Heartstrings

Jenna/Sr. Claire

Putting the last pancake on the plate I sit down on the chair and wipe the sweat from my forehead. "Whew that was a lot to do," I said.

"Yeah, thanks for helping out" Shawn pat me on the back and sit next to me. "You look like you didn't have enough sleep last night," Shawn said with concern.

That is true and whom to blame. Blame Colby and his wife. Their voices were so loud and did not spare a moment to think of their loving innocent neighbor in the next room to theirs.

"Hey are you okay?" he asks, putting his hand on my forehead to check for any sign of fever but I remove it.

"Yeah, I am fine. It's just that Colby and-" realizing what I am about to say I bit my bottom lip and shut up.

Shawn looked at me curiously before asking, "wait did you see anything you shouldn't?"

"No, I didn't" I deny it and he laughs at me.

"Oh my, are you sure you didn't hear or-" quickly I place my hand over his mouth muffling the rest of his words.

"Are you guys okay?" Hailey asks as she walks inside the kitchen eyeing us curiously.

It's funny how her attitude changes. This is the first time she acknowledge my presence. I didn't want to be rude and did what she had done to me. So, I smile at her wondering what could initiate it.

However, when I observe her again from head to toe. She looks so tired and remembering her cries last night I shook my head from replaying the vulgar language she screams.

"Nope, he's having diarrhea" when I say that Colby walks inside the kitchen and stand beside Hailey.

Their voices from last night trigger in my thoughts and again I try to shake away those sinful cries. When I can focus again Colby seems to have heard my response to Hailey. He glance in my way and asked me. "You say diarrhea and yet you're holding his mouth? How is that related?"

Shawn pushed away my hand and yell at them "she saw something-'

I didn't even give him the chance to say it. The back of my hand collided with his nose making him wince.

"Fuck my nose," he curses.

I got up from the chair. "His breath stinks" I blurted which make Colby laugh.

"You liar, that is not true," someone said and I turn to find Hans at the kitchen door in his pajamas glaring at me with his folded arms.

"Yes, he's right. Uncle isn't that bad" Sora joins. She looks so cute in her pink pajama.

Great, now the whole family is against me. I let out a sigh of defeat and say "you're right your dad doesn't have a stinking breath he's a naughty man." I walk away from the Kitchen counter pretending to be sad.

"Awww pweety aunty doesn't be sad," Sora runs up to me and I pick her up in my arms. "Hans, isn't mad...right Hans?" she gave her brother pouty lips. Hans seeing his sister's sad expression sighed and turn to me "yes I am not mad."

The interaction between the two made my heart swell with happiness. They both look so adorable. "Aww come here" I put down Sora kissing her on the forehead and spread my arms for Hans. He runs to me and hugs me tightly "please don't say that again. It's mean to my daddy."

"I won't say it again to your da,d I promise and God is our witness," I say, pulling him back and putting out my pinkie finger. He entangle it with his and again I said "I promise." I kiss him on the forehead and stand upright.

"How about I make it up to you both. I made waffles and chocolate pancakes with your daddy and uncle Shawn's help." Sora and Hans both nod their head in excitement. I help them on their chairs and move around the kitchen to fetch plates and forks. I serve them their pancakes with a strawberry, banana, and syrup on top forming a smiling face.

"Awww, aunty my pancake looks happy I do not want to eat it," Sora says while looking at her pancake as if it's the most precious thing in the world. While Hans on the hand is eating his pancake with a big smile on his face.

"I love it mommy" Hans stops when he realizes what he said. He sadly looks at me but I lean forward and pinch him on the cheeks. "It's okay honey as long as you're happy then I am happy," I told him.

He eagerly picks up his fork and starts eating his pancake. He turns aside and convinces his sister to eat it. When Sora finally eats hers they both turn to me and gave me a big smile. I stare at them for a while and for a moment I miss the convent and the children at the orphanage. Their smiles and laughter remind me of them.

I look up to find the adults all looking at me with teary eyes. I almost forgot that they were in the kitchen with us. I am surprised and confused at the same time by their facial expression. It's like I have pulled at their heartstrings.

Shawn avoids me and turns around to wipe his eyes with the back of his hand. He moves away from where we stand and walk out of the kitchen.

"I am sorry, I have to go somewhere," he says without looking back.

Hailey buried her face in Colby's chest and he just hug her tight giving me a sad smile. Hans and Sora were not minding anything as they were both focused on eating their breakfast.

After they eat they both kiss me on the cheek and run out of the kitchen, leaving me alone with Coby and his wife.

"I am sorry, did I do anything wrong?" I ask and Colby nodded his head no. "You didn't Sr." he smile at me. Hanna came into the kitchen apologizing to Colby.

"Sorry, Alp- I mean Colby. I apologize for my behavior. I am also sorry that I am late to prepare breakfast," she lowers her head to the floor.

"Oh no need to and I know Colby won't mind" I pause cursing myself for intruding and glance in his way only to meet with his approving nod and a smile.

"It's okay Hanna my wife here is also very sorry for what she's done," he said hugging the sobbing Hailey.

"Thank you" I mouth him and turn to Mrs. Hanna. "I have prepared breakfast for everyone. So please Mrs. Hanna comes and have some." I walk to grasp her hands in mine. She looks at me with shock but I just lead her to the kitchen counter.

I serve her the waffles and then made her black coffee without milk. I didn't even ask what she liked as I just follow my instincts and prepare her breakfast. Hanna after taking a bite of her waffle and tea burst into tears.

At first, I was taken aback by the scene before me as I didn't know if I have put the wrong recipe in my waffle or worse she hates the tea. I look at Colby who gave me an apologetic smile and walk out of the kitchen with his wife.

I didn't know what to do and I am about to say sorry when unexpectedly she look at me with those remorseful eyes. "I am sorry" she sobs and wipes her tears with the sleeve of her dress.

"I am sorry" she keeps on apologizing. "It's just that it's been years since I taste this again. Only Jenna knows my preferences" she says while trying to wipe her tears. She takes another mouthful of waffle but her tears keep on falling.

Dropping her fork I move and embrace her in my arms. "Shhh now don't be like that. Please don't cry. I may not know Jenna but I am pretty sure she wanted you to be happy and not to be in misery Mrs. Hanna," I keep on rubbing her back which made her cry even more.

"May God gives you peace," I thought in my head as I comforted her. As I comfort her I pray to the heavenly father above again to rest Jenna's soul in peace and let her loved ones be free from her loss.

Let them find happiness again, especially Hanna and Shawn, who are most affected by her loss.

I try to breathe while suppressing my tears as this morning event pulls at my heartstrings that I don't think I can stay anymore to witness the pain in their eyes and to uncover the mystery of Jenna.