I woke up shivering. "Mmmhng… it's cold" I murmured as I stood up. I wrapped myself in my blanket and rubbed my eyes as I walked to my open window. Did Gwyn leave it open again? I yawned and reached for one of the panes. As I was closing it, I felt something grab my arm roughly.
"Don't." came a husky voice. I looked up.
"Jeff!" I cried in surprise. He released my arm and stepped away from me. I stepped out onto the balcony and leaned against the railing, facing him. He stared back at me, studious and unblinking. I blushed and shifted uncomfortably as his piercing blue eyes stared at me intently. I looked down and pulled my blanket tighter around my shoulders.
The silence was growing uncomfortable, so I cleared my throat.
"Um… ho-how are you feeling?" I said softly. I could tell something was bothering him but he just grunted and sat down, leaning his back against the rail. I cautiously moved and crouched next to him. He kept his eyes on me as I gently placed my hand on his forehead. His temperature was still hot, but not burning anymore. I gently caressed his face, my hand moving from his forehead to his cheek. His eyes fluttered closed and he pressed his cheek into me hand. How long has he been out here? His cheek was as cold as ice as I rubbed my thumb against it gently. His skin was so pale, even after his shower. The amount of dirt that came off of him made so much difference to how he looks now. His skin was about two shades lighter now, the dark circles under his eyes more prominent, his hair, once lank and greasy, was now softer and lighter in color. I thought it was black, but it was now a dark brown. It hung down his chest, to his waist and was uneven in places. I continued to gently caress his cheek, and I felt him shiver.
"It's cold out here… let's go back inside, okay?" said softly. He opened his eyes and looked at me as if he forgot I was there. He pushed my hand away and stood up. I stood up and we walked back inside.
I heard voices shouting downstairs as I locked my window. It seems like Gwyn and Papa were arguing again. Jeff looked at me questioningly as I shook my head.
"Papa and Gwyn… they don't like each other very much." I frowned and sat on the bed next to Jeff.
"Why?" he asked. I shrugged and jumped when I heard a plate shatter downstairs. I sighed and walked to my door. I turned to Jeff.
"Are you hungry?" he shrugged.
"I could eat." He said matter-of-factly. I smiled and nodded as I left the room.
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I focused on the oatmeal on the stove as Gwyn and Papa continued arguing about something. They've always disliked each other, and Gwyn can hold her own, so I stayed out of it whenever I can. I poured the oatmeal into a bowl and placed it on a tray next to a glass of soymilk, orange juice and dry toast. I picked up the tray and walked out of the kitchen quickly, and not a moment too soon. It seems the arguing has moved back into the kitchen. I couldn't make out what they were saying because they were yelling at each other at the same time, each one trying to out scream the other. I shook my head and headed upstairs.
I carefully pushed open the door and set the try on my night table. Jeff was lying in bed, eyes closed and scratching Scrappy's head lazily. Scrappy was purring loudly at his side. I smiled.
"It seems Scrappy really likes you." I giggled and rubbed Scrappy's back gently. He meowed and turned onto his back so I could rub his belly. Jeff shifted and sat up.
"'Scrappy' huh? Heh…" he grabbed the bowl and started eating slowly. I sat on the bed and started playing with my kitty. I peeked up at Jeff, who was watching me intently as he ate. I blushed and looked at him. I parted my lips, about to ask him a question, when I felt a sharp pain in my hand.
"Ow! Scrappy! Bad Kitty!" I scolded as Scrappy jumped off the bed and ran out of the room. I looked at my finger; Scrappy bit me a little too hard and it was bleeding. I licked the blood that was running down and sucked on it for a bit.
I heard Jeff groan softly. I looked at him. His ears were pink and he was staring at the window.
"Are you okay?" I asked, reaching into the table drawer for a Band-Aid. He nodded.
"Yeah… it's uh… just hot is all." His voice cracked a bit as he gestured to the near empty bowl. I handed him the cup of milk and without looking at me, he took it. He sipped it and choked a bit as he swallowed it. He looked at the cup with disgust.
"What did I just drink?" he asked me.
"Soymilk… I'm uh, lactose intolerant." I said softly. He grimaced and handed me back the glass.
"Sorry," I muttered as I took the glass and handed him the orange juice. He drank it heavily. I took the empty bowl and cup and placed it back on the tray. He shifted himself back down onto the bed and laid his head onto my pillow.
"Going back to sleep for a bit?" I asked. He nodded. I gently brushed his hair out of his face and tucked him in. As I tucked him in, he grabbed my arm and pulled me into the bed. I cried out in surprise. I was lying next to him, my head on his chest and his arm around my shoulder.
"J-Jeff…?" I stammered but he shushed me.
"Shut up. Just stay here for a bit," he murmured, closing his eyes. I felt his body grow hot and I'm not sure if it's from the fever this time.
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I zipped up my black and white striped dress and fluffed out the off white petticoat underneath. Silver and black eye makeup, false lashes to make mine look a little fuller, and a deep purplish pink lip color. My hair was pinned back and my loose curls just tumbled down my back. I pulled up my lace patterned knee-highs and started to fasten my Mary-Jane platforms. I hate dressing in my bathroom, but Jeff was finally sleep. After he pulled me into bed with him, I just laid still with him until he fell asleep, which didn't take very long. He was still sick after all.
I just managed to change my clothes when I heard Papa call for me from downstairs. I quickly and quietly left my room. I shut the door carefully behind me and went downstairs. The second I walked into the kitchen, Papa grabbed my arm roughly and looked at me. I winced as his fingers bit into my arm and tried to pull away from him. He pushed me towards Gwyn, who caught me and steadied me.
"Don't you push her you son of a-"
"Fuckin' lying bitch! She doesn't even look sick. Why the hell are you in my house?!" Papa yelled.
"Fuck you Robert! This house is Liu's! She inherited it after Armella passed. You should be grateful she lets your drunkard ass live here!" Gwyn shot back. I held onto Gwyn's shoulder, holding her back. I could tell by her expression that she was ready to pick up a stool and swing at Papa. I looked at Papa. He was hung over, wearing his work clothes. I cleared my throat.
"H-how was work Papa?" I said softly, hoping to divert the conversation. He turned and looked at me.
"It was work. Not like you know jack shit about it." he grunted. I looked down and blushed. I've had part time jobs Papa… you just don't know about them, I thought to myself.
He grunted and reached into the refrigerator, grabbing a can of beer. He cracked it open and drank some.
"I'm fucking done with this. Do whatever you want. I'm going to bed. You better not make any goddamn noise while I'm asleep or else." He stormed out of the kitchen. Gwyn poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down at the island, her head in her hands.
"He pisses me off so fucking much! UGH!" She rubbed her face and looked at me. Her eyes were red rimmed with exhaustion. I rubbed her back and she sighed.
"Liu… you have to get that kid out of here and soon." She said softly, wrapping her arm around me in a hug.
"I know…. I know. His fever broke, so he should be better soon… a couple of days and he'll be gone." I hugged her and pulled away.
"What are you going to do today? I know you don't have to work." I opened the utility drawer and took out the spare zipper and an antique silver key.
She shrugged, "I dunno, I'll probably run home to shower and change then come back here." She took a sip of her coffee. I nodded.
"Okay… I'll be in the sewing room today. I accidentally tore Jeff's sweater, and I need to fix it." I held up the zipper. She looked at me, her eyebrows raised.
"The sewing room? You haven't been in there since…" her voice trailed off. I swallowed and nodded. Neither one of us wanted to continue the conversation, so I quickly changed the subject to something else.
After Gwyn left, I walked upstairs to the room at the end of the hall and stood in front of the door. I didn't say it, but I haven't been in the sewing room since Mama got sick. It was our special place. Now I needed to use the sewing machine that was in the room. I took a deep breath and turned the key.