Chapter 4

Kenrick was laying in the bathtub full of hot water, his back visibly uneven. It was like bones were pressing against his skin and creating humps as he laid. Lettice was rubbing him with a warm rag all over his body. Her eyes were tired and red from crying as she kept rubbing his body, the water moving around the only sound in the entire room.

“I am going to be okay.” Kenrick said through painful breathing.

“Are you sure? It’s worse then most of the other injuries you’ve suffered.” Lettice replied.

“It’ll heal…like always.” He groaned and stretched. His back was slowly shifting before it suddenly snapped back into place, the humps flattening out until back was back to normal. Lettice sighed as she went back to rubbing him right after.

“It’s not normal.” She said.

Kenrick sighed and turned slowly to look at her.

“It keeps me alive.”

His hand reached out and softly took hers, rubbing his thumb against the back of her wrist.

“I love you Lettice…I have loved you ever since we met.” He said.

She didn’t meet his gaze as she stared at his hand.

It was quite rough, but he was using it in a soft and loving manner. He was doing his best to keep her relaxed and happy, even if she wasn’t feeling it.

“I love you too Kenrick.” She said, finally meeting his gaze. Her facial expression didn’t change, but she leaned in and softly kissed his lips anyways.

“I should get back to helping Gisela.” Kenrick said as he started to stand up. Lettuce put her hands on his chest, softly pushing him back down.

“You don’t need to help her.” She said.

“She is a person who needs help, and so I am helping.” Kenrick replied.

“She’s…she’s not…” Lettuce struggled to come up with the words.

“Yes dear?” Kenrick asked.

“She’s the least mannered and proper person I’ve possibly ever met.” Lettice said.

Kenrick sighed.

“She is someone who doesn’t know how to be a proper lady.” Lettice said, a small amount of disgust failing to be hidden in her voice.

“Then why don’t you teach her?” Lettice asked.

“I am not her Mother.”

The two stood until they heard loud cheering and laughter downstairs. Lettice quickly ran out as Kenrick sighed, quickly grabbing new clothing. He walked as he slid his bottoms on and went down the stairs clutching his shirt.

Kenrick and Lettice’s children were running around the house laughing and cheering.

“Leco! Adeline! What do you think you’re doing?” Lettice shouted, causing the two children to suddenly stop in place.

“We’re playing a game with Gisela.” Adeline replied.

“She’s hiding and we have to find her.” Leco replied.

Kenrick slowly began to put his shirt on as he smiled at his children.

“Well no running.” Lettice said.

“Okay Mom.” Both kids replied with wide smiles.

Lettice sighed and turned around, but then suddenly jumped and let out a short scream.

“What?” Kenrick asked.

He felt somebody tap on his shoulder and turned to see Gisela with a massive grin.

“How did you do that?” Kenrick asked.

“I’m good at staying quiet.” She skipped around and saw the kids, who cheered and quickly ran over to hug her. Gisela laughed and patted both kids on their heads. Gisela spun around, which the kids repeated while Lettice looked upset.

“Should we go back to fixing those horses?” Kenrick asked.

Lettice stopped, her curly hair covering her face until she used her head to flip it back.

“Are you feeling okay?” She asked.

Kenrick nodded.

“Weird…last time I saw somebody with a broken back it took months for them to even stand again.” She said, staring at Kenrick’s torso.

“Let’s just get the horses fixed quickly so you can be on your way.” Kenrick said.

Gisela shrugged as Kenrick grabbed his jacket and hat. He kissed Lettice on the cheek before heading out. Gisela followed and skipped to catch up with Kenrick.

“You sure are a strange man Mr. Kenrick.” She said.

“Most people are.” He replied.

Gisela shrugged as she quickly moved to walk in front of him, but then spun so she was walking backwards.

“Do you think I’m strange?” She asked.

“Absolutely.” Kenrick replied.

Gisela suddenly perked up with a nearly blinding smile.

“Aww, thank you.” She joked.

She laughed as Kenrick tried his best to hide his smile.

“So…what bright ideas do you have for fixing them?” She asked as she opened the barn door, the two mechanical horse bodies laying on the ground.

“Well, I might have to go into town to grab some pieces.” Kenrick replied.

On one of his many work tables was the remnants of the engine that exploded the previous day.

“OOH! Can I come with?” Gisela asked loudly.

“Only because you are the creator of the machines.” Kenrick replied.

“How are we going to get there? I’ve noticed you don’t own a carriage.” Gisela said.

“Do you feel like walking?” Kenrick asked.

“How long would that take?” Gisela asked.

“The sun would be setting by the time we got there.” Kenrick replied.

Gisela subtly bit her lip as she looked at him.

“Well if that’s the case, we might have to find a place to stay down there. Otherwise we’re walking back in complete darkness.” She said.

Kenrick sighed.

“Damn it. I didn’t think about that. We can leave first thing in the morning, then when we walk back we’ll get back by the time it gets dark.” Kenrick said.

Gisela frowned and crossed her arms.

“You scared of being away from your wife?” Gisela teased.

“I don’t leave home often.” Kenrick replied.

Gisela chuckled.

“You don’t go into town?” She asked.

“Only when absolutely necessary, but even then I bring the whole family.” Kenrick replied.

“Weird that you don’t have a carriage then.” Gisela said.

“We walk. Walking keeps the body healthy.” Kenrick replied.

Gisela walked behind Kenrick and tried to push him, but it was like pushing against a wall.

“Damn.” Gisela said.

Kenrick was standing and staring in silence for a while.

“Fine, we’ll head there tonight and then come back first thing in the morning.” Kenrick said, quickly cleaning the desk before gathering his things.

“Yay!” Gisela clapped wildly and jumped.

“Absolutely not.”

Lettice was standing with her arms firmly crossed. She was standing in the bedroom with Kenrick as he packed a very small suitcase with a single outfit and room for new parts.

“The sooner we get the machines fixed, the sooner she will be out of here.” Kenrick said.

“You expect me to be okay with you being alone in a room far away from home?” Lettice asked.

“I will get two rooms.” Kenrick replied, finishing packing the suitcase.

“With what money?” Lettice asked.

Kenrick sighed.

“I’ll find somewhere cheap.” He said.

Lettice was giving Kenrick a death stare with her arms crossed tightly.

“I can feel you staring into my soul.”

Kenrick was looking down and closed the suitcase tightly.

“I can feel that you’re going to ignore me and go.” She replied.

Kenrick picked the suitcase up and went to Lettice. He went to kiss her, but she leaned back.

“Just…if you even think about doing something stupid, I’ll be very upset.” Lettice said.

“And here I was thinking you were going to leave me.” Kenrick joked.

Lettice’s eyes went wide as Kenrick immediately dropped his suitcase and put his hands softly on her arms.

“That was a joke. That was a joke. That was a joke.” He said as quickly as he could while pulling her close to hug her. Lettice slowly hugged back as the two were slowly and softly swaying back and forth.

Gisela made her way to the bedroom, but stopped and looked inside. She saw the two hugging as she smiled, but the smile faded as she began to stare into the distance. She seemed to be remembering something as a tear rolled down her cheek.

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