Chapter Five: Sister Heather:

Kathy walked up to the house yards away from Michael’s house. She knocked on the light silver door and paced around. The carer looked up when it up a crack.

“Kathy?” a small voice asked.

“Yes, Sister,” Kathy replied. “How are you doing this morning?”

“Fine,” the woman said inside the house. “I am fine.”

“May I come in?”

“Sure.” She stepped away from the door, letting Kathy into the house. The carer looked around the living room.

“Why is it so dark in here?” she asked. She reached for a light switch when Sister Heather grabbed her wrist.

“Don’t,” she said. “The darkness calms me down.” Kathy glanced behind her and lowered her hand.

“Alright,” she said. The older woman walked into the living room and sat down. Kathy had to stand by the window to take her notes.

“Have you been sleeping well?” she asked.

“Yes,” the Sister said, nodding.

“Have you been taking your medication?”

“Yes.”

“Still can’t turn on the lights?”

“No.”

“Is it because you can still see there?” Kathy had to stand on her tiptoes to get a better look at the Sister as she nodded. The older woman drew her knees to her chest. Back in the old world, she used to be a nun. When the sand washed over the world, she felt that she couldn’t belong anywhere. The neighbors always came by to see her, but it didn’t help.

“Have you had any nightmare lately?” Kathy asked. Sister Heather began trembling.

“Sister?” the younger woman asked. She made some quick notes in her notepad as she waited. The women of the neighborhood could tell that the former nun had been violated while wandering the sandy landscape. Nobody knew the extend of the attack. Sister Heather had yet to open up about her ordeal. Kathy sat down next to her.

“There are plenty of shelters for women like you,” she said in a low voice. “I could take you to one of them if you like.”

“You are so kind,” the Sister whispered.

“Would you like me to stay with you a little bit longer?”

The middle-aged woman rested her head on her shoulder. “Would please do that?” Kathy reached up and patted her on the head.

“I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep,” she whispered.

“Mmm,” the Sister said softly. She slowly drew her eyes closed. Kathy looked around the living room for a clock. The carer couldn’t stay here long. There were eight other houses on her list today. Still, she refused to rush through this. This was her job after all. No one else wanted to take it. So, she stepped up and took on the task. Maybe Abraham was really. It wouldn’t hurt to be a little selfish from time to time.

Kathy looked out the window. She could see the clouds darkening through the thin white clouds. It looks it’s going to rain today, the carer thought as Sister Heather dozed off on her shoulder.