Runaway

Chapter 6 and Chapter 7

Chapter 6

I woke up the next morning to birds chirping, which was heavenly. Every morning back at Toro’s place the birds had sang. I felt a twinge of homesickness, but pushed it away. The sad thing was it wasn’t for my real home…it was the temporary home I’d found after running away.

I stretched and stood. I pulled out a clean shirt and breeches and pulled them on before pulling on my leather boots. I wasn’t really sure what to wear for a fishery, but I guessed Robbie would give me the details, if I got the job of course.

I walked into the kitchen and found Lezlai making pancakes. At least they had enough money to make good meals. She looked at me, and I swear she smiled. But I can’t really tell you for sure. I’ve been wrong before. The twins were already running around, laughing and pushing each other around. I really needed to start working on this place.

“Did your Dad…” I trailed off.

“He left soon after the beating.” Lezlai answered, flipping the pancakes onto a plate. “Are you hungry?”

“Starving.” I answered. I took the plate from her. “I really am sorry for last night.”

“Why?” she gave me a weird look.

“There had to have been a better way to do that. You shouldn’t have to get beaten every night.” I shook my head. “I should’ve done something.”

“And what could you have done? He would’ve squashed you like a plant. At least he won’t kill me because I cook his meals.” She rolled her eyes. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

“How can’t I be?” I demanded as nicely as I could. Let’s just say this type of thing really puts me on edge. “Look at you. You’re covered in bruises that you don’t deserve, at ALL. How can I just sit by and let that happen?”

“You’re a lot like Ben.” She commented, pouring more batter onto her skillet. “You’re always so protective of everyone. Doesn’t matter who it is, you’ll protect them.”

I fell silent. I wasn’t exactly sure what to say to that. I mean, was it a complement, or a really nice insult? Sadly, the lessons my father had put me through hour after hour did not include the ‘interpretations of women’s words’ almanac. Too bad. I really could have used that right about now. Then again, I’m pretty sure my Dad didn’t see me running away from the palace in the near future either.

“Once, Ben found a bird, it had a broken wing. He had to take it in of course.” Lezlai smiled at the thought. “Mom didn’t want him to keep it, but Grandma sided with him. So they made a little home for it out of a box and a small washcloth. He bottle-fed and washed that thing every single day. He looked like a regular mother. He wouldn’t let little Lezlai touch it of course.” She laughed. “I would’ve killed it; I was such a klutz back then. After two weeks, it was finally healed. He let it go that night, and it flew off. I swear he cried himself to sleep, though he’ll never admit to it. Yeah. He was always protective of the underdogs.” She shook her head.

“Sounds like it.” I whispered.

“Yeah, well. That’s all water under the bridge.” She sighed. “You better eat those pancakes so we can get you a job, and I can get to work.”

She left the kitchen and I started eating. Lezlai was a strange one. She seemed extremely closed, yet she’d just told me a piece of her childhood almost freely. Why would she do that? Why would she tell me, a complete stranger, about her past? I certainly hadn’t told HER anything about MY past. That was far too dangerous.