Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: FRAGILE (02/23/17)
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TITLE: Delicate Strength | Previous Challenge Entry
By Karen Dick
03/01/17 -
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A soft voice behind me interrupted my thoughts. “I see you like that old china doll.”
I turned to see Miss Iris as she leaned heavily on her cane. She smiled. “That doll is quite fragile, you know. My father gave her to me when I was a young girl.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I was just looking.” I smoothed my apron and gazed down at my oxford shoes.
“That’s alright, dear. Let’s go have tea.” She turned and headed toward the kitchen.
“Yes, Ma’am.” I followed the petite figure of my employer, hunched over, as she shuffled her way to the kitchen.
I quickened my steps in order to pull out a chair. Miss Iris nodded, and then gripped the table as she inched her way down onto it.
“I want you to have tea with me today.” She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve, and gently dabbed her forehead.
“Are you sure, Ma’am? Your daughter might not like that.” I put the kettle on the burner, and lit the gas.
“I don’t care what she likes,” Miss Iris snapped.
Once the tea was brewed, I poured the hot liquid into china cups, and set them on the table. I hesitated with my hand on the back of the chair next to her.
“Sit down,” she said sternly.
“Yes, Ma’am.” The chair screeched on the tile floor as I pulled it out. I sucked in my breath as I lowered my plump bottom onto it.
Miss Iris held her tea cup in both of her gnarled hands, and gazed at me over the brim. “Annie, do you know Jesus?” Her blue eyes stared intently behind the thick lenses.
“Yes, Ma’am.” My hands were clutched together on the table as I studied her face. “I go to church every Sunday.”
“I know Jesus too.” Her hand shook as she placed her cup in the saucer. “I’m going to see him face to face real soon.”
My pulse quickened. “Miss Iris, you don’t know that.”
“Yes I do. You can see that I am quite fragile now. Kind of like that old china doll.” She grinned. “Jesus is going to take me home. And I can’t wait.”
My eyes burned as I nodded.
“Since you’re fond of that china doll, I want you to have it.”
“Miss Iris, I can’t take it. Your daughter might want it.”
“Hogwash. She has enough stuff.” One pale hand reached out to cover my rough and weathered one.
The back door opened at that moment, and Elizabeth walked in.
“What’s going on?” She stared at me and then at her mother.
“We’re having tea.” Miss Iris frowned at her daughter.
“I don’t think the help should be relaxing during their work hours.” She continued to glare at me as she dropped her coat onto the back of a chair.
I breathed in deeply and stood. “I’m done with my work today. I’ll be going. Thanks for the tea.” I grabbed my handbag from the counter, nodded at Miss Iris, and quickly exited out the door.
The sound of Elizabeth’s voice followed me down the steps, though the words flowed together like mush. I was thankful for the bus as it rolled up next to the curb. The doors opened, I climbed up the steps, and dropped in my coins. As I walked toward the back, I glanced through the window. Elizabeth stared at me from the porch. Lord, help her. I plopped onto a vinyl seat, and looked straight ahead.
The next morning, I arrived to work at my usual time. I tried to open the door, but it was locked. With a peek through the window, I knocked, but no one answered. I turned to leave, when I noticed a box pushed to the side of the porch. I bent over and inspected the front of it. “Annie” was printed on top. I picked it up, opened the lid, and folded back the tissue.
Smiling up at me was the china doll. A scribbled note tucked in next to it said: “Mother died last night. Your job is terminated. Elizabeth.”
I closed my eyes as I hugged the box close to my heart. Thank you Miss Iris.
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