Maid's Tale

Chapter 6

Silence was my best friend.

That's how I was expected to be, silent. I quietly watched the family operate amongst themselves. I'd get Mr. Roberts his gin every night. I'd listen to Mrs. Roberts vent about all the pressing manners she had to attend to daily, such as making sure the gardeners do their job properly or overlooking the cook.

Nathaniel, the oldest of the two boys hardly was home. He spent of most of his time at the family business. When he came home, he often would bring his girlfriend.

She was a pretty thing, she had peroxide blonde hair, brushed eyelashes and dark plum rouge on her lips. Her feminine face was a contrast the masculine clothing she often wore. She could usually be seen in baggy pants, a sensible button up shirt with maybe a wool vest to cover it and at times hat. Even her dresses seemed to have a touch of masculinity to them, or maybe it was the shades of beige and brown she was insistent on wearing. The only time I'd ever seen her wear something truly feminine was when they played tennis. Then she sported either a pleated skirt with a shirt, or a tiny romper. Sometimes they'd sit outside and discuss politics, philosophy or classical works.

Often times I'd notice Ralph off by himself. I watched him from inside the living room while we sat under a tree. He would sometimes watch his brother, and given by the expression on his face he was sorrowful. Was it envy? I couldn't quite tell at the time. But it seemed as though his own life wasn't hardly as preoccupied as that of Nathanial's.

Most of all, he and I had been making silent eye contact for the past 2 weeks since I've arrived. It feels as though he admires me as much as I admire him, but my occupation of course was an obstacle for us.

"Rose?" Mrs. Roberts walked into the room. I turned my back to the windowed door I was looking through. I was startled by the pale green paste splattered across her face. "Rose, will you please assist me as I get a massage?"

"Of course, Mrs. Roberts." I followed her upstairs. In her room a massage table was set up with a male masseuse ready to work. Beside the table I held her towels as she got the massage. My feet began to hurt from standing still for so long.

"Did my mother use you as a table?" The daughter, Alice, asked as I left the room. "I apologize for that, sometimes she can be really inconsiderate."

"It's my job." I told her warmly. "I don't mind at all."

"Sure you don't." Alice winked at me. She stopped in her tracks as her stubby legs stood still. "Say, how about you and I go out for some soda pop?"

"I don't think I'm allowed to leave to go to the soda fountain." I told Alice. "But I'm thankful for the invitation."

"Honey, you know you shouldn't be having any sweets." Mrs. Roberts walked up to us, her sudden presence was almost startling. She wrapped an arm around me. "Don't you wish to get nice and slender like Rose?"

I was once thicker, but the conditions I was living under at home caused me to lose weight. To Mrs. Roberts, that must've been a good thing. But not everyone was meant to be as thin as Garbo.

Alice was certainly upset by her mother's comment. She immediately walked off, but she was unable to hide her tears before she did so.

"I don't know what's gotten into that girl. Ever since she hit puberty she's been an absolute nightmare!" Mrs. Roberts complained as she ran after her daughter. I looked at the two turn into a room at the end of the East Wing, then I continued on to the West Wing where I figured I'd take rest in my room.

But then I noticed that Ralph stood in front of my door. I stood there in front of him, shocked and at a loss for words. My fancy for him had taken my ability to formulate sentences.

"You look spectacular today." He smiled. I quickly walked past him and into my room. In the hallway, he muttered to himself. "You look spectacular today? What was I thinking?"

I smirked as I stood facing a wall, admiring that he seemed to take interest in me. Silently I wish he'd come in, tear of my uniform and take me right then and there. I'd never been touched by a boy before, but I was certain I wanted him to be the first. All of those thoughts were simply fantasies, those interior naughty dreams that swirled around in my mind simply were too erratic to come into fruition.

Or were they?

He walked into my room, getting so close to me I could feel his presence right behind me. He waited in silence for a moment before he spoke, I didn't allow him the chance.

"I think I've got work to do—" My words were cut off abruptly like one cutting off the thread after sewing. In that moment, everything came together. As I took a step behind me, the back of my body hit against something hard. He truly was closer than I'd anticipated. We stood there for a moment, pressed together without movement as though our bodies were perfectly fused. The way my shoulders and back were framed by his tall, slender body behind me. The way the curve of my hips filled the space between his own. The way my backside cupped the hardened erection it bumped into through our clothing.

It was all sensual, and extremely personal. Something that strangers would never engage in without desire. It wasn't specifically sexual, but it was just enough to cause frustration for the both of us. Until finally, his hand moved. I prayed he wouldn't move his body away from mine. How I longed for his body to be in my space for weeks. His hand touched my hip as he turned me to face him. I looked into his crystal eyes with pouty lips, wishing he'd finally take the initiative to kiss me.

But instead, he left the room as though it all didn't happen. I stood in there, my body warm and the tingle of desire still prickling all over. But once again, I found no satisfaction. I tried to convince myself it was good, such desires could not be quenched in our predicament. Having a rendezvous with his negro maid would surely cause everyone to look down upon him, and I needed that job more than anything.

Silence was our only solace.