After Doctor Wintlock leaves, I turn to look at my new family. "Hello," I greet my great-uncle Gaius. He seems to be in shock. I step past him a few steps before turning back to him. "Where is the barn? I would like to go to bed." Whenever Grandmother was angry with me she'd force me to stay with the pigs and horses in the barn. I'd gotten used to the smell and the bed of hay.
The tall skinny man beside Uncle Gaius widens his eyes. "You don't have to stay in the barn! You can take my bed! I'll sleep out here."
I almost jump at it, but then think about his offer. Stepping closer I eye him sharply. "What's the catch?"
"Catch?"
"Never mind," I mutter. He must have not thought through his bargain. "Thanks." I scurry up the few steps into the room he pointed to and shut the door. Leaning against it I breathe in and out slowly. How could Grandmother just send me away, before I got to see my father's funeral? Not that I particularly wanted to see him burned, but it just seemed better than being sent away, like I was a bother.
I step forward and look with disgust on the bed and room before me. He certainly isn't a clean man. I kick clothes and books off to the side so that I can get to the bed. Setting my small bag that was hidden under my cloak on the bed, I open it. There are only a few things in it; one is a letter written to my by my father one day when he was away for nearly three weeks. It was a precious coin that was paid to send and receive that letter, but it was worth it. The second is my mother's only pair of shoes, the ones she was going to wear to my wedding, whenever that would have been.
The last thing in my bag is my mother's best dress. She promised me that when I got married I'd get to wear it. I almost don't want to now, since she won't get to see me. I hold it up against me for a moment, just to see what it could look like on me.
Someone knocks on the door. "Adrianna?" It's Uncle Gaius.
Hurriedly I fold the dress up and cram it back into my bag. "Come in."
Uncle Gaius creaks the door open and pokes his head in. "Do you need anything to eat? Any bread?"
Another offer. "What's the catch? I take the bread and you get?"
Uncle Gaius's forehead wrinkles. "The satisfaction of knowing your well fed." Ha. I'm sure.
"That's fine, I don't need anything." When he doesn't move, I try again. "Good night, Uncle Gaius."