Picking up the Pieces

"Thank you for your offer, Frank. But I don't know what a birthday present is''. I said to him. I don't know what he was trying to give me. ''Sadie, tell me you're kidding.'' ''I'm kidding.'' ''Alright, thank you.'' ''Now, what's a birthday present?'' He looked at me with big eyes of shame. ''Sadie, a birthday present is a special gift you give to someone on their birthday.'' ''Oh, okay.'' ''Great, now let's look at the menu and get you something to eat.'' We looked at the menu together while Frank held my hand, teaching me how to turn the thick, greasy, shiny pages. He hand was so warm and large. ''Would you like some coffee?" he said. Oh no, another thing I don't know about. ''What's coffee?'' Instead of explaining it to me, he grabbed the cup his was playing with earlier. ''This.'' he said while holding up the cup. ''Here, try some.'' he handed me the cup of warm liquid and from what I can sense I think it's gentle, warm, soothing elixir designed to cure coughs and sore throats. I took a sip and soon realized it wasn't an elixir, it was a sweet exotic brew. It was polluted with what I can only assume is goats' milk. Possibly sheeps'. "This tastes good! I like it!'' He smiled at me and used his other hand to stroke my cheek. That, has never happened to me before. I was scared. ''I'll order you a cup. Let's look at some food options.'' He turned the page of the menu while still holding my hand. "Here, how about this?'' he said while pointing to a large platter filled with an assortment of foods. Most of them very fattening. ''No thank you, that's too much for me.'' I pointed to a small plate of toast, jam, and berries. How delectable! ''May I have this to eat?'' He looked at me with those eyes of shame again. I didn't like those eyes. ''Are you sure, Sadie? You can order anything you want you don't have to settle for toast and fruit. I think the orphanage was starving you. You don't have to eat tiny portions, anymore. You can eat whatever the hell you want.'' From what he was saying, I think he wants me to eat hell. ''Thanks okay, Frank. I really want to eat this dish. I don't want to eat hell.'' He just laughed at me, exposing his white teeth. ''Okay, Sadie.'' Everything was calm until he yelled "Waiter!" and the top of his lungs and threw his hand in the air, the hand that was holding mine so gently.Within a matter of seconds, a man walked over and said flatly, ''Hello Sir and Ma'dam, what can I get you today?'' This was amazing! He could order people to assist him whenever he wanted. He began to speak, ''We'll have another cup of coffee and a toast and berries plate for the lady. That's all, thank you.'' and within seconds he was gone. Frank looked deeply into my eyes, maybe there was a piece of dust in it. ''Sadie, you're very pretty. But, do you know where you're going to sleep tonight?'' I looked at him, he was doing something with his eyes. It's like he was smiling with them. It hit me in a matter of seconds that I actually had no where to sleep tonight. ''No Frank, I don't have anywhere to sleep tonight''. ''Sadie, please come with me. Would you like to be my maid and clean my house for me? I could pay you and you would have enough money to buy yourself an apartment. Please, Sadie.'' I didn't need convincing, I already wanted to do it. I looked at him and said, ''Sure, I'll do it. Why not?'' My food came right after our discussion. I drank all the coffee and ate all the toast and fruit. It tastes so good. The fruit was nothing like the mushy, soft apples at the orphanage. It was juicy and sour. After I was finished, Frank payed the bill and stood up. He grabbed my hand and helped me get up. First time that's ever happened. He stood me up, used his warm, strong hand to push my long hair behind my ear and did something with arms. I can't describe it. He wrapped his arms that were thicker than I previously thought around me, then he squeezed, he squeezed me up against his broad chest. He held me for 10 whole seconds. When he pulled himself away from me his cheeks were red. After being um.. intertwined for a few seconds with Frank he gave me his arm. '' You have a very nice arm, Frank'' ''Oh, thank you Sadie. You're supposed to take it." "I don't want to take your arm. I'm sure you need it.'' ''No Sadie.'' He grabbed my arm and fit it into the loop he made with his. He grabbed my tiny bag of belongings, and we walked out of the diner. ''Sadie, Let's go to the department store!'' I also didn't know what that I, but this time I didn't say anything. We walked down the sidewalk and arrived at yet another large building.

Notes

Chapter 3. Yay! Comment please!