The Princess Who Wasn't

Chapter Six: The Decision

The doctor had walked out without asking her any further questions, leaving Merilla alone with her own inner dialogue. She had no idea what she should do but over the next few days she had plenty of time to dwell on it. Nobody bothered her for the rest of her stay in the hospital. She was kept on a drip of water and electrolytes while she was given three meals a day. She had also been brought two sets of clothes, hand-me downs from one of the nurse’s daughters, but she wanted Merilla to stop stinking up the hospital floor and no matter how many times Merilla tried to shower and hand wash her clothes the stench was there to stay.

When her doctor came back in on the morning of day four she was well rested and had gained more strength than she had in a long time. Her hair was brushed and pulled back into a high pony tail, she had on one of her new outfits being a pair of dark blue jeans and an emerald green cotton t-shirt with a pair of black tennis shoes, and she smelled of the ocean from the “ocean fresh” soap. She was sitting on the edge of her hospital bed when the doctor walked in with her discharge papers, swinging her legs back and forth. She looked like any other teenager and the doctor stopped for a moment because he didn’t recognize the clean bright red headed girl in front of him.

“Alright, sign these papers and you can get going. You’ll go to the church, first. The town is there awaiting your decision. Do you know what you are going to choose?” The doctor handed Merilla the clip board and a pen which she used to sign the discharge papers.

“Yes Sir, I am going to stay,” Merilla looked up as she handed the clip board with the discharge papers and the pen back to the doctor.

“Good girl, you should stay, they’re offering you a very generous proposition. Just keep your head down and do what you’re supposed to,” He replied before turning and walking away.

Merilla slid off the bed landing on the floor a little wobbly since she wasn’t used to wearing shoes. Merilla looked around and grabbed her grocery bag off the sitting chair that held her personal items. For the first time in a very long time, she smiled softly. She had personal items to carry around and she was clean. Her life was slowly getting a little better.

As Merilla walked out of the double doors leading into the hospital she stopped in the sunlight and let it hit her skin. It felt so different on clean skin. It felt fresh, rejuvenating, and loving like a light caress. When she was dirty and dehydrated the sun was torturous, it added to the grime and to the pain. Yet again, Merilla smiled and couldn’t believe how easy it came to her face.

Making her way down the street Merilla got more and more anxious. She couldn’t help but wonder if this was all an elaborate joke. It would be just like the town to give her hope and tear it away. Suddenly, she stopped walking. The sun didn’t seem so bright and there was no smile on her face as doubts started to set in. Yet, she managed to take another step forward and one step after the other she focused on the side walk ahead of her.

It was a very nauseating walk as the turmoil and fear set it. The positive side of the walk is that it wasn’t very far so the turmoil and unrest that set in didn’t have the opportunity to spread its black tendrils past her stomach. The tendrils didn’t have enough time to wrap themselves around her heart and brain in a death grip. They didn’t have enough time to suffocate the voice of hope and for that Merilla was glad.

Upon reaching the church Merilla took a deep breath before walking in. Almost the entire town was there to hear her answer. Soon she would tell the entire town about her decision to stay and try to repay society for all they had done for her. The more she thought about it the more she realized even though she had been starving and dirty they had saved her, raised her, and made sure she had clothes. She was sure she probably seemed like she was ungrateful to them.

Walking into the church Merilla walked into the back of the auditorium and everyone turned to look at her. The pastor used one hand to motion her forward and gestured for her to stand beside him at the podium. Quickly, Merilla took her place beside him and turned to face the crowd of people. Some of them looked disapproving while others looked curious- most of the crowd just looked indifferent though.

“We have been informed by your doctor that he told you ahead of time about your ultimatum. So, we won’t waste any more time. What is your decision?” The pastor was the one who asked and Merilla looked at him and smiled before responding.

“First, I want to thank you all for taking care of me all the years of my childhood. I know it must like I’m not grateful and I probably haven’t been but I have had a lot to think about while being in the hospital and I—” Merilla was cut off mid-sentence by the pastor’s hand connecting with her face.

“You inconsiderate waif! I said we won’t waste any more time! It already wastes enough time just being here. You do not need to try to win us over with fake sentiments. Just answer the question!” The pastor demanded with anger booming in his voice.

“Yes Sir, I would like to stay. I agree to the terms of staying, thank you.”

“Okay, you all heard her. The waif has decided to stay and will start cleaning tonight. She will deep clean one restaurant per night and will eat whatever food is left over. If she misses a turn or slacks off inform me and we will ship her into the ocean on the boat. Everyone is now free to go.”