The Awakening (5 page)

 
Chapter 9

June 15

     Adele woke to a room that spoke of money. The day brought with it radiant sunlight that lit up the room with warmth. She glanced around the area, at the expensive pictures adorning the walls, and the soft blue curtains which hung so beautifully to the floor.

     In awe she pounced out of bed and flew over to the window to look outside.

     She heard a faint rap on her door and jumped. When she opened the door she met Eva’s sparkling blue eyes.

     “What time is it?” Adele asked, spinning around the room. “Forgot to bring my watch.”

     “Nine o’clock. I let you sleep in.” Eva opened the closet doors and hastily sifted through the many clothes she had hung in the closet the evening prior.
     “Who do these belong to?” Adele asked.
     “They’re mine. Try something on, we look about the same size.”
     Adele sorted through them and very quickly wrinkled up her nose. “No blue jeans, eh? Never thought to bring anything except what I have on.”
     “Sorry. You’re bound to find something.”

      Adele shrugged her shoulders, doubtful she’d find anything to her liking. Eventually she slipped on one dress. It looked awful and made her skin itch. Frustrated, she sat on the bed. “Eva... can you stay?” she asked, scooping up another garment. “What should I wear? I mean, I don’t normally wear dresses. Got any slacks?”

     “Sorry,” Eva said. “Keep looking.”

     “All dresses.” Adele sighed.

     Adele looked through every garment on a hanger and couldn’t find a thing to wear. The clothes, although lovely, were all dresses that her grandmother would wear. Eva had to be fifty, though they were close in size. Every item looked like something her grandmother would wear.

      Eva must have noticed the look of discouragement. As if she clued in, she took out a pair of scissors from the dresser drawer and handed them to Adele.
       “Cut them then. They’re too old for you, so cut.”
        “Are you sure?”
       Eva nodded. “I’d like to see my clothes on a pretty girl like you.”
      “But I’d ruin them by cutting them.”
       Eva laughed. “So.”
       Adele laughed too and within minutes had three dresses cut to a length just above the knee. She slipped the one on and stood looking into the mirror. “What do you think?”
      “Beautiful. Just beautiful. Let me do your hair,” Eva said excitedly.
      “My hair?” Adele giggled.

       “Yes.”
        Adele nodded, and Eva began to comb her thick hair, piling it on top of her head. Apparently, it would be more comfortable as later in the day it was to become hot. Eva acted like a professional hair stylist, though giggled like a teenager every once in a while.
    Eager to know a few things about Eva, Adele asked, “Why do you still live with Bentley, if you don’t mind me asking?”
     “This is my home,” Eva said, “I never married.”
     “Oh, I didn’t know that.” Adele thought it was strange because Eva was so pretty. Guess Eva and Bentley were the same. Neither one had found love.
      Eva smiled. “You look lovely.”
     Adele stared into the mirror. “You did a beautiful job with my hair. Thanks, Eva.”

     Adele had chosen to wear a soft white dress made of satin, and lace trimmings. Although uncomfortable, she discovered, to her surprise, that once she had it on, it was somewhat appealing with its tight fitting waist. It was awfully sweet of Eva to loan it to her, and it said a lot about her personality. Made of satin, and hot, Adele had to wonder why Eva still wore these types of clothes. She’d never worn a dress before and Eva’s dresses had to be the most uncomfortable things she’d ever seen.

     Somehow Eva had turned her into a woman.

     Still, Adele hated having to wear shoes instead of her comfortable sneakers. She could picture herself tumbling down the stairs, landing at the bottom with her dress up around her ears.
     As she left the room she was surprised to see Jefferson waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He directed a penetrating gaze at her the second she put her foot on the first step. Suddenly, she was a bundle of nerves. She could see her epithet. Adele Martin, died of embarrassment June 1975.

   “Good morning,” Jefferson said when she reached the bottom step. “Sleep well?”

    She gave him a blank stare. “No. Couldn’t seem to settle down.”

    “Sorry to hear that,” he said leading her into the most elaborate room she’d ever seen.

     The room was beautifully decorated, and hanging from the ceiling was the most magnificent chandelier with dozens of diamond shaped teardrops that dangled from it.

      The breakfast table was overwhelming – had to be as big as a banquet.

     When her eyes fell to the table she gasped. It was covered in an expensive tablecloth, the place settings of fine china and sparkling silverware decoratively displayed in front of her. Felt like she was dreaming.

     Jefferson sat across the table, his eyes on her as she glanced around. She’d never seen so much food. There was enough to feed an army.

    “You must be starving,” Jefferson said.
    “A bit.” 

     She looked at her place setting with three spoons on one side of the dinner plate and three forks on the other and hadn’t the slightest idea where to begin.

     All of a sudden the dining room became unbearably hot. Luckily Bentley arrived, the ice-breaker she so badly needed.

    “Good morning, Adele.”

    “Morning, Bentley.”

   Just then Eva came in the room carrying a plate of food. She placed it in the middle of the table.
   “I see you and Eva have found some things for you to wear.”
   “Yes, we did.”
   “My room’s just down the hall from yours,” Eva said.

    Adele looked up, nodded, and noticed Eva standing beside her, holding onto a sterling silver jug.

    “Would you like a glass of water?”

    “No thank you.” Adele wondered how she was going to fit in to this world of luxury? Jefferson and Eva seemed like a dream come true. And Bentley, well, he was always a miracle.

      “Adele,” Jefferson said. “When you’ve finished, I’d love to show you around.” He stood up and moved beside her.

     “Good idea,” Bentley agreed.

     “I’d love that. I’m not very hungry this morning,” she said leaving the room. She turned to face him.

     Jefferson smiled and continued to show her through the rest of the house.

     “On this side of the estate are my uncle’s study books.” He paused for a second. “Uncle Bentley was never the same after my mother died.”

   “Sorry to hear about your mother,” Adele said softly, touching the top of his shoulder. She felt his thick, strong arms beneath his white shirt.  “What was her name?”

    “Mary,” he said. “She was wonderful. I really miss her.” He cleared his throat and shifted his eyes back to Adele. “Sorry for asking about your night. I heard you crying and felt awful for you.” He stared into her dark green eyes.

    “I didn’t mean to keep you awake. It’ll get used to the place.”

    “I know. Hopefully this will help.”
    “I’m sure it will,” she agreed.

    Together they strolled the property with Adele trying to maintain her balance, wearing the most uncomfortable shoes imaginable. Jefferson, on the other hand, waltzed along in fast even strides. He cheerfully announced the room they were entering was the living room. Adele smiled, thinking he sounded more like he was describing an airplane, rather than a house. He spoke casually, pointing as he talked. “The west,” he’d say, “or on the east wing.”

    Adele rolled her eyes. He was such a brag.

    He continued to show her one antique after another, bragging about Bentley’s taste in collectables.

    Adele held her stomach and emitted a heavy sigh.

    Jefferson clued in. He noticed her mood change and gently nudged her along into another area of the house.

    “C’mon,” he said.

     He showed her through the second floor until eventually she tired.

     “Quite the place,” she said. “It’s getting hot. And Eva’s shoes are killing me.”

      Jefferson stared at her.

     “I’ll take you outside and show you around; think you’ll find it less stuffy out there.”

      He slid his hand in hers and led her outside. It caught her by surprise. She’d never held a man’s hand before and was instantly aroused by his gentle touch. 

       Everything was fine. He wasn’t making any advances she kept telling herself.

     She’d never felt her heart beat like it was—it raced as if she were experiencing some sort of panic attack. Adele looked at him and hoped he hadn’t noticed her staring.
      He sure was handsome.

      It never occurred to her that she’d be attracted to anyone, but she was. All the boys from school were obnoxious, and she had stayed her distance from the opposite sex, thinking they were childish.
    Jefferson was different.

     He waltzed her through what felt like heaven on earth. She’d never dreamed a place like this existed. It was a paradise. Bentley owned a paradise and he never said a word about it. Luscious, thick oak trees and rose gardens so sublime lined the back of the house.

   “What a backyard!” Adele exclaimed looking at everything with wide-eyes.

   “Thought you’d like it.” Jefferson kept a steady eye on her, watching her every move.

     Adele didn’t notice him staring; she was caught up in the breathtaking sight of his so-called backyard. The flowers were gorgeous with deep rich colours that seemed to surround them. The flowers glistened in the morning sunlight and for a moment she forgot she was still holding his hand, until it slipped away.

    She decided then, she’d return; it was peaceful here.

    She inhaled the sweet aroma.

    “Bentley’s never taken me here. Hard to believe this place is real?”

    “It’s real, but you’re hard to believe.” 

    Adele was so absorbed with the flowers and the beauty around her she never heard Jefferson.
    “This place used to be farmland,” Jefferson explained. “The flowers weren’t here, and the land hadn’t been used in ages. When my uncle bought the property he had this remarkable place made for me and my mother.”

     “That’s Bentley for you.”
      “Yes it is.”

     Adele came from such poverty; yet now she felt like royalty, dressed in her beautiful dress, strolling in her gardens.
    “Time to go back. Uncle wants to speak with you.”
   “All right.”

     But leaving the grounds, she decided to take a look at Jefferson. Hopefully he hadn’t noticed. Studying him, she couldn’t help but stare at his broad shoulders. Sure was a handsome man. Felt strange, a man touching her. She wasn’t overly comfortable with it.

    Once they were inside, Jefferson swept Adele into the study where Bentley was waiting for them.

   “May I eat supper in my room, Bentley?” Adele blurted out.
   “Of course. I’ll have Eva bring you supper.”

   “Thanks.”
     Relieved, Adele darted out of the room and scooted upstairs. Sadness came over her and a cloud of uncertainties filled her mind.

    In her room she lay on the bed, brooding. Stupid dress.

    A few minutes later just as Bentley had said, her meal was being brought to her and she happily whipped off her bothersome shoes, as well as, her annoying dress. She flung her clothes across the floor, relieved to be alone. 

     She was half-dressed, when a knock sounded at the door. Thinking it was Eva, she called for her to come in. To her horror, standing in front of her was Jefferson with eyes as big as saucers.

    She gasped. She had nothing on but a skimpy see-through undergarment, her bare shoulders and others parts revealing far too much. She abruptly scooped up her bedding, miffed that he was still gawking at her.

    “Get out of my room!” she shouted. “Now!”

     Closing her eyes she prayed he’d be gone when she opened them. When she opened her lids again she was angered to see Jefferson was still there. He stood gaping at her like an fool, and she had the urge to strangle him. Why hadn’t he the decency to leave?

    “Why are you still here? Get out, I said!”

     At that, his eyes dropped to the floor, and he actually looked remorseful. He turned and left the room, shutting the door behind him. She was so livid she fumbled for the paperweight, picked it up, and threw it at the door. “And stay out!” she screamed, then flopped on her bed, bursting into tears.

     Suddenly the door opened and Eva rushed in to be with her. Adele buried her face in Eva’s lap, and told Eva what had happened.

    “Can you get Bentley?” she asked sobbing.

    “Of course dear.” Eva embraced her, then rose and left the room.
      Adele donned a nightgown and housecoat and sat on the bed waiting for Bentley. She swallowed hard and wiped her eyes.
      A few minutes later a knock sounded on the door.
      “May I come in?” Bentley asked.
     “Yes,” Adele said softly.
      Bentley walked in the room, leaned over Adele as she sat sniffling on her bed and asked, “May I?” He tapped the bed with his hand. Adele nodded and he sat down beside her. “What happened?”
       In the silence that followed Adele’s face felt hot. “It’s Jefferson.”
       “What about him?”
        Adele clenched the handmade quilt, wiped her nose on it, then cupped her face in her hands. “Your nephew’s a pervert!”
     “A pervert?”
    “You heard me.”
    “What did he do?”
    “He came in my room when I was half naked.”
    “Why would he do that?”
    “Cause I told him to come in. I thought it was Eva.”
     Bentley shrugged his shoulders. “Then it wasn’t really his fault, now was it? It was an accident.”
     “Accident my foot! When I told him to leave, he wouldn’t, he just stood there with a dumb look on his face gawking at me. I’ve never been so angry. Honestly Bentley, living with Dad was bad enough, but now a pervert?”
      “If you don’t like it here Adele, you can always go back home.”
     “What?” She stood up and whirled around to glare at him.
     “I’m just saying.” Bentley broke out into a loud infectious laughter.
     “What’s so funny?”
     “You,” he said, “I can’t help it Adele this is the most fun I’ve had in over twenty years. Come on, it was an accident.”
    “Well I’m glad to see you find this funny, because I don’t.” She stomped her foot and then sat back down beside him.
     “I’ll have a talk with him.”
    “Good.”
      “I called your mother,” Bentley said.
     “What?”
     “I had too. You gave me know other choice. Your mother was worried sick about you.”
     “What did she say?”
     “That’s the strange part. She said to stay as long as you wanted. Strange woman.”
      “It’s not Mom, it’s Dad, and I can’t believe you did that.”
      “What would you like me to do?”
       “Talk to your nephew and make sure it never happens again.”
      “I’ll have a word with him,” Bentley said, cradling her in his arms.