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Rebecca

Chapter 14: Well…

"Well," said Michelle softly, "you were born and for a few days she seemed really content. She hardly spoke of the man at all and actually smiled once in a while. Her whole world revolved around little Faith. Then one day, when you were about two weeks old, she totally broke down and became depressed. She wouldn't even get out of bed to pick you up when you were crying. She said you reminded her too much of him, especially your eyes. I ended up caring for you most of the time."

"When did she give me up?" inquired Rebecca, who was thoroughly fascinated with this story of her life.

"One day, I came home from the market with the groceries and found Penelope sitting alone in her rocking chair by the hearth…

…

"Penny, what's the matter? Where's Faith?" I asked, setting the groceries down on the table.

"I gave her away," she replied, wiping a tear from her eye.

"You what?" I asked.

"Are you bloody deaf? I gave her away!"

"I heard you the first time, I just cannot believe that you would do that!" I was shocked, and beginning to grow angry.

"Well, believe it, because that is exactly what I did," she said irritably. "I couldn't stand the sight of her."

Now I was really angry. Despite my own dislike for that man, it was wrong to give up an innocent child simply because she looks like someone. "You couldn't stand the sight of your own flesh and blood? I cannot believe that you could be so dense to something like that!"

"Dense? I am not dense, it was for her own good, and I don't regret my decision one bit. Someone will take care of her much better than I, and she can have a proper life, and I won't be reminded of Erik." Tears were steadily streaming down her pale face now, and staining the quilt wrapped around her.

I sighed and sat down on a chair. "Penny, you do realize that you have only made things worse, don't you?"

She sniffed and asked, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, that you lost him already and it is tearing you up inside. Now, you've lost the last piece of him that you still had and I am certain that one day you will regret it."

Penny lowered her dark head and was silent for a moment. Finally, she lifted it up and looked at me, her eyes brimming with fresh tears. "Oh my dog," she said, "what have I done?"

(I put dog instead of God on purpose just in case you were wondering)

She began to sob hysterically, and through the gasps for air, I just made out her telling me the name of the orphanage. I grabbed my coat and raced down the street to the Paris Orphanage. I burst through the door and ran down the hall to the office. "Please!" I shouted desperately as I walked in the room. "Please, I must find my niece, my sister just dropped her off a few hours ago."

"Little Faith?" the woman asked from her desk. I nodded frantically. "Oh, she was adopted about an hour ago by a young couple. I'm sorry, but you're too late." The woman didn't show any remorse for me when she said this. "I guess you're out of luck, mademoiselle," she said with a cynical smirk.

I reached across the table and slapped her as hard as I possibly could with the back of my hand, my grandmother's ring making a deep imprint in her weathered cheek. "You heartless hag," I said to her, glaring.

"What in the name of all that is holy do you think you are doing you little harlot!" she spat back, rubbing her cheek.

"Giving you what you deserve," I replied. Then, the woman lunged across her desk at me. She grabbed hold of my skirts and pulled me to the floor. I struggled with the cruel woman on the floor, pulling her stringy hair, desperately trying to punch her, but she had me pinned down too tightly. Luckily at that moment one of the older children walked in.

"Oh gosh," he groaned, calling to another young fellow, "she's at it again." They pulled her off of me and told me to get out of there. I nodded, but before I left I asked, "What is the name of the couple that adopted her?"

"I don't know, alls I did when they came was give 'em the baby and the letter."

"Letter?"

"Yes, the mother gave a letter with the baby to give to her on her birthday or something else stupid like that."

"Fine," I said, and fled that hateful place. On my way home, I stopped by the police to tell them about that horrid orphanage woman, and they agreed to arrest her. Then I went home where I found a note:

Michelle,

I've gone to find my Faith. Don't follow me. I don't know when I'll be back, if ever.

Penny

I ripped the paper and tossed it into the fire. Then, I collapsed into the rocking chair and started to cry.

…

"And that's what happened. I don't know if she is alive, or where she is. I received one letter from her once, about five years ago, but it gave no indication of her location."

Rebecca was quite speechless; so much had happened because of her and all because she looked like her father. Evidently, she thought, his looks are not only a curse for him, but for me as well. "I'm shocked I suppose," she said.

"Me too, I never thought I'd ever see you again!" Michelle hugged her long lost niece, and didn't let go for some time. "Marie says you're living with your father?" she asked, pulling away from the embrace.

"I didn't tell Marie that," said Rebecca, "oh, wait, perhaps Ally told her everything."

"Yes, I believe he did. So, you like our little Ally do you?" said Michelle with a smile.

"Yes I certainly do," said Rebecca unabashedly.

"You're quite blunt aren't you?"

"Yes, I inherited that from my father."

"Your father," said Michelle thoughtfully, "I almost hate to ask, but, how is he?"

"He's fine, he could be better, but he's doing alright," replied Rebecca.

"What's the matter with him? I mean, besides the whole issue of the carcass he has for a face?"

Rebecca's eyes flashed fire that could burn an iron wall down in seconds.

Awooga, how do ya like that for an ending! Review please!