It was quiet below with only the faint echoes of the pipe messages and the rumbling sounds of the subway. A smile appeared on Mary's face. She so loved the quiet. After a hectic day of teaching the children, it was like an old friend, welcoming her home.
"Mary?"
She looked up from her knitting and saw Denise standing in the entrance. With her high cheekbones, creamy skin and lush copper hair she almost looked like an angel.
"Am I disturbing you?"
"Of course not, dear!"
Mary put aside her crochet.
"I was just making you a nice, warm scarf for your journey above."
"Yeah …"
Denise lowered her eyes.
"… I'm not too sure about that though."
Mary frowned.
"But what about your aunt?" she asked. "She spent years trying to find you. She came all this way to meet you. She must care about you very much."
Denise took a seat on the green velvet chair next to Mary.
"She doesn't feel like family though. Not like you do."
Tears welled up in her eyes and Mary bent over to grab her hand.
"Don't think of it as goodbye," she suggested. "You will always be welcome here."
"But my aunt lives across the country. I won't be able to visit."
"It doesn't have to be right away," Mary said. "I'll wait."
Denise took a deep breath.
"Please come with me," she continued, "when I go up to meet her."
Mary seemed puzzled.
"But Catherine will be there."
"Yes, but I would like to have you with me as well."
"But …"
Mary folded her hands underneath her chin.
"… I haven't been above in years. I wouldn't know how to behave."
"Be kind and gentle," Denise said, "like always. It'll just be for an hour or so. Mary, please …"
Mary tried to remember the last time she went above. Only flashes of images came to mind.
"I'll think about it," she hesitantly promised.