Honeybee

chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

Leah swallowed hard and turned to bolt the door. Steeling herself, she turned back with a fake smile plastered on her face.

"Well what do you want to know Michael? And may I remind you that its unseemly to enter a lady's room at this time of night." Michael didn't seem in the least perturbed.

Damn. He's determined, she thought

"Well urgent matters call for urgent measures miss, so please don't divert the topic so that both of us can get this over as as fast as possible; I'm sure you wouldn't want me to prolong this." he pointed out wryly.

Leah settled herself down on the bed and let out a sigh indicating she was ready to be questioned.

"So for starters, who are you?" Leah feigned surprise

"I thought you already knew that! I'm Leah Evans, age 24, shopkeeper by occupation painter at times, allergic to nuts. No siblings nor parents." She finished off ." Is that enough bio data for you Michael?"

Michael didn't seem amused. The crease between his eyebrows deepened.

"Is this the first time you've been here? Honestly answer please, it is my sister' sanity at stake here. Something we both want to protect. So cooperate." he said firmly.

Leah was taken aback by his straightforwardness and adult-like aura.

Is it really a 12 year old I'm talking to in my room at two in the night? she wondered to herself.

"Anyway, how is this related to your sister's sanity? She seems perfectly sane to me, otherwise i wouldn't be here now." She would have to be careful with what she said. God only knew what meaning he would take from her words.

Michael only seemed to be getting more and more agitated.

Agitated?

"Do you remember the first time you saw her Leah? Sarah was so fragile, so brittle, she could have broken down any second." Leah winced at the memory of Sarah's gaunt, pinched face.

She was never able to forget that face.

"Do you know why she became like that? Because, and this is just a guess, she was plagued by the memories of being abandoned. I'm not sure by who, but I can see that she and Sarah were pretty close."

Michael's face had fallen, he looked even more like a concerned, caring 12 year old than Leah had ever seen before.

"She keeps hoping that a letter, a call, or anything will come. Keeps waiting, keeps believing. Why?" The worry was gone; anger was what lowered his voice now. Amber eyes glittered dangerously at Leah, who shifted uncomfortably.

" Why does she have to suffer for that person like this? Why doesn't she get a reply? Why is that, that.. so called 'friend' , killing her slowly.....every time,  its like she loses a part of herself...." the anger was overtaken by the sadness and desperation in his gaze.

"Seven years is a long time to wait, Leah. a very long time. Can you imagine it; everyday, getting your hopes up again and again that you might get some sort of reply and the bitter disappointment when you don't? And even the fear that maybe, just maybe.....that person isn't able to reply ever again." Michael was whispering now; unshed tears glistened in his eyes.

"No one should have to wait , for seven years, for a part of themselves to return. No one."

Leah swallowed hard and looked down. What could she say? She had the right to hear everything he said and more. She was guilty as charged; but right now she couldn't reveal anything. Not yet.

"Be straight with me Michael; why are you telling me this now?" Michael, who was more composed now, looked her in the eye.

He reached in his trouser pocket and placed it in front of her.

Leah's heart nearly stopped.

" I think you'll probably understand  what I mean." he said in a staccato voice,

" Goodnight Leah, or should I say Leanne?" he said as he passed through the door.

 But Leah didn't even look up. her eyes were glued to the name on the envelope.The name Sarah had written with her own warm hand.

Had written on every single letter she sent over the past 7 years.

The name which Leah Evans had abandoned, forgotten,left. or tried to.

Her name.

Leanne Wrigley