you rather him sting for a little and learn control or no pain and ruin your name?"
"You have a point, Ms. Tate... I will have to speak with Trinidad about all of this. But I did want to say that I don't appreciate your adventures. Please, if you need to leave, tell me the truth. I know you'll do what you want no matter what we say but at least tell me the truth."
Delaware smiled. "Yes, milord."

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

Delaware had taken a long awaited nap and was just getting up to use the bathroom when her door opened and Trinidad ran through.
"Oh, Little One-"
He ran to her and kicked her in the leg.
"Ow! Trinidad! What are you-"
He hit her with his fists and pushed her angrily.
"What's wrong?"
"Told! You told!" he growled.
"You never told me that I couldn't tell him."
"Secret!"
Delaware bent down and grabbed Trinidad's wrists.
"Trinidad, you never told me nor wrote that I couldn't tell your father. If you had said something I wouldn't have said anything."
"Hate! Hate!"
"You hate me?" Trinidad growled at her and scratched her clothes. "Calm down. I'm sorry..."
"No! Hate you!" he yelled, tears streaming his face.
Delaware sighed and turned away from him.
"This is the most you've talked in one day, you know? I'm sorry that it had to be to say that you hated me."
Trinidad pushed her away again and ran out, feeling betrayed and heartbroken.