Cherry
Mirrors
Her maids were on the way to Cathy's place. Richard had just left to
pick her up. James was cooking dinner. She was on her couch, waiting for things
to happen. She was almost desperate to have something happening in her life.
What was she supposed to do? She was wandering about in her own little world,
and everyone was off doing stuff. Cathy was educating herself, Percival was
working. And she was doing nothing but standing on the sideline, not doing...
anything...
The buzzer snapped her out of her thoughts with its usual shocking
sound. She got up and pressed the button.
“Yes, James?”
“Richard has returned with Miss Goethe. Should I send
them up?”
“Yes, thank
you James.” She looked at the clock. Time had been flying when she was on the
couch. Her room was spotless. So would Cathy's apartment be, when the maids
were done.
James knocked
on the door, and before she opened it, she put on her best, fake smile. Cathy
thanked James and walked into the room. Things were usually never awkward
between them, but in the meantime she had looked in the mirror and despite
Percival's wise words at the dinner, she just couldn't repeat it for herself
again and again when she was alone. Though her mother and father rarely mingled
in her business, even they had commented on her new lifestyle of obviously
doing nothing. But she did things. She helped Cathy. She gave her life
meaningful thoughts. She dreamed of Percival.
“How are
you?” She managed to ask Cathy. Lost in thoughts she pressed the button on the
buzzer and asked James how the food was coming.
“Right away,
miss.” He answered.
“I hope
you're hungry.” She looked at Cathy. She nodded. James walked in right after,
with two perfectly served plates with corn-chicken. He placed it on the table
and with a short nod, he was out again. Cathy placed the envelope on the table
as well.
“Cherry, I
cannot describe to you how grateful I am. All the things you do...”
“Don't
mention it; I'm just happy to help.”
“I've been
thinking... About how great it is of you, to do this. Considering what I am and
what I used to be. And what I did... I mean, to Percival... If I had known,
back then...”
The memory of
Cathy and Percival in the corner on the street was like a slap in the face. She
felt her hand shaking and in her head she kept replaying the horrifying memory.
“I said;
don't mention it.” Her tone was harsh and she was surprised to hear herself
snap at Cathy.
“Sorry.” She
mumbled.
Involuntarily,
Cherry came to think I wish I'd never ever helped her. She could stay as the
local hooker and I could be off, doing other things than being in all her
business. But immediately regretted the thought. She shot a glance at
Cathy. Sitting there, eating something that must be one of the best meals of
her lifetime, she didn't look smug, but she stared at the plate with a grateful
look. She was obviously not comfortable with the way Cherry had just given her
everything she needed. Her life had also been turned upside down. How could
I be so selfish to deny her something good in life? She thought to herself.
Cathy cut a piece of the chicken. She was careful with the knife and when she
put the piece into her mouth, she actually seemed to enjoy it.
Everyone needs something good in their life. She took a sip of her
soda.
“I've had
James put up a guest bed for you next to mine, so we can talk before we go to
sleep. I have a toothbrush here for you as well.”
“Thank you.”
Cherry looks
at her untouched plate filled with food. It looked so delicious; it was almost
a shame to eat it.
She turns her
head to the right, and see herself in the mirror across the room, and feels
utterly lonely.
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