“I’m sorry, Shawn. I hate that Clarissa controls so much of my life. Let me talk to Mrs. F. She always has a few tricks up her sleeve.”
He hooks his arm around my back and pulls me tight against his side. Despite the winter chill in the air, his body is warm. I want this date more than anything. Shawn deserves this, and we both deserve to be happy.
No relationship can exist in this constant holding pattern. Punishment until graduation is worth it when one night alone with Shawn is my reward. I was planning to sneak out for the Spring Formal. How is this different?
Just thinking about having legitimate time alone with Shawn outside of school makes me giddy with excitement. We need this date. So, I have to find a way around Clarissa and her rules.
As per the usual, Shawn rides home with me, kisses me good night in front of my gate, and then heads back to campus. I feel horrible about him doing this every night. But he was right about needing this time to study. It has done wonders for his grades. We spend most of the time reading or catching up on assignments, only speaking when he needs help with something until we reach the final stop.
All the lights are on at Mrs. Feighry’s house, unlike my house that is as dark and depressing as the women who occupy it. The driveway is steep and requires more of a workout than mine to reach the main house. For only one person, this estate is far too big.
Slightly out of breath, I raise my hand to knock on the tall wooden door.
Mrs. F answers after the first knock with Bruno in her arms. She rubs behind his ears, as he leans into her hand, begging for more. “Ella, darling, I’m so glad you could make it this time.” Her face lights up with excitement.
“Sorry about canceling the last few times. You know how evil my stepmother can be, and she has been even worse than normal.”
“You are far too old to have a dictator like her controlling your life.” She moves to the side and holds her hand out, gesturing for me to come inside.
The house is so warm it’s like stepping into a fire compared to the usual chill in my house. Clarissa has so much ice in her veins that she sets the thermostat to a sub zero temperature only she can tolerate. Some winters the pipes freeze from only using space heaters in certain rooms.
“I wish there were something I could do, but I have to wait her out until after graduation.”
“You could live here,” she offers, and my heart beats fast from her generosity.
“That is so sweet of you, but I cannot put you in that position.”
“It’s not an imposition, my dear. I would love to have you here.” Bruno stirs in her arms and barks. “See, even Bruno would love to have you come live with us.”
Walking side by side with Mrs. F, I rub my hands together to warm them, as she guides me toward the back of the house. “If only things were different. I have school and need the
small stipend Clarissa gives me each week to get to the university and buy food. I don’t want to cross her after everything I have endured to get to this point.” I clamp my hand down on her shoulder and smile. “I appreciate the offer. You have no idea how much I do. Don’t worry about me. I will get by. If I was able to last this long, I can manage two more months.”
I shrug my jacket off and hang it over a chair at the round kitchen table that seats four people.
Mrs. F plops down into a chair and lowers Bruno to the floor. “I thought we could have some tea before dinner. The roast is still in the oven. It should only be another twenty minutes or so.”
A tea set is already waiting in the center of the table with two cups on saucers in front of each place setting.
I take a seat next to Mrs. F and sink into the comfortable fabric. “That sounds perfect. I could use a cup of tea right about now.”
“You must be tired after such a long day.”
“Beyond tired,” I mutter, fixing myself a cup. “I haven’t had much sleep lately, and my schedule this semester is heavier than last.”
“You shouldn’t overload yourself too much. Go out and enjoy yourself. When I was your age, I was out with my friends, having a good time.”
“I only have one friend, and it’s not like Clarissa would ever let her step foot inside my house, let alone allow me to hang out with her. You know her rules for the weekends, dating, and life in general.”
She takes a sip from her cup with her pinky finger raised in the air, reminding me of my mother who did the same thing. “I want to help you whether you want it or not. If I have to march over there and talk some sense into that vile woman on your behalf, believe me, I will. I cannot stand to see you go through this all alone.”
“I’m not alone. I have you and Shawn.”
She smiles at the mention of his name. “I cannot begin to tell you how happy I am that things turned out well for you and that boy.”
“It was all because of you, Mrs. F. I owe everything to you. Thank you.” I pat her hand, holding mine over hers for a few seconds before I inch away to give her some space.
“I was happy to do it, and I would do it again.”