My Story: The Winchester House [Completed]

22: Classes

A/N: Above^^ is a picture of baby clothes in 1900. That is boy clothes, so imagine that Luke is wearing something similar if not the same thing.

Luke played on the floor as I cleaned the Daisy bedroom. He was able to crawl around at that point and sit up. Mrs. Winchester got him a wooden toy horse which made him look so cute. I smiled at him as I put the basket of linens near him.

I threw the new sheets on and started making the bed. Luke banged his horse against the floor twice and I told him to stop, which he did. He fell over and I picked up to sit him up again before returning to my work.

Such a pretty baby, the spirt of a child said as she reached out to touch Luke. I ran over and picked up Luke, who had a confused look as to who the spirit was. Are you scared I'll hurt him? I promise I won't, the spirit said and reached out to touch Luke. I held him closer to my chest as she looked at him.

Let the child touch him. She is great with children, a woman said as she appeared next to the child. I put my hand on the back of Luke's head. The little girl looked at me with a sad look as she tried to touch Luke again but I moved away.

Ma, why doesn't she like me? Is it because we are poor? the little girl asked.

Why don't you ask the lady? the woman asked as she stared at me and the little girl looked up at me.

"She just gave birth to the baby. The baby doesn't like when other people touch him," Madalynn said as she walked in and the little girl and woman disappeared. "Are you okay?" Madalynn asked and I nodded.

"We've never touched a spirit and I didn't want to risk what would happen if someone did touch someone else from another realm," I told her, finding my voice again. Luke grabbed my hand and pulled it but I didn't react.

"I totally understand, but you need to be able to calm them down and such. I don't want to find out," she said and I looked at Luke who was trying to eat my hair.

"What are you doing, little boy?" I asked as I pulled my hair out of his mouth. He gave me a confused look and I kissed his head. He smiled a toothless smile and laughed, making Madalynn coo over the baby.

"Sam, I've been looking for you," Max said as he walked into the room. I looked at him and he smiled as he saw that I was holding Luke. He always smiled whenever he found me carrying Luke.

"What's the matter?" I asked as he walked closer to touch Luke's little cheek.

"Your brother saw his first spirit and is freaking out," he told me and I chuckled. I readjusted Luke on my arm and started walking to the kitchen. Josh and Braxton were standing by where my brother was sitting, drinking water.

"I told you that there was spirits," I said as I sat down next to him. He put his glass down and rubbed his face as he groaned.

"That is a common thing?" he asked and Josh and Braxton laughed. I shook my head.

"You've worked here for how long and haven't seen a spirit yet?" I asked. Connor groaned.

"Charlie and I -" he said and Braxton and Josh looked at each other instantly.

"Charlie Dutch?" they asked and Connor nodded. Braxton and Josh started laughing, making Connor give them a dirty look.

"Who is Charlie Dutch?" I asked, not recognising the name.

"Charlie Dutch is a carpenter.... who died in 1870," Braxton said.

"Every carpenter sees poor Charlie and confuses him for a living person until someone tells them or they realise Charlie doesn't do a lick of work and doesn't get fired," Josh said and Connor went pale. Luke made some sounds similar to laughing and that was enough to make me laugh at my brother's stupidity.

"I thought I was making a friend," Connor whispered, "Wait, all the carpenters talk about Charlie like he is alive."

"Because Charlie bugs all of us because he doesn't believe that he is dead," Braxton informed him. Connor got his look he got when he didn't want to be wrong.

"Just relax for a bit before coming back to work, Connor," Josh said and I nodded to him as he led Braxton out of the kitchen.

"I thought you were pulling my leg," Connor said and I shook my head.

"Why would I, your twin and favourite sister, tell you a lie like that?" I asked with a smile and he shook his head.

"I believe you would because when we were children, you did all the time," he told me. I sighed.

"We are no longer children, Connor. I have a family of my own now that I have to serve. We don't have time to be pulling tricks like that," I told him and he gave me a hug.

"I know but sometimes, we have to hold on to that innocence from our childhood to endure the hardships that life wants to throw at us," he said and I shook my head.

"That is absurd," I said and he stared at me.

"Why is that?" he asked.

"You are trying to go against something that has been the standard for thousands of years. Connor, you need to grow up and realise what is important," I told him as I stood. He stared at me.

"You've been spending too much time with these rich folk. What would Mother say?" he asked as he looked at me like I was a stranger. And I guess I was to him. But class was coming into play. He was the 3rd class because we all knew carpenters were paid much less since they didn't do much and were dirty. I was a 2nd class woman, I worked but at the same time I had class and status.

"She would understand that Max is moving me up in the world, Connor. If you apply yourself to your job, perhaps you can start moving up as well," I said. Luke made a sound and I looked at him.

"At least, I am staying true to myself," Connor said as he left the kitchen. I glanced over my shoulder to watch him leave and then I focused on my son.