Sleeping on the Floor

4. Secrets

His cold fingers graze my hip and trace along my side. They dance all over, bringing goosebumps with every touch. My ribs, my chest, my shoulder blades, my collarbones; all covered in hair standing on end. 

It's dark and only a few candles burn - he calls it atmosphere. There're gentle movements. Hip movements. Lip movements. Neck movements. Finger movements. We're intertwined with each other on the mattress on the floor. Nothing too far. Yet. 

We roll over. There are socks and shirts on the floor next to us, a blanket over us. The movements come back. The goosebumps return. There's a movement. A foot. A candle is knocked over. It's caught by the wind. 

I start awake, gasping for air. He's lying next to me and I shake him awake.

"John! John! We have to tell someone. They'll find out. We have to - we started the fire." I panic and begin to tear up. 

He hushes me, wraps an arm around my upright body and pulls me down and into his arms. He holds me close and continues to hush me - his eyes still closed. 

He places a soft kiss on my forehead and leaves his lips there as he says, "Don't worry, Car. They all think I was out running. They assume you went to bed after they left. The fire department's report matches the one your mom gave them. We're really okay, just go back to sleep." 

Oh shit. The fire department's report. Wait, he just said they matched. How....

*****

I wake to the early morning sun streaming gently into the room. The bed is empty next to me and I notice John pulling his shirt on in the corner of my eye. I sit up as he walks over and kisses my forehead. He holds my face in his hands and whispers, "I wish I could stay longer but I don't want any of the servants catching me and they'll be here soon." 

I give a small smile and close my eyes in understanding. I hear the door close gently and drift back into sleep. 

*****

I wake up hearing the door close again. There's an outfit neatly laid out on the dressing table. Gem. The smell of tea fills my room and there are warm towels at the foot of the bed. 

I finish dressing as the breakfast bell rings. John catches me as I leave the room.

"Sorry I left so quickly this morning," he says quietly, "I'm just not so sure I'm ready for a Delphi  to put warm towels for 2 on your bed yet." 

I laugh softly. "Yet?" 

He blushes and waits beside the door for me to enter the dining hall before following me in. I take my usual seat: next to Gem, across from John and 3 seats from the head. The table fills up within the minute and Mary leads us in Grace. 

All 10 of us file into the Rigby family car (12 seater Limo driven by Jeffrey). We roll up to Church and are surrounded by families looking a lot like ours with their ladies in mid-height heels, knee length dresses that cost a fortune and their men in neat slacks, button ups and designer shoes. 

I sit between Gem and John in a row nearer to the back than the rest of our families. During prayer, John slowly and lightly places a hand on my leg then up, up, up, up....

"Amen." It's gone. 

*****

Jeffrey drops Gemma and I off in Bloomington Court after Church. 

The Upper doesn't actually have malls. In Bishops, there are a few small boutiques and vintage clothing stalls near the 'commercial' sector (the half block between the church and country club). We have all of 3 grocery stores and a handful of furniture and clothing shops.