"Well of course you'll stay here" I grin at my mother as she takes Madge's hand
"Mrs. Hawthorne" she sighs "I can't possibly tell you how grateful I am but I just couldn't put all that extra responsibility on you and Gale"
"Nonsense, we're not scared of a little hardship in this house"
"Mrs. Hawthorne, I don't mean to overstep my mark but I know you struggle. I know Gale provides for you by hunting and I know you have your laundering business but even if I got a job I could never repay you"
"Madge dear I hate to do this to you but I'm not giving you a choice. I don't know exactly what it is you're trying to get away from but I can see when someone needs help"
"Mrs. Hawthorne-"
"Madge" my mother cuts her off sternly "I'm not taking no for an answer" Madge looks down at her hands for a moment then up at my mother and I
"Just until I can figure out something else. I'll get a job and help out" I grin having finally got the outcome I always knew we would
"You can stay as long as you need" Madge smiles sweetly at my mother as she squeezes her hand "now, I better get started on dinner"
"Actually Mrs. Hawthorne"
"I think Hazelle will do, don't you?"
"Hazelle" Madge starts again "I picked up some things before I left" Madge gets to her feet and goes over to the large suitcase she'd filled with food "I thought I'd need it but I'd like you to have it"
"My goodness Madge" my mother's eyes bulge the same way mine would've if I hadn't been more worried about getting Madge out of that house. I've never seen that much food all at once and I've certainly never had the option of eating it
"It might help out for a while" Madge shrugs, my mother bends down and inspects the contents of the suitcase in amazement. It makes my chest hurt to know she'd never get this type of food normally
"It's wonderful Madge"
"I could put it away if you'd like, you'll just have to show me where everything goes"
"Thank you"
"Is there anything you'd like me to keep out for dinner?"
"Excuse me?" I stress
"What?" Madge turns to me with wide eyes like a rabbit does right before I shoot it
"We can manage dinner just fine" I gripe
"I know" Madge nods
"Don't need charity" at that Madge and my mother both begin to laugh, when I realize they're laughing at me I scowl at them
"Oh Gale" my mother sighs "set the table"
"We don't need her feeling sorry for us"
"We don't talk about people like they're not in the room either" my mother admonishes, making my face flush. Being told off like a kid is not something I want Madge, or anyone to see
"And I don't feel sorry for you" Madge adds "if anyone's having a pity party thrown for them, I'm pretty sure it's me" Madge laughs
"I'm just saying we don't need your food" Madge's hands fist, she presses her lips together and grits her teeth like she's holding back a tantrum. Darn if it isn't the most adorable thing I've ever seen a girl do
"Yeah? Well I need you right now, this is all I can offer for the moment as repayment so just ... set the table" she snaps, my mother smirks over Madge's shoulder and I roll my eyes
"Gale" my mother warns "and enough of this repaying, charity talk both of you. From now on 'what's mine is yours' alright?" she rubs Madge's arm comfortingly and Madge nods "alright?" my mother repeats with a pointed look at me
"Yes, yes, alright".
I lay the table while my mother prepares dinner and Madge moves tins from the suitcase to cupboards with instructions from my mother and me. It's strange setting a sixth place, it's been left dormant since my dad passed and for a moment the extra setting throws me
"Tea bags?" Madge asks, breaking me from my trance
"Uh anywhere there's space" I tell her, unable to remember a time there wasn't any. Never, even when dad was around and we had a constant wage were our cupboards anywhere near full. The cupboards have always been too sparse for anything to have its own assigned space. The table set, I help Madge put away the remainder of food. I can't wait for the kids see this, I just hope it warms them to the idea of sharing our house with another person.
It turns out I had nothing to worry about, Posy hasn't stopped talking yet and Rory is happier about having an older attractive female here than I care to admit. Vick was quiet at first but Vick is always quiet, now though, he's watching Madge in awe as she explains his homework.
When we sit down to dinner Vick and Posy fight over which of them should be sat next to Madge, so I end up giving up my seat. I shift uncomfortably when my mother sets a pot of rabbit stew down before us next to a plate of potatoes and other colorful vegetables. We'd have a third of the amount if it hadn't been for Madge bringing all that food and that irks me. It's all but forgotten when Posy's eyes widen and she climbs to her knees to get closer to the food
"Waaaaaw, I never saw so much food" something in my gut twists and when I look across at Madge she's looking at Posy with sorrow in her eyes. I nudge Madge's foot under the table and she tears her eyes away from Posy to meet my gaze. I mouth the words 'thank you' and she quirks an eyebrow as if in mocking disbelief then bows and shakes her head before returning my words.
"Is Madge going to sleep in Gale's bed?" my eyes bug out of my head at Posy's innocent question
"Yes" I tell her, eyeing the mouthful dangerously close to falling off her spoon "careful" I point it out a second too late as it dribbles into her lap. Madge sputters stew, my mother hides her mouth with her hand, Vick looks terrified and Rory doubles in hysterics "I mean, we won't sleep togeth- uh we- she- Madge will sleep in my bed and I'll sleep somewhere else" I finally stutter
"Like on the floor?" Vick asks, his eyes still abnormally wide
"Like on the sofa" I clarify
"That's not necessary, I-" Madge starts
"Not at the table" my mother cuts her off "we use our meal times to talk about our day. I think we should use this opportunity to welcome Madge, don't you think?".
I have been postponing this all evening but it's getting late and there's really no avoiding it now so I stand at the threshold of my bedroom with sweaty palms and a knot in my stomach I can't explain
"So this is uh- you can stay in here" I stutter like an idiot. Madge Undersee is in my bedroom and I don't know how I feel about it. I haven't been this flustered in my life and I'm irritated because for the life of me I can't figure out why. Madge's brow furrows "I know it's not that big or... fancy or anything"
"Is this your room?"
"Uh yes, it's mine"
"I can't stay in here" crap! Maybe she finds that weird or abhorrent
"I - My ma brought you new sheets and more pillows from Haymitch's place when she went over there to clean and I won't be coming in here. It's just, everyone else shares a room so this is the only one you could have to yourself"
"It's not that Gale. I can't stay in here because that leaves you nowhere to sleep"
"Oh! I'll be sleeping on the couch"
"No, that's stupid, you should keep your bed. I'll sleep on the couch. It's enough for you to let me stay in the first place"
"I don't mind sleeping on the couch and it's all arranged"
"Gale" she sighs "it's your bed"
"And you're a guest in my house" I argue
"Exactly"
"Exactly, you should be comfortable"
"I'm sure the couch is plenty comfortable"
"It's not" I deadpan
"Then you definitely can't sleep on it"
"Madge" I raise my voice a fraction "you're sleeping in my bed" I don't know if it's my tone or my words but she nods and I smile.