Author's Note: Just a reminder to everyone to go see the Tuck Everlasting movie this weekend! It starts on Friday, October 11th. I know where I'll be…
Chapter Ten: Kindness
The morning sun rose the next day as it always did, starting in the east and moving towards the west. The sky tinted purple, then pink and gold, and finally faded into a pale blue that became the day. It was this pale blue light that hit Winnie's eyes when she awoke that morning.
When she first began to stir, the first thing she noticed was that she was in a bed. Oh, it was a dream! A frightening, horrible dream, she knew, but what an adventure it had been! It was all so new and exciting…with a few exceptions. Winnie was trying to remember the very end of the dream when she felt a blinding flash of pain slice through her forehead.
She gasped. Her shaking fingers flew to her forehead and felt along the side of a huge bandage. So, it was real. Carter and Maggie and Maple Bend weren't a dream. Everything was real. She didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed.
Before she could decide anything, Winnie heard a soft knock on the door and a young woman entered the room. She was about twenty years old with dark brown hair and dark blue eyes. She greeted Winnie with a small smile and shut the door behind her. "How are you feeling this morning?"
Winnie could do nothing but stare at her in fear. Was she friends with Carter and Maggie? Maybe this is what they meant by making sure she didn't tell the sheriff about them. That's what I thought this was for, she thought wearily, reaching up to touch the bandage on her forehead. The woman noticed the gesture and an expression of pity came over her face. "Are you still in pain? I can get you a cool rag if you would like me to."
She seemed to mean no harm, but Winnie didn't know if she could trust her. "Who are you?"
"Oh, I'm so sorry! Of course you are confused. My name is Rebecca. My husband, Tom, and I found you last night by the road with that horrible head injury, so we brought you back to our home. You've been asleep for a long time." Rebecca smiled and moved to the side of the bed. Her cool hand settled against Winnie's forehead and Winnie sighed. Maybe this woman wasn't so dangerous after all.
"Would you like something to eat? I have some oatmeal in the kitchen. I'll go fix you up a bowl." Rebecca removed her hand from Winnie's forehead and disappeared through the door before Winnie could say a word.
Winnie took the time alone to look at her surroundings. She was in a small room with a small window facing east. All of the furniture was made of cherry wood, including the bed she was laying on, a small chest at the foot of the bed, and a rocking chair in the corner. The walls were covered with deep blue wallpaper that matched the red and blue quilt on the bed. Overall, the room was very homey, especially compared to Winnie's own room in Treegap with all of its fine ornaments and lavender and cream settings.
Rebecca arrived a few minutes later with a tray holding a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of tea. Winnie sat up in bed and gazed hungrily at the bowl. Rebecca had added a slice of butter and a tablespoon of sugar to the oatmeal, which was something her mother never allowed at home because she felt it would spoil her. Winnie looked up at Rebecca, who was adjusting the quilt at Winnie's feet. She was a kind person, Winnie decided. She and her husband must be very kind people to take in someone they don't know and care for them like this. Rebecca sensed Winnie's stare and smiled at her. "Is it all right? Is it too warm?"
Winnie shook her head. "No, it's just fine. It's wonderful. Thank you."
"Oh, it isn't much. If there's anything we have plenty of, it's oatmeal."
"No, I mean for everything." Winnie's eyes held Rebecca's for a moment. "Thank you for taking care of me like this."
Rebecca nodded and smiled sadly at the younger girl. "You were in bad shape last night. Tom and I were afraid you wouldn't wake up. But we're real glad that you did." She stepped forward and began stirring the butter and sugar into the oatmeal. "Do you remember what happened to you?"
Winnie took her first bite of the mixture and settled back into the pillows. Then she wiped off her mouth and began telling Rebecca all about Carter and Maggie.