NO GREATER LOVE

The Meeting

I turn from side to side, looking for a comfortable position for my body. The room feels hot and stuffy and my back feels sore, filled with pinpricks. My leg is hoisted up, wrapped in casts hence placing me in a tight spot.

" Staying still in one place is probably the best option for that leg right now," Alice pipes up from across the room, giving me a stern look. I just roll my eyes in reply, by now used to her chidings. She spends almost all her time here in the room with me, watching me like a hawk. I guess they are afraid i might attempt an escape, as if it is possible with my crippled leg.

"Well, if only you could open the windows a little bit, maybe the fresh air can calm down my nerves in this hot and stuffy room," i reply. She ignores my plea and continues with her knitting, as if i have just spoken a foreign language. I shrug, at least i have tried, i guess it's protocol and she isn't allowed to open the windows too. Ridiculous if you ask me since i can't jump out in the first place. It's been days since i last had a bath and my body is reeking of a bad odour and sticky with sweat. I lift up my armpits and scrunch up my nose in disgust.

"At the very least i need help with a bath please, my stench is no different from that of a billy goat," i pipe up. Alice just glances at me once, then resumes her work. " The earlier you acknowledge your position in this house, the easier it will turn out for you and the quicker you will get used," she looks me direct in the eye. "You are a slave here and lying sick in that bed gives you no privileges, it is only a matter of time for you to get up on your feet to attend to your duties. You will have a bath when directed, not when you feel like it," she answers dismissively as she rises up," while we are still at it, learn to talk with respect to all those above you, life will be easier for you then," she then gets out of the room, locking the door firmly behind her.

I let out a huge sigh as i look up the ceiling, dejected and lonely. I force back tears as they threaten to spill out of my eyes. The truth finally hits me hard, like a slap across my face. The truth has never felt heavier. I stare blankly at the wall, wondering about Crystal and what she might be facing right now all alone with these heartless people.

I must have dozed off, because Alice stands over me when i jolt awake, tray in hand. She sets in on the table beside the bed and helps me to a sitting position, finally placing the tray in my lap with gentle care. Well, she might be stern, but she really is helpful. I dig in right away, grateful for a bite after a long day. Alice watches silently, giving a satisfied nod as i finish all the food, leaving the plate clean. I wash it all down with some water and finally let out a loud belch, shocking her i guess because her face hardens. I cannot help myself and i burst out laughing, the sound that comes as a shock to me too.

Blair comes in a moment later to inspect my leg i guess. It's been a few days since the doctor worked on it and it's condition is better now. He looks at it for a while and then leads Alice out of the room, talking to her in hushed tones right outside the door. I barely make any sense of their conversation since their voices are low and the door is closed. Alice's face is grim when she enters the room again. She takes the tray from me and sets me straight on the bed again, propping the pillows under my head.

"Better get some rest because this is the only time you will ever enjoy in this house. Use it while you still can." Dumbfounded, i stare at her as she retreats from the room, clearly in a hurry. Whatever conversation has transpired between them has left her visibly shaken and this keeps me wondering.

Alice is in my room early the next morning even before the birds have woken up outside. She comes in carrying a steaming pail and sets it in the washroom. I stare at her groggily as she assists me with a bath, silently wondering why all this is happening. It is moments later as she's helping me put on some clean cloths that she sets the air straight.

"You are to meet the boss today and we cannot let you go stinking like a wild goat before him," she states firmly, her face expressionless. Is that a hint of pity i sense in her tone? Is the boss really that terrible that his arrival sends a wave of panic through all these people? I sit on the bed, waiting impatiently for the time of our meeting. I intend to know the whereabouts of Crystal from this guy, regardless of the repercussions after. Alice comes in again with a pair of wooden crutches that she sets beside me. I pull myself up from the bed, holding them for support and slowly limping forward, i follow Alice out of the room. Her steps are gentle, enough for me to catch up with her and she leads me downstairs to a neatly furnished parlor. She makes her way to the back of the room and stands before a mahogany door, which she proceeds to open and beckons me to enter. I slowly limp past her into the room which she then locks behind me. I am hit by the smell of cigarettes in the room that i instinctively cover my nose with my hands. The room is dimly lit and cigarette smoke hungs heavily in the air which makes it close to impossible to study the surroundings. My eyes water and i start coughing.

"Well well well, what have we got before us today?" a deep voice suddenly speaks out from the smoke filled room.