Settling in

Chapter Two

Settling in



         As we walked into the building, I felt scared. Mama simply would not talk, until now. “I want you to be a good girl Ruth. I want you to do everything Doctor Ilivicki and Dr. Langdon tell you to do.” I looked at her. I could see something that troubled her in her eyes. Before I could mama anything, two nurses came up to me, and led me away. “You sold me! You want to get rid of me! I…I hate you!” Okay, so the last part definitely was not true. I love her very much, but our relationship has been strained somewhat lately. Mama’s from England where they’re very strict and don’t let their children have any fun in their lives. She should realize that she lives in the republic now, we don’t have a queen, and we’re free. The next thing I knew was that I was being led down the hallway to a room. “Here’s your room miss.” One of the nurses said. I walked into it and sat on the low bed.

         Did I mention that the bed was low to the ground? I’m not a baby or anything, but my bed back at home is an elegant four post bed that has a nice thick blanket on it as well as a few soft pillows, nothing like this. This bed was covered by a scratchy woolen blanket. As I continued to sit there, the door opened, in walked a rather stern nurse. “Remove your hat and muff please.” She barked. I don’t like it when people come onto me all harsh like that, it’s rather rude! “Now!” she barked. Finally, I gave in. I unpinned my hat and removed my muff. What she did next however, will always stick with me. Rather violently, she rips my dress of, exposing my underclothes. I tried to hide them from sight, but then came the shocker: “Your corset, please remove it.” I did as I was told, somehow retaining this fear that they would tell my mother I wasn’t being good. My two petticoats were the next items to come off. Those two things kept me warm in this cold hospital room. I suddenly began to get cold. Luckily, I could keep on my pantelettes and camisole top.

         What they handed me was this dress that was white. I hate wearing white dresses, it makes me look too formal, but even still mama would’ve wanted me to wear it. I longed for my navy blue dress that I had on before I came here, I even still wish I had my black stockings to wear, but not now. In a way, I wanted mama right now, but I shut that thought out of my mind. “Dear, we have to go get your hair cut now.” The nurse said to me. WHAT?!? A haircut? No. my auburn hair doesn’t deserve that, I look beautiful already, now with a haircut, no boy will want me. That reminds me, whatever happened to Daniel Southbridge? I was quite in love with him, although he was a year older than me. I guess he’s in some boarding school now, probably won’t even budge when he hears the name Ruth DeWitt. Sorry, but I had to get that out of the way. The next thing I knew was that I was getting my hair cut to my shoulders, and I did not like that. No one cuts Ruth DeWitt’s hair and gets away with it. Of course I should also mention that the nurses looked more powerful than me, so I would have gone down badly.

         After my torture, they led me to this open day room, where there were other girls. It seemed like I was “prey” to them because they all came over to me. One said that they like shiny things; another said that she hates girls that are like princesses. I guess I fit the latter, because this girl was in my face, and constantly telling me “Your queen is dead, now you will be like the commoners.” I don’t even know what the hell that meant. As long as I kept thinking about mama, I was alright. For some reason this thought of her being scared came across my mind, although I brushed it away; “She’s strong, she won’t miss me much.” I had thought to myself. Suddenly, this girl who was my age, twelve and a half came over to me. “Hi.” Was all she said. I noticed that she carried a sketch pad with her. “I drew a rabbit, do you want to see?” Sure, I’d like to see your “rabbit drawing.” She showed it to me, and I’ll tell you what, it wasn’t that bad.

         I sat at this little table, I’m telling you; they must think we’re babies or something; because I felt so out of place there. Then to my horror, the girl who hated princesses came over to me. “I don’t like you; you must be from England, where that evil woman is queen. Yeah, you’re the queen.” I laughed silently, putting on my best Queen’s English accent. “Yes, I am the queen, and I’m going to put you in the tower, because you don’t like me.” I thought it was fun until she began to freak out “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.” She said frantically as she walked away. I couldn’t tell if she burst into tears or what. After this happened, a man came over to my table with a sketchpad in his hand. “I want you to draw whatever you want. Draw your feelings, sketch anything. I’m not like the other doctor here, you’ll find that out.” He said to me. I thought whatever, okay. “Can I draw pictures of my mother?” I asked. “Why of course you may, do you miss her?” In truth, I missed her greatly. I wanted her to be there for me. I knew however, that probably wouldn’t happen soon.