Eastern District School

Chapter 60 - Waiting?

Waiting?

Normally if someone were waiting for something or someone, it was because they were wanting to do or go somewhere else after. In this sense, 'waiting' did not sound a good, or inviting thing at all.

She looked up to Rich, already feeling the blood draining from her face. Surely Thomas had been speaking to Rich not her? Rich's squeeze of her hand wasn't the reassurance that she was waiting for either.

"Come one..." Rich's voice was almost a whisper, as he pulled her by the hand into the room beside them. Rose felt that she was standing on his toes, even more so now. This was HIS grandmother. She felt like she was stealing her from him.

"There they are!" Came Jennifer's voice, as they stepped through the doorway. Although her voice seemed faint, it still had an air of certainty to it. Rich's mother was sat beside her in the otherwise empty room.

Rich didn't speak, instead he smiled and brought them both closer to his frail grandmother.

"Told you she's beautiful, didn't I?" She moved her hand slightly, aiming it at Rose as best as she could.

Rose smiled through her tears as she looked at her new friend. Wishing she had known her years before. Wishing she had known them both: Rose Pearce and Jennifer Lawson as they were before they were married. Then after they were married. Even just twenty years ago, they could still have been best of friends right here, so close to E. D. She would have liked to have known them both.

Even though Jennifer's mind was so fragile, and any sudden movement, or speech could scare her, Rose still got a taste of this woman's spirit.

"Come here my dear." came Jennifer's voice once again. Beckoning Rose to be even closer still.

As Rose looked to Rich again, she noticed his tense jawline above her. He let go of her hand gently then, and pushed her in front of him, so that she was closer to his grandmother. All the while he didn't look at her.

"Hi," Rose said smiling through her tears as they stepped over the rims that held them captive. "I'm here." Rose wasn't sure what else to say, having the feeling that all eyes were on her, as she stood there in the centre of the room with Jennifer Stork.

"You need a coffee. Get this girl a coffee!" she stated to a startled Rich behind her.

She'd never understood the expression 'laughing through tears' before, but that is exactly what she did right then. A unnerving feeling waved over her.

"Well?" Jennifer said, looking at Rich.

Rose felt Rich stiffen behind her. "Oh, er...right...sorry." he said in a jumpy tone, obviously not sure whether his grandmother was being serious. In order to keep her happy though, he obliged. "I'll be right back!" he said to Rose then, and with that he reluctantly left the room.

Rose smiled down at Jennifer, waiting for her next words.

"Er-erm." Jennifer made a pretend coughing noise, and her head turned as much as it could towards Martha Stork.

Martha practically jumped in her seat. "I have some telephone calls I need to make. Please excuse me!" Then she actually did jump out of her seat and headed towards the open door. Turning back, with what seemed like a longing look in her eyes. "If you need anything...we'll be right outside." She nodded her head then, with slightly more concern on her face and then she too disappeared from sight.

"What a girl has to do...."

Rose reached for Jennifer's hand instinctively, momentarily forgetting not to startle the old woman. This woman had a pull on her that she wasn't used to. She looked down at the frail hand in her own then, praying for the right things to say, and just hoping.