"The public have an insatiable curiosity to know everything, except what is worth knowing"

[tommi-esterly.livejournal.com]

Tuesday, February 23rd
The Dormouse, mid afternoon

I sip my tea and listen to the conversations swirling about me.

"Did you go this morning?"
"No!  Did you?"

"Do you think he did it?"

"I heard his neck did not snap, and that he jerked around on the--"
"I do NOT wish to hear about that!  If you want to talk about that, you may kindly get out of my shoppe."

I arch an eyebrow at Wanda, but say nothing.  Granted, it is her shoppe and a hanging of a murderer is hardly light conversation, but her mood has become increasingly surly as she progresses.  Poor dear looks like she is uncomfortable and has not slept well in a week, and her normally sweet disposition has all but disappeared.  

As Mrs. Higgins and Mrs. Clark get up in a huff and leave, I pat Wanda's hand in a comforting manner as she drags herself over to refill my cup.   "Not much longer till the baby's here, right?  Another month?  Just gotta hold on a bit longer."  I try to say kindly, still wildly curious to know who the father really is.  She has assured us that the baby is indeed Mr. Whitman's, but he's only been in town since later summer, and I DO know how to do math, thank you very much.  "I hired a new girl, she starts Thursday.  She'll be here two days, and taking over for a bit when I get closer and for a few weeks after."  Wanda sighs, giving me a smile before heading back to the kitchen.

Due in a month?   Like HELL that baby's her husbands.   Wonder if it'll have blonde hair instead of red or black...

(Open)

Comments

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

It's almost unbearable, this wait for his reaction. The cup makes it way back to the saucer, not to my face, so there are small miracles still left.

"Why on earth, would the Devil want to get married?" I have to clamp my hand over my mouth hard, for it is within me to burst into laughter. Or screaming, not sure which. Then he's looking at me, as if seeing me for the first time.

"Oh, my dear."

"Here I thought it was my sparkling personality, turns out I merely have good child bearing hips." I try to joke,even laughing a little...

but it dissolves into tears.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

"Here I thought it was my sparkling personality, turns out I merely have good child bearing hips."

Wanda is crying again, and I -

My mouth feels strangely numb. But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it ought not to be, then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. I look at the curve of Wanda's belly, and there is a sour taste on my tongue.

But Wanda is crying, and after a moment I reach out and take her hand. Her fingers are cold.

"What are you going to do?"

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

Continued here:

http://community.livejournal.com/estdeus_innobis/388025.html