Episode 20: She hadn't eaten a meal

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Jessica winced as she watched Leo slam the front door. She knew she came off as cold. If she didn't know better, she would swear he was sincere and that she honestly hurt him with her words. But she did know better.

She ate breakfast alone. She hadn't eaten a meal by herself before and found that the food didn't taste as good as it did when she was with her father, brother or one of her friends. She noticed the silence and it was deafening. The clock ticking in the corner of the room seem to echo off the walls. The table was long so it only emphasized how empty the room was. The maid walked into the room.

―Do you need anything, ma'am? She looked up at the kind, elderly woman. ―Actually, would you eat breakfast with me? she requested. The maid smiled.

―I'm sorry but it is forbidden for the staff to eat with the owner. ―According to whose rules?

―Society's, ma'am. Jessica sighed. She was right. She couldn't remember a time when she ate with a maid. She finished her meal, wondering how Leo did this every day and left to pick up Helen Ritter from the nursing home to walk her to church. When she got to the nursing home, she was surprised to see Amber walking with the elderly woman out of her room. Helen and Amber looked shocked to see her.

―Jessica, why aren't you with that good looking husband of yours? Helen asked. ―If he belonged to me, I wouldn't let him out of my sight, let alone the bedroom. ―I don't know where he is, Jessica responded. ―He walked out of the house this morning and didn't come back. Amber frowned. ―Did you say something to upset him? She rolled her eyes. ―Do we need to discuss this before church? ―What did you do, Jessica?

―Nothing. ―Amber, Helen interrupted them, ―perhaps, we should delay this conversation for a later time. We are running late for church. Amber nodded. Jessica was relieved. She didn't feel like hearing Amber argue with her about Leo. If Amber had to marry him, she would understand, but since she didn't, then how could she possibly know what Jessica was going through? The two young women walked with Helen down the sidewalk that led to the church.

―Jessica, it is only right that you sit with that handsome man of yours, Helen remarked. ―He is not my man, Jessica insisted. ―We'll be getting an annulment in a month. Amber had to catch Helen from tripping on a crack in the sidewalk. Helen stopped.

―That's it, child, she told Jessica. ―We've got to talk. Amber, help me back to my room. ―What? I thought we were going to church, Jessica protested.

―Not today, we're not. As much as I love the Lord, this is an emergency. He'll understand that saving a marriage is worth missing a church service. We can go to church next week. I mean, of course, Amber and I will go to church. You will be going with that sweet husband of yours.

―You know what? You're right. I'll go to church and find him. She knew that Helen didn't mince words. That woman was about to let her have it and she didn't feel like hearing it.

―Not doing it. Amber, help me drag this poor, stupid girl back to my room. Despite Jessica's protests, Amber and Helen practically lifted her by her arms and carried her back to the nursing home. When Helen says she's going to drag someone back to her room, she's not kidding! Jessica knew it was pointless to fight them so she let them plop her on the chair next to Helen's rocking chair in front of the window. Helen sat in the rocking chair and Amber pulled up another chair so she could sit next to Jessica. They had her trapped so that she couldn't escape.

―For your good, we're going to talk some sense into you, Helen said. ―I hope you can do it, Helen, because she won't listen to me, Brian or her father, Amber replied. Jessica sat and waited for the old woman to give her a piece of her mind.