Headmistress, I don’t understand what you mean.”
“You know exactly what I mean. No one needs to hear about your little incident.” The disdain in her voice makes it sound like I willingly got myself kidnapped just to annoy her.
Part of me wants to blurt something entirely inappropriate, but I hold my tongue. Gail’s watching me with sympathy and concern, which is enough to remind me that not everyone hates me.
***
“Okay, Ms Greene, that’s all we needed. Thank you for sparing us some time.”
Howard’s lawyers have been questioning me for the last hour. They are the first people I’ve been able to speak freely with about my kidnapping in the last few weeks. Other than a few subsequent visits from Detective Simpson, I’ve been carefully monitored. I’ve also been kept busy with the preparations for Dedication Day and my investiture as Matron.
I should actually be at a rehearsal right now, much to Headmistress’ annoyance. The opportunity to escape her scrutiny for a few hours was too good to pass up, though. I also hoped that I might be able to see Howard in the process, but that hope was dashed the moment I arrived. The law was clear. There would be no communication until after the trial.
As the lawyers leave, George enters. “Time to go, Ma’am?”
“Yes, yes it is.”
I trudge out of the room with George hot on my heels. Halfway down the hall, a movement to my left catches my eye, and I look up.
Howard?
I’m moving before I even realise it, running towards him. His hands are cuffed behind his back and his shoulders slumped. Two OSP officers hold him by his elbows, leading him towards a room at the other end of the hall.
Before I can reach them, George grabs me from behind.
“No, please, I just want to talk to him.”
“I’m sorry, Ms Greene, it’s not allowed.”
I struggle to wriggle free but George holds tight.
“Howard!”
When Howard looks up, I struggle for breath. He looks like he has aged ten years and his right eye is swollen and purple. My initial reaction is to run to him, wrap my arms around him, and beg him to tell me none of it’s true. The other part of me—the part that is scared of the truth—stops me. If I never hear the truth then I don’t have to deal with the possible disappointment.
Still, the sight of him makes me want to jump for joy, and when he smiles at me, I smile back tenfold.
“Are you okay?” he mouths.
I nod, and his posture relaxes. Before I can ask him the same question, one of his security detail punches him in the ribs.
“No!” I cry as Howard doubles over. “George, what are they doing? He didn’t do anything.” Howard looks up and shakes his head at me. The look of resignation on his face stops me cold.
“Come on, Ma’am, we need to leave.”
“No. That is inappropriate behaviour. They can’t hit a prisoner for no reason. He’s still a human being. He has rights.”
“Although the sentiment is admirable, Ma’am, you do not want to get in the middle of this.”
“But—”
“No buts. We are leaving now.”
After one last look at Howard, I let George drag me in the other direction.
***
Dedication Day was something I once looked forward to, but when it finally arrives, I wish nothing more than for it to be someone else’s turn. Yesterday I received notification that the date for Howard’s trial has been set for the end of the month. I have protested more times than I can count and tried to convince OSP that he’s innocent, but they are intent on putting him to trial. And there is nothing I can do to stop it, even once I am Matron.
Looking around my room, knowing this is the last time I will be here, it’s hard not to lose myself to the despair. All my clothes and belongings have already been packed and moved to my new residence, leaving me with a single suitcase and some toiletries that I will need today. The team that will dress me for the ceremonies will be arriving soon to prime, primp, poke, and prod me
“You know exactly what I mean. No one needs to hear about your little incident.” The disdain in her voice makes it sound like I willingly got myself kidnapped just to annoy her.
Part of me wants to blurt something entirely inappropriate, but I hold my tongue. Gail’s watching me with sympathy and concern, which is enough to remind me that not everyone hates me.
***
“Okay, Ms Greene, that’s all we needed. Thank you for sparing us some time.”
Howard’s lawyers have been questioning me for the last hour. They are the first people I’ve been able to speak freely with about my kidnapping in the last few weeks. Other than a few subsequent visits from Detective Simpson, I’ve been carefully monitored. I’ve also been kept busy with the preparations for Dedication Day and my investiture as Matron.
I should actually be at a rehearsal right now, much to Headmistress’ annoyance. The opportunity to escape her scrutiny for a few hours was too good to pass up, though. I also hoped that I might be able to see Howard in the process, but that hope was dashed the moment I arrived. The law was clear. There would be no communication until after the trial.
As the lawyers leave, George enters. “Time to go, Ma’am?”
“Yes, yes it is.”
I trudge out of the room with George hot on my heels. Halfway down the hall, a movement to my left catches my eye, and I look up.
Howard?
I’m moving before I even realise it, running towards him. His hands are cuffed behind his back and his shoulders slumped. Two OSP officers hold him by his elbows, leading him towards a room at the other end of the hall.
Before I can reach them, George grabs me from behind.
“No, please, I just want to talk to him.”
“I’m sorry, Ms Greene, it’s not allowed.”
I struggle to wriggle free but George holds tight.
“Howard!”
When Howard looks up, I struggle for breath. He looks like he has aged ten years and his right eye is swollen and purple. My initial reaction is to run to him, wrap my arms around him, and beg him to tell me none of it’s true. The other part of me—the part that is scared of the truth—stops me. If I never hear the truth then I don’t have to deal with the possible disappointment.
Still, the sight of him makes me want to jump for joy, and when he smiles at me, I smile back tenfold.
“Are you okay?” he mouths.
I nod, and his posture relaxes. Before I can ask him the same question, one of his security detail punches him in the ribs.
“No!” I cry as Howard doubles over. “George, what are they doing? He didn’t do anything.” Howard looks up and shakes his head at me. The look of resignation on his face stops me cold.
“Come on, Ma’am, we need to leave.”
“No. That is inappropriate behaviour. They can’t hit a prisoner for no reason. He’s still a human being. He has rights.”
“Although the sentiment is admirable, Ma’am, you do not want to get in the middle of this.”
“But—”
“No buts. We are leaving now.”
After one last look at Howard, I let George drag me in the other direction.
***
Dedication Day was something I once looked forward to, but when it finally arrives, I wish nothing more than for it to be someone else’s turn. Yesterday I received notification that the date for Howard’s trial has been set for the end of the month. I have protested more times than I can count and tried to convince OSP that he’s innocent, but they are intent on putting him to trial. And there is nothing I can do to stop it, even once I am Matron.
Looking around my room, knowing this is the last time I will be here, it’s hard not to lose myself to the despair. All my clothes and belongings have already been packed and moved to my new residence, leaving me with a single suitcase and some toiletries that I will need today. The team that will dress me for the ceremonies will be arriving soon to prime, primp, poke, and prod me
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