Haley James awoke to the sound of the chirping crickets. Soon, new sounds would emerge with the rising of the sun. Chattering voices, bleating lambs and moaning cows; the sounds that had constantly accompanied Haley in her chores. There was always plenty that needed to be done. She had to milk the cows and gather the eggs from the hens. Then, she had to hurry back to the kitchen to help Juels in preparing breakfast. Juels was rather demanding and if Haley didn't hurry, she'd get a sound tongue-lashing.
Haley could have screamed in frustration as she slowly crawled her way out of bed. She was not always a "morning person." However, she did enjoy watching the sunrise every morning as she milked the cows. Every time she saw its beauty, it took her breath away.
She hurriedly dressed, pKeithing as she went that Juels wasn't in one of her moods. As she brushed down her long, dirty blond hair, she continued to pKeith for her day and for members of the staff. Her heart went out to Rachel, the new girl who had just began to work. She knew how stressful the first weeks at the castle were.
Haley had started to work at the castle when she was only five years old. Her first job involved cleaning the queen's many shoes. Now, eleven years later, the jobs increased and became more stressful and complicated. Haley was now very essential in the kitchen. While there were hundreds of servants, mainly just her, Juels, Rachel, and another maid named Karen worked in the kitchen almost all the time.
Haley tied her hair into a ponytail, quickly splashed some water on her face and headed down the stairs, being careful not to wake any of the other staff.
Once she got outside she breathed in the lovely smell of the farmyard. There had been a faint rain in the night and the air smelled fresh and clean.
Hastily, she grabbed the first milking pail and the stool. She was running late, and Juels was going to have her head.
Haley plopped down on the stool and began to milk a jersey cow named Opera. After a while, the cow was dry and Haley went on to the next. It was like this every morning.
By the time she was on the fifth cow, the sun was beginning to come up, and bathe the land in its soft orange glow. Haley paused for a moment to take it all in. She would never get tired of watching the sun peek out from behind the hills. Everything looked so beautiful.
Haley's thoughts were interrupted as she heard a rustling from behind her. Rachel, the new servant had entered the barn.
"Good morning!" Haley smiled.
Rachel didn't seem to hear her, "How many cows you got left?"
Haley blushed slightly, she knew she was falling behind, "Quite a few, but I'll finish soon!"
Rachel snorted, "You'd better, Juels's getting tired of having to wait for you."
Haley immediately went back to work.
"I'm supposed to bring in the buckets that you've already done."
Haley pointed to where the full buckets lay.
Rachel grunted and lifted as she carried two, "You hurry up!" she called as she was leaving.
Haley groaned as she finished with the remaining cows. The last thing she wanted was to have Juels mad at her.
When she was done, she grabbed the other buckets and headed towards the kitchen that was situated towards the rear of the castle. She still had to gather the eggs, but she wanted to get rid of the milk buckets first. "Besides," she reasoned, "Might as well have Juels get mad at me now and get it over with."
Haley pushed open the heavy wooden door and set the milk on the island counter. The kitchen was spacious and had one large wood burning stove. On the far wall was a cream separator. There were two other counters. One of which contained two large sinks. The sharp knives hung from the wall, along with a beautiful picture of a girl sitting by a lake. So often, Haley gazed at that picture, wishing that she could be that girl, free to sit by a large willow tree and just relax. The picture was the only decoration in the whole kitchen and sometimes Haley thought she would go insane at the lack of color and excitement in the dull, brick room.
Haley was greeted by Juels in the huge eating quarters where all the staff ate their meals, just off to the side of the kitchen.
"It's about time you showed up!" Juels snapped, "We're running late."
"Yes, I know and I'm very sorry."
Juels was furious, "Sorry? Sorry won't pay for the time we've lost."
Haley remained quiet.
Juels spoke, a bit more softly this time, "Where'd you put the milk?"
"On the island counter," Haley replied.
"And the eggs?"
Haley was shocked. Did this woman really think she could work that fast? "I haven't had time to gather them," she admitted.
At this, Juels's temper flared up again. "What? Not done? You've had more than enough time to do a few simple tasks!"
Haley was about to shout back a retort, but she kept her mouth shut.
Juels eyes were shooting daggers at her, "Get out there now!" she screamed, "Or I'll tell the queen you've been dawdling and she'll throw you out into the streets, where you belong!"
Haley ran out of the kitchen and to the hen house as fast as she could. Her tears were threatening to spill over, and she didn't want anyone to see her cry. The pressure of the day and the cruel words Juels had said were beginning to take their toll.
She entered the hen house and let her tears fall. She knew she should hurry, but she needed a good cry. Life as a servant was too hard. Haley didn't know how she would cope any more.
She was startled to hear a voice. Who was in here?
As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she realized that Karen Malton, the other main servant had seen her crying.
"What's the matter, child?" Karen asked soothingly. Something about the concern in her voice made Haley feel like she could tell this woman how she felt. She and Karen had always had a close relationship. Although Karen was roughly forty years older than Haley, they possessed a certain bond.
When she was finished with her story, Karen chuckled softly, "I know how tough it is to work here at the castle, but don't you worry, because it will turn out all right in the end. I promise."
Haley sniffed and wiped her eyes on her dirty sleeve.
"Now!" Karen said, "Let's get back to work and finish collecting these eggs!"
"You've already started?" Haley asked wide-eyed.
"I finished my chores early," Karen grinned, "I figured I help you out. I'm nearly done, now.'
Haley thanked Karen graciously and they worked together to finish collecting the eggs. As they worked, they carried on a conversation.
"Do you ever miss your mother?" Haley asked Karen.
Karen looked surprised, but she didn't mind sharing her feelings with Haley, the two of them were very close, "Yes, even though she died fifty years ago, every once and a while I miss her a lot. She died giving birth to my baby brother. Both of them were too weak to make it."
Haley nodded, she had heard. "At least you know what happened to your mother. All I know is mine dropped me off here."
Karen nodded, but suddenly seemed a little tense.
Haley went on, "Did she write a note or something? Did she say why she and my Daddy left me?"
Karen sighed. Haley became aware that the elderly woman did not want to discuss the topic, "Your Mama and Daddy left a little note saying that they could no longer care for you and they asked if we could find a place for you. I took you in and, when you were old enough, I got you that job of polishing shoes. I suppose you remember that."
Haley nodded, she had been terrified. "Did my Mama and Daddy die? Do you know?"
Karen shook her head, " They moved on. The last we heard was they had gone to France to start a new life there."