Chapter 6

 TANNER

Why are you still here?

It's a question I asked myself two hours later. I brought this girl to this house because it's a place I know he'll never have use for again. This house is a place I don't want to be in at all if I can help it.

Yet, I find myself reluctant to leave the girl until I'm sure she's settled in. 

"She's not your responsibility," I said out loud to the empty room. I need to be on my way....and two bottles of beer in hand too.

Job. I'll help her secure a job and then I'm gone. That decided, and I stepped out of the room.

   

"You're done with your bath and that of Jaimie's?" I asked staring at her on the bed. 

She had put on a nicely fit simple dress from the clothes I bought for her. I don't know why I should feel pleased that the cloth fit but I did.

  

 "Yes, I'm done." She replied in that soft voice of hers. 

"I've decided to help you get a job," I stated.

Her eyes widened in sheer terror. She shook her head twice. "No! I can't."

She's really on the run then. "This job will be safe for you. You'll be working In a library. The owner, an old keeper is looking for a bookkeeper. If you're running from the law, that's the best place to work. Only a few customers go there." 

She looked bewildered, then. "Why are you helping me?" 

"I just want to," I stated automatically. My eyes glanced at the sleeping baby on the bed. I stared back at the mother.

"Thanks so much. I really appreciate it." She whispered at last.

"It's nothing." I started automatically and faced the door. "Let me show you directions to the Library. It's 40 kilometers from here. It's even trekkable." I said to her and she nodded.

    She followed me out of the house. She stopped to stare at it, and I realized that it was the first time she's seeing where I brought her. Where she'll be leaving. 

She stared at me with questions in her eyes. Probably wants to ask how a homeless beggar came about having an apartment. How he still roamed the street as if he has a roof to give out.

I ignored all the unasked questions. "You coming?"

She followed me. I observed that she was no longer limping as much as before. He walked for a while.

"When you get to the end of the street, you'll see a huge signboard written: 'WILSON'S LIBRARY & BOOK STORE.' When you get there, tell the keeper that you're here for the vacant job and he'll tell you when to resume. I've spoken with him already so he won't give you a hard time." I said to her.

She looked at the directions to the library that I'd pointed out to her and she started going toward the directions.

"Goodbye." She said to me. "And thank you."

I gave a curt nod. I watched her leave. Ready to be on my way, I suddenly remembered that the baby is alone at the house. I can't leave the child all alone. 

Not my problem. I reminded myself.

Yet, I found myself retracting my steps to go stay with the little boy. That is until she comes back.

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     JASAMINA

"Phew!" I sighed as soon as I got to the front of the library. I sat on the front stairs because I was totally out of breath. The library was not far, but I needed to rest because I'm still feeling a little weak.

   

The drunkard is a very good person. He's a savior. He bought me baby things, clothes, and footwear, and found me a house. Now, he's helping me with a job. 

Does he work for Dale? The insecure and untrusting child inside me asked quietly.

I reviewed all our encounters and shook my head. No, this drunkard doesn't know me. It's obvious he doesn't want to be near me and my baby at all, but he still decided to help me.

After I had a little rest, I went inside. I saw the keeper and told him I was here for the vacant job. 

He took one long look at me. He proceeded to tell me all the qualities of working there when I was to resume & that a man had already come there and told him that a lady would come for the vacant job later in the day and that I should dress properly while coming.

"Yes sir. I'll be able to do all that." I said to him as soon as he finished speaking. He was really an old keeper. He had almost even lost sight and he was using some old spectacles. 

I had pity for him, but I was happy he was going to be paying me a minimal amount of money for the services I'm going to render. It's not a big money but it'll be enough to get me started again.

Suddenly, my future looked so bright. I really hope it'll remain this way and nobody will recognize me and Jaimie. I hope my husband will never find me again.