Eastern District School

Chapter 63 - Dot

For most of the part, Dot spoke. Rose was grateful for this, and the fact that Dot only asked Rose a couple of questions which were no way intrusive. She answered simply and listened. Actually no she didn't, she heard. She heard that she was talking, but Rose could not keep her mind from Rich and his family, and part of her was angry with herself for leaving him back there. Had she not been sitting with the woman that had paid for her bus fare, she may even have stepped straight off the bus and started walking back towards where she had so quickly abandoned him.

"I'm sorry for your loss." Came Dot's voice clearly. Rose looked at her with an almost horrified look upon her face. It was the first thing that had sunk in since being sat there beside this cheery plump woman. Having almost felt boxed in between her and the window and another row of seats in front. A sudden realisation came to her that it was perhaps not the first time this woman had stated this. The look on her face now resembled her own mother's, from when she had felt the need to repeat herself to Rose to actually be heard. Of course, she could simply could have just spoken more clearly than the past 5 minutes or so, which to Rose had felt hours. 

But her loss? How was it her loss? She was in no way tied to her...but of course she was! Despite not having known Jennifer for the prime of her life (although she had caught a glimpse simply from reading her grandfather's letters). She hadn't known her as a young mother, albeit somewhat impossible, considering her own grandson was older than Rose herself. She hadn't known what it was like for Rich and his brothers to visit them as they were very small. How big or small a role did she play for them? From what she saw, Rich had been very close to her. The thought of that now, brought back the guilt from leaving him behind once more. 

They had only known each other for a mere few days, and Rose was sure that she was more aware and understanding of their occasional encounters, yet for some reason, Jennifer waited for Rose to see her before she finally let go. So, yes! Yes, it was 'her loss'. 

Rose tried her best at a smile as she nodded her head slightly, looking down at the now empty coffee mug still in her hands, she saw once more that her vision was blurred, that familiar overwhelming feeling that seemed to accompany her more often than late returned along with the lump to her throat. 

"I don't like to pry my dear, but I gather you're not from around here," she paused for a moment, as if trying to reword things just so in her head. "...and I'm assuming as you're sat beside me here that you have no means of transport..." she paused again, and Rose could feel the sympathising eyes of the kindly woman searching her.

Rose wasn't sure what the lady was about to offer, but she aimed to cut her short. It had not been her intention to deceive yet another kind-hearted person today. Yet somehow, she found herself avoiding the mention of Rich and his family. 

"I have my mother and grandmother coming over later this afternoon. I just had a phone call now to hear that they are on their way." She managed to look at the woman this time, with another very trying attempt of a smile. "Thank you though." she added as an after-thought. 

Dot seemed not completely satisfied, Rose thought. The way the older woman's eyebrows rose as she turned her head to one side and nodded at Rose. The slight corners of her mouth pressing downwards. She seemed to pause for a moment and then just as quickly as she had mentioned anything, she whipped her head forwards once again. One of her plump age spotted hand gripped the rail of the seat in front of them. 

"Have you plans once you get into town?" Dot's voice called out after just another moment's pause.

Rose sighed and felt bad for it immediately afterwards as Dot did not seem to glance at her this time. It had certainly been loud enough for her to have heard. In truth, she wasn't annoyed with the older woman. In fact, under any other circumstances she would have been far more welcoming to a conversation or two. She was certainly thankful for the woman's generosity in helping her get to the town. She just didn't want to talk. It was that brutal and honest! She felt the movement of Dot's head, so that she was now glancing down at Rose's hands.