Chapter Four
1543 Words
“Catherine!!” “You're out, I'm so happy to see you” Mrs. Higgs ran out of the house immediately she cited Catherine from the window of her house.
It was a duplex and Mrs. Higgs is usually home alone.
She turned Catherine around checking for bruises of any sort
“I'm ok Mrs. Higgs” Catherine smiled, “just tired and a bit hazy”
“Oh baby, look at you”
“Are you sure it's ok for me to stay here, Mrs. Higgs?”
“Of course Cathy, it's more than ok, your mum, God rest her soul, and I have been really good friends and this is the least I can do for her, you were really precious to her and now I'll take over from where she stopped.” Mrs. Higgs hugged her one more time and led her into the house
“How did you know to call me?” Mrs. Higgs asked as she pointed out a seat for Cathy.
“Funny story, I woke up in a bar room, after a one night stand with a man I don't know” Catherine started.
“Fascinating, but I wouldn't hold that against you.”
“I was rudely sent out and roamed the street, bought food with the cash I had left sat in the restaurant till it was evening”
“wow!” Mrs. Higgs exclaimed.
“After it all I remembered Mrs. Higgs and luckily for me, my mum used to make me cram numbers and yours was top on the list, I never forgot it since then” “I also remembered her saying she wished she was in New York because you were here and I had to put a call through to you, I'm really grateful for everything you have done Mrs. Higgs.”
“Don't mention Cathy”
Catherine looked around the vast house, “You stay here alone?”
“No, my husband and I stay here, but luckily for us both, he won't be home for a very long time” Mrs. Higgs smiled.
“This might sound a little intrusive, but why?”, Catherine summoned the courage to ask.
“Stop the crap Catherine,” she stood up and went towards the kitchen area “take yourself as part of this family, that's not being intrusive, you're just being concerned, and as for Mr. Higgs, he won't be home for a long time which gives us more time to bond, we could become best friends.”
Catherine couldn't stop smiling. She was instantly reminded of her mother and saw Mrs. Higgs as an incarnate of her mother.
“That's nice,”
“You bet it is Cathy, we’ll explore the whole of New York together, even go clubbing sometimes” Mrs. Higgs winked.
Catherine stared at her with wide eyes.
“Of course I'm joking about the club part, I'm way past that prime now”
They both laughed.
“Have you seen any sign of the lady that caused your jail term” Mrs. Higgs brought Pancakes from the kitchen.
“No I haven't and I have no intention of doing so, of what use would it be?, Even though I desperately want revenge, I have to first settle and have a ground before doing so, prison life is not what I'd wish on anybody, it's tough in there” Catherine
“I'm just so glad you're out now, you're so skinny, eat, eat, I'll make sure to fatten you up” Mrs. Higgs joked and the food and juice on the table.
They both laughed out loud.
It was evening and Catherine was enrolled in a center for ex-convicts who needed therapy.
It's just a place to guide, put them through and make them know what the real world has for them.
Catherine was given the address and time it was going to hold.
“Mrs. Higgs, I have a programme to attend this evening, it seems to be crucial for people of my kind, I'll be back immediately I'm done”
“Ok Cathy, stay safe”
Catherine got to the place and surprisingly, a lot of people were in attendance.
“Well look what we have here” she muttered to herself.
They sat in a circle and everybody was given a chance to speak.
“Catherine Augey, locked up for five years, framed for duping and frauding a company, looking forward to making connections and finding a way to start over.”
“You're in the right place. Welcome and feel at home, we're one big family here,”
“David Gillian, you all know me, except our newbie here” he glanced over at Catherine and she recognized his face immediately.
It was the man that saved her from the harasser the other night.
It was indeed a small world. Never did she imagine ever crossing paths with him again.
She had another opportunity to say thank you to him the proper way.
“We were on the subject of how we can start a new life and thankfully our newbie joined in early enough”
“The first step of starting, we all have to go back into society and that includes getting a job, which is one of the means for our survival.”
“Now, getting a job will not be easy, as there are more workplaces that do not accept those with criminal records than there are for those that do”
“A well known company in the state is having an interview tomorrow and I think we should all try it out. Mind you, we haven't dug up enough resources on if they take in ex-convicts”
“That should mean we shouldn't apply for the interview then” a young lady called from the second layer of the circle formed.
“If you're brave enough to take the risk, then fine,” David quoted.
They started murmuring amongst themselves with some of them saying.“It will be risky, for us, our names and tabs and everything is connected”
“it wouldn't be a good idea”
Catherine just sat there saying nothing, she really didn't have anything to say.
“Alright, alright everyone,” David called for order by hitting the books he arranged in front of him, “I will call out the email and those interested can send a mail to apply for it. I wish you all good luck,” He brought out a notebook and called out the mail.
Catherine typed it out on her phone.
“I hope we all come back in the next meeting with good news. Have a nice evening” David concluded and closed the book in front of him.
“So the eyes are brown after all.” Catherine walked up to David when they rounded up the meeting and everyone was leaving.
“I don't get you” he dropped the book on the table and turned to look at Catherine.
“I know you,” Catherine snapped.
“Of course you do, everyone here does” David smirked at her.
“You know what I mean, don't act dumb now, you clearly and obviously related all what you said in my regards and kept glancing, it was very easy to figure out ‘he remembers me’ ” she raised her brow at him. “Why are you avoiding my ‘thanks’?”
“I only did what I thought was right that night, I didn't do it for your gratitude and appreciation” David quietly said and placed his both hands on each of her shoulders.
“That's the least I can do to show my gratitude and I might as well die of guilt for the fact that I had another chance to say thank you and I didn't.”
David paused for some seconds.
“If I wasn't so considerate I would've had the guilt do what it was supposed to do”
“David!!!” Catherine exclaimed and hit him hard on his shoulder.
“Ouch, that's so strong from a lady like you” David rubbed his arm.
“Five years in prison, you think I was sleeping all through?”
“Of course you weren't, shows why you couldn't defend yourself that night” David retorted sarcastically.
Catherine gave him another side eye and finally said “Thank you for the other night.”
“Now I have nothing to say” David kept on stacking the books.
“Well then, bye”
Catherine turned to leave, but he held her back.
“Will I see you in the next meeting?” he placed the books on the shelf.
“Not like I have a choice, do I?”
“You actually do have a choice, you can…” Catherine placed her hands on his lips and shushed him.
“Don't say too much. Do you want me to come?”
“Yes, I think I do,” David answered.
Catherine turned to go without answering.
“Will I see you next time?” David yelled behind her.
“I'll surprise you,” She yelled back at him and slammed the door shut.
- Writer
