14.4
Patt POV
I am cleaning cookware after preparing breakfast for the youngest Armstrong and her family.
Nat marched into the kitchen this morning like a soldier on a mission.
“Aunt Patt…” His bottom lip trembling as tears well in his eyes.
“Oh, Nat,” I open my arms wide.
He barrels into them, knocking me back a few steps.
“Mae won’t get up…” He cries into my ironed blouse. “Her head is hot.”
I stroke his hair and pat his back gently. “Let’s go check on her, hm.”
“Mhm.” He nods, taking my hand and leading the way.
…
“Rest now.”
I replaced the soft gel adhesive patch on her forehead, tucking her comfortably back into bed. On her bedside table I have placed some cold medicine and a glass of water that remains untouched.
I check on her periodically while I take care of chores around the house.
It is when I am sweeping the top of the staircase that I hear it.
“M-mae?”
“Mae!”
I drop the broom and hurry to her room.
N’Freen wrings the sheets unforgivingly as she looks around with bleary, tearful eyes.
I rush to her side, lifting my hand to check her temperature.
“Mae.” Nong weakly wraps her arms around my waist. “Don’t leave.”
I rub between her shoulder blades in a soothing manner.
I gently move N’Freen towards the center of the bed, taking a seat beside her.
“Don’t leave us.” She pleads.
She rests on my thin shoulder as I smooth the hairs atop her head.
“I don’t know what I’m doing.”
She whispers this admission like she has been holding onto it for a long time.
“Nat needs you.”
I hum a lullaby my own mother used to sing for me, gently cradling her sickly body.
“I-” Her voice breaks into a sob.
“I need you.”
Poor N’Freen.
Becky hasn’t shared any specifics about the woman and boy now living here.
But she gave one command to all the hired help.
They mustn’t know about the family affairs.
My heart aches for this young woman who’s in for a world of hurt.
It is clear she lived a life with hardships and tribulations.
And I can see how much Becky cares for her. In all the years I’ve served the Armstrong family, Becky has not once cherished someone as she does Freen.
But Rebecca isn’t like her father.
She doesn’t know when to walk away from danger.
A folly of her youth.
I worry endlessly that she’ll end up like Khun Im.
And N’Freen…like me.