She, the Kingdom (She #1)(25)
“I was hired by Mr. and Mrs. Kingston. They don’t want you around harsh chemicals or doing strenuous activity during this time. What an amazing woman you are,” she said shifting as if she was about to come inside.
“I’m okay, really. I enjoy cleaning.”
“I do, too,” she said, her eyes still bright.
“Um… maybe you could come back when I’ve had a chance to speak with Max about this.”
“Oh,” Dawn said, disappointed. “Okay. Well… I guess I’ll just um…”
Her sad face was unbearable. I could see that—like everyone else I’d crossed paths with since signing Max’s contract—she wanted to make the Kingstons happy. That was the effect they had on people, and I knew because I was under the same spell. Max and Sophie had a way of making others believe that doing what they wanted benefitted their target somehow.
Was I a target? Did I give in so eagerly? Money was hard to turn away. Maybe that was how they chose people like me: broke, in dire straits, and desperate. The tasks were never too difficult, at least not for the money offered. Dawn’s expression made me think of the women at the spa. I had to wonder if I would react the same if Max asked something of me I couldn’t do.
I opened the door. “I’m sorry, Dawn. Please come in.”
She perked up. “Really?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
I sat with my backside against the corner of the countertop, watching Dawn wipe down the counters, the hardware, dust, sweep, and mop until the entire house was sparkling. She started the laundry, and I almost stopped her. These people were being nice to me because they thought I had agreed to carry the Kingston’s baby. If they knew the truth…
I ducked into my immaculate bathroom while Dawn pushed the vacuum in the hall, and dialed Max’s number. I was prepared to leave a voicemail, but he picked up after the first ring.
“Good morning, Morgan. I trust you’ve met Dawn.”
“Yes, but…” I turned my back to the door and hunched over, still nervous she could hear. “This is too much, Max. It’s just the one time, all right?”
“You’re unhappy? Is she not doing a satisfactory job?”
“No, Dawn is great.”
“Fantastic,” he said, his tone final.
“No, but… Max. I enjoy cleaning. It’s relaxing.”
“I realize it’s just you for now, but once the children are home you’ll be glad to have her.”
The high-pitched hum of the vacuum was growing closer. I leaned my back against the door, just in case. “What else am I supposed to do? I work nights. My bills are paid. If I don’t have the house to clean, I’ll go crazy.”
He breathed out a laugh. “Go shopping. You have the money for that now.”
I made a face, even though he couldn’t see it. “I can do that on a Saturday.”
“Or now.”
“Max,” I hissed. “Please let Dawn know I appreciate the gesture, but I’ll no longer be needing her.” Max was quiet for so long, I had to check if he was still on the line. “Max?”
“I’m here. Forgive me. I don’t understand. I thought you’d be happy.”
“I’m not unhappy. I just prefer to clean my own home.”
“Ah. I see. It’s a control issue. I understand. Sophie is quite picky about the details as well. But, Dawn is very good about paying attention to predilections.”
“It’s not a control issue. I need to spend my free time doing normal things. Not shopping. I’m not used to shopping. I’m not a shopper,” I hissed.
He was quiet again. “Very well. I’ll let Dawn know. Morgan, is anything wrong?”
“No, it’s just… everyone is so eager to do nice things for me because of this story you’ve concocted.”
“It’s best for everyone that you—”
“Tell me the truth,” I interrupted.
“Of course.”
“Was I an easy target? Is that why you chose me? Because I was a broke, single mom who—”
“Ms. Clarke, you are many things. An easy target is not one of them. In fact, I find you quite disagreeable at times. You know why you were chosen.”
“Because of my conversation with Amelia in the cafeteria?”
“Among other details. Now, unless there’s anything else, I have work to do.”
“Other details? Like what?”
“Do you really want to get into this now?”
I bristled. “No. Thank you.”
“See you tonight.”
I hung up, stepping out to see Dawn holding her bucket and a dust mop. She looked surprised to see me, but with a smile on her face. She had been there less than three hours, and already the house was cleaner than it had been since we’d moved in. “All finished. Well, except for a small load in the dryer. I hung up a few things I wasn’t sure if I should dry. I can iron them for you this weekend if you need them.”
“No, thank you,” I said, shaking my head.
“I hope you love it. See you next week!”
I started to tell her that it was her last day, but she looked so happy I just couldn’t. “Thank you so much, Dawn. It all looks wonderful. I don’t think the baseboards have ever been so clean.”