Eastern District School

Chapter 78 - Riddles and Songs

As she climbed the next few staircases alongside Rich, she had the strong urge to reach for his hand. Support! He did support her, but as she climbed the staircase, it felt like she had never walked this way before. Her mother and Nan closely following, added to the suspense that she was clearly feeling. 

Please help me. She almost screamed inside. She glanced at him as they ascended, searching for that reassurance that he would be there. As if he sensed her state of mind, which she hoped he did, he turned his head to her, a smile emitting from his mouth and eyes. As his own eyes met hers, she saw that familiar flicker, and his hand grabbed hers. His fingers interlocking with her own. A sentiment of security and protection. The suspense of her mother's reaction did not entirely disappear from within. No! Instead, there was now this warm glow behind it. He had her back!

What that actually meant when it came down to the biting point, she wasn't sure, but she tried not to worry about it now. 

Skipping the middle floor, they headed straight to the open plan top floor.

The room bright with the sunlight that poured in through the windows all around. 

"How beautiful it is up here!" her Nan's voice called out once again. "There's so much light."

"It was actually open planned when we started. This was known as the nursery during the war. We aren't sure exactly how many babies were born here, but we're looking into it." Rich explained. "We removed a few broken cots from this floor, toys, blankets..."

Rose threw a glance at her mother, who was holding back from the others. She stood, if that's what you could call it, leaning against one of the pillars in the room. One hand to her mouth, and the other clutched to her stomach. 

Rose's own stomach lurched as she hurried over to her. 

"Ma!" 

It wasn't exactly a question as she had intended. Instead her voice heavy with sympathy. Why though? She was the one who had planned this. She knew things might turn heated. Either with words or simply with emotions.  She reached for her mother's shoulder and leaned in to hug her. Something she realised she probably did not do enough. Her mother didn't respond, but continued in this stance. Rose was sure she felt the small ripples of pain flooding through her.

"Shir..." her Nan started, but Rich pulled on her arm gently and turned her away towards the staircase. She wasn't sure what Rich was saying to her, but she gathered this was him 'having her back'. A few moments alone with her mother, here at Eastern District. 

"Ma, please tell me what is going on." she almost begged, but her voice was soft and as gentle as she could manage seeing that her heart was beating ten to the dozen. 

"What's going on?" Shirley spat, pulling away from her "You tell me, you're the one that took this job on, and dragged me all the way out here to see it again."

Again!

"Why, why, why? Do you think it's funny, that the roles are all playing out exactly the same as they did before?" Shirley's voice was strong, but clearly breaking between breaths to cope with her sobbing. 

Rose was confused. Her eyebrows so low, she could feel the strain on her head.  She shook her head gently then, as she realised her mother was waiting for a response.

"I don..."

"Don't look at me like that, it's obvious you've found out what's happened." Shirley was pacing back forth in front of her daughter, who had now taken to leaning upon the pillar herself.  "Inviting your Nan and I here...you've never done that before in your life!"