Rocco's Atonement

CHAPTERSIX

GUINEVERE

I wakeup feeling rested and even slept in past seven for the first time in years. The outfit Geoffrey’s assistant picked out for me fits a little big but is nicer than anything I’ve ever worn before. The heels are giving me some issues, but I’ll move slowly. This isn’t my first time in high heels. One day I snuck a pair of heels from Prudence’s closet and tried them on. I walked around in them for a bit while everyone was gone. I’m not completely inept at walking in them, but I will conquer them.

When I finally make it out to the kitchen, there is a woman making me breakfast. I take her in for a moment and watch her work. She’s efficient and clearly familiar with this kitchen. She is about my height and has wild, short gray hair.

“I can prepare my own food,” I tell the lady, and she just smiles at me.

“Ms. Chambers, I was your parents’ housekeeper, and I’ll be yours too. I’m Lillian. Here is your tea. I assumed you’d like tea, just like your mother.” There’s a touch of an English accent in her voice. She reminds me of what I imagine grandmothers are like. I’ve never had one, but before I got pulled out of school, I heard other kids talk about theirs and saw them sometimes. Her kind eyes have wrinkles around the edges. I smile back at her because she’s correct, I do like tea.

“Carmen never understood why I liked tea. She said it was un-American. Thank you, and if you work here, you will be paid a fair wage and have a nice room. I don’t expect you to get me things unless you are getting them for yourself. I’ll cook when I want also.”

“Ms. Chambers, just tell me what you’ll need and I’ll make sure we have the ingredients. I already get a fair wage, and I live in a nice building close by. I have hours that I’ll make sure to post on the fridge for you along with my cell in case you need to reach me.”

“Good. Please call me Guinevere, I’m not ma’am or miss.” I drop my eyes, avoiding her knowing gaze. “I don’t have a cell phone.”

“Oh, I’m sure Mr. Geoffrey will take care of that for you soon enough or Ms. Patience will.”

I carry my cup of tea to the table and take a seat. I look out onto the terrace. The sun is shining, and I decide that’s where I want to be. I want to take everything in for a moment by myself.

“I’d like to sit out on the terrace. Tell me when breakfast is ready, and I’ll come back in.”

“I’ll bring your plate out, Ms. Guinevere.” She smiles as she looks back at the pan. It looks like she is cooking gravy. I haven’t had gravy in years. Carmen and Prudence said it was too fattening, so I only ever ate what was left over from the meals I prepared for them or the toast I would have early in the morning before they woke up.

I wobble as I move to the veranda doors and slide one of the big slabs of glass to the side. I can’t close the door behind me without spilling my tea, and I don’t want to make a mess of myself before we go to the attorney’s office. I only have this one outfit. Pru’s voice rattles in my head again, this time telling me that I’m not sophisticated enough to be here. I ignore it as I walk to the edge and look out at the view before moving to the table and taking a seat.

Movement on the other side of the glass catches my eye, and I look up to see a woman in her late thirties moving through the room toward Lillian. She then turns to look at me after speaking with her for a few moments. She’s dressed in a black pencil skirt with a black jacket over a bright red shirt. Her brown hair is up in a bun at the back of her head. She looks styled and put together, and she moves in her heels much easier than I do. She watches me, and I feel self-conscious. I shift in my seat as she steps out onto the veranda with me.

“I like the outfit. The fit is a little big, but I’ll make sure to get your correct size to the personal shopper right away. How did you sleep?” Her voice has a touch of an accent I don’t recognize. Her big brown eyes are lined, and her makeup is perfect. I should have left my hair down so I could hide behind it. But habit is to put it up so it doesn’t get in my way as I work.

I slide my hand along the soft material of my slacks as I try to find the courage to respond to her. She must be Geoffrey’s assistant. “Um, thank you for the clothes.”

“It’s nothing. Geoffrey asked me to get you something to wear today. I can help you with walking in the heels, if you’d like.”

“No, I’m okay,” I quickly say, not wanting her to see me as dysfunctional in any way.

“I don’t mind. Here, let me give you a hint. Think of the heels as an extension of your feet. A part of them. When you move, think of your foot touching the ground. Give it a try; stand up.”

I stay seated, too embarrassed to move.

“It’s okay. I just want to help. I’m Patience, by the way; Geoffrey hired me years ago. Sorry I didn’t introduce myself first. I feel like I’ve known you for years as much as Geoffrey talks about you.”

I look up at her and realize she’s being genuine. I push my chair back and rise. She walks with me back and forth across the veranda until Lillian steps out with two plates.

“Ms. Patience, I have your egg-white spinach and cheese omelet. Ms. Guinevere, I made you an open-faced sausage breakfast sandwich with gravy. I hope that’s okay. I didn’t know what you would like, and Mr. Geoffrey said you were on the thin side.”

I look down at myself. “Prudence and Carmen said I was fat.” The words slip out before I can stop them.

“You aren’t fat at all. Come sit.”

Patience and I both walk to the table and sit down.

The food is amazing, and I finish everything on my plate.

“Geoffrey wanted me to pamper you today, so I’ve arranged for a couple of stylists and a masseuse to stop by this afternoon when we return from meeting with the company’s attorney. Is that okay with you?” Patience softly smiles at me.

“I guess. I don’t know about any of that.”

“Well then, girl, be ready to be spoiled. I set up for you to have your hair done, nails, toes, facial—the whole works. Not that you don’t look beautiful, but it will help relax you.”

“I’ll have money to pay them later?”