Free Web NovelChapter 60: Chapter 60: Maria back home
Percy stood before the church.
It was moderate in size, nothing close to the one on Beningham Street, but still fairly large in its own right. Past the low wall surrounding it he could see the well , the one that fed water down to the orphanage.
He and the other kids used to come out here with the nuns whenever it needed fixing, hauling buckets and arguing over whose turn it was to climb down and check the pump.
He smiled a little at the memory, something warm and distant settling in his chest.
He stepped inside.
The church was empty. No nuns in sight, no candles being tended, nothing but quiet light filtering through the windows.
"Right," he thought. "They’re probably at the orphanage. Farewell ceremony for Dana."
The orphanage was only a three-minute walk from the church. By the time he arrived he could already hear the children’s voices overlapping, laughter, someone crying a little.
He found the source of it near the front steps. A crowd of children and nuns gathered tightly around a young woman at the centre of it all, everyone reaching to hug her at once.
Percy stopped.
He recognised her immediately.
She looked up, as if she’d felt him standing there, and their eyes met across the small crowd.
"Dana," he said, barely above a breath.
-----
The carriage rolled to a stop outside a row of modest houses, narrow front steps worn smooth from years of use. Maria stepped down, looked at the door she hadn’t seen in seven months, and walked straight up to it without much fuss.
She knocked twice.
A pause. Then footsteps, quick and uneven, the sound of someone half-running to answer.
The door swung open.
"Sis!"
A younger boy, maybe ten, threw himself at her waist before she could even get a proper look at his face. She laughed and ruffled his hair.
"Tomas. You’ve gotten taller."
"You’ve been gone forever," he said, muffled against her coat.
"It’s only been seven months."
"Forever," he repeated, with the absolute conviction only a ten-year-old could manage.
A woman’s voice called from further inside. "Tomas, who is it ?"
She appeared in the doorway and stopped mid-step.
"Maria!"
"Hi, Mum."
"Oh my great Goddesses! You’re back." The woman beamed and pulled Maria into a warm embrace.
Maria slowly raised her arms and hugged back.
Her mother pulled away, looking her over. "Oh you’re in your uniform." Her mother stepped back slightly, looking her over. "I’ve never seen this before. You never wear it home."
"I told you before , that we’re not allowed to take the uniform back with us."
Her mother’s brow creased. "Are you still working? Right now, I mean?"
"Yes." Maria smiled. "I’m just visiting for a brief moment."
"Noooo, sis, stayyy," Tomas said, gripping her sleeve with both hands.
Her mother’s face dimmed slightly before she steeled it back into something firmer. "Hey, Tommy, don’t bother your sister. She’s doing this for us."
The last part came out a little grimmer than the rest.
Maria caught it immediately. "Mom. Don’t blame yourself. You know I get paid well." A pause. "And I love my work."
Her mother’s eyes had already started to redden. "But you won’t be able to meet a young man, start a family, because of a burden like me."
"Mom!" Maria’s voice rose. "How can you say that." She softened, just slightly. "Why do you want me married so badly. I’ve told you before and I’ll say it again." She had her hands on her hips , buffing her chest out .
" I don’t need a man in my life right now." She declared.
An uncomfortable thought surfaced, unbidden , which was Zara had said something almost identical not long ago. Maria pushed it aside.
Her mother sat down heavily, and Maria guided her to the couch. Tomas climbed onto her lap and Maria reached over to ruffle his hair while she sat beside them.
"Anyway. Any problems with the money?"
Her mother shook her head. "Oh, dear, no. Ever since you started working there’s been no money problems at all. Honestly it’s a bit too much , you send more than we need. I worry there’s nothing left for you."
"Mum, it’s fine. I don’t need much to begin with. I get food and a place to sleep at the mansion."
Her mother wasn’t satisfied. "You’re gorgeous. All that beauty going to waste if you don’t put anything toward yourself."
Maria sighed. "Okay, Mum. I’ll buy something on my way back."
That seemed to settle it. Her mother stood, brightening. "Let me make you some tea."
"Oh — no, I really can’t stay—" Maria started to rise as well.
Tomas had already slid off her lap and was sprinting toward the stairs.
"Oh my, this boy," Maria said, watching him go.
"Glad he’s healthy," her mother said.
"Mum. Don’t spoil him too much." Maria glanced toward the door. "Anyway, I really can’t stay long. Lady Zara will be waiting for me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I’m sure."
Her mother’s shoulders dropped slightly. "Well. I hope you get back soon."
Maria nodded and turned to leave, but before she reached the door Tomas came thundering back down the stairs, both hands held behind his back.
"Sis! Before you go — I’ll give you a good luck charm."
Maria crouched down to his eye level, smiling. "Oh? What is it?"
He held it out with both hands, proud. She looked down at the object in his palms.
"What’s this for?"
"I got it from a kind stranger," Tomas declared. "He did magic with it! He said it’s a good luck charm and I should give it to people I care about. So I’m giving it to you."
Maria’s smile softened. She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "That’s so sweet of you, Tomas. I’ll accept it with all my heart."
After saying her goodbyes, she stepped outside and flagged down a carriage, her gaze towards the back , lingering on the house until it disappeared from view behind her.
Once seated properly, facing forward , she took the charm out and turned it over in her hand.
"Unusual for a good luck charm to be a lemon"
