Divine Contract

Farewell

“Lillian!”

    The girl was snapped back from her daydream, eyes moving to the doorway where Lady Catherine was standing, arms crossed over her chest, expression one of pure aggravation.

    “Lillian Bernadine,” she snapped, “you didn’t even start packing yet!”

    “Oh,” she said, tucking her caramel colored hair behind her ear.  “That,” she said softly, glancing back at her closet.  “I don’t need much, Mum.”

    Lady Catherine rolled her eyes at the name but there was affection in it.  The Nun had raised Lillian as her own, fussing over her day and night ever since she found out that she had been granted an academic scholarship to Columbia University in New York City for a degree in Humanities.  It was a full-ride after entering an essay about the impact of religion on the culture of man.  Her startlingly high SAT scores had had a helping hand in their decision as well.  The other ladies had mentioned how surprising it was that such a lackadaisical creature could be so brilliant but Lillian was certain Lady Catherine was the driving force behind her academic achievements.

    “You shouldn’t go,” Lady Catherine sighed for the hundredth time as she retrieved the suitcase from Lillian’s closet, tossing it onto the bed.  “The scholarship is a wonderful opportunity but New York City is—“

    “—a dangerous place.  I know, I know.”  Lillian sighed.  “I will be very careful to stay on campus and out of trouble,” she promised for the hundredth time, receiving the same sarcastic scoff from the older woman.  “C’mon Mum,” Lillian said, rising from her chair, “I’ll do it.”

    “If I let you do it, it’ll never get done,” the nun huffed, pulling the girl’s clothes from the closet and neatly tucking it into the suitcase.  “Or worse,” the older woman huffed, “you wouldn’t even bother to organize the contents.”

    Lillian rolled her eyes.  Lady Catherine was right, of course, but she didn’t need to say it.  “Alright then, I’ll help you.”

    “No, I’m helping you,” the older woman corrected, frowning at the girl.

    “Yes, of course.”

    They began packing Lillian’s things side by side in silence and, when they had just about finished up, Lady Catherine sighed again.  It was a heavy sound filled with sadness.  “You aren’t ready.”

    Lillian smiled, certain that it was actually the older woman who wasn’t ready to see her go.  Reaching out, she pulled the matriarch into a tight hug, feeling her stiffen at the unfamiliar sensation.  Nuns are allowed to hug, naturally, but Lady Catherine had always been particularly stiff in showing her affections.  She’d shown Lillian her love for her a million different small ways every day, constantly pestering her to eat, checking to make sure she’d prayed properly, and often brushing her hair after her baths.  Hugs though, were very rare.  That’s how Lillian knew the nun was feeling particularly upset because her arms enveloped the girl tightly, holding her close as her shoulders shook with a deep set emotion.

    “It will be okay,” Lillian promised, patting her back.  “If anything happens, I promise you’ll be the first person I call.”

    The nun pushed her out at arms-length, wiping at the tears in her eyes.  “Yes well,” she said, quickly regaining her composure.  “Make sure that you do.  I will come over there and drag you back to the church myself if I found out you were acting like less than the lady I raised you to be.”

    Lillian just laughed, shaking her head.  “I expect nothing less from you, Mum.”