Minna

Chapter 15

~ In which Patricia finally identifies herself

Patch arrived home quickly, as a result of the sprinting she did. Ms. King didn't live far either. It was a thirty minute walk, twelve minute run, six minute sprint. More or less. Patch wasn't really counting.

     The door was unlocked, as usual. "I'm back!" Patch called.

     "In the kitchen!" Ms. King returned. Patch set down her violin in the hallway and followed the older woman's voice.

     "I'm sorry I'm late." Patch said simply and sat down at the table. "I didn't realize that the time had passed." Ms. King laughed.

     "It's fine; you're right on time." She informed the younger girl. Patch was suddenly wrapped in two strong arms. Wait... The smell? Sun... Minna?

     "You're late." The older boy said into her hair, sounding a little bit muffled. Was it just her, or did his voice crack? "Where have you been?" Just hearing his voice and having is presence so close by threatened to bring tears to Patch's eyes. She shrugged off his arms.

     "Be a little bit consistent, would you?" Patch growled. "Earlier you were saying that you regretted ever meeting me and now you're asking where I've been? Contradicting, aren't you?" Minna had a stunned look on his face. He quickly looked away and bit his lip in embarrassment.

     Ms. King had apparently been up to date on the happenings of the two kids. She seemed to growl at Minna like the younger girl, and smile cheerfully at Patch all at the same time. "Ignore him for now, dear, and let's get some food in you, hm?" Patch smiled, but faltered.

     "Thank you, but I'm actually not very hungry. I had a snack while I was out." Patch said. "Actually, if you don't mind, may I please be excused?" Ms. King looked surprised but nodded.

     Patch scooted out and left the table. She felt both pairs of eyes on her until she left the room.

     Without thinking twice she undressed and jumped into the shower. She let cold water drench her and wash away her worries.

     It didn't work. Even when she got out of the shower she was still thinking about why Minna said what he did. Staring at herself in the mirror she wondered.

     "Is it me?" She whispered. For sure, she was just a little kid. She kept making fun of him for crushing on a little kid. She was really messing with him, wasn't she? He had a crush on her, yet she kept getting in the way of things he wanted to do. If she loved him she would kiss him...

     "What am I doing?" Patch mumbled. "Yeah, I love him. Wait, I love him? That's weird. I do? Why would I do that? ... I must be confused. Even so, love isn't..." meant to be that way. Love should be unconditional. If Minna truly loved Patch and she loved him he would love her the way she was, then they would do so no matter what. If not... The End?

     "Am I stupid or what?" Patch said jumping up. She hit her knee on the toilet, and it totally bruised, but who cared? Something just occurred to her. She had forgotten what she was on the trip for. It was like she had burst through a still surface of water. She suddenly remembered who she was again and what she came to do.

     "I am Patch Belle Cunnington." Patch announced out loud to herself in the mirror. "I am a stupid, crazy idiot. I like the Oakland A's and playing violin. Landon is my best friend. Ms. Keely takes care of me. They are the two people on Earth I tell everything.

     "My parents... My parents promised me that they'd stay with me for five years, just to spend time with me instead of always being away. They lied and left for a four year contract. They never call or write, just send Ms. Keely money to take care of me." Patch smiled at herself.