Lissy part 9 Elisabeth braced herself. With shallow breaths, she watched with trepidation as the delicate, genteel left hand slowly made its way to hers. Since the day she fell into the groping darkness of mental uncertainty, only Mrs. Cullenan was allowed to touch her poor daughter. As far as everyone else was concerned, Lissy kept them firmly at arms length. “I suppose it might not be what you wish to hear,” Joseph said, “But I believe I know exactly how you feel.” “About what?” Lissy forced herself. “The day you threw my basket, you were telling me that people didnt treat you very nicely. They made fun of you, didnt they?” The girl bit the inside of her cheek in a desperate bid to keep the foul memories at bay. “Yes...” “Well... Im sure you may have reckoned that I got made fun of as well. At school, the other boys threw things at me and called me names. Sometimes they ran away as soon as they saw me coming. When I was older, my father had me peddle goods door to door. At first, it was children who followed me about, trying to trip me up and making rude comments. But it didnt take long for the crowds to grow. I got in trouble with the police, because according to them, I was too much of a disturbance.” As gentle as a butterfly landing on her skin, Joseph lay his hand on top of hers. At first, Lissy stiffened, but as the seconds ticked away, her addled brain began to cool. Her breathing steadied. Mr. Merricks touch was just like that of her mothers. The little nibble of human contact felt like the finest of silks against her sensitive skin, for there was nothing but goodness and understanding in it. “Do you want me to let go?” asked Joseph. Elisabeth shook her head. The minutes drifted by like leaves caught in a swirling draft. While Lissy sat in a soothing silence, Joseph was beaming. He couldnt wait to tell Leila and Mr. Treves that the strange girl had allowed him to touch her hand. Surely it was a sign that it was not just animals that were allowed into Lissys exclusive heart. The two of them would have sat there together for minutes to come, were it not for the little chirping meows coming from Elisabeths satchel. “Er... Lissy? What is that?” “Oh, I found it on my way to the hospital,” she recalled. “You can have it if you want.” With slow, protective hands, Lissy reached into her bag and pulled out the kitten. At once, it began to purr as its rescuer held it close. Joseph inched closer, eager to give the fluffy little creature a good petting. “You said you found it abandoned in an alley?” “Yes, it was an alley that was two blocks away from the hospital,” Lissy replied. “There werent any others, except this one. You want to hold it?” “May I?” Merrick gasped. The girl responded by placing the kitten in Josephs grasp. It continued to purr. “Is it a he or a she?” “Its a he,” Lissy nodded. Overwhelmed by the infant feline, Merrick looked into the kittens jewel-like eyes. Just like Lissy, there was no fear to be found. He wished the moment could last forever, but a fierce knock at the door jolted both Joseph and Lissy. “Come in,” Merrick called. A wave of guilt and apprehension washed over Elisabeth like a crashing wave. Standing in the doorway was a very frazzled Leila Maturin. Both Joseph and Elisabeth stood before Mrs. Maturin, feeling like children that had been caught filching a biscuit. “You went all the way to Whitechapel by yourself!” Leila roared. “I left a note...” Lissy confessed. “I dont care if you left fifty pounds!” Mrs. Maturin continued. “You could have gotten lost, or robbed, or God knows what else. I dont want to have to tell your mother that you vanished under my watch.” While Leila ranted, Joseph held up his good palm as he lurched himself forward. He was unable to watch the girl bear her punishment alone. “Miss Maturin, please. I dont condone what Lissy has done, but you must find it extraordinary that she made it all the way here on her own.” Her hands still clenched, Leila forced herself to release a sigh that had been building since she first discovered that Elisabeth was missing. “Yes, I suppose it is extraordinary, Mr. Merrick. In my opinion, its beyond lucky. You and I both know how dangerous the streets of Whitechapel can be. Lissy could have easily gotten lost.” “No, the hospital is very big,” the girl stepped in. “That may be so, but how where you planning on getting back? Did you bring enough money for a cab ride? Do you even know the address of my house?” Gulping, Elisabeth lowered her gaze to the floor. Though Leila was not screaming at her, she still felt the sting of her words. “I just wanted to say sorry to Joseph,” she murmured sullenly. “Thats right,” Merrick brought up. “For throwing my basket. Her apology was of great sincerity, and she even gave me a little gift in return.” Proudly, he presented the kitten to Mrs. Maturin. “I found him,” Elisabeth explained. “He was in a rubbish bin. I couldnt leave him there.” With a biting reluctance, Leila reached out and stroked the kitten between its ears. She wanted to continue to be angry with Lissy, hoping the lesson would sink in even further, but to her astonishment, her anger began to evaporate. The kitten butted his head against her fingers, eager for another stroking. “You look fatigued, Elisabeth. How late were you up last night?” “Didnt sleep,” she shrugged. “I wanted to get here early.” “Well come on. Say goodbye to Mr. Merrick and come with me. Youre to go straight to bed when we get home.” Leila beckoned. Obediently, Elisabeth collected her bag and went to follow her hostess. Yet as she egressed Merricks hospital suite, a strange sensation began to burn in her veins. It was an urge. Though sudden, it was certainly not a novelty. Lissy had had urges before. One of which happened to compel her to run away screaming at the sight of a butchers stall. When she looked back at Joseph, the urge grew in power. Her brow furrowed in deep thought, the girl knew she was supposed to extend to him some kind of gratitude, but was not sure what. “I hope to see you again soon, Lissy,” Merrick called. “I quite enjoyed our visits.” That was it. Breaking free of Mrs. Maturins guidance, Elisabeth Cullenan dashed to Joseph, coiling her arms around him in a tight, desperate hug. The tears returned to her eyes.
Posted on: Sun, 19 Jan 2014 01:43:07 +0000
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