The Shelby woman

A kiss of a star

The evening light illuminates the kitchen in a gorgeous yellow hue, making the light blue cupboards stand out brightly. Charlotte makes her way into the kitchen, she can't help but squint due to the light making her unable to see, not used to such sunlight due to being in a dark room all day. 

Sitting hunched over on a kitchen stool at the kitchen bench, she lets out a relieved sigh. 

This catches the elderly womans attention. "Are you feeling alright Charlotte?" Adina asks. 

Removing her head from her arms. "I feel much better now that I'm down here, being upstairs in the bedroom was making me dizzy."

Mrs Weisz tilts her head, pulling the bread out of the oven. "You have been up there all day, its nearly six in the evening. I let most of the staff go for the day, seeing as you weren't getting up anytime soon. If you don't mind me asking, what is it you've been doing up there?"

Charlotte can always count on Adina Weisz for doing what she cannot. "Thank you for doing that Adi. As for what I was doing, I was asleep for most of it, I got up to walk about once or twice." The warm smell of bread wafting through the kitchen makes Charlotte groan.

"What's the matter Charlotte?"

Getting out of her chair, placing her hand on her stomach. "I think I'm going to go back to bed, Adi. I don't feel too well."

Wiping her hands on her apron, then removing it. Adina looks at Charlotte. "Let me help you love."

Waiting for Adina to clean up the mess she made, she walks slowly to the door. "Thank you."

Walking up the stairs takes some time, taking one step at a time whilst holing not the handrail. Mrs Weisz's hand never leaving Lotties lower back.

Waling into the bedroom, sitting on the bed Charlotte folds her arms over her chest. Regretting the decision as her chest become engulfed in pain. Mrs Weisz simply looking on, goes to the bathroom and retrieves a bowl. Putting it on the table beside the bed.

"What's that for?" Charlotte asks.

"Its for you. Incase you get sick. I don't particularly want to scrub it out from the rug."

Nodding, Charlotte gets up and walks over to the armoire in the corner of the room. Fiddling with her robe ties she looks up at Adina, unsure if she should take off her robe as there's nothing underneath.

"Just take it off and get into bed. Ain't nothing I haven't seen before." True, Adina has been there to help wash Charlottes hair in the some nights. She even helped Alfies mum deliver four children. 

After taking off her robe, Charlotte slowly makes her way over to the bed. With the aid of Adina, she gets in amongst the blankets, knowing full well that she'll just end up kicking them off during her sleep. Head on pillow, she looks at Adina. "Thank you Adi, goodnight."

"Have a good sleep love." Adina whispers as she runs her hand lovingly through Charlottes hair. She makes her leave once Charlottes eye close. 

Adina shuts the door softly, a smile coming to her face. She reaches down to her dress and pulls out a star of David and kisses it. Saying a soft "Thank you for this miracle" to whoever is listening.

_________

Adina Weisz hums happily,drinking her cup of tea; unaware of Alfies presence.

"Ah 'hello Ads, hows the Mrs?" Amused that he startled the old woman.

Putting a hand to her heart Mrs Weisz looks at Alfie with a smile. "She's great Alfie, very great."

"So she's no longer ill?" Confused, as Charlotte rang him earlier, asking how long he would be and wanting him to bring some ginger home. Ginger tea helps with sickness she says. Raising the ginger in his left hand. "She asked me to get this, can you make her some tea with it?" Adina nods her head.