Capítulo 14: Sins and stones
Henric walked with his head bowed low , his mind heavy and his heart heavier . Stuart and Link walked next to him , both their heads down aswell . Sister Anthony walked infront of them , her face like the remnants of a storm .
She had stormed into the kitchen with Link behind her and the cook had been momentarily put off . Then they had begun to argue ; Mrs Elma feeling angry about the interruption in her cooking and Sister Anthony validating her reasons .
It was when Mrs Elma grabbed the butchers knife that Sister Anthony finally backed down . She apologized and kindly asked for Henric and Stuart . Mrs Elma had been barely pacified and demanded the boys back immediately . Sister Anthony had agreed and finally the two boys had been taken away .
But the argument would become talk of the orphanage and the boys would be asked about what had made sister Anthony so mad as to challenge Mrs Elma . They all knew the cook had a temper that no one , not even the Reverend father , would challenge .
What had sister Anthony been thinking ? All three wondered the same thing but they didn't dare say anything because of the look on her face . No doubt they would be subject to her wrath after this day . She would direct all her anger at them for the insult the cook had given her .
This was what made their hearts , especially Henric , heavy . They followed sister Anthony meekly , not saying a word but Henric saw Link reach out for Stuart's hand occasionally . Whether this was accidental or not , the answer was clear when Link smirked and grinned when Stuart shied away .
Oh , Henric thought amused , love truly boggles the mind .
" Halt ." Sister Anthony said softly but firmly and the three boys stopped . They were infront of her office , with it's thick oak door .
" Sister Anthony , are we here for adoption ? " Stuart asked and Henric winced internally .
Poor Stuart , he thought , they were nearly at their final months at Pearl orphanage . They were also clearly men , no one would adopt them at their age . Only Stuart would hold onto the dream of having a nice family and Henric felt sympathetic for his friend .
" No , you are not . " Sister Anthony said with a glare and Stuart looked down .
" Apparently a trader has come claiming you all purchased from her merchandise . I doubted this myself and so asked you to verify for me . " She continued , " We wouldn't want the school stripped of pennies on the words of a wi- trader ."
She turned around but Henric needed to hear no more . He knew who was behind that door and smiled internally .
" Now , greet and answer when spoken to ." She said and they nodded their heads .
" Yes , sister ." They said and she turned around and kicked the door open .
No one knew who was more stunned by the act ; The boys or Serena , who jumped out of her chair as if fearing some dragon had come . When she looked at the now open door she saw the three boys and sister Anthony .
She did that on purpose , Serena thought with gritted teeth , she's practically hiding her grin and smirk !
" Mrs Fox , I have brought the boys . " Sister Anthony said and Serena frowned slightly .
Why was her voice so polished now ? She wondered . She'd been speaking like a Virginian but now she sounded like some coloniser . Was it for the boys ? She thought looking at them and decided it was . You wouldn't speak common talk when high schooling boys are in the room .
" Greet Mrs Fox , now ." Sister Anthony said and the boys greeted Serena with respect and it made her want to laugh .
" It's a pleasure to see you all again . " She said using her Charleston voice and earning looks from them all . They thought they're the only ones with class , Serena thought smugly . Ha !
" Now , boys . Mrs Fox claims that you each took something from her ... shack - I mean shop ." Sister Anthony said and Serena felt like cutting out her tongue . The trollop , acting all polished but still as bitter as lemon juice on vinegar .
" We did Sister. " Stuart said softly .
" You what !? " Sister Anthony screeched . She had not expected this at all . Truthfully , she had thought Serena was lying about the boys buying from her store . Afterall , what good pupil from their orphanage would buy from the witch ? Who would think of entering her shop without fear of being hexed ? She looked at all three boys .
Apparently they would , she thought grimly and went to her seat .
" What did you purchase ? " She asked them .
" We bought stones ." Henric said and Sister Anthony narrowed her eyes . She wasn't that gullable .
" What kind of stones ? What were they for ? Nothing diviant or devilish I hope . " She said and the boys felt fear prick their skins .
" No , they were colorful rocks . The colors make you - you think of happy and calm things ." Stuart said softly .
" So it was for voodoo ? " Sister Anthony said with a smile.
" What ? Voodoo how and where ? " Serena put in , " The rocks I gave them ain't got anything bad or sinister in their make . Just pay me my money and I'll be gone from here ."
" Henric , you're a loyal and faithful boy . " Sister Anthony said as if Serena had not spoken ," I know Sister Cali raised you to be a good and honest boy . You wouldn't take something satanic and wouldn't let your brothers do it either . True ? "
" Yes , sister ." Henric said meekly .
" So tell me ... are the stones you took magical or satanic in anyway ? " She asked him with a piercing gaze , " Be honest like sister Cali would want you to be ."
Wow , Serena thought mystified , she'd never seen such a thick layer of manipulation in her life . Clearly the boy was being guilted into saying the truth . And if he does , she thought glumly , I'm going to have to pick some flowers to take with me in my grave .
The room was silent as Henric was stared at by everyone , waiting for his answer .
" Sister Cali , raised me to be faithful and loyal . Trust and believe me Sister , the stones are not harmful to us . " He said ," The only way they would harm anyone is if they were thrown with intent to injure ."
" Well , there you have it . Case shut and hung to dry . " Serena said turning to Sister Anthony ," He says there was nothing wrong with what I sold him , so pay up . If you please ."
Sister Anthony sighed and internally groaned .
" How much were they ? " She asked opening a trunk behind her desk .
" Oh , about 15 dollars ... each ."
" You're insane ! " Sister Anthony said turning around , " Ain't no colorful rocks worth that much money . You're sleeping if you think I'm paying you nearly half a hundred dollars. "
" Hey , this was quality merchandise . Very rare , very hard to come by . " Serena said vehemently .
" I could go to the stream and pick up a colorful rock but I'd have sense , knowing it's less than a penny . Which is all you're getting for each rock . " Sister Anthony yelled .
" I didn't pick this at some dirty water path , you midget . " Serena said ," It took me nearly a year to find those stones . They're almost as much as a diamond , I tell you . "
" Diamonds ? The only diamond I think you've ever had was made of plastic . " Sister Anthony said and turned to the boys before Serena could say anything .
" Show me these diamond worthy rocks . I agreed to pay but I'm not paying above common sense ." Sister Anthony said and Henric looked at the other two expectantly .
Stuart and Link unbuttoned their wrists and showed two stones tied on string . Sister Anthony came over and looked at them closely . She had to admit , they had a very pretty shine ... but fifteen dollars for them both ? No , that was insanity .
" Henric do you have one aswell ? " Sister Anthony asked and Henric nodded his head . He unbuttoned his shirt collar and there was a shiny ball tied like a necklace around his neck .
Sister Anthony looked at this , it was equally as good as the other two . But 45 dollars , for three rocks ? She'd be a fool if she said yes to that .
" I'd say , five bucks each . " She said and Serena gritted her teeth .
" I'm not taking anything less than seven dollars for each one . " Serena said ," It's either that or I'm getting the sheriff , on account of you not paying ."
" Eighth dollars each . No less and definitely no more . " Sister Anthony said taking money from the trunk and giving it to Serena, who took it in the blink of an eye .
" Thank you , bout time too." Serena said and rose up ," Would one of these boys walk me out , your buildings a maze ."
" The sin of lust is not - " Anthony started but Serena cut her off .
" Who said anything about lust ? I'd never be interested in these young things . " Serena said waving her hand at the boys like they were insignificant donkeysx ," I just want an escort out of your hell prison . "
" This is an institution built to nurture and tend to young boys and men with the love and grace of the almighty . It is not a hell prison . " Sister Anthony said ," But we would not want you getting lost , so young Henric will escort you out . The others will return to their duties ."
It would be very unlikely for her to taint Henric , sister Anthony thought but didn't realize she had just fanned a flame . Henric smiled internally and Serena rolled her eyes and then she remembered it and her eye row turned to a frown .
.....
" Why do you keep the poison ivy ? It ain't pretty unless you're hundred yards away . " Serena said as they walked out of the building .
" Father Reverend uses them as a reminder , that outside our walls lies the sins of the world but inside is purity , honesty and faith . " Henric explained , " We have a rose garden inside and it's very beautiful . It represents the complete goodness we aim to achieve someday . "
" Sounds like you're lazy to tend the walls to me . " Serena said walking out ," So Henric , did your friends get into any Tom foolery ? "
" No , they did not. " Henric said slowly and Serena nodded her head . She knew he was lying but didn't care to ask more about it .
" Thank you for coming . It is quite nice to see you again ." Henric said honestly and Serena raised a brow .
" I told the hag in there that I wouldn't come over and try anything with you young ones . But here you are trying to woo me . " She said and Henric shook his head quickly .
" No , no , I don't mean my words to sound like that . I have no romantic interest in you . " He said honestly .
" So I'm ugly . Thanks for the compliment ." Serena said sarcastically and Henric chuckled softly .
" And he can laugh . You were so stiff inside that place I thought you were made of stone. " Serena said nonchalantly .
" I'm just meek and restrained . It doesn't mean I lack humour . " Henric said as they reached the gate ," Now I must leave you . Have a good day Mrs Fox . "
" Wait ." Serena said looking around before dropping her voice to a whisper .
" Do you know any ... Arabs that have come to your institution ? " She asked him and Henric was confused .
" No , we have never had any History with Arabs or Islamic groups . I've never met one ans I've lived here my whole life ." He answered ," But why do you ask ? "
" Oh , I'm just checking on something . " She said ," By the way , can you read Arab ? "
" Well , no. I haven't learnt it. I know French , Latin , Greek and Celtic ." Henric said and Serena sighed .
She reached up and touched his chest feeling for the rock under his shirt . It would help find lost things , that's all .
" Have a good day , Henric . Come by my shop anytime . " Serena said and left before Henric could say another word .
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