Very early that morning, Claire started preparing. She needed to get herself into the town and search for a job. All along she had been brooding about when she would set out and tried to patiently wait for the others to leave. Yes that was her life now, staying indoors like a common prisoner or one without a family when her supposed family were only outside. She waited for a long time and that hour felt like long years to her. One time she felt like stepping outside regardless of whatever it was they did show but she decided against it. She was not sure if she wanted anyone to ruin her mood for the day.
Finally her prayers were heard or so she thought. She felt it was only she and Martha which was why she ventured out to go have breakfast. It was not until she had gotten downstairs that she discovered that what she had earlier believed to be the television speaking was actually her step mother and her friend. Claire cursed her luck for not being able to discern between the woman’s voice and the television. Perhaps it was because of her excitement. Martha sighted her even before Claire could see her and signal to her that she did not want to be noticed. It was too late already and Claire had to come clean, greeting the woman. Her step mother heard her voice.
“Oh Claire, I was wondering where you were all along,” she said
“Good morning mother.” Claire said remembering she had asked her to call her mother
“Morning child. Meet Mrs Smith but you can call her Alice, she is a good friend of mine,” she said introducing her guest.
Claire smiled at the woman and greeted her. She barely gave an answer as she seemed to be summing the girl up.
“Claire, your husband’s daughter with that woman?,” she asked
“Yes. This is Claire.” her step mother said
“Looks pretty much older than I thought she would be much younger.” she said
“Oh nonsense Alice. Claire is just about right. She should be eighteen right?,” The woman asked pretentiously.
Claire could see what they were doing. They were doing their best to mock her.
“Twenty three actually.” Claire said and walked away.
Her step mother began to pretend like she had no idea. She made a loud comment on how really sad about that she was as she had brought Alice there to help enroll her into her school. Alice said that it was obvious Claire’s case was beyond anyone and she might as well end up getting married early least the world becomes fully aware of her brainless situation. Talk about a dagger piercing the chest. This was exactly the situation the girl had been trying to avoid by staying upstairs all morning. Claire thought about answering her but decided against it. She turned away carrying what would be Miller’s snack and went upstairs. When she reemerged again, she went for the door. She only told Martha she was going out already and the woman worried about her as she had yet to have breakfast. Claire walked away insisting that she was not angry.
Of course the woman understood her plight. Anyone in her shoes would loose appetite that instant and take to yelling at Alice. They were all used to the rude lady. Well, all Lucille’s friends were seemingly moulded from her clay. They were rude and blunt with no regards for the other person’s emotions. She bade the girl bye and whispered in her ear when Lucille would be leaving.
Her step mother heard her leave and began calling her but Claire pretended not to hear. One more taunting from the woman and she might loose it. She had failed to go to Jake’s for lunch as she locked herself in her room and had totally forgotten. That was where she was headed that morning, to go apologize for not being there. Jake’s truck was not parked there which meant he was not in but she was not going to turn heels and move away. She walked up the porch and rang the doorbell twice before the door pushed opened and the friendly woman ushered her in. She told Claire how they had been expecting her for lunch but then she never showed up. Claire apologized sincerely and the woman led her to the kitchen.
“How are they treating you?,” she asked
“Very well.” Claire said forcing a smile as she inspected the items on the work island.
The woman could see how weak and fake that smile was but chose not to pursue it. She said she was trying to put things together to make cookies as that was what she normally did during her free time. The mention of making something to eat made Claire feel elated. She turned and asked if she could help. The woman smiled and said she could after all she herself was never really good at making cookies. Claire smiled. She took off her jacket and wore the spare apron the woman gave her saying that was what Jake wore on days he would be around to help her.
Eventually everything set into motion and Claire was busy being the chef of the moment. Somehow Jake’s mother’s duties in the kitchen continued reducing as she watched the girl admirably. She was an expert hand at this and wondered what chef school she had graduated from. Claire was fun to watch as her beauty radiated the entire place. The stress strains on her face disappeared as she went into that world.
Soon enough they were in the sitting room together looking over the photo album. Truthfully there was about three photos of her and Jake together not to mention on where his mother was carrying her. Jake’s mom seemed to have aged a millennium and Claire could not help but wonder what was the matter. She was always indoors and had grown frail in contrast to the energetic woman she was seeing. Jake’s father was in the album for a bit and then there was no more photos of him. The woman explained sadly that he had passed on after being ill for a while. It was just she and Jake now although she was certain he too would be left alone soon.
“Why would you say that aunt. He has you,” Claire pointed out.
The woman smiled at her for a while.
“I guess he does. For now. I was diagnosed two years ago,” she said sadly
“With what?,” Claire asked her
“Cancer.” She said.
Claire was alarmed and wondered why she was telling her.
“Does Jake know?,” she asked
“He does. He even forced me to stop working,” she said and flashed a bright smile.
Claire managed to give her a smile although she felt worried about her. The woman was a really nice person but she could not believe the burden she was bearing inside. On the outside, she was all smiles and happiness, yet she had such deadly illness. Claire reckoned that there was a whole lot she might be learning from her.
Jake’s truck beeped just as Claire went to check the cookies in the oven. She was bringing it out to the platter when he entered with his mother.
“Claire’s baking?,” he asked smiling
“Yes. She really is a pro,” his mother said
“Hello jake.” Claire greeted shyly
“Haaa, hello to you runaway,” he fired
“I didn’t run away,” Claire said smiling
“Oh did you not?,” Jake teased.
His mother smiled and explained the situation and he seemed satisfied saying she had already paid for standing them up by being their chef. They took out the few they would be eating and went to the sitting area. The two had a taste of Claire’s cookies and could not believe their taste buds. It was the best yet and Jake commended her. His mother wondered if she had learnt it from school and Claire said no. They commended her for being a genius.
“You should get a job at a popular restaurant. I heard MacDonald’s hiring, ill talk to my friend while you put your credentials in order.” Jake said
“I can’t.” Claire said sadly
“Why now Claire? This is your talent and you seemed happy doing it back then.” his mother said
Claire still looked down sadly.
“I know, I just don’t have them,” she said
“Have what?,” his mother asked her
“Credentials.” Claire said sadly.
The two were rather confused and asked why that was. Claire felt sad as she told them she was a dullard. Jake’s mother would not hear of it and told her to stop calling herself that. Claire argued it was the truth. The woman smiled and drew close to her and asked her what dullard would make such delicious cookies. She pointed out to her that she was a genius in her own script. It was only up to her to accept that fact. The two continued talking to her until her spirits brightened again. Looking at them, Claire could have sworn that she had never met people like them before. They were not looking at her like she was pitiable or a sad story, they looked at her with so much love and understanding, not to mention admiration. Claire had found solace.