The Maid

Can't push me

I woke up to find a large group of people at the end of my drive, they looked rather intimidating. I put on my bath robe and headed out, "Um, what are you all doing here?" I asked the morning chill still in the air, "We want you to leave!" Piped up some old woman close to the back of the group. "Why? You all owe me at least that. You have all been pushing me out since the moment I started talking about what you didn't like." Tarry stepped forward, "It's best you just leave miss Sara... I promise it is the best course of action..." I narrowed my eyes at him and pointed, "You told me that I needed to leave as soon as possible and I told you that I was going to because I can't find work." A hush fell over the group, "That is all of your faults! I tried to fit here and you all wouldn't let me." Austin from next door stepped forward, "We didn't have a choice, it's not because we didn't want you around. Honestly, Ava has grown to like you, but you also shouldn't have involved her in all this." I raised my voice to almost screaming, "You pigs were telling her I was bad! All I wanted was to help a girl who is missing or dead! And you all turned your back on her! I didn't even know Callie, you all did! You should all be ashamed of yourselves!" I breathed heavy trying to catch my breath before continuing, "And furthermore, you have no right to decide my future for me. I don't know any of you, I thought I knew Tarry, but apparently that was just so you guys could use him to get rid of me. I hope you all lose sleep for what you are trying to hide!" The mailman pushed his way through the ranks, "I have a letter for a miss Sara Brann?" I stepped forward still on edge I snapped, "That's me." He held it up and I snatched it still glaring at the mob on my lawn. "Now if you will all excuse me, I have a letter, and I am finished with this conversation. So, kindly remove yourselves off of my property, if not I will be forced to call the police." I turned around and headed inside my house.

I peeked out my window, after inside, to see if they were complying or if I needed to take further action. I watched as one by one they left my lawn. "Good, at least they know what's good for them." I looked down at the letter in my hand and my eyes grew wide, "A letter from the mansion?" I tore it open as quickly as I could being careful not to tear the contents, I nearly fell to my knees seeing what was inscribed, "I have a job..." I began to cry. "And not just any job, Callie's last job, maybe I can get some answers here." A part of me knew I would have to break the rules, but how soon I did not know. I looked outside to see Tarry still staring at my house, a tinge of guilt tried to sweep over me, but I quickly pushed it away. "If he wanted to he could come and apologize, he is the only one I would accept it from, but I will not be going anywhere now..." I thought to myself steeling myself so as not to cry over these people that have rejected me.

~

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A whole week has passed and I'm getting ready to head to the mansion. There has been whispers and backwards glances ever since the day on my front lawn. I held my breath as I sat in my car on the long stretch of driveway leading up to the mansion. "Come on Sara, get yourself together." I gathered my courage stepping out of my car onto the gravel. I walked slowly to the front door, not knowing what to expect. There was a note advising which room to start in and what time to end. I walked through the doors, "Hello?" my own voice echoing back to meet me, "Anyone here?" Still nothing, I began to survey the foyer. A musty smell hit my nostrils causing my nose to scrunch up, "Well, I don't care what the paper said, I'm starting in this room."

It took me nearly twenty minutes to locate the cleaning supplies, but once I did I tackled all the cobwebs first. I swept the dust covered floor, I cleaned the foggy windows, I even found a ladder to clean the giant fixture hanging from the ceiling. All in All, I was very proud of myself. I did it, I no longer smelled the musty air, I smelled cleaning supplies. I would pat myself on the back if I could. I had fifteen minutes to spar so I walked around. I entered into what appeared to be a dining room, chunks of rotten food on the table that looked like they had been there at least ten years. My stomach turned at it, "This room is definitely next." I covered my nose walking to the next space, a kitchen, but this room was spotless. My mouth hung open, "I could fit my whole house in this room..." I looked at everything, the counter-tops seemed like they went on forever. There were three iceboxes, and two stoves. The ceiling was extremely high with a huge vent extending from it. There were four silver sinks, and a huge storage pantry. "What in the world did this place used to be used for..." My eyes soaking everything in, then an alarm. "What is that..." My eyes shot wide open, "It's Nine!" I spun to rush out, I just made it out the door when it slammed behind me. I hopped in my car excited for the next day, I had so much I wanted to see inside.

Tarry was sitting on my front steps when I pulled in my drive way, he looked distressed. I put in park and got out slowly, "Hey Tarry," he lifted his gaze to meet mine, "is everything okay?" His  expression was sad, "Sara... I need to talk to you." I looked at him concerned, "What about now? You guys going to push me out again?" He stood up walking towards me, "No, I just wanted to give you something. Promise me to use it if you need to?" "What are you talking about?" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small 22, "Here, if you gonna stay here you will need something for defense, I can't lose you too." He stretched out his arm trying to hand it to me, "Tarry! What in the world! I'm not taking that thing!" "I'll leave you alone if you do, I give you my word young'un, if you take the gun I will leave you alone." I  sighed, "Fine," I grabbed the gun, "but I think you are over reacting." He smiled at me pleased that I compiled. He placed his hands on both my shoulders, "Please be careful Sara..." I nodded my head solemnly. 

I was sitting inside turning the gun over and over in my hands, I studied it. The last time I held one of these I swore would be just that, the last time. A shudder went up my spine and I felt a quiver in my chest. I tucked it out of sight and figured just taking it would be enough, I didn't want to see it. A knock came to my door, so I got up to see who and Austin was standing on the other side. I put the chain across and opened it a crack, so that the chain was as far as it would go, "Yes?" I said plainly, "What do you want Austin?" He shifted on his feet and wouldn't make eye contact, "I.. ugh... just wanted to say sorry for the way we acted... you know the day on the lawn?" An expression of shock came over my face, "Really? And what exactly are YOU sorry for?" I don't take blanket apologies, if he had something to say he better make it personal. He looked uncomfortable, looking here and there, "I'm sorry for... you know." "No, I don't, what is it exactly?" You could see him tensing, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Ava watching "So you are doing this as a lesson to Ava... This is great." I thought to myself being careful not to let a grin slip onto my face. "For trying to push you out of town," He stood up straight making eye contact with me, "But, I will say that I don't regret it, Sara I would give anything to keep you safe." I wanted to say something smart back, but I just couldn't after he said that. "Thanks... but next time tell me what you are trying to protect me from." He smiled slightly, "I'd love too, how about over supper tonight?" I thought for a moment then held up my finger, signaling him to wait a minute, I closed the door and removed the chain opening it again. I motioned for him and Ava to both come in.

We sat and talked for hours, I really felt like I was making head way finally. These people had tried so hard to rid the town of me, they didn't stop to get to know me. "Well Sara, I do hope you will take me up on that offer sometime, I mean it, Ava and I would love to have you over for supper." He smiled at me, "I'll think about it, I promise." Ava ran up to me giving me a tight hug, "Thank you miss Sara." Her face was beaming with joy and Austin was happy. I only wished this had happened sooner. I walked them to the door saying good night, they both headed home and I headed inside to clean up. Standing in front of the sink washing dishes I got enveloped in my thoughts, I looked up for a brief moment, "AHH!" I screamed dropping the cup I was washing. I looked towards the floor quickly and when I brought my head up the face was gone. "What in the world..." I leaned forward trying to get a better view, "My eyes must have been playing with me..." I took a deep breath calming my heart, "It's fine Sara, no one was there." I opened my eyes still seeing nothing but my backyard. 

I finished everything up, I showered and got ready for bed. Still on edge I just double checked on the gun Tarry gave me. Some part of me still felt like it wasn't a trick, some part felt like I really did see someone. I shock my head clearing my thoughts, "Don't be ridiculous, it was all in your head." I tried desperately to regain my composer,   I pulled the covers over me and fell into sleep.