The Dollmaker

XI.

It was getting late and the sky was beginning to turn a deep orange color. Annie started to feel anxious and knew her brother would be angry with her. She had said she'd be back in a couple hours...

The two were sitting in the living room now. Vincent was sitting on the floor, and Annie sat on the couch. She had begged him to sit next to her so he would be more comfortable, but he refused, saying he was used to it. 

The two had been talking all this time, and hadn't realized how late it had gotten. Vincent looked at his watch and gave a start.

"It's nearly six and I haven't made dinner!" he exclaimed. "Mother would be cross."

Annie gave a startled jolt and gave him a look. Mother? She had been sitting here this whole time and there was someone else in the house?

Vincent quickly excused himself and ran into a room to the right of the living room. Annie reluctantly followed and peeked her head in. The room was a little kitchen area. There was a little table and ice box, along with a stovetop and cabinet. It was very small and crowded. 

Vincent quickly reached for a loaf of bread, muttering to himself. Annie stood awkwardly by the door unsure if he wanted help or for her to go away. 

"Can I help you?" she asked. "Your mother must be pretty hungry..."

"No," he whined, his voice sounding upset. "You don't understand..."

Annie's heart hurt and she crossed her arms at the harsh rebuke. She was about to open her mouth and speak, but Vincent corrected himself. 

"I'm sorry," he said softly, turning to look her in the eyes. "What I mean is... my mother doesn't have much of an appetite..."

Annie felt a little better and she came to Vincent's side, offering to help. He handed her a knife and let her cut slices of bread while he got some butter from the churner. She tried to cut it as best she could with her bandaged elbow. Vincent had noticed her bloodied sleeve and forced her to show him the wound. He had found the knife and bandaged her arm for her.

When he noticed her struggling, he took the knife from her and let her sit down. Feeling useless, she took a seat at the table. Vincent soon joined her with two plates of buttered and jellied bread. There was also apples he had cut up. It wasn't much, but she was starving. 

"I apologize," he said bashfully. "If I  would've realized the time I could've made you a better meal."

Annie shook her head and took a bite of the bread. She had watched him make  it and knew he hadn't done anything to it, so she allowed herself to eat. She wasn't so worried anymore.