Between the Pages: Chapter 3

Rose

The next morning Rose made two lunches. One for herself and one for the young girl hiding in her shop. She had come to the conclusion to invite the girl into her home. She had the extra room to spare and would love some company. The child was probably even old enough to help around the house with some chores. It would be better than sleeping in a bookstore or wherever else she sleeps.

Rose wrote her address on a small slip of paper and taped it inside the second lunch box. She added, “If you would like a place to sleep other than an old book shop you are welcome at my house.” Rose grabbed both lunches and headed to work.

All day once again she watched for the pale face girl. She planned to casually talk to her and nicely bring up that she was aware of her sleepovers. Then she would invite her to stay at her house for a little while, or so she imagined the conversation to go. Unfortunately, Rose didn’t see the girl all day. At closing time Rose locked up and went home, leaving the lunch behind just in case. Perhaps the girl had snuck in while she was busy with a customer.

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Elianna

Elianna hid away once again in the bookstore, eyeing the old woman’s lunch she left behind. Silently she prayed that the woman had forgotten to eat it once more. A decent sandwich would be heavenly at the moment. She hasn’t eaten since the last forgotten lunch. The second she felt safe, Elianna darted from between the bookshelves and over to the left lunchbox. She was half way through the sandwich before she noticed the pinned address and note. She stopped mid chew and read it time and time again.

So the old lady wasn’t so senial and dim witted. She definitely knew Elianna was sleeping in her shop, but to go as far as inviting her to stay over, that seemed suspicious. She debated the reality of the offer and knew she could never trust someone that much. If her father ever caught her staying with someone it would mean trouble for both of them and Elianna wanted no trouble to come upon Rose. She was far to elderly to worry about such things. For a moment, she fantasized what it would be like to sleep in a nice soft bed again. To bathe in a shower with pretty smelling soap and shampoo. To wrap her long hair in a soft towel and brush it 100 times before bed. She day dreamed what it would be like to be normal again, with a normal family and a normal home.

Elianna broke from her make believe world and faced reality. She would no longer be able to use the bookstore as a hideout. Now that her cover was blown she must move along and find another safe place to sleep. It was sad, she has come to really enjoy her time amongst the bookstacks and loved the endless entertainment.  She finished the prepared lunch and read herself asleep, making the most out of her last night in Rose’s
bookstore.

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Rose

Rose half expected a tiny knock at the door all night. It never came. She decided the pale face girl didn’t camp out in her book store that night. Disappointed, she hurried to the bookstore to check the lunch box. To her surprise the forgotten lunch was entirely eaten. “So the note was presumably received and the answer was, “no thank you”. Rose thought. She was certain the girl would take her up on her offer. Confirming that the note was likely read and she never showed up to her house just added to the mystery of the situation. Why would a child want to continue living on the streets, Rose pondered. That night she came up with a different plan. She would do a little hiding out herself.

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Elianna

The next day Elianna left Charlotte the moment visiting hours were over. The sky had been dark and ominous all day and she was certain tonight it would rain. She didn’t want to be caught out in the elements and hasn’t found a suitable substitute for the cozy book store. Regardless of the apparent danger, the shop was going to have to be refuge again tonight. She prayed that she could pull off one more night, then first thing tomorrow she would look for a better place to sleep.

She could try going back to her father’s house but knew that was out of the question. A place she once called home, now just a place where her father drifts in and out. The short time he is there, he is entertaining fast women and doing dangerous things. When he’s not there his minions hold down the fort like they themselves are king. Either way, it was no place for a child, especially a young female. How she longed for the days when her mother was still alive and the house was her home.

Elianna slammed back to reality as she approached Rose’s bookstore, the first few raindrops pelting her head. She paused at the window, hoping to slide through the door unnoticed. The old lady was busy helping a customer in the far left corner. Elianna eases the door open, ensuring the bells remained silent and slid through the door. She closed it behind her silently. Quietly she hurried off to the restroom to await closing time. She planned to sneak to her hiding spot a little later, for now she just wanted to sit down and be unseen.

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Rose

At 7:00PM Rose turned the sign to close and shut off all the lights. She lowered all the blinds and locked the back door. She caused the front door to open and then closed and locked it from the inside, hoping to fool any would-be hiders into thinking she left as usual. With silent footsteps she walked to her favorite chair and had a seat. Earlier she moved the chair to a dark corner, situated so she could see down the rows of bookshelves. She sat there quietly, steading her breathing and listening for any sound. Finally, a movement between the corner bookshelves, a silhouette sifted from between them and began walking her way. Rose waited until the pale face girl had walked past her until she spoke.

“What do you think you are doing?”

The pale face girl screamed in terror.

“I’m sorry ma’am. I was just leaving.”

“No you weren’t. You have been sleeping in here.”

“This was going to be the last night. Honest.”

“I gave you my address. You should have came”

“Yes. Thank you for the food.”

“Where are your parents?”

“My father doesn’t want me and my momma died when I was a little girl.”

“What do you mean doesn’t want you?”

“I mean every time he sees me he tells me to go away. If I dont he beats me.”

“Then come stay with me.”

“No, I stayed with my friend once and daddy found out. He hurt her mommy really bad. I’m better off alone. Your better off if I am alone.”

“Nonsense. The streets are no place for a young girl like yourself. Come home with me, just for a little while.”

“How do I know you’re not going to murder me or something?”

“Come on, I am a 70 year old woman. I am confident you could take me.”

“If father find out he’s gonna be really mad at you for helping me.”

“Don’t you worry, I’ll deal with your father. Come on now, let’s get you washed up and fed.”

After a few more moments of convincing Elianna agreeed to go home with Rose. Surely her father wouldn’t find out after just one night. Then tomorrow just as planned she will find a new place to crash. On the drive to Rose’s, a peaceful silence settled amongst  them, both unsure of what to say and too nervous to say it. Just as Elianna expected they pulled into the drive of a little white cottage with a white picket fence. Was she making the right decision to stay with Rose for a night? What happens if father finds out? She knew he would be out of town at least until this weekend. But after that, for both their safety, she should move along.