Delighting in the play of the breeze with her hair, and in the warmth of the morning sun caressing her skin; Jenny stopped for a moment to close her eyes, to further savor this simple moment of content.
If she tuned off the shrill traffic noise of the streets, she found a connection in the rhythm of things. As in the dancing of the tree leaves with the wind, and in the bounce of womens’ hips. Also in the sequence of the baristas serving the coffee with an uninterrupted beat, or in the stop and go of smooth traffic capriciously assigned by the whim of the traffic light. If she focused, she also felt the heart beat of the city itself.
Before crossing the street, Jenny froze in total panic. A police car came to the curb and signaled a right turn. Jenny’s heart beat hammered in her chest.
Even though Marta and Leticia had explained to her that the police were not as corrupt as Myrna had described, and that was simply a ruse to keep her compliant, Jenny could not avoid her reaction.
Jenny had emerged from a dark cave of deceit and ignorance, and even though she was standing under the bright sunlight, the things that had been inculcated in her psych seemed to wield more influence over her, than what was evident under the glare of the sun.
Breathing a sigh of relief when the police car made the right turn, Jenny picked up the pace and gathered her grocery bags, to hurry back to her new home.
Jenny was happily settled as a companion of an eccentric and very interesting old lady.
Marta - Jose’s wife had gone beyond the call of duty by accommodating Jenny in her house for several days, in the same room as her daughter Leticia. They had generously contributed to her anemic wardrobe, by handing down to her some of Leticia’s old t-shirts and jeans.
Marta had vouched for her, and gave her reference to one of her employer’s who lived alone in a lovely old home.
Maude was her name. She was 85 years old, and a very independent and spunky old lady. After learning about how Jenny had been kept in slavery right here in Southern California since she was nine years old, she did not hesitate to right this wrong. Maude still employed Marta as her weekly house cleaner, while she offered Jenny room and board, and a minimum salary as her companion and personal assistant.
After meeting Jenny and having a conversation with her, Maude was adamant about hiring her, even if her son Robert had protested at first as he preferred to have the proper authorities intervene.
-“You mean to say that you never went out until just about the time you ran away?” Robert asked with some skepticism.
-“No, never. What is different about Myrna’s house with the other houses, in not only the brick mural surrounding it, but also that it has iron bars in both the upstairs and downstairs windows.
The doors lock from the outside as well as the inside too.
The only telephones and computers in the house are in her study, which she always keeps locked. Not even for cleaning did I ever go in there.
If seldom they ever took a vacation, I was left alone with the dog, and plenty of food. My only companion was my….the television.
When I was thirteen she started taking me to her business. I also cleaned there, or packaged boxes, and whatever else she told me to do.” Jenny said.
-“Do you know the address of her home, or of her business?” Robert asked.
-“I don’t know how to get there, but I do remember well the business address as I put the address stickers on the boxes ready to ship out.”
-“Okay Jenny, please give me the address. We can’t enroll you in school until I get your documentation from her.”
There was a festive quality in the air. Maude’s granddaughter was getting married, and it was to be a grand affair. Maude invited Jenny to search through the attic, and bring down her glamorous clothes dating back from the decade of the 1940’s.
-“Oh, Jenny, if only you had seen me then. I was as pretty as a fresh rose. It was back then that women dressed like women, and men like gentlemen. I don’t agree with all these jeans, and unisex clothing. Sometimes it’s hard to differentiate between boys and girls!
Oh look at that strapless dress! It’s made of satin, and chiffon.
I wore this dress with silver combs encrusted with mother-of-pearls. Those are are still in my jewelry box I believe.
Jenny, you are about my same size. I want you to pick a dress to wear to the wedding and you can leave it at the dry cleaners. And I will lend you my silver combs for your hair.
You will look absolutely beautiful!
There will be lots of young people at this wedding, and I want you also to meet my grandson. He is very handsome like my son Robert. He is still in college, but of course he will attend his sister’s wedding.
Come, hurry now! Look through all my beautiful dresses and choose one. It is such a shame that they are not worn and displayed – they are so beautiful.” Maude said with nostalgia for a day long gone.
-“I have good news Jenny! We had a serious talk with Myrna, and she released your old passport and birth certificate. With that document, you may enroll in school. You will start in a lower grade, but with private tutoring you can catch up and when you’re ready, you can take the G.E.D test. That is a high school equivalency test.
My lawyer is suing Myrna on your behalf for back pay, and will initiate the paperwork to legalize your status in the United States; there are several ways to do so, even if my mother decides to adopt you, as she has told me she wants to do if it is the last recourse.
The point is that you will be able to go to school Jenny, which is what you want right?” Robert teased.
-“Oh My God Robert! Thank you!” Jenny could not help it as she ran to embrace Robert. –“You have slayed the dragon for me – thank you!” Jenny said as she held Robert tight and looked up with adoration in her eyes.
To be continued…
