Haunted Passion

Chapter3

The past five years have run very fast. As I stared at the mirror, I wondered where all my baby fat had gone.

Mr Darwin's cafe was still running, Johnny moved to another city, while I became good at my job in the cafe.

I didn't hear about Donald or from Mama. She must be so relieved that I finally left for good. After such a long time, I thought the pain would go away, but they didn't. I had to come to the acceptance that Mama never wanted me to be born. The realization stung.

I walked into the kitchen and brought my toasted bread and egg to the dining. Mr Darwin had moved me to his home after a long while in the store room, where he finally introduced me to his wife who welcomed me happily.

Their daughter Dorthy was rather mean, and I wondered how I was able to live in the same house with her for 4 years.

"Elizabeth! Elizabeth!!"

Well, speak of the devil. Dorthy screamed my name like her hair was on fire.

"I am down here,"I said, standing up to meet Dorthy's angry face.

"How many times have I told you not to take out money from Dad's drawer?"She glared at me.

"But Papa said I…."

"Shut your mouth hole!!"Dorthy shouted. "He is not your papa,"Dorthy said the last word mockingly.

I let my face drop as I waited for Dorthy's ranting to be over.

"I won't warn you again,"she pointed her finger at me. "The next time I see it happen again, I will make sure you are kicked back to the street. Do I make myself clear?"She grabbed my jaw so we could see eyeball to eyeball.

"Do I!!?"She snapped.

"Yes ma'am,"I said beneath gritted teeth.

Dorthy let go of my face and pushed my food from the table, creating a crashing sound on the floor.

"Clean that before you leave, stupid,"She spat.

I bent down picking up the broken pieces of the plate as tears dropped on them.

"Ouch"I let out a cry of pain as one of the glasses cut me.

'Today is going to be a good day'...I sighed.

*****

"That b***h!!"Jesse exclaimed.

"Sshh,"I pressed my finger on her mouth. "Someone might hear you."

"And so??"Jesse glared at me.

"Her dad owns this place you know,"I said trying to speak reasoning into her. But she didn't bulge

"That doesn't give her the right to act like a b***h,"She sounded upset.

"Look, it's fine Jess, I am used to it by the way."

"I just don't like her treating you like she owns you,"Jesse looked at me pitifully.

Jess was the only friend I had by luck. She came to buy coffee a few years back and forgot her credit card and wallet. I offered to pay for her and add it to her next bill when she came. Since then we have been very close.

"It's ok Jess,"I pressed. "Trust me."I reached out and held her hands.

"When are the Darwins coming back?"

"They should be back tonight."

"Alright."Jesse stood up with her cup of coffee "I will be going now, please let me know when dancing Dorthy is on the loose again so I can give her a piece of my mind,"Jesse raised her fist bump.

I smiled and said, "Of course I will."

Jesse smiled and walked out of the door. I couldn't stop smiling as I watched her go….' classic Jess.'

I rushed back home so I could prepare dinner for the Darwins. They must have had a long journey.

I was disrupted by the phone ringing and went over to the study room to pick it up.

"Hello,"I said

"Good evening,"A woman spoke over the phone."is this the residence of Mr and Mrs Darwin?"

"Yes, it is."

"Okay. We are sorry to inform you that Mr and Mrs Darwin were involved in a plane crash that took their lives. Please visit the hospital for further arrangements."

My world stopped as I stared into space, my feet cold, my hands shaking on the phone. Did these people know what they were talking about?

But the next thing I heard was a large scream from my mouth and a racing step down the stairs.

*****

The church was filled with mourners in black suits and expensive fascinators. Dorthy sat in front wiping her tears with the suit of her neighbour.

I turned and saw Jess with tears in her eyes. I looked away, back to the coffin of the people who stood as nothing but guardian angels to me. The tears came, but I didn't stop them, I let them drop as I sobbed, my shoulders shaking like a little child.

For the past week, I was unstable, asking questions that I knew I would never have answers to. I walked past rooms of the church after the burial ceremony was over just to clear my head, but Dorthy's voice halted my steps.

"What?"

I paused and watched as gentle men with suitcases came out from the room Dorthy was in.

I walked in. "Dorthy, Is everything alright?"

Dorthy looked up at me and I saw the side of her I had never seen before. She begged for help with her eyes.

"What did those men want?"I asked coming close to sit beside her.

She made a sharp turn at me like she had just figured out an escape plan.

"I want you to impersonate me for the man I am supposed to marry,"She said with a dangerous look.

"I don't understand,"I said, trying to stop my heart from beating so loud.

"You are going to play being me for a couple of days if you still want a place to live in."Dorthy threatened as I sat feeling helpless, just like the night Donald forcefully had a piece of me.