Rhinestone Eyes

7:50 pm

Marie stood before the stove. Out of the bubbling pot steamed the scent of comfort-food. Something only a person born and raised in the Reggenfurt harbour could do. Even though it is a food out of necessity, composed out of fish remains and turnips, there is nothing more savoury and iconic for the city, than this simple stew. And Marie was a master at it. Thadeus stepped forward and taped her on the shoulder.
“My’dame?” Marie startled and almost dropped the ladle into the pot.
“Oh. Master Corfex. Good. I see you are back in our world. Supper is almost done. I also went down the market and ordered some new chairs, despite your own will.”
Thadeus cringed. “I told you that is not necessary.”
“Oh, so what? You want to live with only four chairs at the dinner table instead of six? What if you have company? Do you intend to fish out some of the old chairs from the addict? I beg your pardon My’ser.” Marie shook her head and turned around to the pot again. Thadeus held on for a moment.
What would I have done without her, all these years? She is still young, but she always had something… ‘motherly’ about her. Probably because of her many siblings…
“You… you’re right. But, if you haven’t noticed, I called for you, moments ago.” The maid turned back again at Thadeus and glared at him.
“No My’ser, you didn’t. Is something wrong?”
Thadeus looked into her eyes, worried. “No… I’m fine but…” He pulled the package from under his arm. “Could you be a dear and bring this to the post office.”
“Of course, My’ser. I get there tomorrow morning, right before I go to the market.”
Thadeus interruped her: “No! Can you do it today? Just leave it in their drop box…”
Marie now seemed angered by him. “My’ser! You want to send me out? By this weather and this time!?”
“It’s important. Please, My’dame. It’s… It’s my new novel”
The face of the maid brightened up a bit again. “Really? It’s finished?” She examined Thadeus’ face for a second and then responded with a warm smile.
“Will do so, My’ser. But only if you keep an eye out for the stew! It’s already done. Just needs some simmering.” She grabbed the package out of Thadeus hands, replacing it with a wooden spoon and going off into the front hall, her personalized skirt flowing past Thadeus.
Marie always hated those wide Maid costumes. ‘Useless swank´, she called it. So Thadeus brought it to a tailoring, five years ago. Now its slimmer, with the front partly open, giving her more freedom for the legs. The Skirt is also a bit shorter, so it does not drag on the ground, picking up all kinds of dirt. She was always a peculiar person, Thadeus thought. He was glad that he rewrote his will, so all the family-riches would go to her. Thadeus could never do anything with it anyway. He just needed a bed, food, and something to write on, to be happy. At least this could help Marie and her family.