She woke up that morning feeling totally strange like her body belonged elsewhere. Claire sat up carefully and thought a little. It was still dark and still, probably the best time to talk to someone she never really cared about. It had been long since she last made a prayer and now she hoped the celestial beings and entire heavenly bodies would be wide awake enough to listen to her. Claire shut her eyes but found nothing to say really and then rounded it off by asking that the heavens help her out. She flicked her finger that seemed almost numb this way and that; and found they were still pretty much alive. Her eyes went to her shin still wrapped with the bandage. She was getting rather tired of seeing the thing that all but ceased her flow of blood now. She made as if to move her leg but found it hurt really. That was unacceptable as her mind had been made up already. She was going to work that morning no matter what it takes.
Claire managed to pull aside her blanket as Miller stretched out in his sleep. Lazy cat, all he did was stretch out then open his eyes before moving to another corner of the bed and laid there. He was not quite done sleeping obviously. She could not blame him really, he had no job but to stretch out looking all cute all day and of course have his normal meal coarse. Claire walked carefully into the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. After the tears of the previous night, she sure did look like a shadow of herself that morning with rather puffy eyes that spoke of the many tears she cried and how worried she was. It was not going to deter her as her mind was made up. It was the job for her. She finished bathing eventually and went inside to get ready for work. She had a really hard time getting into her jeans which was why in the end, she settled for her baggy trousers and polo. To make certain she was not going to be totally alone, she called Danielle.
The other lady picked up at the third ring and Claire asked where she was. She spoke as she could see the light coming across the sky. Danielle said she was getting ready for work and asked Claire how she was doing that morning. Upon hearing that Claire was getting prepared for work, she was alarms and asked what she wanted or if she had forgotten something. In her defense, Claire should be home resting and give her injury a little time to heal at least. Claire would not hear of it and demanded to know when her dear friend would be set for work. Danielle was quiet for a couple of moments and then sighed. She warned that Claire do not blame her if the outcome turns out really bad. Claire asked her to please tell her as she would certainly not get her in any form of trouble.
“I’ll be out in twenty,” Danielle said
“Twenty… that’s cool.” Claire said excitedly.
Without waiting for another word least Danielle changes her mind, she hung up and dropped the phone on her bed. It was time to get out and begin a slow stroll to the bus stop. She finished and walked over to open her door peering carefully. Someone was in the kitchen and it certainly was not Martha. She slowly started down the stairs and met her father sipping his tea. Tea that early in morning, Claire read a meaning to it. She muttered a greeting she was not really prepared for and would not say anything else.
“Where are you going to?,” Mr Willows asked.
No answer.
“Claire you should be resting,” he pursued.
Still no answer.
“Claire you need to listen to me, you shouldn’t…,” he began when she turned to him with a smile that said she was more angry than happy.
“Dad I’m fine. Totally. You really shouldn’t be bothered and thank you by the way,” Claire said all so quickly.
Mr Willows knew better than to argue with her at that point. He simply put up his free hand and turned away. Just then, someone rang the bell and Claire knew it was Martha. She went over to open the door for the good natured woman.
“Why Claire, you’re awake,” the woman said looking her over.
She heard the older man on the stairs and greeted him. Mr Willows acknowledged but that was all. He said nothing more as he went back up the stairs. Seeing Claire all dressed up bothered the woman really as she too had expected the girl to take a break at least to heal. She however respected her word and assisted her with fixing up breakfast. Claire finished hers and took Miller’s to him upstairs. She promised him she would make certain to give him a wash once she returns and that was all. Claire stepped out into the cool of the breaking day. Carefully she took her steps all the way to the bus stop. For a couple of moments, it was her seated there in the company of others waiting for dear Danielle. The first bus came and went while she was waiting and so did the second that Claire was beginning to look stupid really. New set of persons had come to join the wait but no sign of Danielle. It seemed the girl must have played her a fast one. She was about to give up hope when she saw her approaching and she smiled.
“That was way over twenty minutes Danny,” Claire said smiling at her
“I know right?,” Danielle replied
“Are you two ladies joining us or not?,” the bus driver called out to both of them as Claire had one feet on the bus already.
Both ladies giggled as they each tendered their sincere apologies and went into the bus. They could feel the glaring eyes of the passengers they seemed to have been wasting their time. They found vacant seats at the back and sat down there. Although Claire was facing forward, she could feel Danielle’s gaze on her face obviously waiting for her to say something. She was in for a rather long wait if she was actually expecting her to say anything. Just then, Claire saw Danielle open her mouth to say something. She had to play safe instantly.
“First of all Danny if you’re going to be asking me about yesterday I must warn I don’t remember anything…,” she began
“But….,” Danielle started
“No buts and I’m having serious migraine,” Claire said
“I thought you said you were all good?,” Danielle asked Claire.
The girl simply smiled as she reclined her head on the seat. Danielle tugged her with her finger jovially and it became all the way to work. For a moment or there about, it was all quietness and Claire closed her eyes calmly. She was not aware they had gotten to their stop when Danielle tapped her and she came out gently. The ladies both headed for the restaurant side by side.
Obviously the boss would be around although Alfredo and the car were nowhere to be seen. The rest of the staff were happy to see her as well as surprised she would take it upon herself to come out at that critical moment. She sure was ill and in pain which was why neither could understand this sacrifice of hers. Claire smiled and excused herself to get to the locker room and change into her clothes. There would possibly be a lot to do but she did not mind so long as she was able to do something. She found her work shirt and slipped on the apron and cap. Fully prepared, Claire went to the kitchen area.
She had just been waiting for her time to begin as the first customer for the day had arrived when one of the staff approached her. The boss wanted her in his office and Claire had no idea why he would want that. Perhaps he had made up his mind to fire her after all he was gifted with such a beastly heart unlike any she had ever seen before. He would definitely want to exercise dominion over her as one of his subordinates. She took a deep breath and decided she would go there and prove to him she had her pride. She was a fighter not a quitter.
Once inside his office, Claire found his head bent over his table as he looked over files.
“Shut the door behind you Miss Willows,” he said and she reckoned she had forgotten to do so
“I’m sorry sir,” Claire said as she whirled around to do the needful.
She came back to stand before him waiting and her injured limb was shaking as sweat also did her the niceties of coursing down her laps. He finally did look up at her for a bit as if studying her. Claire hoped for something nice when he speaks up but eventually when he did, it was really painful what he said.
“You look like the very devil this morning Miss Willows, what in the name of God are you doing here?,” he demanded
“I look like the devil?,” Claire asked him
“I guess you missed out on literature class,” he shot back hinting she did not quite understand what he meant.
However, Claire was only bracing herself to lash out at him.