The McCarthys

Jenna/Sr. Claire

The next day I wave goodbye to Mr. Odega as he left me on the doorstep of Mr. McCarthy's place. I stand there watching him disappear down the street. Shawn was supposed to pick me up, but it all changes this morning. The meeting that Mr. Odega was supposed to attend is pushed forward to early morning, so he has to be there early. I find it strange and not normal. However, I am trying to stay positive during my stay here.

Last night, Mr. Odega had explained during dinner that he has businesses to attend and one of them was the early meeting. I am not allowed to go with him because non-family members are exempt. I told him again about the Jenna issue and he ensure me that Mr. McCarthy had already solved the problem. I will find it more comfortable around the people in this town. So, here I am in front of McCarthy's place early in the morning.

Letting out a heavy sigh. I turn around and knock on the door lightly. The door opens and Mrs. Harrison stood speechless for a moment before she got out of her trance and give me a welcoming smile.

"I am sorry for that Sr. Claire. I wasn't expecting you to be here this early. Please come in," she said, opening the door for me. I step in with one of my suitcases.

Mrs. Harrison again moves toward me and takes the suitcase from my hand. "Mr. McCarthy informed us of your arrival today. He left earlier, let's say 2 am" she said.

I drop my jaw in surprise thinking who could have woken up that early to travel. Taking a look at my wristwatch it's only six-thirty am in the morning. I only wake up around that time for our morning prayer but not to travel. A no if it comes to me even if I don't know how to drive.

Traveling somewhere around two in the morning is not my routine.

"Sorry, is just that I am surprised he travels around that time," I say and pull on the fabric of my clothes. "No worries, Mr. McCarthy is used to it," she replies with a smile. "Given that you arrived earlier I believe you didn't get a good sleep and that you want to take a rest before breakfast." I nodded my head in agreement.

"Yes, indeed" I answer, and she smiles at that.

"Please, follow me this way" she gestured for me to follow behind her. She makes her way to the stairs. I want to protest and walk there on my own. However, on second thought I don't remember the way to the room they had put me in yesterday before I went over to Mr. Odega's place.

The place is kind of huge and I don't pay attention to my surrounding sometimes or even memorize the direction. I walk silently behind her as she takes the lead.

"This is a guest room, including this one" she speaks, and pointed me to each room as we walk through the hallway. About three rooms are reserved for the guests. "This is Mr. McCarthy and his wife's room," she said, pointing to the one after the three guest rooms.

We stopped at the one next to it and suddenly I remember this was one I was allocated yesterday. "That is Mr. Hill or Shawn's room." She pointed to the one on the far end of the hallway.

I curiously asked her, "I'm sorry, but I know Mr. McCarthy and Mr. Hill have kids. Where do they sleep?" I was thinking if they are the ones who sleep in the other five-room opposite ours.

"They sleep downstairs in other rooms that are next to mine, but the kids usually used one of the guest rooms on this floor" she answers politely. I didn't want to ask any further questions, so I just nod my head in amusement.

"Thank you, Mrs. Harrison."

"Oh dear, it's Hanna to you," she said with a sad smile before she bows her head and left me there. I step inside the room pushing my suitcase inside.

'I am back again' I mutter after heaving a sigh.

Feeling sleepy I locked the door and take off my shoes. Then I jump on the bed, pull the duvet over me, and close my eyes.

I woke up it is noon, so I make my way downstairs after taking a nice warm shower and putting on my clothes.

When I am near to the last step I hear voices from the living room. I made my way there following the voices. I expected Hanna and the kids, instead, I see Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Hill, and the lady that fainted when we met in the woods.

According to my observation from yesterday, it seems to me that she's the wife Hanna mentioned this morning. They all stopped talking and turn their attention to me which made me want to shrink. I never really like it when people suddenly give me the attention and stopped whatever they were doing.

"Good afternoon, Sr. Claire," Mr. McCarthy said, sending a welcoming smile my way.

"Good afternoon, I am sorry for interrupting," I said nervously.

"Oh, no you weren't. You are right on time, just when I ask Shawn about you. Right, Shawn?" he said and glance at Shawn.

Shawn in return squints his brow and looks in my way. He gave me a bored look saying, "yeah we were...Mrs. Harrison informs me of your arrival this morning and I am sorry that you miss breakfast. You see we try to wake you up, but you were still sleeping."

"It's okay" I gave him a weak smile.

"Since you didn't have breakfast, please make your way to the kitchen. Mrs. Harrison has already prepared something for you." Mr. McCarthy politely said to me.

"Thank you" I answer shortly.

I look beside him to find his wife glaring at me. Her look made me uncomfortable and feel unwelcome in their house. She doesn't like me at all, and I know some people are like her. However, to give it a second thought, people don't just glare at you without reason unless you did something to piss them off unknowingly.

I remember yesterday was our first encounter and I have never done anything to harm or made her hate me. Unless she despises Jenna, then perhaps that made her glared at me. After all, I have concluded from yesterday's reactions that I am Jenna's lookalike. However, I am not Jenna but Claire...Sr. Claire.

"Sr. Claire," a feminine voice pulls me out from my train of thoughts.

Hanna beamed at me brightly. "Please come with me I have made something for you," she said and gestured for me to follow her. Ignoring the eyes of a furious wife I follow Hanna into the kitchen silently.

"I've made chicken fried rice with broccoli and vegetable salads," Hanna happily announces as she serves me the food when I take a seat at the table. The food smells good and no doubt it will be delicious. I thank her and do a prayer before I take a bite of the food. Instead of delicious, the food is heavenly prepared.

"Gosh, I love it Mrs. Harr-" I stop in the mid-way when I see her narrowing her eyes at me. Then I remember she told me this morning to call her Hanna. "Hanna," I finish, and she gives me a heartwarming smile.

After eating I went back to the living, where Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy are still sitting on the couch opposite Mr. Hill.

"Please have a seat," said Mr. McCarthy, gesturing for me to sit beside Mr. Hill. I casually walk towards the couch, taking the seat next to Mr. Hill instead of sitting beside him on the same couch.

"We're very happy to have you here with us," Mr. McCarthy said and smiles at me.

"Thank you, Mr. McCarthy," I said and nervously fiddled with my hands. "Oh, please call me Colby, and he's Shawn and my wife Hailey."

"But-"

He cut me off and sternly said, "no but dear. You are not a stranger to us."

"If you say so Colby," I said with a smile.

Maybe, living here with the McCarthys is not so bad at all. Except for the wife who gives me a dislike expression.

"So, what do you say? Shawn, will you do the honor for Sr. Claire?" Colby asks with a grin on his face. I look at him with a question expression while Shawn groans nodding his head.

Okay, did I miss anything? I keep looking between the two of them in confusion. I hope it's a good sign because lady McCarthy is already giving me a bad vibe.