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Confident of her return, Gretch's mother didnt phone the police, to send out a search team that night. Sure enough, Gretch returned home the following afternoon. Still in the clothes from two days before, she was the equivalent of an old rag. "Now just look at you" said Gretch's mother as she approached her by the family's front door, "we have got to clean you up darling" not even acknowledging the night before. "Come Darling, Macy will draw you a bath"
Gretch no longer felt anger toward her mother. She didnt really feel much of anything. Though it had been barely a day, Gretch felt like she hadnt bathed in days. The warm water felt soothing on her flesh, cold from the November air. All the same, she still felt uncomfortable, like she no longer belonged. No matter how warm the bath became, or how comfortable the beds were, she doubted if she'd ever feel safe in her own home ever again. Never in her life had she been so angry towards her mother. Never had she wanted to leave her home before that night, never.
After she was clean and presentable, her mother beckoned for her downstairs. "Gretchen" she smiled, "Glad to see you in suitable dress. Alexander and his parents are to be dining here tonight" she reported merrily, "I want you looking beautiful, and absolutely no mention of...whats his name?"
"David" mumbled Gretch, wanting more than anything to cry.
"Yes, thats right, no mention of Donald while they are here" her mother said cruelly, "Am I clear?"
"Yes ma'am" said Gretch, humbley, although she longed to scream out that his name was David.
"Well" she smiled, "Now that we through, go up to your room and prepare. I want you to look stunning"
No more than an hour later, The Chase family arrived. Dreading the moment she was called downstairs, she took one last glance in the mirror. Her mother would be pleased; she looked beautiful, dignified, and absolutely rich. A single tear fell from her eye, as she glanced over to her bedroom door, and saw her maid looking at her.
"Your guest's have arrived" she said.
"Thank you, I'll be down in a moment" Gretch said,
The maid left, and Gretch was alone with herself once more. She was trapped and alone, no friend to speak with her. There was only David, and she promised him she would meet him the previous night, he would be upset. She had to go downstairs now, and face Alexander Chase, that was her only option. Without one more thought, Gretch whiped her tears away, and headed downstairs to face her worst nightmare.
Confident of her return, Gretch's mother didnt phone the police, to send out a search team that night. Sure enough, Gretch returned home the following afternoon. Still in the clothes from two days before, she was the equivalent of an old rag. "Now just look at you" said Gretch's mother as she approached her by the family's front door, "we have got to clean you up darling" not even acknowledging the night before. "Come Darling, Macy will draw you a bath"
Gretch no longer felt anger toward her mother. She didnt really feel much of anything. Though it had been barely a day, Gretch felt like she hadnt bathed in days. The warm water felt soothing on her flesh, cold from the November air. All the same, she still felt uncomfortable, like she no longer belonged. No matter how warm the bath became, or how comfortable the beds were, she doubted if she'd ever feel safe in her own home ever again. Never in her life had she been so angry towards her mother. Never had she wanted to leave her home before that night, never.
After she was clean and presentable, her mother beckoned for her downstairs. "Gretchen" she smiled, "Glad to see you in suitable dress. Alexander and his parents are to be dining here tonight" she reported merrily, "I want you looking beautiful, and absolutely no mention of...whats his name?"
"David" mumbled Gretch, wanting more than anything to cry.
"Yes, thats right, no mention of Donald while they are here" her mother said cruelly, "Am I clear?"
"Yes ma'am" said Gretch, humbley, although she longed to scream out that his name was David.
"Well" she smiled, "Now that we through, go up to your room and prepare. I want you to look stunning"
No more than an hour later, The Chase family arrived. Dreading the moment she was called downstairs, she took one last glance in the mirror. Her mother would be pleased; she looked beautiful, dignified, and absolutely rich. A single tear fell from her eye, as she glanced over to her bedroom door, and saw her maid looking at her.
"Your guest's have arrived" she said.
"Thank you, I'll be down in a moment" Gretch said,
The maid left, and Gretch was alone with herself once more. She was trapped and alone, no friend to speak with her. There was only David, and she promised him she would meet him the previous night, he would be upset. She had to go downstairs now, and face Alexander Chase, that was her only option. Without one more thought, Gretch whiped her tears away, and headed downstairs to face her worst nightmare.