The New Life

a novel by Mark Robert Whitten

Chapter 25

"Leslie," he gasped, "We're squirrels!"

She giggled again. "You're right, Jess." She slipped closer. "We are squirrels."

He felt his voice crack. "What do we do?" he asked, looking about in panic.

Leslie shrugged her furry shoulders. "We do whatever squirrels do."

He glanced up at the towering form that was Miss Edmunds. She smiled down at him. "How do you feel, Jess?"

He didn't know how to answer. He wanted to cry, to scream, to ask a dozen questions, but only one would come forth. "W-what did you do to us?"

"I changed you." She shooed him. "Now, go play."

Jess looked to Leslie and almost laughed. He thought that if a squirrel could look mischievous, it would look like her. She turned then and ran off across the grass, calling for him to try and catch her. He gave one last look to Miss Edmunds and when she nodded that it was okay, he bolted after Leslie. Jess felt the exhilaration of running like never before. He never had been able to go so fast, and still not get as far as he expected. As they raced around a tree, Jess couldn't help but wonder at how big everything seemed. He had never imagined he could be changed into something else. He wondered if Miss Edmunds could do other things; change him into a bird so he could fly or a horse so he could gallop or a snake so he could scare his mother. He wanted to try every animal he knew and every one he didn't. It would take time but Jess decided he would ask Miss Edmunds if it would be okay. He never wanted to impose upon her for anything but the thought of being any animal he wanted made him giddy.

As he chased Leslie up the tree, he wondered at his ability to climb without trouble. Leslie reached a branch and started out across it. "Leslie," he called, "wait for me!"

She didn't even slow down. Jess climbed faster, desperate to reach his friend. There were so many questions he had yet to ask, but first he had to catch her. Leslie reached the end of the branch and he thought for sure he had her, but as he closed, she spun back and leapt forward, soaring over his head, back towards the trunk. By the time he reversed his course and chased her down the tree, he was exhausted. She finally stopped running and came over to him. She seemed just as tired by their race as he felt. "Are you okay?"

He nodded. "I can't believe how much fun this is!"

"I know," she chittered. "We should get some nuts to eat."

"I see some over there," he said, "by the tree."

As she turned to look, he tackled her. They scrambled across the ground and Leslie slipped out of his furry grip, taking off towards the center of the lawn as Jess gave chase. "Can't catch me," she chattered. He tried his best but found after awhile he didn't know who was chasing whom. After awhile, they spent most of the morning chasing each other in a game of squirrel-tag and gathering nuts for a snack.

By lunch time, Leslie's mother had come out looking for her.

As Jess stood on his hind legs, intending to call out to her, Leslie nudged him with her furry elbow and chattered, "Watch this!"

She sped off towards her mother. Jess watched aghast as Judy looked about for her, unaware that Leslie had slipped under her mother's skirts. Jess held his breath and a moment later, Judy screamed. A number of soldiers immediately rushed over as Judy hopped about on one foot. Jess gaped at the sight of Lady Judy, her arms wind-milling as she danced about, shaking her leg, screaming as if she were being murdered. Jess knew that Leslie the squirrel was crawling up her mother's legs, giving her a fright. He started to laugh but as Judy started clawing at her skirts, swatting her legs, he was sure that Leslie would get squashed. He could only stare in amazement as the Duchess fell back, flailing into the arms of the soldiers who helped to steady her. After a few terrifying moments, Jess knew Leslie was safe when she slipped back out of her mother's fine dress and raced towards him. Miss Edmunds rushed over to a breathless Judy, asking her if she was all right. Judy frantically fanned her reddening face and nodded just as Leslie slipped up beside him.

Jess scolded her. "You shouldn't have done that, Leslie."

"Ah, c'mon, Jess, it was just a bit of fun!"

He was just about to tell her that her mother probably didn't think it much fun, when Miss Edmunds turned a hot glare on the two of them. It was as frightening a look as he had ever seen from her. She strode forward a step and snapped her fingers, pointing at the ground before her. Leslie hunched her squirrel shoulders and slowly crept back towards her mother and teacher. Jess crawled along at her side, his head similarly lowered. They both stopped before Miss Edmunds big shoes. She reached down and touched them both with the tips of her fingers. Jess felt his insides stirring as he returned to human form.

As soon as Leslie was human again, Judy grabbed her by the arm and delivered three swift swats to her behind. Leslie cried out, but with the way her bottom was cushioned by her soft skirts, Jess didn't think she was hurting too much. Still holding Leslie by the arm, Judy shook her finger at her and whispered something harshly. Jess watched Leslie's face turn red as she swallowed and nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

Jess let out a breath. His father would have not been so merciful to her. If she pulled something like that back on the farm, Leslie would be lucky if she could still sit down. Judy's gaze slid to Jess and he suddenly felt as if he had done something wrong. "Please keep a better eye on her, Jess," she scolded in her most heated voice. "That is your job, is it not?"

It was his turn to swallow and nod. "Yes, ma'am." He bowed, afraid to meet her gaze. Keeping his eyes to the ground, he listened to Judy sigh.

"We have many things to prepare today. The festival approaches." She motioned to Leslie. "Take Jess inside and tell him what he needs to know to be ready."

Leslie nodded. "Yes, ma'am." She took his arm and pulled him towards the castle.

He wanted to apologize to the Duchess, but as they slipped away, he turned a hot glare on Leslie instead. "Thanks a lot."

She turned to him with a questioning frown. "What did I do?"

"You got me in trouble, Leslie. Again."

"Well, I didn't mean to cause any harm."

He rolled his eyes. "You never mean to cause harm." As they approached the door, he added in a grumble, "But you always seem to cause me some kind of grief."

"Well, I'm sorry." They turned a corner and headed for the dining area. "I didn't think she'd be mad at you."

"Leslie, you need more discipline. I'm going to tell your mother that the next time you do something foolish, that Tom should give you a whipping."

She laughed at that but her mirth disappeared when she saw the look he was giving her. "But, Jess… you can't do that."

"I can if I think it keeps you out of trouble." He remembered his father's admonition that Leslie often got into things she shouldn't. "I mean it, Leslie." He shook a finger at her—the same was her mother did. "If you step out of line again, I'll have you over Tom's knee before supper." To make it worse, he added, "Perhaps during supper, so everyone can see that you're getting what you deserve."

Leslie face turned bright crimson. Her eyes were wide. "You wouldn't…"

He folded his arms. "Try me."

Her glare seem to darken the room but she pressed her lips together, not expressing her scalding sentiment and gave him instead a curt nod.

The matter settled, Jess motioned for her to lead the way to the dining area. He wanted to ask her about the festival but he decided to let her take the lead, to regain some dignity after being scolded by her valet. She walked in silence for a time, but when they reached the last leg of their journey, she spun to him heatedly. "The first thing you must remember at the midsummer festival, Jess Aarons, is that I am a noble. You must treat me with the proper respect. Don't talk to me like I'm your friend." She thought a moment. "In fact, it would be best if you didn't speak at all." She raised an eyebrow and leaned close to him. "Servants with still tongues tend to cause fewer problems."

Maintaining a grim face, he nodded that he understood. Leslie would normally try to downplay his role as servant to spare his feelings, but this was the midsummer festival. Jess didn't think she was making it up to be mean, but he reasoned that she wasn't holding back as she would have because she was angry with him. He guessed she couldn't be lenient on him if he was to attend such an important event so after holding her chair for her—and resisting the urge to pull it out from under her—Jess took his seat beside her.

Lunch was already being served, the boys bringing out bowls of the soup Leslie had been working on that morning. Jess asked questions of Leslie about what was expected and when she gave him curt answers, he filled his mind with thoughts of Tom punishing her. Jess reached for a spoon. Leslie smacked his hand. He dropped the silver spoon and glared at her. She returned the glare in kind as she took up a different spoon. "Use this one, Jess." Her teasing voice was as brittle as ice.

Jess put the spoon in the soup and began to stir. Jess knew how Leslie felt about Tom; the way she smiled shyly when he looked at her and how she blushed when he said how pretty she was becoming and he knew that the threat of being punished by the man she loved would be serious enough to keep her in line. It had to seem especially humiliating to her but he needed someone strong to put Leslie in her place. He was certain that his failure to control her antics that very afternoon had nearly gotten him expelled from the house. It also occurred to him that she needed to remember that she was but a child and that Tom was a man, that there was no point in having feelings for someone so much older than herself; it also occurred to Jess that if Miss Edmunds had given his own backside a swat or two, perhaps he wouldn't have tried to kiss her that horrible evening in the stables.

She was old enough to be a young mother after all.

And what was he, really?

A child. A boy she looked after sometimes.

He felt his face getting as hot as Leslie's imaginary behind. It bothered Jess to think of the woman he loved as his mother. He instead chose to think of her as an older sister, or kind aunt, but most of all, as a friend; someone with whom he could share things.

Jess glanced at Leslie when she cleared her throat. "You'll be expected to act like a gentleman." She gave him a meaningful look. "Everything you have learned in this house will be put to the test. The banquet at the end of the festival will be especially difficult for you as it is, primarily, a dance."

Jess swallowed a mouthful of hot soup. "D-dance?" She nodded. "B-but Leslie," he coughed, "I-I don't know how to dance."

She gave him an even look. "I thought as much, Jess. I wouldn't worry about it, though. You are only a servant and most aren't asked to dance with those they serve."

Jess tightened his grip on the spoon. He wanted to use it to smack her in her pompous head. He settled for setting it aside and picking up a piece of bread. He tore at it, letting his frustration play out as he dunked the bread pieces in the bowl and soaked them a bit before devouring them. He knew it wasn't proper table manners but he didn't care.

After lunch was finished, he stood and turned to leave. Thoughts of the dance crept into his mind along with his anger with Leslie and before he could make the door, he found a solution that would give him satisfaction. He spun back to the table and bowed before Miss Edmunds. "You have taught me much, Miss Edmunds. In preparation for the coming festival, I would be honored if you taught me to dance."

If Julia's expression was one of pleasant surprise, Leslie's was the opposite; she looked as if she were about to explode. Jess extended his hand and Julia rose regally to her feet. Jess kept his eyes on Leslie as they made their way to the center of the floor. He flashed Leslie his most terrible smirk, painfully aware of how much he must look like Scott Hoager when he did.

As the musicians began to play, he immediately wrapped his arms around Miss Edmunds. She cried out and looked down at him with an indulgent smile. "Uh, Jess, please remove your hand from my bottom."

He released her as if she were a snake. "S-sorry, Miss Edmunds, I didn't mean to…"

She shook her head and took his hands in hers, gently placing them on her narrow hips. Leslie's snicker made him blush. He wanted to glower at her, maybe even stick out his tongue, but looking up into Julia's smiling face made him forget all about Leslie. He loved how wonderful his dancing partner looked, and as he breathed deep her lavender scent he tried to relax. She placed her slender hands on his shoulders and led him slowly about the room, spinning and striding from side to side. "Move as I do, Jess." He nodded feeling so warm and safe in her gentle arms as they danced about, both humming with the music, letting the docile tones take them away.

After a while, Jess felt he was getting the hang of it. He barely even noticed when Tom interrupted. "May I cut in?"

Miss Edmunds looked down at Jess. "Would you mind?" Her voice was as soft as her turquoise dress as she leaned down and whispered, "I really would like to dance with Tom."

"S-sure, Miss Edmunds." He stood in place as she slipped away, twirling into Tom's strong arms. Jess stood there, hands in his pockets, feeling very foolish as they danced away.

A gentle hand slipped into his. He turned to see Leslie smiling at him. "Care to dance?"

He smiled back and wrapped his arms around her. As the music began another tune, he spun her. She cried out as she twirled to the floor, landing hard on her bottom. The music stopped as Jess rushed to her side. "Oh, Leslie!" he cried, "I'm sorry!"

She waved off his concern and accepted Tom and Julia's hands. As she came to her feet, she assured everyone that she was all right. "Maybe you shouldn't dance until you learn to control your strength," Miss Edmunds suggested. As Jess stammered an apology, Leslie brushed off her skirts and fixed her long golden hair. He stood still as stone as she came over and offered him another try. As he reluctantly wrapped his arm around her waist, she put her head beside his and whispered gently, "Just let me lead this time."

He swayed with her gently, letting the music guide his movements. It seemed much more natural to dance with someone his own size. Jess thought her an even better dancer than Miss Edmunds. Leslie led him as she always did and the dance was successful.

Jess smiled at how, when Leslie was near, everything always seemed to turn out right.

"So, what's it like?" he asked. "The palace I mean; is it as big as your castle?"

She turned to give him a meaningful look. "No. It's much bigger."

Jess swallowed at the thought. The castle was the biggest place he had ever seen. Sometimes he still couldn't believe that any place could be so massive. To think that the place they were to be heading was even bigger…

"So, who will be there?"

Leslie sighed. "Mrs. Myers and Miss Edmunds will be there, of course, along with me and most of my family and you. Aside from the servants and guards we take with us, the other noble families and their servants will be there—about a dozen families, at least."

"At least?"

Leslie hooked some blonde hair behind an ear and she cleared her throat. "Well, there will also be the King and his family along with his advisors, attendants and more soldiers than you can imagine. There will also be a plethora of wizards and other magical people." She leaned close and spoke in her secret tone. "The King has many in his employ."

Jess sat back on his bed. They had danced for most of the afternoon and Leslie had been answering all his questions about what to expect but he still didn't feel prepared. He rubbed his sore feet and tried to ask another question, one he thought would give him a better idea of the festival. "Will there be games at the festival, like in Westwood?"

She turned from the window. "Of course." She sat next to him and smiled. "It will be much like the festival in your hometown, just bigger."

Jess wondered at how much bigger it was. From Leslie's descriptions, it sounded like the largest place in the entire kingdom. Seeing as it was the crown city, he guessed maybe it was. Everything would be different and while he looked forward to experiencing the differences he was also a little put off by them.

As he fell back onto the bed, he laid his arm across his eyes and thought about the farm and how at home nothing ever changed.

As Mary glanced about the farm she wondered at how everything had changed. As she dropped the extra carrots into the rabbit's cage, she couldn't help but smile at the sight of the docile creatures. They were getting fatter. Soon their little wooden cage wouldn't be able to hold them. It was just as well, seeing as market day was just around the corner. The extra rabbits they bred this month would bring in some extra coin. Not that we need it, Mary mused. The stipend they received from Jess' work at the castle more than covered their expenses.

It had been several months since Jess had left for the castle and in all that time, so much had changed. As Mary shifted the load of vegetables in her arms, she gazed out at her magnificent garden, considering the nature of the change. Her garden was once so small and overgrown with weeds that it seemed a struggle to get any vegetables out of the ground at all.

Now there were many varieties of fruits and vegetables available to her, as well as a multitude of herbs. Her family had always eaten well enough, but with the garden's growth, they were enjoying a variety normally reserved for the wealthy. She supposed they were wealthy now. Mary missed her son terribly but the family was more than prosperous and had taken to enjoying the windfall their son had brought them with great revelry. Of course, when the Duke had taken him in, Mary knew her family would be successful but she never imagined it could be quite so prosperous. Everyone in town treated them differently now, tipping their hats and waving hello when they saw her at market, asking how her family fared when she attended the temple service and seeming to notice her more often than they once had. Of course, her new dresses didn't hurt. It seemed that their becoming wealthy was news that interested everyone.

The self-serving smiles often sickened her and Mary found herself wishing on more than one occasion that they would slip and ask what they really wanted to know.

"How's your money, Mrs. Aarons?"

Mary laughed. No one would ever say such a thing aloud but it felt good to speak the words. She knew that people saw her family—now one of the wealthiest in the area—as a means to greater wealth. Her husband had found a new job almost immediately and actually turned down several offers before accepting a position with the local carpenter. Mary was grateful for the offers of help and compliments on her family's new clothes—backhanded as they were—for with all the money they had spent on the new house, new furniture and new toys for May belle, they were going to need extra to feed themselves for a while.

Their new house was far grander than anything she ever thought she could own. So many years ago, her father had chosen Jack to be her husband because he was hardworking and honest, not because of wealth. Jack had always been good to her and she dearly loved him but it was undeniably satisfying to be allowed a nice home in which to live. She wished her parents were still alive to see what their joining had brought.

As she wiped the sweat from her brow, Mary cast a glance at the darkening sky. As she looked back towards the house, she could hear the sounds of arguing drifting down from the open upstairs window. The piercing cries of her eldest daughters frayed her nerves. She was a hairsbreadth from calling them all down for punishment when she heard them stop. Mary sighed, relieved they had at last settled whatever was bothering them.

Mary had always been grateful for her abundance of daughters but lately she felt the hope grow stronger that they would move away and start their own families. She bit back a laugh at the knowledge that unruly children were a part of that dream and didn't deny a certain satisfaction when she thought of the visits she would make to see how they were getting on, only to hear them complain about how difficult her grandchildren were.

Ellie had moved away and become pregnant by Henry, a good man Jack had brought home for her. He had a warm nature, a kind of gentle spirit that reminded her very much of her own husband. She hoped Ellie was happy with him. Living far away wasn't a pleasant part of the deal, but they were together and Mary was happy for the two of them.

As she turned towards the house, Mary paused. It startled her to see such a grand place. The building was twice the size of their old home with two stories and several bedrooms.

Wondering if jess would be home to visit, she slipped in the back door—smiling at the new experience of actually having a door—and into the dining room.

Everything was different inside as well. The floors were a polished mahogany covered with carpets and the fire burned in a fireplace, with a proper chimney to let out the smoke. Mary laughed a little at the sight of her beautiful home.

She didn't think she would ever get used to such things as feather beds and comfortable chairs and a table with a tablecloth and sturdy legs that kept it from wobbling. She straightened the bowl of fruit that was the centerpiece and smoothed the edges of the pristine tablecloth. Supper would be ready soon and she began setting the goblets and fine flatware out for her family. May belle was supposed to help, but Mary wanted to let her play a little longer with the new dolls she had received from her father.

Mary checked on the stew she had cooking. The surface of the stew bubbled, the steam carrying a delightful scent and the promise of a good meal. Mary leaned close and inhaled a deep breath, savoring the tangy aroma. She added a handful of spices, brushing them off her palm into the cook-pot and stirring it awhile before setting down the old wooden spoon. As the stew simmered, she stretched and took a seat in her favorite chair.

Mary looked around the room and sighed. So much had changed. Ever because her son brought home a new friend. Leslie had been good for him. She had helped Jess in so many ways and now she was helping them too. Mary reached out and lifted the latest letter from their new table. Jess wrote every month about the things he learned and the fun he was having with Leslie. Mary was delighted to hear that her son was enjoying himself and Jack was grateful that his only boy was working so hard.

After spending a few minutes reading about her son's latest exploits, Mary called everyone down for supper, smiling as Brenda and May belle descended the stairs like regal ladies, both in their finest dresses. Before she could ask, they set to work serving the soup and filling the goblets among excited conversation.

Mary sighed as she continued to read Jess' letter. She rubbed a hand smoothly over her belly and thought of Jack, still at work and unaware of how much more his house would change.

It would be a few more days before she told her husband that she was pregnant.