Her fingers moved feverishly. Glancing up at the clock, she hurried to finish before it was quitting time. Her cherry locks tumbled down across her face. She delicately swept them back behind her ears. The bell rang sharply through her ears. Stopping her days work, Rose stood up from her seat. A wave of dizziness crashed over her, sending her to the floor. A petite, young woman rushed to Rose's side.
"Rose! Are you okay? Rose!?"
Cradled in the woman's arms, Rose steadied her mind as she tried to compose herself. Apologizing profusely, Rose braced herself and stood up brushing at her dress.
"I'm fine, I just lost my balance, that's all," She assured the ladies as she compulsively mussed with her skirt, "Thank you Elizabeth." She smiled weakly at the petite woman.
The woman's emerald eyes flashed with doubt as she let go of Rose's arm. Pretending to be satisfied she nodded to Rose before she gathered her things.
After the fuss, Rose escaped the factory walking briskly down the street towards her lonely so called home. Her face was on fire but her hands were cold and numb. Her body was so frail and delicate. Silently reprimanding herself for being so clumsy, she heard the small clicks of heels behind her. One guess as to who it was. Rose sighed as she turned around to face her friend.
"Rose! I just wanted to catch up and make sure your fine. You've been so pale lately. Have you been eating..." Her voice trailed off in Rose's mind as Rose placidly pretended to look interested.
"I just have been overworked lately. I'm fine, really. There's nothing to fuss about." Elizabeth didn't but it. Cocking her eyebrow in quandary, she knew that was far from the truth. True, Rose had worked hard the past few weeks but she had been pale and sickly for even weeks before that. And Elizabeth knew that Rose had been sick most days.
Like the light bulb that flashes above one's head, Elizabeth's eyes flashed awareness and comprehending as she put all the pieces together in her head. She gasped and cupped her mouth at the same time, "Rose..." Fading to an almost whisper, "Could you be...?"
Rose shook her head in confusion, "Could I...? What?"
"Could...you...be ....with child?" The words shot right through Rose's chest like a speeding arrow. She immediately felt queasy as she comprehended what Elizabeth was asking. Could she really? No but then that would mean. Her eyes spoke truths that only eyes could possibly do. Staring at her friend in disbelief she shook her head harshly as she turned around and took off walking even more quickly than before.
Elizabeth just watched her friend walk off knowing the truth.
TBC
Sorry I know it was another short chapter but I promise the longer ones will come soon! J Hope you are enjoying it. I appreciate all my readers and reviewers. Thanks!