Chapter Three: On The Last Leg With Nigel
6:55. She recapped her mascara and put on her white mink coat. This was the first time she had worn the thing since the night James was taken away. It brought back memories and filled her with emotions she thought she'd never feel again. She shook it off like an overcoat and brought herself entirely to the present, and to the kitchen.
"Nigel, dear, you didn't draw my bath," she sang as she entered. "I had to do it on my own. Maybe I'm right and the only thing you're good for is caring for Cartier!"
Nigel nearly dropped the toast. Stammering, he stared at Erin, Cartier at his feet yapping to be fed. Erin sighed with exasperation and waved her hand to let him know she didn't mind, and to get back to work. As she walked away, she still heard Nigel babbling on his apologies. That thing needs some serious help, she thought as she shook her head in pity.
Five minutes to be ready, she told herself.
Taking advantage of the time, she returned to her closet-altar. Again she reviewed the ritual, this time removing a small photograph of her beloved from the candle-lit shrine and kissed it for luck. She then slid it beneath the fur and silk, and placed it next to her heart. Afterall, he belonged there. Not in prison.
The second hand ticked with ever-steady speed as Erin filled her handbag with the daily essentials: makeup for doing retouches, tissues, sunglasses, ponytail holders and other odd clips...and something neatly wrapped in a white handkercheif. She closed her purse and strained to slip it on her shoulder. For the few things that were in it, it was extrordinarily heavy. The expression on her face showed nothing inconspicuous as she pulled a slice of toast from the plates Nigel had prepared on the table.
Erin glanced at the toast before she bit into it, and promptly threw it back onto the plate.
"Pardon me, Nigel," she said, irritably, "but do I not specify every time you make toast that you must BUTTER it?!"
His eyes widened in horror. He'd never seen Erin this mad since the morning after James was locked away. Nigel nodded slowly, trembling in fear. He reached for a butter knife, and she reached into her purse and felt around for the white package..
He turned around and smiled at her, setting the knife on the table. She smiled back and pulled out a compact to check her appearance as if nothing was wrong.
The toast was buttered and goodbyes were exchanged. Erin slammed the door behind her as she stepped out, and pressed her back against it until Cartier had finished his routine barking fit when she left.
She hung her head as she stood there, and breathed in the fur of her coat. So soft..like James's voice. She caught herself before her eyes welled up with tears, and produced a tissue from her purse to dab them away before they left trails down her cheeks. Erin gave a deep sigh and left her head down as she sped down the stairs to the limo that awaited her.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Thanks!! AerisVampire
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