Working Towards The Realization

As Madam Odette tends to her chore I reach for the only source of entertainment I have, her book. I check the mental note of what page I was on flipping around until I find it. I jump right back into the black words on white pages letting my mind drift back to this fantasy world of odd romance and adventure. Time skips as I let myself go in the moment. The words wrap around me like a blanket sweeping me away. It's not long before my eyes feel heavy once again. You would think that after days of sleep I would be awake longer than an hour. But rest does the body good. That is also what the doctor prescribed.

I take another note of what page I am on before setting the book back on the nightstand. I get myself settled in deeper under the sheets getting nested. I don't remember even trying to fall asleep, just waking up to the door opening as Madam Odette returned covered in the snow and wearing a heavier winter coat. From underneath the bright red and white fluff, she pulls a full set of clothes that look like they were from my cabin. "You may want to wait for them to warm up. Your door was open and there was snow everywhere. I have a few people helping clear it out the best they can."

She and they didn't have to do that. I'm sure I could have made it somehow when I was better. The clothes are set down on the edge of the bed before she takes her leave. Just as the door begins to shut she pauses looking back, "While I don't recommend that you go out, I will find you a heavier coat to wear and have it ready." I give a nod and my thanks. She doesn't have to do this for me but I'm grateful that she did. The door closes quietly giving me my chance to get up and get dressed before this opportunity escapes me.

The bed feels nice but nothing compares to your own clothes. The ones she grabbed were well worn, enough that they are in the perfectly comfortable spot where they're loose but still hold giving space to breathe. Just swaying my hips back and forth I feel better. Standing and putting weight on my legs feels strange. A week of sedentary will do that. Wonder what they'll have me do to rebuild that muscle back. I could shovel the snow from my home. That will get me back in shape if it hasn't stopped since I've been out.

One thing is for sure, I need something to eat and to stretch out. A simple trip to the kitchen sounds like a good idea to me. I pass the double doors heading out and catching Madam Odette on her way back up the stairs. She's in proper dress for her this time. Nothing lazy, just her usual business day attire. "Red, you should be resting."

"Yes, Madam Odette. I thought that a simple visit to the kitchen for something to eat wouldn't be too out of the question."

I don't make requests often with her. Very rarer do I push. The rarest of all is when she doesn't fight back to start with. "I guess that would be ok. But I'll go with it, to make sure you are OK." So she wants to babysit for a while. Is it worry? It's a worry but is it worry for my well-being or is it her own worry about me? Very curious indeed.

She offers me her hand to take as we descend the stairs but I'm too stubborn. The railing works just fine as support. I would assume she would take some offense to me declining her offer but at the same time, I have a feeling that being the strong-willed person that she already is she would understand an attempt to take care of it myself.

I try to avoid the looks I receive as I make my way. Honestly though, if I were them, I would be staring. I made enough of a ruckus that I have no doubt word spread quickly about something happening. After a while, I'm sure that the story was spread and even distorted. Once I hit the bottom of the steps I look to my right at the door to the backyard. The door is currently blocked off by velvet rope to prevent anyone from using it.

I'm guessing that Uncle Thomas is still there, more or less. Nothing in this world can make me want to deal with that right now. I feel like garbage. Maybe this venture was a bad idea. Madam Odette walks around me getting the door to the hallway towards the kitchen. That kind of assistance I will gladly take.

I give her a nod as I pass her. She moves around me again getting the doors in the way until we hit the swinging door. I thought about this a little too late. Once I passed through the door and one staff member caught me. The otter working next to him and one by one everyone seemed to stop and look. By the odd stares, I can guess that the news trickled down and that I was not doing too well.

Finally, through the awkward silence, a familiar voice rings out as I hear a metal bowl hit the floor. "Red!" A short skunk pushes her way from her station through the center of the kitchen, around the prep station, and right into my midsection almost knocking me over. Madam Odette was the wall behind me that kept me standing while Penny felt over my stomach and chest until she grabbed my muzzle bringing my sight down to her.

With tears in her eyes she chokes out a few words, "You are not allowed to do that again! Do you understand?!" I can't answer with her paws wrapped around my muzzle. In a fit of desperation, my eyes dart to Madam Odette looking for help but she just lets this happen. Looking back I can only muffle a yes and shake my head a bit. She releases her grip biting her lip choking back everything that she wants to let loose.

I get a wave of nods and "welcome back"s as they all start getting back to work. The reason we came down here was clear. It doesn't take them more than a minute to have something whipped up from what's stored in the kitchen. It's a light meal that emphasizes some basic proteins and good vegetables. Basically, a fancy sandwich with three types of meat and a plethora of fresh greens. They know what I like too. Roast beef, black forest ham, and crispy bacon with some crispy lettuce.

Some comfort food will do me better than bed rest. Madam Odette takes the plate from me so she can carry it back upstairs. If I drop it I break the plate and lose the food so I understand her hesitance in letting me carry it. I'm still unsteady on my paws.

Madam Odette's room is very welcoming. The lights, the sounds, and even the smell all make it inviting. I just wish that I could come in here when I'm not almost dying or injured. The room itself always seemed far too large for just one occupant. From wall to wall I guess it's about the size of the house my parents lived in. Even so, every bit of the room serves a purpose. The bed is large, there is a vanity desk by a large walk-in closet, and a section of the room is jutted in to provide a smaller room for a bathroom. That in itself is probably the size of a normal master bedroom.

I'm not allowed to dilly-dally. Madam Odette is keeping a sharp eye on me. I can almost feel her presence ushering me where she wants me to go, which is back to bed. I take a spot near the edge close to her chair where I saw her before. Her book still sits by the nightstand. As she takes her seat she offers me the plate with a simple warning, "Do not get crumbs in my bed."

I want to think she is joking yet something tells me she isn't. Every bite is over the plate and slow to where I'm not sure I'll finish this within an hour. But slowly it goes away the more I bite at it. Having some real food feels lovely. I can tell my body has been starved as everything that hits my stomach gives an odd feeling of satisfaction. Taking it slowly may be the best option to make sure I don't make myself sick.

I slowly pick at it until the plate is clean. I double check myself and the sheets to make sure I followed Madam Odette's order to not get crumbs everywhere. I think I'm fine but something tells me she'll find something. The plate goes onto an empty spot on the nightstand away from her book. Her eyes meet mine with a soft smile, "Do you feel better?"

"Much better, Madam Odette."

The smile grows becoming infectious. Even if I look away I can still feel the smile on my face. There are still a few things that need to be addressed though. They've been weighing on my mind rather heavily. "What do we do now, Madam Odette? With Uncle Thomas and all." She does not look thrilled at my question, "For now, we wait. And you rest. Once the storms clear, and the roads are plowed, the authorities will decide what actions to take."

So hurry up and wait… My favorite…

I can't just let this pass through. Not yet anyway. "So then what do we do? This is your home."

"What do you mean?"

"Madam Odette, no disrespect, but you are someone who is well known and has a reputation. These incidents cannot be good for your image."

"Oh Red, you dear sweet summer child. My reputation around here is positive because others see me and what I do. My reputation outside of this bubble is… less so." She moves from her chair to the edge of the bed sitting closer to me. With one paw on my knee, she looks around as she recalls memories, "I've been called a witch, even though they are kind of right in that respect. There are those who believe that I killed my parents for their wealth but they didn't have much to their names. Outside the magical community, there are all kinds of rumors because they do not believe that I do what I do. Don't even start with how I am a woman. That just opens a new realm of idiocy."

I would imagine that a woman in her position would have some stories but she is such a nice person. She works hard, takes care of her people, and cares so much even if she has a tough outer exterior. "They may talk and they will, but I just can't let it bother me."

She keeps a stiff upper lip at all times. A few times, I've gotten to see her break before me, and when it happens… It hurts. To see someone so strong crumble is shocking. And here she is! I can tell she's resigned herself to being strong even though there are so many she is aware of who look down on her and would love to see nothing more than to see her fail. She's aware of them and she pushes forward anyway.

Her words sound strong but I'm able to pick up the undertone of the hurt of how hard it is to keep that strong. "Red, you're looking at me funny. Is there something wrong?" I snap back sitting up straight remembering where I am. I got lost in my thought looking too deep into something I shouldn't. "No, nothing's wrong."

"You seem distracted."

"I probably am but it's nothing serious."

"That's different for you."

I'm feeling very different if I'm honest with myself. I start to fade off into my mind again when I feel her paw on mine bringing me back. "Red, are you OK?"

"You know, I'm not sure anymore."