Chapter 6:

One month later

I wake up and roll off of Maggie. I get up and put on a robe. I check the clock. It says 7:32 AM. It feels much later. I walk down the stairs and see Chester doing ventriloquism with a new puppet and he's showing the maid. Ever since the conversation between Maggie and I a month ago, I've tried seeing the maid as a person and not just a slave. It's not working.

"Maid, my coffee and my mail." I say as I walk down the stairs.

"Yes, Mr. Mott." she says and sprints to the kitchen.

"Dandy! My new puppet came in the mail!" Chester exclaims.

"That's lovely Chester. Maybe you can get a job to pay for things like puppets and your own home." I say.

The maid brings in my coffee and mail and I sit in my usual spot. I look through the mail. Postcards from Timothy Howard, trash. Bills I've paid in advance, trash. And Maggie's magazines, stupid, but keep.

Chester comes back downstairs fully dressed. He coyly smiles.

"What is it, Chester?" I ask, not amused.

"I've got a job, Dandy. That drugstore, they hired me. They even let me sell my chameleons."

"Excellent work! We can find a home to your liking after your first paycheck."

Chester nods and walks out the door. The maid walks back in and grabs my coffee mug.

"Wait, sit." I say.

She nervously sits.

"What's your name?" I ask.

"Kim, sir." she says.

"Kim. Where do you come from?"

"My family is from Korea originally, but I was born in Vermont."

"Interesting. What do you do in your free time?"

"I like photography. And I have a cat."

"Photography? Very neat. Bring in some pictures tomorrow. I'm sure Maggie would love to see them. You're dismissed."

"Excuse me?"

"For the day. Take the day off. Go get some great pictures, and bring them in tomorrow... Now! Before I change my mind!" I snap.

"Yes! Yes,sir! Thank you!" she gets up and hurries away.

I put my head between my hands. What is this woman doing to me?

"That was generous." I hear Maggie say. She sneaks up behind me and rubs my shoulders.

"It was hard. Very hard. But I am learning." I say, pulling her onto my lap.

"I know. Thank you." she says, kissing me.

"I just want to prove to you that I'm not as bad as those freaks made me out to be."

"Dandy, I already know that. I love you."

"You... love me?" I ask, shocked.

"Yes."

"I love you too." I say.

Now we're both equally shocked. We both end up laughing.

"Let's go to the movies." I say.

"Okay, Mr. Mott. Let's get dressed." she giggles.

I grab her and carry her up to our room. It finally feels like love. I can finally feel something other than pain. I love her. I need her.

We get to the movies and decide on a comedy. Maggie insists on no snacks but I still get them anyways. I love her coyness. We get into the theater, surrounded by people. It's much out of my comfort zone, but as long as she's happy I'm willing to do it. The movie feels long and boring but Maggie laughs all the way through it. As it ends, I take a sigh of relief. I take her hand and lead her back to the car.

"Wait. Let's go to the drive in. Pick a movie you like."

"Oh, Maggie I'm so tired. Can we watch another movie back at the house?"

"Sure. It just seems like we spend a lot of our time there."

"I'm very uncomfortable in crowds."

"Oh... I didn't know. I'm sorry."

"It's alright. Home it is."

"Home." she nods.