Sweet Southern Haven

Apologize

{Noelle’s POV}

I don’t know how it happened, one minute I was alone in the house, and the next I was drowning in guests.

First Owen showed up with the electrician, then a minute or two later Emmaline came down. Next thing I knew Daphne was here joining the mix. I was honestly never good with crowds, they always freaked me out. Somehow though, they made me feel at ease, like I’d known them my whole life. I pulled my hair up into a high ponytail, it still reached my butt even pulled up this way. I walked into the kitchen, wearing my long sleeve black sweater, and a pair of high waisted jeans, and fuzzy black socks. “Sorry, I wasn’t expecting company..” I said making my way into the kitchen. I opened the oven and pulled out the cookies that I had been baking. It was a secret recipe that I learned from my mother, they were the best! I carefully got the cookies off the baking sheet and laid them on the cooling rack.

“Mmm, those smell amazing!” Daphne smiled, leaning over the island.

“Cookies!” Shouted Emmaline before reaching out and grabbing one.

I turned and grabbed it from her hand before she held onto it for too long. “Owe!” I threw it back down, looking at the blisters that were beginning to form on my fingers. “I just got those out of the oven sweetie.. they’re too hot. Did you burn yourself?” I asked gripping her hand and turning it over to look.

She shook her head. “No, but you did..” Daphne said standing up and walking around the counter. She grabbed my hand and turned on the water faucet, shoving my hand under it.

“I’m okay, it doesn’t really hurt. I’m just glad that Emmaline didn’t get burned.” I smiled back over my shoulder at her.

“I’m sorry..” she sniffled. “I just wanted one.. I didn’t mean to..”

I pulled my hand out from under the running water and dried it off. I walked over to where she was sitting and hugged her gently. “It’s okay sweetie, just be careful going around things that just come out of the oven.” I pulled back. “Does your grandma let you in the kitchen around stuff when she’s cooking?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No.. she says that I could get hurt.”

I nodded, looking down at her. “She’s right, which is why you have to be very careful. Getting burned hurts, so you have to make sure not to touch anything that’s too hot, okay.” I smiled down at her softly, and that’s when I heard the door slam.

I looked up, seeing Silas stalking towards us. “What are you telling my daughter?” He shouted.

“I was just telling her to..” I started, but he cut me off.

“I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but it isn’t appropriate for you to be telling my daughter about burns!” He sneered at me, and that’s when I realized, he saw some of my scars.

I cringed, my body tensing up, tears began to prick up in my eyes, and I decided it was easier to just leave, rather than try to explain or deal with him. I just nodded, looking to the ground and rushing from the kitchen to my room. I slammed the door shut, and cried, I looked at my reflection in the floor length mirror. I hated feeling weak, looking weak.. I screamed grabbing a vase from the shelf and throwing it at the mirror, shattering it. I watched as all of the reflective pieces fell to the ground, one flinging out and cutting my cheek, I cried dropping to my knees and sobbing bitterly. I never wanted anyone to see my scars, and not only did he see them, but he was disgusted by them, and even thought that I would talk about them with a child. He must truly think that I’m an awful person.

{Silas’ POV}

I watched as Noelle took off up the stairs and I pulled my daughter into my arms. “What the he** is wrong with you Silas?” Daphne asked, shooting me a glare.

“What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with you, letting her talk to my daughter about burn scars!” I shouted at her.

“What are you talking about? Emmaline grabbed a cookie off the cooling rack when Noelle had just got them from the oven. Noelle noticed and snatched it from her hand, but she burned herself in the process. She was warning Emmaline not to touch hot things!” She shot at me.

I froze, looking to my daughter in my arms. “I-Is that true?” I asked her.

She nodded, tears welling up in those big brown eyes. “I’m sorry daddy, I just wanted a cookie..”

I shook my head, shushing her and kissing her forehead. “It’s okay sweetie.. this time daddy is at fault, not you.” I said, setting her back down at the island. “I think I should go apologize..” I said, turning towards the staircase. I walked up, and that’s when I heard it, cries and screams coming from her room, then the sound of glass shattering. I ran to the door and found it was locked. “Noelle..” I said, my voice slightly frantic.

“Go away Mr. Moore..” she shot at me.

At this point I was too worried to just walk away. “Ms. Bennett, open the door!” I said, a little more urgently. She opened the door just a crack, and that’s when I saw it, a cut across her cheek. I pushed my way into the room and gripped her face gently. “What happened?”

“Mr. Moore, I would ask you to refrain from touching me!” She snapped, slapping my hands away. “I’m fine, just.. upset, now if you’d be so kind as to leave..” she said pushing past me and opening the door.

“No.. I want to apologize, I should have never..” I began, but she cut me off.

“No, you shouldn’t have! You saw some of my scars and thought that I would discuss such a thing with a child! I’m not a fu***** monster!” She shouted up at me, her eyes welling with tears. “I don’t want to discuss it with anyone, but especially not a child! If you honestly think that I’m that demented, then I want you to leave!”

“I..I’m sorry.. I just heard you talking about burns and how much they hurt.. I assumed..” I began but she cut me off again, this time slapping the door.

“I won’t discuss this! I can’t! Now go!” She yelled, pointing out into the hallway.

“Ms. Bennett.. please..” I spoke softer.

She just pointed to the hallway, tears now spilling down her cheek. I did as she said, and left her room, walking back down to the first floor. The disappointed looks from my brother and my sister said it all. I just shook my head, leaving the house and heading back home.