Chapter 3
After dinner, Abby helped Mrs. Rose clean up the kitchen. They worked quietly, clearing the table, washing dishes, and wiping down the counters. The smell of roasted chicken still lingered, making the space feel warm and inviting.
"You did well today," Mrs. Rose said as she dried the last plate.
Abby smiled, feeling a little shy. "Thank you. I was nervous, but I'm glad I didn't mess up."
Mrs. Rose chuckled. "You'll be fine. Just keep working hard. Mr. Edward doesn't say much, but he notices everything."
Abby nodded, tucking that thought away. She wanted to make sure she got things right.
When the kitchen was clean, Mrs. Rose hung up her apron. "That's all for today. You should get some rest. Tomorrow starts early."
"Okay," Abby said, picking up her backpack.
Mrs. Rose walked her to the guesthouse. It was a small building near the edge of the garden, with soft lights glowing outside. Abby had noticed it earlier but hadn't realized it would be hers.
Mrs. Rose unlocked the door and handed Abby a small key. "This is your space. It's simple but comfortable. If you need anything, just let me know."
Abby stepped inside. The room was small but clean. There was a bed with fresh sheets, a small desk, a chair, and a tiny kitchen area with a sink and a few cabinets. It was quiet and cozy, much better than the motel she'd been staying in.
"This is really nice," Abby said softly.
Mrs. Rose smiled. "Goodnight, Abby. See you in the morning."
"Goodnight," Abby replied as Mrs. Rose left.
Once the door closed, Abby took a deep breath. She felt a mix of relief and exhaustion. Today had gone better than she expected. She set her backpack on the bed and looked around again.
She opened her notebook and wrote:
First day done. Don't mess up tomorrow.
The words made her smile a little. She placed the notebook on the desk and began unpacking. There wasn't much—just a few changes of clothes, her toothbrush, and some other small things. She folded her clothes neatly into the dresser and hung her jacket on the back of the chair.
After unpacking, Abby took a quick shower. The warm water felt good after such a long day. She dried off and changed into a clean t-shirt and shorts before crawling into bed.
The quietness of the guesthouse was different. It wasn't like the noisy motel or the constant chatter of the group home she'd grown up in. Here, it felt peaceful.
As she lay there, her thoughts wandered to Mr. Edward. He had been serious and a little intimidating, but not mean. Abby wondered what he thought about her so far. Did he think she could handle the job? Did she look out of place in his big, perfect house?
She pushed the thoughts away. There was no point in overthinking. She'd made it through her first day without any big problems, and that was enough for now.
Abby turned onto her side and closed her eyes. Tomorrow would be another chance to prove herself.
For the first time in a long while, she felt like things might actually work out.