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The Lone Girl (Chapter: 6)
A SPILL OF HER PAST

So I finished my supper at about half past eight and all the kids tore out of the diner after washing their plates. I walked up to Agnes who seemed fully occupied with cleaning the tables, “Hey, Agnes. Want me to help?” Agnes jerked her head quickly and wiped her eyes, “Ah oh! no, no. I’ll finish this in a minute and we’ll sit by the hearth. What’s say, a cup of coffee to warm ourselves” she said hurriedly “Ok fine” I said and went to the hall. There were soft, plushy beanbags there. I made myself comfortable on the red one.

Minutes later, Agnes came with two steaming cups of coffee, “I sipped on the coffee and instantly felt warm. I tried to make small talk with her. “Agnes, what’s your age?” She turned her head to the side and said, “I’m 29 years old. I guess that’s your age too.” I was surprised, “Actually you’re right. I’ll be turning 29 soon. Then I guess we can be buddies, right?” she nodded slightly, “Maybe.”

There was an awkward silence as the sound of the crackling fire went on. I jumped to another unexpected question directly, “Where is your husband Agnes. Can I meet him?”

Few seconds later after looking a bit blue, she replied gravely, “Aghast! He’s gone. No more will I see him.” I was a bit confused, “Did he leave you and go away elsewhere. You mean divorce?”

“No.” she replied grimly, “He’s dead, Jessie. He was KILLED.” “OH!” I exclaimed in a state of utter shock. "So sorry to that.......My heartfelt condolences."

After a while she smiled to me, “You can meet my daughter, Felicia, my darling.” I stood there, a bit shook, “I didn’t know you had a child.” Then something neatly struck me, “Wait. Was it that girl in a blue turtle-neck sweater sitting right next to me during supper?” She gleamed at me, “I must say you are terribly right in that remark.” She laughed and said, “That’s my child.” Again it was back to silence, “It’s so quiet in here,” I remarked. Agnes breathed heavily, “I love the sound of silence.” She stood near the window overlooking the gardens, I murmured under my breath, “it’s so miserable when the unpredicted ensue” she looked kindly at me, “It’ll happen but we are to be SET FOR ANYTHING” she said in a firm voice. “Go to bed. It’s getting late. Have a good night’s rest. Don’t bother about me. I’m keeping fine.” She said, her voice breaking off. I could say she was going to burst into tears, so I ran upstairs not meaning to make her uneasy.

I opened the door to my room and was surprised to find a lot of kids bounding joyfully around. “Oh, Whoa!” I saw Ms. Clarette hastening towards me in the passageway, “I’ll tell these kids to sleep in another room. This is the room where they usually sleep. But this room is especially reserved for you tonight. I know that you’ll need your privacy dear.” I shook my head and said, “I would love to sleep with these kids. Having a fun-filled company is splendid rather than sleeping all alone and restless. By the way, this room looks lovely."

Ms. Clarette face shone in delight. “Have a peaceful night. See you tomorrow.” And she disappeared looking pleased. It took a few minutes for me to calm down the kids and I recognized the four kids right away - Collin, Melissa and the two kids who had greeted me at the entrance of Primewood gardens. I told them I didn’t know all their names.

Immediately the girl introduced herself as Kaitlin and further added that her nickname was Katy. The little boy came to me and said in a loud and pompous voice, “I am JEREMY. My nickname….” His sister Kaitlin poked him, “Tell her you don’t have a nickname blockhead” Then he looked at her huffily, “My nickname is Jerry.” Kaitlin buried her head in the covers, “Well, my brother's…” she sighed “such a copier!” “A what?” questioned Jerry. I chuckled nonstop. All the same they will be. Later on we settled. I got the top bed of the left side bunker and Melissa the right one since she was the eldest among the four. Katy got to sleep in a small cot near at the corner. Melissa looked at me gleefully, "I am so happy you…..” Just then Agnes came and peeked in the room, “Goodnight. We’ll meet again for a sumptuous meal for breakfast.” She said beaming as she glanced at me sharply. She gently closed the door before she left. I was starting to feel gloomy. “I feel sorry for Agnes.” Melissa looked at me quickly, “You mean because her husband is dead.” “He was killed.” I whispered. Melissa rubbed her chin in thought, “Yes, I do feel bad for her but she’s the one who killed her husband. So who is to blame?”

“REALLY!” I said looking startled white, “Is it true?” I asked in a disbelieving tone. But at the same time I felt excited, frightened and my lips were quivering.

“True as it’s done. She killed her own husband.” Melissa said in a calm and steady voice as she slipped under the covers.


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