Survivors

Chapter 7

Jack was due to start his new job the day after arriving in California. The single night of rest he was able to get beforehand wasn't enough for him to recover after the long journey. He woke slowly around dawn, and reluctantly got up and went to the kitchen, being as quiet as he could so he wouldn't wake anyone else. Quickly, Jack made coffee and eggs and sat at the small kitchen table. He was almost finished when he saw Cora peeking at him from the doorway.

"Good morning, Cora." Jack whispered. "Want some breakfast?"

The child shook her head, moving a few steps closer to the table. "I got up to say good-bye to you before you left. I wish you didn't have to go." Cora's whisper was tense. She didn't like being in a strange house. Jack's friend was nice enough, but Cora needed time to warm up to strangers.

"I know, but I won't be home late. Try to keep busy, and you'll be okay." Jack finished his small meal, clearing the table in seconds. He grabbed his lunchbox from on top of the icebox, gave Cora a hug and kiss good-bye, and was out the door. Cora stood at the window, watching as Jack's form grew smaller and eventually dropped out of sight. Taking Jack's advice to keep busy, Cora returned to her room and dressed quickly. Then, she returned to the kitchen to wash Jack's breakfast dishes. It took her a minute or two to find the dish soap. The little girl was already drying the dishes when Rose came out to the kitchen.

"Good morning, Cora." Rose likewise whispered, as Jack's friend, Henry, had yet to get up for work.

"Good morning, ma'am." Cora spoke hesitantly, fully expecting Rose to have some complaint about what she was doing. When Cora saw Rose frown, the child sighed softly, knowing something was coming.

"Cora, come sit down. I want to talk to you." Rose took a seat at the table, waiting patiently for Cora to do the same before saying anything more.

"I know you aren't happy your grandmother went home to Boston. It's not going to be easy living this far away. I'm sorry you miss her so much."

"You're not sorry, you made her feel like she had to go away! I wanted to go too, and you made me stay with you. It's not fair!"

Rose sat quietly for a moment or two. Cora felt sure she was about to get yelled at or punished for talking back. Therefore, she was greatly surprised when Rose spoke again, the sound of tears clear in her voice.

"You're right, it isn't fair. I should have handled things differently. I've seen how much more comfortable you've been with Jack rather than me, since your Nana left. I haven't failed to notice you don't even call me by my name. I'm sorry, Cora. I made a mistake. I hope you'll forgive me. I can't explain why it's so important to have you here with us, but I'm glad you came. I'd like to write your grandmother a letter of apology, You can write something too, and we'll mail it tomorrow. How does that sound?"

"Okay." Cora agreed with a firm nod. "Nana loves letters, I'll have to tell her what California looks like. I probably won't know how to spell most of the words." Cora blushed in shame, fixing her gaze on the tabletop.

"That's okay, sweetheart. I can help you. Why don't we have a little breakfast before we get started on our letters?"

"It's okay. I'm not hungry. You don't have to cook for me. I need to finish the dishes, if I'm excused."

Cora's defenses had gone up again so quickly that Rose was confused. Still, she relented and excused Cora from the table. Rose knew she wasn't yet forgiven. She was glad Cora was at least talking to her again. They'd have to take things slow.