Emmeline paced before she finally pulled out a chair and sat down across from Matthew. She drummed her fingers on the wooden dining table, fidgeted some more before she finally clasped her hands together and placed them in her lap. Her eyes slowly raised to see that Matthew was watching her.
A solemn look came over her face, "I am truly sorry about your parents and your sister. May their memory be a blessing."
She paused, "I did hear from Gregory that you were able to say your goodbyes to your father, and I hope that brought you some comfort?"
Matthew nodded and he noted that Emmeline was struggling to say something, trying to gather the courage to continue. He guessed she was getting ready to tell him their secret, the one he already knew about. He waited a little longer and when she still hadn't said anything and he offered, "I already know you're dead."
Emmeline's jaw dropped in disbelief, she spent the last 24 hours or longer trying to come up with a way to tell him without terrifying him. But he already knew. How?
"I overheard you yesterday talking about it." He answered her unvoiced question.
Did she ask her question out loud? "Well, Okay. And, how do you feel about it?"
Matthew paused and shrugged his shoulders, "Doesn't bother me any." At the moment he was feeling overwhelmed and numb at the same time.
Emmeline smiled, "well that is good. How are your wounds, healing up nicely?"
Matthew nodded, "But could you or Gregory check my stomach and leg, just to make sure?" he was nervous about it. Amputations came to his mind and it sent a chill down his spine and he reflexively shivered.
"Are you cold? Are you catching a cold?" Asked Emmeline panicking. She forgot how troublesome a human body could be! Humans had to sleep everyday, eat multiple times a day, and they could catch colds.
She stood up, putting her wrist to his forehead, "Tsk, that is not going to work, not sensitive enough." and she slapped herself on the head, what was she thinking! Emmeline then knelt down and pulled up the nightgown looking at his wound, it looked like it was healing well, no indications or sign of infection.
Matthew blushed and Emmeline tried to lift the night gown up higher, he threw his hands down to keep the gown from rising up.
Emmeline looked at Matthew and he spoke quickly, "Um, I'm naked underneath can Gregory check or wait til I put on some clothes?"
Emmeline covered her mouth, coughed and then looked away. "I'll have Gregory check when you are done eating."
"Okay, I'm going to go use the outhouse, er, I mean privy first?"
"Of course."
Matthew's ear turned red, "Do you have toilet paper?" and his face only turning redder has he asked.
"I'm not sure what you are talking about? Maybe Gregory will know!" before Matthew could object, Emmeline left the room and moments later returned with Gregory and Ania on his tail.
Matthew's entire face was hot, and his ears were red as a tomatoes, he had an audience. He felt like he was on an extended camping trip, would he have to use leaves again? He definitely went back in time...just when he was on the grounds of the Octagon House.
"What was it you asked for, toilet paper? Gregory do we have that?" Emmeline asked.
Gregory smiled, "Unfortunately, I haven't seen it. Sorry son, I'll get you some rags for now. Maybe we can head into town later and get some."
Emmeline too would have blushed if she had blood. She turned and headed out of the room. One simply didn't talk about using the privy or the water closet. Instead she, pulling Ania with her, "You'll help me fold the laundry from the line?"
"But I want go into town too!" Ania whined.
"Later, now you'll come with me." Emmeline reasoned wanting to avoid further embarrassment; of herself, Ania or Matthew. Between the two of them they made fast work of the laundry.
Emmeline set aside clothing for the boy, Knee length britches, drawers, and a button up shirt, jacket, and knee length socks. She assessed the assemble, making sure she didn't forget anything. She went upstairs to Matthew's room and knocked on the door. He answered the door and looked at the pile of clothing.
Emmeline pushed the clothes towards Matthew, "clean clothes for you to wear."
Matthew scratched the back of his head and looked at Emmeline. Okay, so not another joke? He managed a smile, "Thank you."
"Of course, when you are finished dressing, please come to the library, we'll set some ground rules. Okay?"
Matthew nodded and then closed the door. His heart sank as he realized he 'wasn't in Kansas anymore'. He let out a sigh as he stared at the clothing laid out on the bed. Seriously? He slowly put on the clothes. It felt weird and itchy.
He wanted to cry, not necessarily because of the clothes, but he wanted to go home, but that wasn't going to happen. His house was set ablaze, people where looking for him and his family was dead.
After a decent amount of time he was finally dressed in what looked like a sailor suit. He looked absolutely ridiculous! He didn't tuck in the shirt and he touched the buttons, so many freaking buttons he mumbled to himself.
Matthew went to the door and peaked out. Nobody was in the hall. He let out a sigh and then headed down the steps to the library, where he was greeted by Gregory, Emmeline, and Ania. His heart sank, he really wanted to be dressed in anything else!
He noticed that Emmeline had a neutral face. Ania ran over to him and stood by his side, "too bad we don't match! Maybe I can find a blue ribbon to wear around." she squealed.
Matthew turned to her, she was excited, she didn't appear to be mocking him.
Gregory looked at the boy and Matthew met his gaze. "You ought to tuck in you shirt, and fix the collar." Gregory commanded, "We won't have you looking like a bum!"
Matthew sighed, hoping that Gregory was going to say he looked ridiculous and he had to change. But no! He wanted him to fix himself!
Ania helped with his collar, floating to adjust it for him while he tucked in the shirt.
Emmeline smiled and Gregory nodded, "much better."
Emmeline motioned for them all to sit. Thus began their family chat. Emmeline looked at Gregory to begin.
"You are not to leave the grounds of the Octagon House." Gregory had his gaze focused on the boy, not giving him a chance to refuse. "You will stay on the grounds, there is around 500 acres or so, plenty of room for you to play. But your days won't be all fun and games, we don't want you to grow up and be a lazy man. You will have chores around the house and lessons. You our responsibility."
Matthew felt his shoulders fall, was he be punished?
Emmeline watched the boys reactions and noticed the way his shoulders slump and his face frowned. "Matthew, you are not being punished. We want to keep you safe, right now there are people that think you are dead, we want to keep it that way. Hence the reason you are not able to leave the grounds."
"Can't I go to school?"
This time Gregory spoke up, "absolutely NOT! Your father entrusted you to our care, we will protect you and this means staying here!"
Emmeline put her hand on Gregory's shoulder, "Matthew, maybe at a later date, but for now you will have lessons here. Let this hubbub die down, okay?" Emmeline pleaded, knowing and understanding the feeling of being trapped here.
Matt nodded. Ania spoke up, "Can I show him around?"
Emmeline nodded, "of course we will not be having any lessons today. Make sure you give him a good tour Ania."