My Dawn

Chapter 30

Mr Purkles stirred the food then carried two wooden bowls to the fireplace. He dished out a bit of food for Dawn and a bit for himself. They sat and ate slowly. Dawn was surprised it tasted good. She even drank the juice. Mr Purkles laughed.

“I take it you enjoyed that?” Mr Purkles asked.

Dawn laughed and nodded.

“Next time I see you, I will teach you to cook it.” Mr Purkles said.

Dawn nodded. She stood up and reached for the photo above the fireplace.

“You loved her Henry.” Dawn said softly.

Mr Purkles froze.

“I loved them both.” Mr Purkles said.

“No, I mean love. Like marry her if you could love. I can tell. I know that look.” Dawn said softly.

Mr Purkles walked over quickly and leaned against Dawn, nudging her.

“Who do you love? Your too young to love someone.” Mr Purkles said playfully.

“It’s fine, he’s leaving soon for college so he won’t be with me anyway. I just learned that today.” Dawn said softly.

Mr Purkles cupped her face and wiped her tears.

“Oh child, I am sorry to hear that. Sort of glad, but sorry as well.” Mr Purkles said.

Dawn did a chuckle as she cried into his arms.

“Something is troubling you.” Mr Purkles said.

“It’s nothing.” Dawn said.

Henry grabbed her face and looked properly.

“I hurt you before, how is your throat?” Mr Purkles asked.

“Not that. I kissed him and he kissed me back before I found out he was leaving. He didn’t even have the decency to tell me. He was talking to someone else about it.” Dawn cried.

“Then he isn’t worth it. He either shares with you or he’s not worth it. Just remember that.” Mr Purkles said.

Dawn nodded.

“Go rinse off your face from the tears and the running make up. I can’t have my god daughter looking like that.” Mr Purkles said.

Dawn nodded then looked for his bathroom. She found his bathroom and rinsed her face while looking in the mirror. Dawn dried her face with a paper towel then put it in his bin. Dawn walked out to see him looking through the photo album.

“I think you would benefit from having this one as well.” Mr Purkles said.

Mr Purkles handed her a photo he took out of the photo album. Dawn was shocked. It was a beautiful one of them all at prom together. They had drawn BTL on their hands. Dawn hugged him close as she cried again. He stood up and made her let go of him.

“You’re just like your mother. You hug a lot.” He laughed.

Dawn laughed as she wiped her eyes. She looked at the photo.

“She was really beautiful.” Dawn said.

“You are exactly like her, you have her face and hair but you have one of her eyes and one of your dad’s eyes.” Mr Purkles said.

“I do?” Dawn asked.

“You certainly do. Now let’s organise a way to get you home. It’s getting late.” Mr Purkles said.

Dawn nodded.

“I can walk home if you point me the way to town.” Dawn said.

“You are way out of town. You’re going to need a lift.” Mr Purkles said.

Dawn nodded.

[Mark, I’m out of town. Can I please get a lift?] – Dawn texted.

[We’re nearby. Patrick is taking us to the location you described.] – Mark texted.

“Let’s head back, she’s almost ready to leave. We get in the car and wait.” Mark whispered.

They snuck to the car and waited. When they turned the headlights on and started it again, they saw movement in the trees. Dawn was holding the briefcase, the photo, the second photo in a frame and an envelope. They watched her as she walked with Mr Purkles.

Dawn gave him a hug and then he pointed to their car. Mark got out and looked at Dawn. Dawn ran across the grass to her heels, grabbing them and then she ran to Mark’s arms. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up.

“Are you okay?” Mark asked.

Dawn nodded.

“I got some stuff from Henry.” Dawn said.

“Henry?” Mark asked.

“My godfather. He knew my parents and showed me their photos. He gave me some.” Dawn said.

“Let’s put them in the back.” Mark said.

Dawn nodded. She walked to the boot and placed it down carefully. Mark closed the boot then helped Dawn into the front. He walked to his side.

“Hello Dawn.” Tate said.

“Hello Tate.” Dawn said.

“How are you? It sounded bad when you were on the phone.” Tate said.

“I’m fine.” Dawn said.

“Let’s get out of here. He’s watching us.” Mark said.

“Because he’s cautious. People come and kill his animals.” Dawn said.

“How are you alive? Mr Purkles kills trespassers.” Patrick said.

“He’s not that bad.” Dawn said.

“Dawn, I saw the mark around your neck. He hurt you.” Mark said.

“It’s fine. He thought I was trying to harm his duck because it was next to me.” Dawn said.

“He might be your godfather but he isn’t a good man to strangle a child.” Mark said.

“Mr Purkles is your godfather?” Patrick asked loudly.

The colour escaped his face and he went pale. He was shocked.

“It’s awesome right! I learned some wonderful things.” Dawn said.

“It isn’t wonderful, not after you were strangled.” Mark said.

“I beg to differ.” Dawn said.

“I’m glad you learned some things.” Tate said.

“Thank you.” Dawn said.

The rest of the car ride was silent. Dawn grabbed her things from the back and skipped through the house with excitement as she held the briefcase against her chest. Jessie was about to approach her but Mark shook his head.

Jessie stayed back, Laura was watching with a shocked expression as Dawn skipped past her with a bruise around her neck. Dawn started running up the stairs and then started humming as she reached the top and skipped to her room.