Chapter Five:A False Hope

Kathleen, as Divine has now found out, was a very empathetic and kindhearted woman, seeing as how she was almost in tears by the time she was done telling her story.

She took a breath, her hand never leaving where it held unto Divine's in a comforting manner as she immediately offered to get her a place until she gets back on her feet, find a job or probably try to find her uncle.

Although it was almost dawn by the time they were done, Kathleen apologized for keeping her late, ushering her to bed and promising to introduce her to her husband and kids, especially the kids later into the day because her husband was out of town.

Divine returned to her newly assigned room, blanket held tightly against her chest as she finally took the time to scan the cozy, dimly lit room. Was it really possible that she'd found another person who would take her in, seeking nothing in return? Or was it just another trap to throw her back into despair in a few months to come. She wanted not to trust so easily, but once again, she wasn't given a choice. Kathleen has been nothing but nice, but so was Liam, the whole scenario felt all too familiar and it made tears prick at her eyes before she was sighing, plopping unto the soft mattress and deciding only time would tell.

She wondered what happened to her uncle. He never had any problems with his wife as far as she knew, maybe something happened during the time she had left. She fell back unto the bed, staring up at the ceiling and it wasn't long before she drifted into a dreamless sleep.

.

It was about seven in the morning, the weather bright and not at all looking like it had rained the whole night before, birds chirping and the streets already busy with people starting their day.

Kathleen let Divine sleep in while she prepared the kids for school, covering the breakfast she'd made with a clean food cloth and attaching a small note on the table next to it before quietly shutting the door behind herself, having to drop the kids at school then head for work.

It was a few hours after the house fell silent again that Divine stirred awake from her slumber, panicking when she caught sight of the unfamiliar bed and surroundings, but that only lasted for a few seconds before the reality of her situation dawned on her.

She looked at the clock next to the table, eyes widening when it read 10:00AM and she jumped out of the bed, hurrying to tuck the sheets in and make the bed presentable. She let out a soft cry, holding unto her stomach when she felt something akin to a kick, how unbelievable, she'd forgotten she now had another life growing in her.

After that not very gently reminder, she tried to move much slower, trying not to make any sudden moves or do anything that could affect the baby.

She walked into the bathroom to pee after feeling the need to, the added pressure to her bladder a new feeling. She took her bath afterwards, noting how silent the house still was and wondering where everyone else could've gone. As the water cascaded down her body, she found herself thinking about the situation she was in again. The baby, she had no idea what she wanted to do with it and if she was even in a place to make a choice. She decided to let it be for now, afterall, everything goes and with time, all the answers would become clearer.

When she stepped out and after drying herself, she walked to a small duffel bag she hadn't seen there earlier, and on opening it, she smiled, thanking Kathleen under her breath as she found a few clothes in it, she picked one out, it was a short milk maid gown that looked like it would hug all the right places, a sad smile making it's way to her face when she remembers how Liam used to get her dresses like these, complimenting her body and never missing a chance to dote on her. She shook her head, getting rid of those thoughts and quickly pulling the dress on after she'd worn some underwear.

On stepping into the corridor, she looked around the house, confirming her suspicions that there was no one at home except her, she made her way to the living room, appreciating the beauty of the house now that it was morning and the natural light illuminated the spacious room. The smell of mouthwatering food led her to the dinning area, where she picked a note that laid next to the covered area, ripping it off the table.

-You can put it in the microwave if you don't like your food cold, I had to leave for work and didn't want to disturb your sleep. I'll be back later today, take care.

Divine was once again indebted to the kind woman and she couldn't help the smile that played on her face when she uncovered the food, a soft gasp leaving her lips before she dug in.

As she ate, a million thoughts filled her head. She didn't want to be a liability so she had to be fast about whatever job she would be getting. Although she wasn't showing yet, not all jobs would want to accept her if they knew she was pregnant and that in itself was a drawback.

Finally done with the food, she found the kitchen and made quick work of doing the dishes she ate with. After which she walked aimlessly around the house before she decided not to roam around a house she was a guest(?) at, deciding to step outside for a bit, already feeling a bit bored with nothing to do, she grabbed the keys that had laid on the sticky note before heading out.

At the entrance, she made sure the door clicked shut before looking up at the sky and taking a deep inhale of the crisp morning air, already feeling refreshed before she turned so fast she almost got whiplash when she heard it.

"Divine?..... Good heavens, is that you?" Mrs James, the elderly woman whose house she thought to seek refuge the night before squinted as she walked closer, Divine hurrying to the familiar face which immediately pulled her into a warm embrace.

"Where have you been? It's been so long" she added and Divine managed a small smile that did not reach her eyes.

"It has. I've missed you" Mrs James nodded with a wide smile, the wrinkles around her eyes more prominent as she did.

"What were you doing over there?" She looked behind Divine to the house where she had stepped out of "Where did you leave to? When did you get back?" Divine could understand the concern so she answered the questions that wouldn't stress the older woman.

"I came back yesterday. Uncle wasn't home, so I tried your door. I didn't get a reply but this nice neighbor here helped me out" Divine replied and the woman made a noise of realization, both of them unknowingly walking down the street as they conversed with the lady's hand entwined with Divine's.

"Sorry dear. I was having some trouble sleeping so I'd gotten some drugs at the pharmacy. That must be why I didn't hear you" Mrs James said and Divine nodded in understanding, before finally looking at the path they were headed.

"Mrs James, are you going somewhere?"

"Oh yes dear. I started a coffee shop just a few minutes from here. I'm going to work" she explained and Divine's eyes widened in surprise.

"Really? Are you perhaps….. hiring? You see, I'm looking for a job right now" she explained tentatively and Mrs James quickly nodded, grip on her hand tightening.

"Of course! I'll be happy to have you work for me dear, come, let's hurry so we don't miss the bus" she said, enthusiastically dragging Divine along as silence fell over them.

"You know, I asked your uncle about you when I suddenly stopped seeing you around" she spoke again after a while. "he said you ran away"

Divine felt her lips downturn in sadness as she spoke under her breath. "So many things went wrong after that. I wish I never left" she sniffled when Mrs James pat her back, not missing a word she said.

"It's okay, you can tell me all about it when we get to the shop"

.

Divine found herself appreciating the interior of the homey looking coffeeshop the moment they walked in, Mrs James ushering her to seat as she spoke to one of the girl dressed in a uniform, the girl disappearing behind the counter with a bow and returning with two iced coffee and some muffins.

Everything on the table remained untouched when Divine finished telling her story to Mrs James, tears streaming down her face and the older woman pulling her into a comforting hug, muttering words of assurance in her ear. She deliberately omitted the pregnancy, feeling a bit bad when Mrs James cursed at Liam for throwing her out for no specific reason. When the tears died down, she sniffled, before asking the older if she had any idea regarding her uncle's whereabouts.

"Your uncle left the moment he sold the house, I don't think he's in this town any more" Mrs James muttered and even though it was something she'd heard before, Divine's heart still manage to plummet even deeper, it was like the fact that she was now really alone was continuously slapped unto her brain.