Regynn Winters

Finding Shelter

The room was small and dusty, light filtering in through the thin, worn curtain, revealed layers that hadn’t been touched in ages. Aut at the old woman’s words of apology Regynn smiled and shook her head, “It’s perfect. Thank you so much for taking me in.”

The woman took Reggy’s hand, holding it in her own, firm with strength and determination underneath an exterior wrinkled and bent with age and woe, “Of course dear. You did so much for my Benny when he was in the stockades. He talked about you often before he passed, he said you were his guardian angel. How could I not help the woman who let me hear from my boy while he was away.”

She let go of the priestess’ hand and nodded, “I’ll bring you some tea and then we’ll work on getting you settled in.”

When the woman left Reggy set her bag on the narrow bed and took off her coat, hanging on a nail driven in the back of the door. After a few moments of searching she found a broom, mop and bucket, and the necessary cleaning supplies. She lost herself in the task of cleaning the room, driving her thoughts away with the dust and grime. By the time the kettle was whistling in the kitchen the room had undergone a complete transformation.

Mrs. Bishop stood in the doorway, tea tray in hand, her eyes sparkling as she took in the smudge of dirt on Reggy’s cheek, “Dear girl you didn’t need to do that.” she said as she moved into the room and set the tray on the chest at the foot of the bed.

“I did actually.” Reggy answered, moving to serve the tea, allowing her hostess to sit and relax. “I have a lot of nervous energy. And my brain won’t slow down. The only way I can stop it is to stay busy. I hope you don’t mind. It’s… it’s just… I…”

The old woman placed a hand on Reggy’s, “You don’t have to talk until you’re ready. Trust me, I know the look of someone on the run when I see it. I don’t believe you’re a bad person. I know, whatever it is, you have a good reason to hide. Like I said, you helped my Benny and I’m going to help you. It’s what he would have wanted me to do.”

The two women sat in silence for a moment, each sipping tea, lost in their own thoughts. Mrs. Bishop set her cup down with a sharp click and took Reggy’s hand, her eyes sparkling with mischief, “Besides, these old bones just don’t get around like they used to, this whole place could use a good once over. Or three.” she grinned.

With the tea finished Mrs. Bishop rose, taking the tray with her, she stopped at the door and looked back at the priestess, “Benny said you loved to write letters. I’ve got ink and paper a plenty. Is there someone you wish to write?”

Regynn looked back at the old woman though her thoughts flew across the sea to her friends in Boralus. She took a breath to say yes then stopped and shook her head, “Thank you ma’am but no. There’s no one that needs to know where I am.”