Chapter 17: Family Politics
The door to the mansion slowly slammed shut, and I took an eager step over the threshold, after having been given a prompt nod by my companion. Upon entering the mansion, I blinked; my eyes trying to become more accustomed to the dark room-- after all of that burning sunshine.
A permanent smile had been glued to my face which would not waver or dissipate; here I was, indoors-- indoors, of all places! And after thinking that I would never be there again-- after an entire year or more of being stuck in the oasis, I was indoors; the horrid stench of 'fresh air' as it was deemed was now gone, and the mansion smelled fresh-- Like spring, I noted, as my eyes became more used to the light, and I was able to catch my first glimpse of my brand-new home.
It was neat and tidy; everything had its own place, and there was such an air of wealth to the place, that I could hardly restrain myself from inquiring how much money the girl had; she had probably told me during our journey here, but I had pretty much zoned out, so I didn't bother to question her. She suddenly clapped a hand on my shoulder-- hard; I nearly buckled underneath her strength, "Follow me," she whispered, as the stone around my neck burned, and my shoulder throbbed. I nodded; unsure if she had noticed my curt head movement.
I followed her into the living-room, down a hallway, and then up a long, narrow flight of stairs. By the time we at last reached the top (what I suspected was the third story), I was both panting and perspiring from the long journey, while my acquaintance remained unchanged, for she had moved up the stairs in such a quick and timely fashion, that I suspected she had been taught how to do so in some drill; and yet, she was perfectly balanced and elegant in her movements. I could not believe that such a retch of a thing could move so beautifully, for the basket of berries she had perfectly balanced on her head had not wavered or fallen! While I caught my breath, I realized that I was so out of breath from sitting on my ass in the middle of a forest for over a year, I need to go work out or something, I thought with a slight smile, as Jessica took the basket off of her head, and smoothed a few wrinkles out of her dress. After she had seen that I was ready, she led me down another twisting hallway, and abruptly stopped behind a large door, "Stop acting so awkward," she snapped, as I rolled my eyes at her patronizing attitude; she ignored this, and returned her gaze to the door, "Mother?" she called, "Father?"
"Yes, baby?" came a voice; sweet, and grotesquely apt.
"We have a visitor."
"Bring her in."
My new acquaintance tossed a curl of mousy hair behind her shoulders, and pushed the door open with ease; I followed at her wake.
What lay on the other side appeared to be somewhat of a mix between a library and a study. The woman; whose voice had called from behind the door sat in a chair, embroidering something, while the man whom I figured to be her husband sat in a chair beside her, smoking a pipe.
The place was large; with ample room for anything. Shelves filled most of the room; filled with books, but there was also space for the three chairs, in which three were now occupied, as Jessica had taken a seat. I stood.
The woman smiled at me, and I tried my best to follow suit, although I was still shaking with nervousness.
"Well," the girl asked, picking up a dusty book that I suspected she had never opened before, "She's perfect," the woman gushed, and I saw that my acquaintance had gotten her mousy hair from her. The woman also had a potbelly, a double chin, blue eyes, and so manyfreckles that made her look like a pepperoni pizza; I cringed at the sight, and tried to appear unprotubed.
"Why, she'll do swell," the man agreed, and I saw that my acquaintance had gotten her petite figure from the man. He also had a frozen fake smile, a few sun freckles, and deep, dull gray eyes.
My smile faltered, "I'll do swell for what, exactly?" I asked, determined to get to the bottom of what the girl-- Jessica had hinted at earlier.
"Well," the girl whispered excitedly, "Our maid disappeared in the woods last week," she said this disconcertedly, "and we've been in need on another servant since then, so--"
Here, her father interrupted her, "So, you'll do our work for us! You'll cook, clean, sew, sweep, dust, garden, and do all the other little household chores."
His wife, whom I had just realized had the uncanny appearance of a pig, nodded her fat head, "And we'll allow you to live here with us-- free of charge, of course."
"But I've never worked a day of hard labor in my life, and besides, I'm only sixteen," I insisted, unsure if I actually was sixteen, "Surely, there's another--"
"So? You're just the right build-- the spitten image of-- of-- whatever her name was, and if you don't agree to our terms, we can throw you out to deal with the beasts of the wood."
"Am I to be paid for this?" I asked, anxiously; formulating a plan to raise enough money to somehow get back home-- if there was a way.
"Of course not!" the woman interjected; seemingly appalled at the very idea, "We're letting you stay here, remember? Do you honestly expect anything else?"
The others laughed at this, and I stared at her; surprised by her answer; I now spoke slowly and carefully-- going back home would have to wait for now; my heart fell, "Well, when do I start?"
"Now," my acquaintance said, shoving the basket of berries into my arms, and nearly causing me to fall to the floor, "You can begin by making the jam."
