My Story: The Winchester House [Completed]

45: Amanda Pt. 2

I sat next to the bed that my poor little girl was sleeping on as I observed the burns on her small face. It was half of her face and down her neck. I had seen this type of skin damage on factory workers, but I thought that my children were safe in the house.

"Sam, go home. I'll watch Amanda. I am certain that Luke and Syren wanted their mother," Max said as he sat next to me.

"I'll wait until there is a taxi," I said. He touched my shoulder.

"Connor is waiting outside with one," he said. I nodded before standing and kissing Amanda's forehead.

~*~

I sat with Luke and Syren on the couch as they laid on my lap. We were listening to the radio music so we could just listen instead of having to get up to change the record when it was finished. The children were unable to move and just wanted to lay on my lap. I ran my hand through their hair.

"Mother, will Amanda be fine?" Syren asked. I looked down at her and smiled.

"She will be fine. She will come home soon," I told her. She looked at Luke, who looked absolutely depressed. I held him closer to let him know that I was there for him. He held my hand and rubbed my hands.

"Did she look fine when you saw her?" Luke asked. I ran my hand through his hair as I looked down at him.

"Don't worry about that, baby boy. Do you want me to cook dinner?" I asked. They both shook their head before the radio started a news cast.

"This evening we bring you news from Europe. A war between the allies of Germany and Italy and the allies of France, Britain and Russia," the radio said. Luke sat up and stared at the radio. "It is unclear at this time what the fighting style will be, however..."

"Do you think America will join the war?" Luke asked. I gave him a solid look.

"President Wilson wouldn't be that stupid, Luke. That is not America's fight. It's thousands of miles away," I said. He nodded as he laid back down. I held him close again as Syren slowly fell asleep on my lap. I made Luke sit up as I picked up Syren. "I'm going to take her to bed. When I come down, we can do something," I told him. He nodded.

I walked upstairs and laid Syren on the bed while I went to get her night gown. I changed her quickly and pulled her sheets back as I laid her down in the centre of the bed. I kissed her head before I walked back down the stairs and sat next to Luke.

"I'm sorry that I told the girls that we could play down there if we were careful," he muttered. I looked at him as I moved his hair out of his eyes.

"It's not your fault, baby boy. It was an accident. It could have happened to anyone," I told him. He sniffled.

"I always watch them and take care of them. It's my duty as their older brother. I helped them learn, and they asked me to play today, but I wanted to play with my jacks instead. It's my fault," he said. I hugged him to my chest and shook my head.

"Baby boy, you couldn't have stopped the accident. It might have still happened," I told him.

"Or I would have been there to prevent the accident," he said. I rubbed his back.

"Let's go to bed and sleep on this. Maybe we can go see Amanda tomorrow with your father," I said, trying to sound hopeful. He nodded.

~*~

I was walking down a hall when someone called for me. I turned around and saw a man from the furnace room running towards me.

"Good morning," I greeted.

"I wanted to extent my own and all the men's in the furnace room apologises to you. By the time we heard the screams, it was too late," he said. I smiled lightly at him.

"Thank you," I said as I started walking away. He cleared his throat, getting my attention again.

"Let us know if there is anything we can do for your family. We will be more than happy to help you," he told me. I smiled and nodded.

"Thank you." I walked into one of the fifteen bedrooms still open. I closed my eyes in hopes that I wouldn't cry in front of people. Tears still came down my face.

I promised to take care of my children when I married Max, but I failed. I didn't protect our youngest. She was in the hospital, because I didn't put my foot down with our family. I was disappointed in myself. I had wished for a family and being a good wife, but I failed Max by not taking care of our children.

"Sam?" Max asked as he walked into the room. I looked at him as I pushed myself off the wall. He hugged me tightly and whispered into my hair. "What's wrong?"

"I failed you and our family," I said as I slid on my knees. I held Max's hand as he had the most confused look ever. I had seen my mother apologise to Father like this a few times. I sealed my eyes shut as I tried not to cry. He sat on the ground and lifted my chin. My eye fluttered open on their own accord.

"You didn't fail anyone. It was an accident, and that's all it was. Your calmness made me so proud. I'm proud to tell people that you are my little wife that bore for my children. The children themselves are so respectful and compassionate," he told me. I leaned on his shoulder and cried as he rubbed my back.