Chapter 7: The Conversation
1055 Words
Thea didn’t notice Jennifer’s uneasy expression. She took the materials directly and began reading them word by word.
The further she read, the broader her smile became—and the deeper her suspicions of Matron Green grew.
“Where did you get this information?” Thea asked again, wanting to ensure its accuracy.
“I gathered it over the past few days from Cook Mary, Guard Jem, and Auntie Susan from the bakery.”
“You recorded what Auntie Susan said too?”
“No, no,” Jennifer quickly waved her hands in denial. “I know to only half-believe Auntie Susan, so I noted her comments at the end. But while asking about Darcy, I discovered a huge secret!!”
Thea looked at Jennifer in surprise. Amused by her expression, Jennifer leaned in and whispered, “The cleaner, Ella, told me that Matron Green has a secret wishing room. Anyone who enters gets what they desire most.”
“Doesn’t that sound like a story to***? If Matron Green really had a wishing room, why would she still be here? She’d be the richest person alive!” Thea***.
But Jennifer insisted, “I got Ella drunk before she told me! It has to be true!”
Thea was momentarily swayed and began seriously considering the possibility. Seeing her hesitation, Jennifer continued whispering more examples to prove her point.
As Jennifer chattered away, Thea weighed the truth of the claim. According to Jennifer, all the orphanage children had heard the rumor growing up: Matron Green had a wishing room that granted any wish.
But as they grew older, they dismissed it as a bedtime story—nothing more than a fantasy.
Yet now Jennifer spoke with such conviction that Thea couldn’t help but wonder.
As they debated, a commotion erupted outside, followed by a knock. A young voice called out:
“Dorothea, Jennifer—the Matron wants to see you in her office.”
Jennifer opened the door, and Thea followed her out. They quickly discovered the source of the noise:
Andrew and his friends were jeering loudly. “Freak Thea is getting kicked out! Along with her little follower! They’ll be begging on the streets!!” The others echoed his taunts, creating a chaotic scene.
Jennifer’s eyes reddened with anger. She was about to charge forward and punch the bullies when Thea held her back.
Puzzled, Jennifer turned to see Thea calmly handing a piece of candy to the little girl who had delivered the message.
“Do you know why the Matron wants to see us?” Thea asked. “Are there others besides us?”
The girl, surprised to receive candy just for delivering a message, eagerly replied:
“The Matron heard about your fight with Andrew. That’s why she called you. Besides you two, Andrew has to go too.”
Andrew, who had been cheering nearby, froze. He’d only come to mock Thea upon hearing she’d been summoned—never expecting to be included. inwardly groaning, he nonetheless shouted, “You’re done for, freak! Matron Green will throw you out!”
Thea maintained her smile, handed another candy to the girl, then took Jennifer’s hand and headed toward the office—without so much as glancing at Andrew, as if he were beneath notice.
Being ignored for the first time enraged Andrew. He stormed forward, intending to grab Thea, but she sidestepped smoothly, leaving him clutching air.
As he stumbled, he met Thea’s cold gaze. “Get lost,” she said softly. “Unless you want another beating.”
Staring after Thea and Jennifer’s retreating figures, Andrew stood rooted for a long moment. Only when others reminded him that he too had to see the Matron did he jolt awake and run toward the office.
When Thea and Jennifer arrived, the office was empty except for Matron Green. She was absorbed in accounting, her large desk cluttered with documents. Hearing the knock (Thea had knocked despite the open door), she looked up, adjusted her glasses as if identifying the two girls, then warmly invited them in.
She hastily cleared the desk, pulled out chairs for them, and poured each a cup of warm milk.
Jennifer fidgeted nervously, glancing at Thea, who squeezed her hand reassuringly.
Noticing their interaction, Matron Green’s eyes flickered briefly before she urged them to drink.
Silence settled over the room, growing awkward until Andrew’s shrill voice pierced it: “Matron Green, are you throwing the freak out?”
Startled, Matron Green’s face briefly showed disgust—quickly masked, but not missed by Thea. “Oh, Andrew. You should knock before entering.”
“Sorry, Matron. I was just… excited,” Andrew said insincerely, repeating his question about Thea being expelled.
Exasperated, Matron Green hesitated, then took a piece of candy from her drawer and offered it to Andrew, hoping to quiet him.
Once he fell silent, she turned directly to Thea. “Dorothea, may I ask why you fought with Andrew?”
“Because Andrew called me a freak and tried to hit me. I fought back in self-defense.” Thea*** noticed Matron Green’s phrasing: “fought with Andrew,” not “hit Andrew.”
The wording suggested the Matron was leaning in her favor. Relieved but still cautious, Thea waited.
Pleased with her response, Matron Green was about to speak when Andrew interrupted.
“No! Matron, she’s lying!!”
The shrill protest made Matron Green frown. “Then tell me, Andrew—didn’t you provoke Thea first? Didn’t she only defend herself?”
Andrew fell silent, unable to rebut.
Seizing the advantage, Matron Green pressed, “I’ve already heard the details from Wintha, and today I’ve asked Jennifer to serve as a witness. Do you have anything else to say, Andrew?”
Suddenly named, Jennifer looked up—but no one was watching her, so she lowered her head again.
In the end, Andrew was punished.
Just as they thought the matter resolved and prepared to leave, Matron Green asked Thea to stay, saying she had something else to discuss.
Furious, Andrew slammed the door on his way out. Jennifer shot Thea a worried glance, but Thea reassured her with a look before she left.
Alone in the empty room, the two faced each other.
- Writer
