"You have torn apart everything your father has built here! These creatures need your care, they rely on us to keep them safe and you've ruined all of it because you can't take the time to care about anyone but yourself! If I hadn't done something we would have lost it all!"
Mattie stopped dead in her tracks upon hearing Jean's shouting. She was too afraid to enter the house and interrupt but she didn't want to miss anything so she stayed out in their yard clinging to their mail. She panicked when Jean threw the front door open in preparation to storm out, not thinking of anything better to do than stand frozen in place.
Upon seeing the girl, Jean cursed herself and immediately went from feeling rage to guilt. She knew Mattie had heard at least a portion of their fight. She hadn't exactly kept her voice down.
"You heard us didn't you?" she questioned, going to kneel in front of the girl.
"I um- I didn't mean to - I," Mattie stuttered, keeping her eyes down on her hands.
Jean pulled her into her arms, rubbing her back, hoping to make Mattie feel more calm than she did at the moment, thanking God when she felt her relax into her hold.
"I'm sorry if we upset you. Everything's alright, darling, I just need to go for a while. Lucien's inside and I'm sure he would love to see you," she brushed her hand across Mattie's cheek. Mattie thought her smile looked forced but didn't say anything. She just nodded and headed inside. She found Lucien slouched in his chair in the study.
"Ah Mattie! How was school?"
Mattie thought his smile looked as forced as Jean's did.
"Fine. I, uh, got your mail." she replied, handing the stack of letters to him. She could still feel the tension in the room as if it were a thick fog. She watched as he picked out a letter, throwing the rest to the side, and opened it with eagerness. She could physically see his mood pick up and he continued to read the letter. He ran out of the room and mattie could hear him ring and ask her to take over the Center for a few weeks. He blew back into his office and began writing a letter and placed it into an envelope, writing Jean's name on it. Mattie was too stunned to ask what had happened or what he was doing. His mood shift left her feeling incredibly confused.
"Mattie something very exciting has just happened and I have to go." He ran upstairs and packed his suitcase. The next thing Mattie knew, she was dropped off with her mother and Lucien left, placing a kiss on the top of her head.
"Take care of Jean and keep an eye on Frank for me," he added before almost running out the door.
(Note: I'm really excited about the next upcoming chapters! I feel they are much more put together and enjoyable but we'll see.)