The Fox, Red

053 - Worry and Strife

Where have the days gone?

I have had no word on Madam Odette's condition. It's always the same. The days just blur together at this point. But Anne has been a rock. Her only chore right now is making sure I'm taken care of. She brings me three square meals, reminds me to sleep, reminds me to get outside, and even to breathe sometimes. She has been going above and beyond with her job and it has not gone unnoticed.

Even with Madam Odette out of commission, I am still being paid for the little bit of work I have been doing for the house. It's spending money at this point but I have nothing to spend it on.

November has only begun. A lot of the folks around here are heading home for the holidays. Every day I see a car leaving with a few folks heading out. I'm not sure if I can head home or not. I'd have to ask Madam Odette and she's not available.

It's just another day in silence with Anne reading books in my cabin. The fire crackles with the occasional sound of a new log being set in the fire. About midafternoon, well after lunch, I pipe up, "Anne, are you going home for the holidays?" This caused her to mark her place in her book to give me her full attention, "I am here for when you need me?"

"But will you be taking time to go home?"

"I will be here as long as you need me."

She's dedicated to her job. Maybe a little too much. I'll have to play to her weaknesses, "You're no good to me stressed so I would say from the week of Thanksgiving to the New Year, you should be home." She goes to open her mouth but before she even gets a word out I stop her. "And before you say anything, I can take care of myself. Plus I know how much time off you have. You could easily take that and then some. I could not see you until March." Shut down! I know that because she's been exclusive to me that she's been put on what classifies as a "special assignment" so she got a small pay raise and extra benefits. On top of that, because she is available to me 24/7, she gets a lot more time off.

I remember finding one of Madam Odette's employee handbooks in the library. She keeps it there in case someone needs to reference it. She does take excellent care of her people.

Any possibility of an argument has been shut down though. She's trying to think of a way out of it but she's stuck. I got her cornered to where she will just have to accept the time. The best part is I can see that she's defeated and will have to accept it. "OK Sir Red, I'll take some personal time to go back home."

"Good, and no 'buts' about it. I'm a grown man. I can take care of myself."

She's still reluctant. It's eating her up. But I've won this round and she will take the time for herself. I can't force her to take the time. I can only suggest it very forcefully. At least it didn't come to threats. "Sir Red, I appreciate you looking out for me but."

My cabin door was swung open with a blast of cold air from outside. Danny's familiar face came rushing inside, closing the door behind him. Even though he's a german shepherd, he has to bundle up for this sheer cold. The wind is what really cuts you. He beats some of the snow off of him, "Pardon the intrusion and the mess. Red, Madam Odette has requested your presence in the main house."

"Requested? You mean she's awake."

"She is awake. She's been under close monitoring for a few days and she has been cleared for visitors. You are the first person she requested to see her."

There are some mixed emotions here. He's telling me she's awake enough to ask for me but I haven't been told if she was even alive or getting better. I look to Anne but she waves me off, "Go, I know she's been weighing on your heart. I'll be here when you return, Sir Red."