To Hell and Back

Chapter 2: Finding out.

As I slipped out of my clothes, setting them in a pile and unbinding my chest I ran a hot bath and slipped in letting all of my worries escape me. I was in there for about ten minutes and I heard a knock at my door "Eli..? It's Mary is it a good time?" I sigh and sunk into my bath more and decide to sit up "Yes..? let me change" I called out. Sighing and getting out and letting the tub drain. I got a towel, dried off and got into some clothes and opened the door. "Hey..? what's up?" She walked right in and sat on my bed; her eyes were red as if she had been crying, I closed the door, immediately sat next to her and held her hand. 

"Eli.. I'm so sorry to disturb but, Adele said you would be the one to talk too about this" she sniffled, I pulled out a small handkerchief out of my suitcase and handed it to her, Mary thanked me and that's when I noticed the ring on her left hand "something to do with your partner I'm guessing?" She nodded as I pat her hand sympathetically "My husband and I were arranged to be married, he's away for work right now and he gave me some money to stay here and I got a letter saying he's calling it off to run away with his mistress" She sobbed and put her head on my collarbone, I wrapped my arms around her; she had a way of making my heart race and I feel selfish for feeling this way as she's sobbing in my arms. I was startled when I forgot to put my binder and I felt my eyes widen "Hey Eli... do you have breasts..?" she trailed off and I sigh "Yeah I forgot to put my binder on before I opened the door but PLEASE do not tell anyone" she looked at me "Wait.... you're not a guy?" She sighs in relief "Thank god. guys are horrible. not that you are horrible but you know" She stuttered a bit and I shook my head "It's okay I get it" 

"So why are you here besides your shitty husband" I smirk as she took her ring off "That's the main reason, he's all over for work. What about you? why are you out here?" I smile as she asked "it's a very long sad story which you don't need. Let's just say my dad hates me and my sister with help of my mother helped me get out of here" I sat there twiddling my thumbs and she hugs me from the side "I'm so sorry, that really is hard.. " she rubbed my back and I smiled "if it makes you feel better my mama used to call me Maus even though I'm way taller than her" she chuckled and so did I. 

Time had passed as Mary and I had long conversations and spent some time laying in my bed just talking as I told her about the time I was supposed to be in an arranged marriage since my family was lower class, she told me about her family and how her father died in WWI and I told her about my brother, and how my father hated me because I wasn't a boy. "So wait, your mum is German?" She gave me a look "Yeah she wanted to move here to escape the horrible things back home" I shrug and smile. I take a look out the window and it was already dark; "Well.. I should get going its late" Mary smiles with a light blush rising to her cheeks "Thank you for having me here" I nodded and opened the door for her and she gave me a hug before walking out "You're such a good friend Eli" She smiles and walks to her room as I close my door, hitting my head on the wall "It's a step I guess..." I mutter climbing into bed and pulling the blanket over my chest and face the door as I close my eyes and drift off to sleep. 

The Next morning I am awoken by the blinding rays of the sun over the city, I'm guessing breakfast had already been served. I run some hot water into the sink and wash my face to wake up "Lets bind it up and get dressed" I smile into the mirror and do just that, got dressed into a black button down, and some slacks and I comb my hair back with water and smile into the mirror. I grab the amount that I need for rent and head downstairs handing it to Adele "Here you go! first month Miss" she smiled and tucked it into her apron and tucked a red strand of hair behind her ear "Oh James said you have an interview tomorrow afternoon with a mister Chamberlain. be wary though he's a tough one" she winks and smiles "Do you mind if we chat later?" I ask her "I need to get something off my chest so to speak" she nods and tells me we will get tea once everyone has gone for the day. I simply nodded and went into the lobby where pens and paper were strewn about on the table and I thought about writing to my family, see if mum and Nancy were okay.. I needed to know they were okay. I would have called but I didn't want my father to know. I sat on the couch pondering about what to write to my family. and then I began. 

"Dearest Mama, 
How are you? how is Nancy? I miss you guys lots I hope father hasn't given you any grief. Hell Maybe he has gotten better since I left. I hope you are safe.. I wish I could have brought you guys with me. I have made a new friend and I really like her, her name is Mary and she knows I'm a woman and has no problem with it. I think I could really start a new life here and I hope you guys can come visit one day. I love you guys so much please write soon, 

Love your little Maus" 

I had signed it and sealed it. I hope my mother gets back to me, or even Nancy. I hope Nancy is pregnant or out on vacation somewhere with her snobby husband. I feel bad because that's all my parent's wanted for me, a husband, some kids and a whole future planned for being a perfect housewife. I feel bad for not living up to mama's expectations but I am who I am, and I don't think I am able to fix that..right? I sat and it was like I was having a staring contest with the letter wondering to put a return address; but against my better judgement I put it on there just in case my mama or sister decide to see how I'm doing, maybe talk about a potential romance in the air? I guess we'll see. I stood up from the table, placed the letter in my pocket and proceeded out to the street in hopes I find a mail box. Walking down the block in front of a cafe i finally found a U.S Postal box and dropped it in sighing for the first time praying, hoping it finds my mother. 

As looked back towards the apartments, I looked down the street towards the pier where the waves danced alone the shore, where the gulls got their dinner and where families had precious laughs and moments together. These are things I wish my own family had, or even Mine would share with me without being resented. my thoughts were interrupted when a man and woman on bikes almost knocked me over, as I rushed to the bar by the pier; I looked into the water and for a second I thought I saw my brother in my reflection I stared down "Michael..?" I leaned down and I felt a slender and tight grasp on my arm as I turn around I saw Mary looking me over frantically "are you insane?! Eli what are you thinking" she pulled me into an embrace and I blinked repeatedly "uh..I'm sorry" I hug her back gently "I just.. I thought I saw Michael.. my brother" she held a hand to my face staring deeply into my eyes "he was taken by the flu." she nodded and linked her arm through mine as we walked back to the apartment so I told her about my brother, the flu, how it affected my family and how it's result impacted me. 

After I told my shortened story to her while we walked she looked at me as if I were a lost puppy. I hated it. I sighed "Anyway enough about me, why were you at the pier?" She grinned as I asked and held her left hand out to me, the engagement ring; "You tossed it into the ocean?" I smile a bit "Congratulations" from there we entered the building and we found Adele in the kitchen and she smiled as we entered "Great news Eli! you got an interview tomorrow morning with Mister Taylor right at 11:30 so you will need to look sharp!" She squeezed my arms gently "you'll do great and I know it!" 

It was great to know someone believed in me, I finally saw it. Everyone who stayed here was like a family, Adele and James were the parents and we were the kids. I felt taken care of here like I belonged. Maybe just maybe.. I could make a home here.