UNDAUNTED (One step at a time)

7

She eventually finished packing her stuff up and fixed a corner for Miller. Claire was tired and hungry as well but then she heard voices outside. Some members of the family were back although she did not hear her father's voice. Claire was rather too shy to step out of her room so she thought perhaps she would stay inside waiting for the place to get silent. She still had a bar of chocolate left from the trip and thought that perhaps she might use it to keep hunger at bay. She ate it and discovered it only seemed to awaken the hunger within. Claire decided to go lay down despite the way she was thirsty. She would not show her face out to be mocked.

Eventually she began to feel rather drowsy and fell into a dreamless sleep. Claire actually did not expect to dream. She had become used to it and when she saw anything in her sleep, it always turned out to be a nightmare. Hence, she had come to appreciate the nights when all she saw was absolute darkness. It was reassuring, the darkness. The stillness and silence made her sleep even more enjoyable. She had been sleeping for a long time now and had not been able to discern whether or not the knocking she was hearing in her sleep was from an impeding nightmare or the reality. Eventually whoever calling her began to call her by name. The voice was familiar and recent. Claire knew it was Lucille whom she had heard over the phone that had been knocking. She knew better than ignore the woman of the house in her own home so she walked over to open the door. It was not even bolted, she should have walked inside than create such noise.

The woman walked inside and she was just as Claire had imagined. She was slim and tall, looked like her breasts had undergone the knife a couple of times. Claire wondered what kind of doctor she was exactly as the woman seemed vain in all ramifications. She chose not to make it obvious she was wondering about her and then greeted her feebly. The woman nodded and entered the room closing the door before her. She caught sight of Miller who had climbed on the bed earlier and was not stretching out like he owned the place. Her brows furrowed into what would pass for a scowl even though she did it so beautifully.

"Oh, you have a cat?," she asked with distaste.

Claire looked at her apologetically and went to grab him from the bed. She stood on the other side of the room, the bed separating them. The woman sighed obviously not wanting to make obvious her mission. She clapped both her hands together and began rattling off. She said she had come to welcome Claire to the family and tell her the basic rules they stuck to which she had broken one by bringing a cat into the house. They only had a fish and she could do without any furry animal. Claire apologized and explained to her that she would make certain that her pet did not get in anyone's way. The woman scoffed and said that as long as it remained in the confines of her room, then they had no problem at all. Miller had to mew at the moment like he wanted hard to be part of the discussion. The woman eyed him badly and added that if she caught it loitering about the house, she would have no option but to put it down for good. Claire gulped as that was the last thing she had expected to hear from her.

Moving on, she told Claire that she wanted her to live as quietly as she could make possible as she was not willing to have her causing problems for her and her family. The way she said 'family' made Claire feel like she was a deadly outbreak that had come to steal away their joy. The rest of the rules were basically the type anyone would hear in the house. Martha would see to the tidying up of the place and cooking which Claire might have to assist her with henceforth. She did not stop there and went to add that Claire had to be grateful to her for being willing to take her in when everyone had turned their backs on her which is why she demands her absolutely loyalty.

More like absolute submission, Claire thought but dared not say it out aloud. The woman finished and informed Claire that she could come down for dinner and her father was not around. As she walked out of the room, Claire made a mental note which was that Lucille did not like her one bit and she only had to keep off her path if she was going to be happy there with them.

Eventually her grumbling stomach made her get down for dinner after making sure to securely close the door. She got down just as they were already having dinner. The boy Andrew from earlier was there and his sister. Lucille smiled at her and pointed out a seat which was to be hers. Claire looked at the seat at the head which obviously was where her father would be staying. It was empty and she was lonely. He too did not want to see her. Martha brought her meal and just as she was about getting down to it, she took another blow as Lucille introduced her.

"Children, this is Claire your stepsister. She would be living with us henceforth." she said

"Oh I already met her." Andrew said smiling mischievously

"Claire? The one who could barely make it through twelve grade?," the girl asked obviously trying to insult Claire.

It hurt her but she chose not to react. Lucille had to pretend.

"Oh come on now Deanna, she is your sister," she said

"As if." Deanna spat and went back to her food.

"Forgive her Claire, Deanna has a problem with being too straight to the point. You wouldn't blame her for being so honest now, would you?," she said and waited for an answer

"Of course not Mrs Lucille." Claire said

"Oh, do call me mother. You are my daughter too." she said.

The rest of the meal went on silently and from time to time, Claire would catch Deanna staring at her distastefully. She wondered what she had done that was bothering the girl so much. However she finished her food and carried off her dishes even though played modest by asking her to leave it be for Martha. When they were all gone, she assisted with clearing the table despite Martha's protest to leave it be. Claire finished and went back to her room after asking for milk for Miller.

Well, that went well obviously she thought as she watched him slurping at his milk. The next day, she would take a walk around the area, maybe she would eventually find something to do that would give her the break. She could not bear staying home all the time. Her mother she might have been able to cope with but this certainly was another level.