Jem and Scout's new friend [Chapter 1]

Someday in the 1930s

For those of you who don't know, I'm a cook to a very respectable family, the Finches. Meanwhile, I also take care of Jem(currently 10) and Scout(currently 6), or so that's what most call them. Very obedient children, they are. Always within my reach, they never stray too far away. The occasional glance assures their safety.

This summer, as I carried out my routine check on the kids, I found that they were joined by this pint-sized boy. I was later informed by Scout that he was, in fact, 1 year her senior. She told me he could read and that he'd already watched Dracula and tried telling me about it. Seems like they had a great time together. His name was... Wait, don't tell me, I know this... Char... Charlie? Ah! Charles B-something Harry. Or sommin like that. No wonder folks settled for Dill.

As the days go by, I learn more and more about this little guy. Dill was from Meridian and he was going to spend every summer from now on with his aunt who happens to be Miss Rachel. Scout also mentioned that he doesn't have a daddy and that she didn't understand why he didn't have one when his daddy was still alive. I told her that maybe Dill didn't want to talk about him and she should respect his privacy. After that, I gave her some crackling bread and she seemed contented(with the darlings playing out in the backyard, I had enough time to make a batch! Scout LOVES crackling bread!)

I enjoy watching my babies having fun, playing around with Dill, coming up with new plays. They don't know I watch them, shrouded by the curtains in the kitchen. Somewhere around the end of August, I caught Dill staring at the Radley place, hugging on to a light pole (he looked so small next to it), I could actually see him contemplating, coming up with ideas in that small head of his. He hugged the pole tightly, as though it the only thing stopping him from going up to their door.

Should I be concerned?

The Radleys were peculiar people... Not like the other White people...
***
I think I'll make a jug of lemonade now.

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Posted by Calpurnia at noon