Past Time

20 - Sneaking Out

I couldn't stop the gnawing feeling in me as Edmund and I treaded home. The streets were still bustling and it began to sprinkle rain on us. The streets were ashen gray and shiny from the slick rain. Today was my last day. I knew what I had to do. I needed to find my mom.

It was strange, mentioning my mom for the first time in four years. She had stolen the artifact and my watch.

"A penny for your thoughts?" asked Edmund teasingly as he peered into my face. His tone was joking, but his face seemed concerned. His hair was slightly sticking to his face because of the rain. In this light, his blue eyes seemed to reflect gray.

"Oh .. I was just thinking about my mom," I reluctantly told him. Technically I wasn't lying. I was planning out how I would be able to steal the artifact and watch from her since I knew where she lived now. I had too many questions. I realized with a heavy heart that I missed my home. Although being with Edmund was great, I remembered Dylan and Brianna who I missed terribly.

"Sometimes I think about my parents too. To be honest Clarissa, you know so much about me, but I realize you never told me anything about you," Edmund frowned, staring straight ahead.

I didn't know what to say to him. I didn't want to lie to him or much worse, get attached to him by telling him secrets, Dylan and Brianna didn't even know.

"There's not much to me. I'm pretty boring as anyone can get," I laughed nervously. It was obvious he knew I was stalling when he glanced at me and raised an eyebrow.

We reached his house and once again I was tackled to the floor by his siblings. "Jean! You shouldn't do that to a lady!" screeched the shrilly voice of Karen. I laughed. I lifted myself up as Edmund was swarmed with his brothers and sisters. "Hey where's Marshie?" I called. Oh I missed my rat so much.

A white fur ball flashed across the floor and jumped into my hands. Marshie squeaked excitedly and he nuzzled his head against my fingers. I hugged him close to my chest and when I️ looked up I saw Edmund giving me a slight smile.

I awkwardly laughed as I let Marshie crawl onto my shoulder. "I need to go change out of my clothes," I announced. Edmund nodded at me and continued talking to his brothers and sisters about their chores. John who was the 8- year old threw himself on the couch and wailed about cleaning the house. I chuckled at the scene before heading to the room I shared with Ellie and Karen.

Changing out of my dress and petticoat felt like such a good relief. I exchanged them for trousers and a comfortable tunic. For a moment I was self conscious about the improper outfit and thought bitterly about Elizabeth being the perfect lady.

I sighed. Well I suppose I can't help that I was born in the future. I approached the mirror on the bedside table. It was dirty, but I could still see my reflection. I turned my head a couple of times to examine myself. Oh great, I was breaking out again. A few pimples dotted my cheeks. I brushed out my hair and examined the window in the room.

Feeling guilty about my plan, I hoped Edmund would never find out about this. I planned to sneak out of his house to get to my mother. I needed answers and I️ needed them now. Reluctantly I've been keeping Edmund at a distance because of it.

I flopped onto the squeaky bed and closed my eyes for a moment. Gosh darn it I was so tired! Marshie nibbled on some seeds in a corner as he lazily blinked at me.

I quickly sat up when I heard the door creak open. "Hullo Miss Jenkins would you like to go to my tea party today?" grinned a particularly gap-toothed girl no other than Ellie. She stood upright with her hands clasped behind her back and her straight hair fell in wisps in front of her face. I glanced at the giant clock above the bed. 8' o clock. A tea party wouldn't hurt right?

I folded my hands in my lap and smiled at her, "Of course I would love to be invited."

She ran across the room and grabbed my hand before dragging me to her small dollhouse and table. I awkwardly sat in one of the chairs. She hurriedly placed some tea cups on the table and in the other hand she held an old ratty teddy bear. She placed the teddy bear in one of the chairs before looking up at me.

I shuffled anxiously. I had no experience playing with little kids. She proceeded to pour tea in my cup. She looked at me and smiled expectantly. I picked up the cup and took a sip.

I coughed and sputtered. What type of rancid tea is this?! I fought to keep my face neutral and forced myself to smile. It ended up looking like a grimace.

Ellie smiled and said, "I'm a lady now Miss Jenkins!"

"You know you can just call me Clarissa," I coughed, taking pretend sips of the tea.

"Edmund doesn't play with me anymore. You are now my important guest Miss- I mean Clarissa," Ellie said shyly.

I felt touched by her comment and felt bad. Edmund was extremely hardworking...

"You'll stay with us won't you Clarissa? No one here plays with me and plus my big brother needs a lady. A real lady," she told me.

She patted the bear that was sitting next to us, "Don't you agree Sir Munchies?"

I choked on my tea. This girl was a 5 star guilt tripper. "Haha maybe.." I awkwardly mumbled.

We were suddenly interrupted by Edmund who burst through the entryway. His eyes lit up when he found us. His tousled hair was messed up in a perfectly adorable way.

"El it's your bed time," Edmund stated, annoyance lacing through his words. His blue eyes met mine and I gave him a shrug.

Ellie gave me an exasperated look and pouted at Edmund. "Clarissa and I are having a tea party. I don't know who you are... you ruffian! You are a very unkind man!" She huffed.

I burst out laughing, clutching my stomach. Edmund's face looked horrified. In fact, my laughing made him shoot a glare my way.

He grabbed Ellie's arm and marched out of the room, dragging her with him. She quickly grabbed her bear, Sir Munchies, protesting that she couldn't leave him.

The chatter died as it faded out from the hallway. I reluctantly sat on the cot and gazed at the window. It was time to meet my mother.