Thanks for hanging in there and waiting for the next chapter. I will try to do better next time. I hope you enjoy it.
Missy and Celeste sat on the porch swing sipping their coffee as they watched Daniel play with the girls in the yard. "Where did you get this coffee? There hasn't been any in the stores for a long time."
"I know. I stocked up when I noticed the supply dwindling."
Stella ran past giggling with delight as Daniel chased after her. "Look at how much they love him?"
"Yes, they like Daniel a lot."
"It's a shame though, pretty soon they won't even remember Matthew."
Celeste was silent for a moment then spoke softly, "What do you mean they won't remember Matthew? Of course they will. He will always be their father."
"Well sure, but they'll forget." When Celeste didn't reply Missy continued, "I mean, look at me. My mother was married six times. I barely remember daddy #4 much less my real father. But it's no big deal, a father is a father, right?" Missy turned with a grand smile and looked at Celeste. She huffed at the woman as she stared out at Daniel playing with her daughters.
Later that day Celeste returned from checking on Mrs. Geraldine down on the corner. She was deep in thought as she passed the living room and headed into the kitchen. She startled a bit when she heard a giggle. "I love it when you brush my hair," she heard Oceana telling Daniel.
Celeste's eyes clouded with tears as she silently pushed past the kitchen door. She stifled a sob thinking of how Matthew would always carefully brush out all the tangles in the girls' hair after baths. Maybe the girls would forget Matthew. She wiped her cheek as another tear rolled down.
As she placed the empty container in the dishwasher, she heard the door creak open. "Momma, why are you crying?" came Stella's small voice.
Celeste sniffled and managed a smile for her daughter. "I'm okay, sweetheart. I was just missing daddy. That's all."
The little girl came over as Celeste sat down on the kitchen chair. "I miss daddy too," she said when Celeste lifted her onto her lap, then she leaned her head on her mother's shoulder.
Celeste kissed her forehead and noticed the paper in her little hand. "What's that?"
"It's a picture Daniel drew." She held it up for her mother to see. As Celeste gazed at the picture Stella continued, "Its you, daddy, and Finnick in the hospital when I was really sick."
Celeste nodded, "I remember, but why did Daniel draw this?"
"Cause I told him to draw another picture of daddy. I like to think about him."
Celeste hugged the girl tight, "He really loved you, didn't he?"
The little girl nodded her head, "And I love him too." Celeste held her daughter for a moment until she wiggled around too much. As Stella disappeared back into the living room Celeste sat in the chair. She smiled when she thought of how wrong Missy was, her girls would never forget their loving father.
She stared at the picture Stella had left on the table. How did Daniel know they had all been there like that? Had Daniel been there? Stella still talked about Daniel carrying her down a long dark hallway. And she said she remembered seeing Daniel in the night when she woke up.
Celeste walked down the sidewalk. She carried two bags of groceries. She had hoped for more but the things she had gotten would have to do. "Stop," she heard a voice call to her as she walked past an alley.
She stopped, "I don't have much money or jewelry."
"Just put the bags down and keep walking."
"Why?" she managed to stammer out.
There was silence for a moment before the voice spoke again, "Because I need them more than you." Celeste knelt down and set the bags on the sidewalk than slowly stood but did not walk away. Instead she started to turn around. "I…I said to keep walking."
Celeste came face to face with a boy. He was standing about eight feet behind her. She met his brown eyes. She guessed he was about 15 or 16. Her eyes traveled down to his dirty t-shirt, jeans with the knees ripped out, and finally worn out sneakers. He stood there with slightly hunched shoulders and hands formed into tight fists. "I don't want to hurt you, but I need that food."
"How do you know what's in my bags?"
"I've been watching you. Now turn back around." Celeste could see desperation in his eyes and heard his voice tremble a little.
"Alright, I don't want any trouble," she said softly and slowly turned around. She didn't leave but took a few steps away from the bags than silently stood still listening for noise behind her. She barely heard the boy step forward until she heard the crinkle of the paper bags. She waited for a few seconds. When she turned around she just caught a glimpse of the boy disappearing down the alley. Celeste quickly hurried to the corner and cautiously stuck her head around it.
She stayed back but followed the boy several blocks. She peered around a corner to see the boy glance down the street in both directions before disappearing into an apartment building.
A few seconds later she quietly pushed the door open. The air smelled stale and trash littered the small hallway. She glanced up when she heard a door shut just around the corner at the end of the hallway. She entered the building and slowly eased the door shut with a small click. As she made her way down the hall she passed several open doors. Each apartment was empty as if they were abandoned.
When she came around the corner the door was closed. Celeste leaned close to the door and listened. She could just hear the rustle of bags and thuds of items she assumed the boy was removing from the bags.
Her hand came to rest on the doorknob. Then she silently turned the knob and opened the door a few inches. She glanced through the crack to see the boy doing just as she thought. He seemed deep in his thoughts as he placed the various jars on the counter. He didn't even notice Celeste push the door open. The apartment was dingy with trash all over. The old couch and chair had several holes in them. Her small gasp gave her away even when her hand covered her mouth as she looked around the room.
"You followed me?"
Celeste looked over at the boy staring straight at her. "Do you live here?"
Before the boy could answer a small voice spoke from Celeste's left, "Who are you talking to Ty?" Standing in the hall was a small girl. She was wearing a dirty t-shirt and skirt with torn lace hanging off the hem. She looked to be about Oceana's age.
"Go back in the bedroom," the boy said firmly but there was gentleness too.
"Is that for us?" the girl said looking at the food sitting on the counter.
The boy's eyes shifted from the girl to Celeste then back to the girl as he answered, "No, it's not."
"Who is it for?"
"Her," he said softly and started putting the food back in the bags, "Now, go back in the room."
"But I'm hungry," the small girl protested.
"Please, go," the boy said pointing toward the open door.
The girl started to go but Celeste saw her eyes begin to water with tears. "Wait…when did you last eat?" Celeste said softly.
The girl turned slowly to face Celeste. "Last night, but I'm hungry again." Celeste couldn't help but smile gently as she nodded.
"And you?" she said looking up to meet the boy's steady gaze.
"It's not your problem," he answered keeping his eyes on her.
"Three days," came a small voice, "he always tells me to eat and says he's not hungry, but I think he is."
Celeste looked at the small girl then back at the boy. "Is that true?" she asked. Without waiting for an answer she was sure would not come she turned back to the little girl, "Where are your parents?"
The girl looked down at her small dirty hands and whispered, "Momma died when I was a baby…"
The girl opened her mouth to say more but the boy quickly cut her off, "Don't tell her anymore. It's not her business."
"But she seems really nice, Ty."
The boy looked at Celeste then hurried past her to scoop the girl up and carried her into the room. He pushed the door shut though it didn't quite close all the way. Celeste could hear him speaking. His voice sounded urgent, "You can't tell her anymore. They may take you away. I told dad I would take care of you. Now just stay in here."
When she heard movement Celeste stepped back from the door. "You can have your bags back," the boy muttered as he walked past with a dejected look. He walked back to the kitchen and placed the last jar back in the bag. "Just leave," he said as he pushed the bags to edge of the counter and fixed his eyes on Celeste.
Celeste stepped toward the counter just as she heard the door creak open. She looked to see the little girl watching her then turned back to look at the boy. She could see the hopelessness in his eyes. What would Matthew have done? She knew the answer: he would help them. Her eyes glanced down at the dirty floor as her mind worked quickly to try to come up with a plan. She looked up to find both children watching her.
"How about we make a deal? You both help me carry the bags to my home and you can eat dinner with me and my family."
"Are you going to cook something?" the girl asked, her eyes were large with hope.
"Yes, do you have a request?" Celeste inquired, a soft smile forming on her lips.
"How about lasagna and garlic bread?"
"I think I can handle that. What do you say?" she said meeting the boy's eyes.
"Pleeeeeease, Ty," the girl said.
The boy's eyes traveled from Celeste to his little sister, then back to Celeste. He sighed and quietly said, "You won't report me to the peacekeepers?"
Celeste shook her head, "No, not a word."
"Momma," came the squeal from Stella when she heard the door open. Her violet eyes widened as she stopped dead in her tracks in the hall. "Who are they?" she asked.
"I'll tell you in a bit. Can you tell everyone to come to the living room?" The girl looked at the visitors once more before nodding as she hurried from the room.
Soon seven people were sitting in various spots. Ty and his sister Tilly were sitting on the loveseat. Daniel and the girls sat on the couch. Missy sat in the overstuffed pink chair that Daniel had brought over from her house. Her arms were crossed over her chest and a scowl of displeasure crossed her face as she glared at the two untidy children.
Celeste glanced toward the kitchen when Lilia came in. "Is dinner in the oven?" The avox smiled and nodded. "Good." Celeste waited for Lilia to settle herself on the arm of the couch. "I want everyone to meet Ty and Tilly. They will be our guests for the evening."
All seemed fine until Missy spoke up, "Celeste, how can you allow this filth in your house. I won't allow it."
Celeste pressed her hands to her hips as she turned to look at Missy, "This is my home. You are my guest and so are they. If you don't like it you don't have to stay."
"Well," Missy huffed out turning to glare at the wall but not getting up to leave.
"Oceana, can you let Tilly wear one of your dresses?"
"Yes, momma," the girl nodded.
"Lilia, please go run a bath for her."
The avox stood and smiled as she took Oceana's hand then held one out for Tilly. Tilly looked at her brother who nodded hesitantly, "Go with her and get cleaned up."
"Daniel, will you find clothes for Ty and show him the other bathroom?" He nodded and stood. The avox walked up the stairs with the boy following behind.
"Why is he gobbling his food so fast?" Stella asked. Ty lowered his fork and wiped his mouth with his napkin. He slumped down in his chair when he noticed all eyes were in him.
"Sweetheart, he's just really hungry," Celeste ruffled her daughter's hair, "He hasn't eaten in a while." Ty started eating again but noticeably slower when everyone turned back to his or her own dinner.
"We need to get going," Ty said as he looked in the girls' room. Tilly was playing dolls with Stella and Oceana.
"Can't we stay a little longer? We're having fun."
"It's getting late and we need to get home before dark."
"You're welcome to stay the night." Ty turned around to see Celeste standing next to him.
"Can we, please?" Tilly looked up at Ty clasping her hands together.
"You can sleep with me in my bed," stated Stella smiling at her new friend.
Ty looked like he was about to protest when he noticed the girls ignoring him and talking excitedly.
"You can have the couch. It's quite comfortable."
"Only for one night," Ty muttered and turned to follow Celeste.
The girls were in bed, though considering the giggles she heard every now and then Celeste was sure they were not asleep. She came out of the kitchen with a mug of hot chocolate in her hand. She found Ty standing at the wall looking at the pictures. "Where is your father? I heard you say you were taking care of Tilly until he came back."
Ty wrapped his arms around himself and stayed with his eyes fixed on the picture with Matthew holding the girls one in each arm. "He's fighting in the rebellion. He's a peacekeeper."
"How long has he been gone?"
"A year and a half. He left when 11 started causing problems, but he's coming back. I know it," he added almost as if he were trying to reassure himself more than Celeste.
Celeste nodded, "I'm sure he misses you and would be proud of how well you take care of your sister." At that Ty just shrugged. "You and Tilly can stay as long as you like."
"Why are you doing all this? I tried to steal your stuff." Ty turned to look at Celeste.
"You looked like you needed help. Matthew, my husband and the girls' father, was always helping people and I want to teach the girls to do it too."
After a long silence Celeste turned to head upstairs. "Goodnight," she called over her shoulder.