"It's late." Isabel said when Maria came in.
"Michael threw seeds at me."
"You and Michael are the oddest couple I've ever
seen."
"A couple of what?" Maria asked.
"I don't know." Isabel said, laughing.
"I've got something to tell you."
"Huh?"
"Mr. Valenti is back, and he wants to see you."
"Oh?"
"Yes, and he's going away tomorrow, to Europe or
somewhere."
Tess walked in. "Get dressed up. Brush your hair,
Maria!"
Maria began to get nervous. She became very pale, and
stiffened as she put on the blue dress Isabel handed
her. She followed Tess silently down the hall.
Tess knocked on the door.
"Come in" A voice sounded.
"This is Miss Maria, Sir." Tess said, and left.
James Valenti did not look as scary Maria thought he
would. He didn't look much older than her Dad had
been. He was hunched a little, and she guessed that
was because of his back.
"Come here." He said.
She went. He was not ugly. He would have even been
handsome, if he wasn't so miserable.
"Are you well?"
"Yes."
"Are you happy?"
"Yes"
"I forgot you." He said, as if he was not seeing
Maria, but someone else entirely.
"Is there anything you need?"
Maria hesitated. "I like to play outside. It's fun.
And I want some earth. A bit of earth where I could
plant things."
"Done."
Tess came back in.
"Sir?"
"Take Miss Mary back to her room, and send Alex to
me."
"Yes sir."