Turning back, I reach for my phone on the nightstand to see the time. I groan, seeing the narrow bar on the battery life sitting in red. I should have set it to charge, since I’m traveling today.
Dealing with last night’s revelation left me unable to think straight. Why didn’t I ask Holly when she would come by this morning?
Tossing back the covers, I head to the shower. I have to get ready and go to the shopping area to buy something to wear.
I’ll need to prepare myself for the obscene amount of money I’ll spend the next few hours. And I still have to figure out how to break the news to Miss Opal that I’m leaving. My only consolation so far is that I’ll have solid ground under my feet in a few hours.
I’m barely out of the steaming shower when there’s a knock at the door. I freeze, holding the towel against my chest.
“Abby?” Miss Opal’s voice filters in. Is she up and about? Does she need help to get dressed?
“I’ll be right there,” I call out, quickly tossing away the towel. I grab the robe I slept in, pulling it on as I rush to the door. I tie the belt snugly then turn the knob to find my boss standing there in her robe and silk pajamas, leaning her weight on one foot.
“Miss Opal!” I’ve kept her waiting on me.
“Good morning, dear,” she says with a timid smile. “May I come in?”
“Oh my goodness, yes.” I step aside, letting her in.
Guilt prods at my conscience as she moves across the carpet slowly, favoring her good leg.
“Let me get you a chair. I’m sorry, I haven’t…” I glance toward the rumpled sheets, where the pillows are jammed together haphazardly, a big section flattened. “Made the bed,” I finish, my voice dying away.
“I can make it to the sitting area.” She waves off my concern, carefully lowering herself onto the overstuffed couch.
I turn away, heat flooding my cheeks as I try not to call attention to the fact it looks like two people slept in my bed. Though I’m not quite sure what to make of Miss Opal’s presence, the manners ingrained in me kick in automatically.
“May I offer you a water?” This early in the morning, that wouldn’t be her first choice. “Or coffee? I can run to the kitchen.”
“No, I’m fine.” She settles back into the cushions with a weary sigh, exhausted from the journey over.
After what I learned, I don’t know what to say or do with myself around her.
Sadness seeps into her smile as she prepares to speak. “I wanted to talk to you about what I said yesterday.”
The very last thing I want to discuss. I swallow hard, glancing at the floor as a tense silence stretches between us.
“I’d rather not, if that’s okay,” I mumble, my shoulders hunching.
She remains silent, and I wonder if my heart is going to beat out of my chest.
“I think it’s well past time we talked about it,” she says, leaving no doubt that it’s not merely a suggestion. Then she pats the cushion next to her in clear invitation.
Taking a seat, I fold my arms across my body, hugging myself as I prepare for what’s coming. Even though Miss Opal has given me a home, an education, and a chance at life, I can’t quite look her in the eye at the moment.
“How am I supposed to come to terms with my…him taking money from you?” I whisper, struggling to accept that the man I called Dad had questionable morals at best.
I can’t bring myself to say he sold me to her, even if that’s the naked truth of it. Just as the words cross my mind, another horrible thought twists my stomach. Am I tied to her? For all intents and purposes, she owns me.
“First, let me apologize.” She reaches out to hold my hand gently in her own.
I shake my head vehemently, a lump forming in my throat. “You don’t need to.”
“I shouldn’t have blurted it out the way I did,” she insists, her eyes sad. “I never meant to hurt you, my darling.”
Tears prick at the corners of my own eyes at her words. After everything this kind woman has done for me, put up withbecause of me, she’s apologizing for saying something that hurt my feelings.
“I know, ma’am.” I sniffle. “I had a little pity party for myself last night.”