Dahlia's Shadow

2. Settling In

I opened my eyes to close them right back the light being way to bright. A high sound ringing in my ears and a painful pulse in my head was all I could hear. I slowly open my eyes again and let them flutter to get used to the light. For a second I thought I saw a man with tousled dark hair and glowing red eyes. He was slightly distorted but when I blinked he was replaced with two very worried women.

I then realized I was on the floor my head being held in the lap of Mrs. Norah.  A cold rag was draped over my forehead and I looked over to see Mrs. Adalynn with a cup in her hand. Once the ringing subsided I leaned up using my hands for support and asked, "I fainted didn't I?"

"Yes dear, have you ate today?" Mrs. Adalynn asked.

"No ma'am." I answered slightly embarrassed.

"Oh Doll why didn't you tell me? You know I would've gotten you something after I picked you up?" Mrs. Norah said looking at me with a hint of disappointment.

"I didn't want to make you go out of your way I knew it wasn't a long drive I just thought I could eat when I got here or something." I answered, as my face grew red with embarrassment.

"It's ok dear, here drink this." Mrs. Adalynn replied as she handed me the cup she'd been holding.

I looked into the cup to see what it was before gulping it down like a crazy person. It was milk that was icey cold and it soothed my turning stomach. I finished it with a delighted sigh and wiped the excess from my upper lip before I spoke, "Thank you, and I'm sorry about this. I mean look at me causing trouble already."

"No trouble at all Dahlia, why don't I show you the kitchen? We could go ahead and eat while we are down there." Mrs Adalynn said,
smiling at me lightly.

"Yes please!" I replied a little to excitedly causing both the women to laugh.

I followed the two out of the room way to nice to be mine. Back through the hallway and down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs they took a right into a dining area and continued to the end of the room, which was connected with an open walkway. As I walked through the walkway I was met with the a warm smell. "Mmmm what is that smell? Did you cook?"

"Yes, it's chicken stew. If you'd like to grab a few glasses you can make drinks, I will grab the bowls and we can get to eating." She replied to me.

"Yes ma'am, where are the glasses at though?" I asked.

She replied telling me they were in the cabinet to the left of the sink as she walked to the stove and began filling the three bowls with stew. I then asked the two what they wanted to drink they both replied that they wanted sweet tea as they carried the bowls into the dining room. Once I had finished pouring the three drinks I began to try to figure out how to carry them but Mrs. Norah reached passed me grappling a glass and the tea pitcher leaving me to carry the other two drinks as I followed her into the dining room I saw that they had set the bowls at the end of the table and Mrs. Adalynn was setting the pot of stew gently down on a folded rag. I sat a glass of tea at in front of my bowl and hers and we all sat down and happily dug in. As we ate she talked about her childhood and her life and Mrs. Norah spoke of hers and she spoke of me and how she loved me. I listened to them adding to the conversation every few minutes.

Before I'd realized it I'd had four heaping bowls of the stew and I was beyond full. I leaned back in my chair with a happy grin.

"Well now that your finished would you like to see the rest of the house?" Adalynn asked.

"Yes ma'am, the stew was delicious by the way thank you so much." I replied.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Adalynn and began to exit the room me and Mrs. Norah following behind her.