“I already am helping her. I brought her here, didn’t I? But sure, if she needs some money then I can add some to her paycheck, I suppose.”
“I don’t mean like that. I think you should help her make the repairs that she needs.”
“Why in the world would I do that?” I laugh. It’s ridiculous to think that I have the time to add anything else to my plate right now. Besides, if there is something that I can throw money at, then I would much prefer to do that than to get personally vested in helping myself. I wasn’t even considering giving Seraphine financial help until Lilly started giving me puppy dog eyes.
“Because it’s therightthing to do,” she says, sounding more like a wise old soul than a twelve-year-old girl. “Mom always said to help people with more than just words and money.”
Her words dig straight into the cavities of my chest. Belladidalways say that. It’s the reason that she believed in art so much—to help people on a level that touched their hearts and souls. I can’t look into our daughter’s eyes and argue how important her mother’s outlook on life was.
“We’ll see,” I say as I avoid the issue for now. “Let’s wait and see what kind of situation we’re looking at after the storm clears okay? For now, Seraphine is our guest, andyouneed to get back to sleep.”
I look down at her ankle brace to emphasize my point.
“That won’t heal fast unless you rest and take care of yourself.”
Lilly nods and takes another sip from her cup.
After tucking Lilly back into bed and sitting with her for a few minutes while she finishes her tea, I go back to find Seraphine still standing in the same spot in the living room. She looks overwhelmed. I can’t tell if it’s because my house is such a giant leap up from what she is used to, or if she is still in shock from her flood experience. Either way, she needs to get clean and dry and get some rest.
I show her to the guest bedroom and leave her in there for a few moments while I go search for a change of dry clothes to give her. When I come back into her room, I find her standing at the window looking out at the storm with her back to me.
There is only one dim light on in the room, and her silhouette is framed by it against the dark window. Her pajama pants might have been fluffy before becoming drenched, but now they mold to the shape of her curves, clinging to her rounded bottom and pressing against the inside of her thighs. I feel as if I am losing the battle of keeping myself in check.
“Here,” I say, not wanting to startle her by just walking into the room unannounced.
She turns and walks over to me as I hand her the small pile of clothes. It’s one of my long sleeve shirts and a pair of sweatpants, along with a thick pair of socks. I don’t have anything else to give her and all the stores are currently closed until morning.
“Sorry it’s not much but I don’t really have female clothes, and I’m pretty sure nothing that Lilly has will fit you.”
“It’s perfect and much appreciated,” she says with a tired smile. “Thank you.”
I nod, feeling the growing warmth of a rising angst between us and realizing that I need to leave this room.
“There’s a bathroom just down the hall,” I say as I motion my hand out the door. “Please help yourself to a hot bath to warm yourself up. It doesn’t take much to get a chill when you get soaked to the skin here and the air is cool. The bathroom is stocked with toiletries, use whatever you need.”
She thanks me again, and after lingering for a very awkward split second, I turn around and leave.
“Chad,” she calls out, almost impulsively. “I’m sorry. I know that you already have a lot on your plate and fishing me out of a flooded house wasn’t something you expected to find yourself doing. I’ll be out of your hair as soon as the storm clears.”
“It might take you a bit longer than that,” I say, trying to be realistic with her. “There’s no telling if that cottage of yours will even still be standing tomorrow.”
“Nonetheless, I still have my van,” she says, trying to stay positive. “Well, at least Ihopemy van will have survived the storm better than the house. What I’m trying to say is that I know I am not your responsibility. I’m a grown woman and I can take care of myself. I appreciate your coming to my rescue tonight, but I’ll figure out what to do about everything tomorrow.”
I can tell that she is trying to sound as independent as she has always been, and she is too stubborn to admit that sheneedssome help this time. I decide to let her have that, and to let her keep her drenched head held high, even though moments ago she was crouched on top of a bookshelf to avoid being washed away.
“I’m sure your van survived the storm just fine,” I smile reassuringly. “Things on wheels tend to do better.”
She smiles and I turn to leave. I make it almost to my own bedroom when I hear the water turn on for the bath. I hope that she can warm up and relax a little now because I know it must have been an exhausting ordeal for someone unfamiliar with living here in the mountains. And as much as I try not to give her any more thought tonight, I can’t help but focus on one of the things that she said tonight. I know she isn’t my responsibility, but I can’t seem to shake the feeling that somehow now,she is.
I change out of my own wet clothes, shower, and put on a dry T-shirt and sweatpants before heading back out to the kitchen to sit with my own cup of tea. I’m much too wide awake to go back to bed yet.
And even if I could, I would probably only see Seraphine in my sleep.
Chapter Seven
Seraphine
The hot bath feels good, especially since I’mfreezing, but it doesn’t feel as good as it would in my own tub.