Goode Things Take Time

Chapter Ten

Abigail's house was... well different. Most people, under normal circumstances, don't have their own private elevator up to the penthouse suite of a building. Two men opened up the gigantic french doors for us without a word and Abigail didn't even blink an eye. And if that wasn't indication enough, their house was huge. I'd always pictured New York apartment buildings as on the smaller side, probably shabby but this house was modern. It had bulletproof floor to ceiling windows, marble flooring and all white furniture with a few accent pieces thrown in for good measure. The whole house echoed with the sound of our footsteps as we made our way into the kitchen where we were greeted by a culinary team.

"Hey Francois," Said Abigail "We'd like some ice cream, if you please. I'll have a french vanilla with chocolate ganache on top. " She turned to me "What will you have?"

"Um..." I said "What do you have."

Everyone in the room laughed. "Everything." Said Abigail. "Just ask."

"Surprise me."

"Of course, Monsieur, it would be my pleasure." Francois said this with a curt nod.

"Make sure it's really good Francois," She said, then turned to me with a smile. "He saved my life."

"Of course Mademoiselle. We'll have it ready in no time. Where will you have it?" Asked Francois

"We'll take it in the T.V room." Said Abby

"Of course." Francois turned with a small bow and began addressing the rest of the kitchen staff.

Abigail led me through another set of vast doors into a miniature movie theater. There was a popcorn machine in the corner, velvet seats and a projecter hooked up to a screen. Abigail studied my expression and laughed. "Sorry if this is a bit much."

I stared at her in amazement. "It's fine but I must ask..."

"What do my parents do?" She shrugged. "My dad runs one of the world's largest shipping conglomerates as well as a property development company. My mother is on the board of directors for the McHenry beauty company. They also-"

"Wait." I said "The McHenry beauty company?"

"Yeah. My dad's good friends with the senator and my mom absolutely adores Cynthia. They're pretty excited about the whole Winters-McHenry election. They go to all of the rallies which is why" She gestured to the vast apartment "I have this whole place to myself."

"Do you ever go with them to Rallies?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Why? You thinking of going to one?" She asked quizzically.

I shrugged. "I'm going to be going to the one in Boston. I was just wondering If I'd see you there?"

She considered this for a moment. "Yeah I'll be there. The question is... why will you be? I'm assuming you're a runaway."

I looked at her, bewildered. "How did...?"

"Your bags. Trust me, I know a little something about runaways."

"You've run away?" I asked, honestly shocked. If I lived in a place like that, I'd never want to leave.

"Yeah" She said "Six times. I always get found in the end."

"Wow."

"Why'd you run away?" She raised her eyebrows at me.

"I wanted to join the circus" I said and she laughed.

"Try again." She said

"Well... let's just say I didn't really have a home before."

"That's relatable." She said "Where are you staying at?"

I looked at the floor, trying to come up with a suitable response. But she merely smiled and said "Why didn't you just say so? You can stay here. But first you have to answer my question; what's the fascination with the Boston Rally?"

"Uhm..." I said "This girl I like. Cammie. She's one of Macey McHenry's bestfriends. I'm hoping I'll see her there."

Abigail rolled her eyes. "Macey McHenry's the biggest bitch I've ever met. And you like one of her friends?"

"Cammie's not like that" I said

"I'm sure."

"No really. Cammie's one of her friends at school."

Her eyes narrowed. "So she's a snotty rich delinquent."

I gave her a look. "You're not exactly struggling yourself, miss runaway."

She considered this for a moment. "Sorry. I just have a grudge against Macey McHenry, if you must know. Something that happened in school. I've never been the popular type, but she just hated me."

"How could anyone hate you?" I said.

Just then, Francois came in with a cart with two little covered trays. He opened them at the same time revealing ice creams little crystal bowls.

Mine was a rich, creamy chocolate covered with Belgian chocolate shavings, little sparklers, and gold leaf paper. I dug in straight away. I hadn't had ice cream since I was a kid.

"So..." she said "Tell me about Cammie."

"What do you want to know?" I asked nervously.

"Anything."

"Well..." I said, choosing my words carefully. "She thinks she's invisible sometimes, but I think she's the most beautiful girl in the world. You can't help but look at her. And when she speaks, she has the whole room's attention. She's that smart. And she has such a... passion. She'd do anything for the people she loves and to complete her... work."

"How did you guys meet?"

I smiled at the memory. "In D.C. She was at a school event and she was supposed to meet her teacher at the Red-Ruby shoe exhibit. So I tried walking her to it. But Cammie's not the type of girl who needs saving."

" I see..." She says and I can tell she was thinking about that day's events. "Well it's getting late. I'm going to have one of the maids make up your bedroom so you can take a shower and rest. Make sure you give your dirty laundry to a member of the house keeping staff so you'll have them cleaned by tomorrow. And I'll make sure to call my parent's to make sure you're coming with us to Boston."

My eyes widened. "You'd do that?"

"Of course" she said with a smile "You saved my life. And besides-" She cocked an eyebrow. "You can either jump on a train all the way to Boston and sleep on a street somewhere or you could ride on a private jet to a private airfield, ride in a limousine, and sleep in one of the nicest hotel rooms in Boston."

"Well when you say it like that" I said laughing.