The Girls School hasn't had this many souls in it for over 5 years, as all the girls she was assigned grew up. The lower floor was filled with women, husbands and children. The second floor was empty with former children's rooms, but were converted into crafts rooms or left empty. Ms. Atwell's room was at the end and had a wonderful view of a well-kept garden. People were going in and out of her bedroom. Their faces were happy as they entered and somber when they came out.
Two women, Sandra Collins and Dianne Sawyer, sat on a couch near the fireplace. Sandra was a lawyer who specialized in patent infringement. Dianne owned a couple of bakeries in the Bay Area. They reminisced about the adventures they had as girls, then one of them mentioned Carmen.
"Do you think Carmen read the newspaper and will show up?" asked Sandra.
"I don't know and, frankly, I don't care. When she became a criminal I've lost interest in her all together" Dianne said and crossed her arms. She felt more betrayed than anyone, because she and Carmen were very close.
A group of women were standing in the corner. They were just children when Carmen left to join ACME. Their husbands were huddled next to them in their own conversation.
"Think she'll show up?" one of them asked.
"If I were her, I wouldn't show my face around here. Not after all the disgrace she's brought to Mother Atwell, the school and ACME" a woman spat out.
"What are we going to say when or if she does arrive?"
"I say we ignore her."
Coming up the driveway Carmen saw the place she called home. Memories of playing hopscotch, jump rope and other games flooded her mind. Cars lined the parking lot from station wagons, mini-vans to flashy roadsters. Butterflies flew inside her stomach. Finding a spot near the driveway entrance she got out. Her palms were sweaty to the point where if she had to hold onto something she wouldn't be able to. Walking up to the house her heart beat increased.
When she stepped into the main room everyone stopped talking. Many of her childhood friends glared at her, some had disapproving looks.
"Hello everyone" she said and smiled.
No one acknowledged her. Carmen felt a chill pass through her body as everyone stared at her. She made her way up the stairs. Her heels made each step creak, making her feel extremely heavy. Once she stepped on the second floor a feeling of calmness swept through her. Carmen knew this floor like the back of her hand. She remembered when she would time herself to see how long it would take her to get from the second floor to the first using various techniques, like sliding down the banister, running down or tying rope to the rail and swinging off. She mentally laughed.
Mother Atwell's bedroom was at the end, where it has always been. She approached the halfway open door and peeked inside. The nurse was standing over a pale and very frail sleeping woman. Carmen took off her hat and knocked on the door.
"Hello, may I come in?"
"Yes, Carmen, we've been expecting you" said the nurse.
Carmen studied the nurse for a few seconds then said "Don't I know you?"
"Of course silly, I'm Michelle Foster" the nurse hugged Carmen.
This was the first welcome Carmen's gotten since she arrived and it felt great.
"Michelle, I didn't recognize you. How are you?"
"I'm doing well; obviously, I'm a nurse now and been taking care of Mother Atwell for the past few years" Michelle smiled. The puffy bags under her eyes indicated that she hadn't slept much and had been crying.
Carmen smiled back, "So how is she?"
"Well, she doesn't have that much longer. The death rattle has set in however; she's been waiting to see you." Michelle gently nudged Ms. Atwell's arm. She woke up and coughed. "Carmen's here."
Ms. Atwell's eyes looked for her, Carmen moved closer.
"Oh baby, there you are." She tried to reach for Carmen but her arm was too weak. Carmen grabbed a hold of the soft hand.
"I'll leave you two alone" Michelle said and walked out.
"Sit down by me."
Carmen cautiously sat down on the edge of the bed. The atmosphere in the room got heavy. Carmen knew that death had arrived. She brushed the back of the soft tender hand against her cheek. Tears ran down her face.
"Oh baby, no need for tears. Remember what I told you, death is just…another adventure." Her hazel green eyes gleamed.
"I..I'm ss-s-sorry for what I've b-b-become." Carmen stuttered looking down. "I've disgraced you and for that I am truly sorry."
"No, no, my dear." Her hand squeezed Carmen's. "You haven't disgraced me, you never have. I couldn't be more proud of you, of all my girls" she said in a very ragged voice and began to cough. Carmen could feel it in her chest.
The coughing didn't stop. Michelle came back in and started to prepare the medicine. Ms. Atwell slowly shook her head. Carmen looked at Michelle. They both knew what was going to happen. Michelle took her mother's other hand. Ms. Atwell closed her eyes and began to breathe shallowly. Then she stopped.
The world ended for Carmen as she felt her heart shatter. She no longer cared about VILE, being a top criminal or the thrill of the chase. They gently placed their mother's arms at her side, got up and hugged each other. Burning tears rushed down her cheeks. After a few minutes they were both physically and emotionally exhausted.
"I'll go tell the others" Carmen said softly and put on her hat.
"Right, I'll get started on the paperwork."
They hugged each other one last time.
Carmen slowly made her way to the stairs. She was in a sort of a trance. Everyone was looking at her, as if in anticipation for her to say something.
"I'm sorry, Mother's gone."
Women hugged their partners and children then their "sisters".
Dianne came up to Carmen and said, "I'm sorry too, ACME and the authorities are on their way."