Simple Servant

Chapter 8 - Perception

^Cook, Rosemary, and Ginger

Chapter 8 - Perception

The skies were still dark when Noah pulled his protesting body up off of his worn down mattress. It had been two weeks since his trip to the market.

He had enjoyed having a few days of not needing to wake up the Twins, fix their baths, clean their clothes, or deal with their tempers.

It hadn't taken Lady Cathliene long to notice that Noah had more time on his hands. He was temporarily reassigned to the service staff where he cleaned out fireplaces, and washed windows. It was in those moments that his thoughts would focus on a certain Lady with raven hair and hazel eyes.

She was perhaps the strangest Lady that Noah had ever met.

"Lost in thought?" A voice called out from behind him.

"Hum?" He second-handedly answered back.

"Noah! Wake up." The voice scolded. "You've been washing the same window for the last ten minutes now."

"What?" He inquired turning around quickly. "Hey Ginger." He said with a guilty grin on his face when he saw the thirteen-year-old eyeing him pointedly.

"Come on take a break and talk to me." She insisted. "You've been acting strange for a while now. What's wrong?"

"I just lost my concentration," Noah explained, turning back to the window, "no need to worry."

Young Ginger placed her hands on her hips, mimicking her mother perfectly. "I'm not stupid you know."

"How's Timothy?" Noah probed hoping to change the subject.

The young girl tossed her hair back and sighed. "Fine then if you want to be rude, I guess I won't tell you what I heard about Lady Tompson."

"Wait, what about Annabell?" He snapped his head to look at the thirteen year.

"So it's true!" She hollered gleefully.

Noah groaned as he leaned on the wall, and stared intently at his feet. "I guess I fell for that one."

"Yep. Timothy told me about her." Ginger informed. "He said that she was really pretty."

"Did Timothy tell you anything else?" He asked openly.

"Yeah." Ginger's voice showed her regret for Noah. She was obviously happy that what she heard was true, but seeing the pain on her friends face, had made her wish that it wasn't. "Noah look, you can't beat yourself up about this. It is just a case of mistaken identity that's all. You'll forget about her eventually. Just give it time alright?"

"Who taught you to speak like that?" He asked slightly astonished by her wisdom.

"My Momma." Ginger responded proudly.

Noah placed his washrag on the windowsill and looked up at Ginger. "You still didn't answer my question." He implored, "How's Timothy?"

"He gets to visit this weekend." She replied happily.

"What's the occasion?" he asked, not having heard anything about an event yet.

A small frown found its way to the girl's lips. "Lady Montego wants to meet with her bridge group and discuss the upcoming Ball. She actually planed ahead and asked mom to order a cake from Hardee's." A mischievous smile found its way to her face, "Mom ordered it from Byrns' Bakery, so don't say anything."

"At least you get to see him." Noah stated trying to be happy for her.

"Don't be so glum Noah." She said sternly, "Besides I think Annie is sending him with a treat for us."