Fraida glanced up from her work at the wash basin long enough to see a woman dressed in finery gliding over the grass next to the stream. She knew instantly who she was as she had seen her many times in the village before. She was always buying things never selling. But that was what it was like to be a lady. Never having to worry about getting by like the other people in the village did.
Fraida continued scrubbing the clothes on the wash board. A soft cough came from in front of her and she stopped when she realized that the lady was indeed actually standing in front of her. She straitened and tucked the damp strand of auburn hair behind her ear.
"May I help you my lady?" Fraida asked looking into the sharp eyes staring back at her. Noting the smile on the woman's face was closer to a sneer than anything else.
"Yes, I'm looking for someone to help me look after my daughter. She is such a handful and I fear that one day she will not always trust me. That is why I need you. I need someone who can gain her trust to help keep an eye on her." The woman replied looking Fraida up and down.
"So, you want someone to spy on your own daughter for you?" Fraida returned.
"You are quick aren't you. Most people in this town wouldn't quite have caught on to that." The woman replied.
Fraida smiled, "I'm not most people."
"No indeed you are not. But as spying does sound like rather a horrid thing lets agree to call it keeping eyes and ears open to anything that might lead to something that would upset my plans for her." The woman said.
"You sound awfully sure that I'm going to help you." Fraida answered.
"Aren't you?" Replied the woman narrowing her eyes at the young girl.
"I have yet to see what good it would do me." Fraida replied. She knew that in most settings she would be scared of the woman standing in front of her. As it was she knew that they had the high ground and right now she was holding most of the cards. She had of course heard the stories of how this woman could rip your heart clear out of your chest and then use it to kill you or control you. Somehow Fraida knew that this woman would not be pulling out her heart. She needed her for some reason and she had to be careful not to push to hard.
"If that is all you need to know let me assure you that I can offer you what you and your family need." The woman replied.
"Which would be?"
"Security," She said smiling. "And for you the chance to travel the world with my daughter and have the adventures you have always wanted. You might even end up with and actual friend."
"I see, and what guarantee do I have that it won't end badly for me?" Fraida said not daring to ask the question that she really wanted the answer to.
"Oh, darling that is really up to you. But I can tell you that your heart will stay in place. My daughter seems to sense when I plant one of my minions in her life. Which is why I really need you. She has to pick you for herself. If I just bring you in she will know. Tomorrow she will come to town and she will pick someone to be her companion and ladies maid."
"I see. How…"
"How did I know what you really meant?" Cora replied. "I know what they say about me. I can read people very well you know."
Fraida nodded looking a bit flustered.
"I will bring her tomorrow. You may want to discuss it with your parents. Let them know you'll be coming to live with us. Say a few goodbyes. I expect you to be hear tomorrow." With that Cora reinstated her power and turn and walked away.
"Wait." Fraida called. Cora stopped and turned. "Why me?"
"I have watched many of you and you are the one with brains and the one who will always have my daughters best interest at heart. You, like me, will always look out for her." With that she turned again and was gone.
Fraida ran home to tell her parents what had happened, she had been offered a job that would give them all more security. They were happy. They thought that this would be a way for their daughter to advance in life and have much better opportunities.
Regina woke up that morning to the sound of her mother calling her name. "Regina, Regina. Wake up. Goodness you are so lazy. You look a mess. I have had it. I don't know how many times I am going to have to help you brush that main of yours."
"Mother, it's still early why are you waking me up?" Regina rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. But then her blankets vanished reappearing across the room. The crisp morning air bit as she instantly scrambled out of bed.
"Forgive me for trying to teach you how to be a lady." Cora said walking over to her daughter who was rummaging in her closet. "Where is the maid? She should have already done all of this."
"Late again I suppose." Regina replied a worried look on her face. She knew the girl was in trouble though she didn't much care for her.
"I suppose we should get a new one. Why is it so hard to find good help?" Cora said sounding exasperated.
"Oh mother, maybe if you could talk to her…"
"You want me to talk to her again? No, I have talked and talked. Threatened even and still it makes no difference. She's going, right after I find a new one." Cora said.
"Mother… do you think I could choose my own?" Regina asked timidly, sure her mother would say no.
"How would a fifteen year old girl even know how to choose a ladies maid?"
"Oh let me try. I promise if I choose badly you can pick whoever you want for as long as you want! You always chose people who I don't even like. Please, mother?" Regina half begged throwing her arms around her mother.
"Is that so?" Cora stopped momentarily. "I guess you are growing up… Go to the village today and find someone if that will satisfy you." Cora said looking sternly down at her daughter. This child was walking right where she wanted her to. "If I don't like who you choose she is going straight back to wherever she came from!"
"Oh thank you mother! I promise you won't regret letting me do this myself." She beamed up at her mother thrilled at the bit of freedom she was getting.
"Don't thank me yet. Get dressed and eat your breakfast and then go." Cora said. "Choose wisely dear. I really am getting quite put out with the quality this place has to offer." Cora said most of that in a loving voice but Regina swore she heard what she though was true frustration. Regina did as her mother said and was headed toward the village in no time.
Fraida had seen Cora's daughter once in passing several years ago and hadn't paid much attention to her. She had been carrying a large load of wood that day. She had been helping the Backers daughter Ellie, bake bread that day. Fraida wasn't sure that she would miss any of the people here but she knew there were a few like Ellie who she would miss seeing but she had to admit that she was excited about the possibilities working for this family would bring.
Today Fraida was trying to sell apples in the village. From what she had gathered from Cora, Regina was suppose to choose her. She wasn't sure how that was going to work. She knew though that the woman had a plan. So regardless of what the plan was she would do her chores today and wait and see what would happen. Of course that was when she saw Regina riding her house down the cobbled street before dismounting and tying the horse to the hitching post. She was beautiful. Much more grown up than the 11 year old that Fraida had seen last time. Of course Fraida herself had been the same age, maybe a little older. But this young woman was stunning.
Regina loved riding and today was no exception. The feel of the wind on her face was like freedom to her. It was the part of her day that she loved best. Regina could not believe that her mother was letting her do this. She was determined to try and find someone that her mother would approve of but that she would also trust. The woman that her mother had chosen over the years had always been a little cold hearted. They rarely ever laughed and Regina had to say she didn't trust a single one of them.
She tied her steed to the hitching post and stood looking around. She didn't come to the village often. When she did she was usually with her mother and was told to say in the carriage. Today was her day to do whatever she wanted. She decided that she would wander and maybe it would be as easy as just meeting this person. She didn't really know how these things went.
The village was full of people. Different people selling things on the side of the road. Some people sold fabrics others food and produce. Honestly there was almost anything you could imagine being sold there. Regina walked around looking at things and observing the different people. There were several girls her age that for the most part looked at her in two ways. With awe or envy in their eyes because everyone knew who Cora's was. Regina realized that this was how she was to be known. As Coras daughter. Regina had heard some of the things they said about her. The sad thing was that she knew it was most of what they said was true, the other things she wasn't sure about yet. For most people just thought that what Cora was, was enough to write her up as the same.
The idea hurt Regina. She was so different from her mother. She could never do half of the things her mother did. Nor did she even want to. That settled it she would look for someone who wasn't afraid of her mother and who looked at her like a person not an object.
This proved harder than she thought. She spent all day trying to start conversations with people they either didn't want to even speak with her or they hung on her every word. This was exhausting. This was not what she wanted. By the after noon she was exhausted and generally downcast by her luck. She decided to go home and see if her mother would let her try again tomorrow.
She walked through the crowd. She didn't make eye contact with anyone just kept her eyes on the ground. She was sick of this place.
"Apples miss? Three for a penny." Regina heard the voice and looked up to see a young girl her age with auburn hair sitting on a bench with two bushels of apples on either side of her. She had an open book in her hand. Intrigued Regina started towards the girl.
"I love apples." Regina said smiling at the girl who surprisingly smiled back. The girl reached her hand out over one of the baskets and hovered for a few seconds and then pulled a perfectly red apple and tossed it to Regina. Regina caught the apple smelled it and her eyes lit up. She looked up at the auburn haired girl who's hazel blue eyes gleamed back at her. She motioned for Regina to sit next to her. Regina did and turned slightly to look at the girl.
The girl held out her hand. "I'm Fraida." She said giving Regina a wide smile. This was the first person to formally introduce herself to her.
"Oh, I'm…" She started to say taking the outstretched hand.
"Regina." Fraida said interrupting. "I know, I have seen you here before. It was a long time ago mind you but I recognized your face."
"Really? Does everyone know who I am?" Regina asked somewhat bewildered.
"Well, everyone knows who your mother is and so everyone knows who you are. But no one knows who you actually are. What kind of person you are I mean." Fraida replied.
"Sometimes I don't even know who I am." Admitted Regina.
"That's true for a lot of people." Fraida said softly.
"Do you know who you are?" Regina asked smiling.
Fraida smiled back but paused for a moment to think about her answer. "No… I mean I know what my dreams are and what I like and don't like. But I have never been tested or gone on any adventures. I mean I've never left this village… I guess I just don't think I can know who I am yet without having some kind of adventure. I haven't done anything. How can I know if I am brave and courageous without adventure? Or if I'm good without having been faced with evil?" Fraida said looking up at the sky.
Regina looked at her hands. No one had ever been so open and honest about themselves with her. "Do you want to travel?" She asked.
"Oh yes, I don't really even care how I see it you know. Just to be able to see what's outside of this town. I'm sure some of it is the same as it is here but there must be some wonderful places out there." Fraida said looking at Regina.
"I think you are right. I haven't seen much of it but my mother takes me with her sometimes." Regina replied.
"What's it like?" Fraida asked.
"It's beautiful." Regina said pausing. "It's how you said. A lot of it is the same as here but there are some places that are indescribable."
"That's wonderful. So what are you doing here today? I have to admit I watched you walk all over the village. You looked like you were looking for something or rather someone." Fraida said.
"How could you tell?" Regina asked smiling.
"Well, you haven't bought anything. You weren't even looking at the things being sold. You were looking at the people and trying to talk to them." Fraida replied.
"Well, you are right. I am looking for someone. My mother has sent me here to find someone to be my lady in waiting." Regina laughed. "I hate how that sounds. I would much rather call it companion or friend even. But, mother would never approve of me calling a servant a friend. But, I don't really want another servant."
Fraida smiled. "So, what you are looking for is someone who can do your hair and help you get into those corset things and whatever else but who you can still talk to and enjoy their company?"
"Yes," Regina replied. "I know it sounds kina of silly. It's probably a lot to ask of someone too. I just really don't want another one of my mothers picks. I have never trusted them. I want someone I can trust."
"It makes sense to me. Everyone needs a friend and someone they can trust." Fraida replied.
Regina hesitated in the silence that followed Fraida's words. "Fraida, do you think you would want to do it? I know it's a lot to ask. I know you have heard what kind of woman my mother is. But I can take you with me on our travels. You could see the world and maybe have some adventures." Regina's words came tumbling out of her mouth.
Fraida smiled at her but didn't reply. She sat in silence thinking. She was suddenly feeling conflicted. Cora was a woman of great power. She knew without a doubt that the woman would try to use her to get to her daughter. Fraida liked Regina, neither of them had many if any real friends. Fraida didn't have much time she was always trying to help her parents stay afloat. This could be her opportunity to have a friend, see the world, and make sure her parents were taken care of. She knew all this. She had decided yesterday to do it. She had decided that it was her best option. But here was Regina sitting beside her and she knew she didn't want to be used by this girls mother to hurt her. But at the same time, what could her mother really use her for except to get information from her… "Yes. Yes I'll do it." Fraida said.
Regina who had been holding her breath exhaled and smiled so big. "Thank you!" She said throwing her arms around Fraida's neck.
"But there is something I need to tell you first." Fraida took Regina's hand. "You probably wont want me to come with you after you hear this." Regina's expression changed from happiness to confusion. "Regina, yesterday your mother came to see me. She said that you would come here today as you would be looking for a ladies maid. She wanted me to say yes. I agreed to say yes because she promised my family security and me a chance to see the world." Fraida paused a moment looking at Regina. "She wanted someone to keep an eye on you and tell her if you ever planned to do anything to upset her plans for you. I don't really know what that meant… I didn't think anything of it. I don't have a lot of friends so it didn't mean anything to me that I would be spying on you. But meeting you and after talking to you and finding out a little about what you are like… I don't want to be her spy. I want to be your friend and I don't think friends are suppose to spy on each other." Fraida hung her head looking at the book in her lap. She sat like that a long time. Regina stared at the apple still in her had for a long time.
"No." Regina said and Fraida's heart sank. "No." Regina said again. "I still want you to come."
Fraidas head shot up. "But why? Your mother wants me to spy on you."
"I know, she has always had someone around to spy on me. I see that now. But you are different. You could have never told me and I would have trusted you and you could have gone on telling her whatever she waned to know. But you chose to tell me… I think that is something that a friend would do." Regina said taking Fraidas hand again. "I know now that you agreeing will be even harder than before. If my mother finds out you told she'll send you right back. You're going to have to tell her things that she wants to hear."
"I don't want to spy on you." Fraida said.
"I know. All you will have to do it give her information that appears to be valuable…" Regina said looking a little confused herself. "I don't think my mother wants daily reports of what we talk about. She just wants someone there that can warn her when I try and do something that goes against her plans."
"You still want me to come?" Fraida asked.
"Yes, I think I do. You're the first honest person I have met all day that hasn't seen me only as my mothers daughter. You have been honest with me when you didn't have to be. I think my mother underestimated your character." Regina said. "Listen we don't have to figure all of this out today. We can see how it goes. You can leave any time you want."
"Okay… When do we leave?" Fraida asked.
"As soon as you are ready." Regina replied.
"My father should be coming by soon to pick up what is left." Fraida returned motioning to the apples. "We would need to pick up some of my things at my house if that's okay."
"Of course." Regina said.
The two girls sat on the bench chatting until Fraidas father arrived. He picked up the remaining apples. Fraida told him that she was going to be going with Regina. He nodded a bittersweet smile.
"You'll be needing to go say goodbye to your mother." He said hugging his daughter. "I'll walk you to the house while you get your things."
"Get you horse Regina we can ride back from my house." Fraida said.
Regina nodded in response leading her horse through the crowd after Fraida and her father. Fraida's house was small, very small. But it looked homey. Regina waited outside while Fraida went inside to get her things and say goodbye to her family. She came out and her parents followed standing in the gateway of the picket fence that surrounded the front yard. She hugged her parents who were smiling knowing that their daughter would be taken care of.
Regina mounted her horse holding out her hand to Fraida who took it and was hoisted up to sit behind Regina. Fraida had a small bag thrown over her shoulder. In it we her clothes, her books, and a few things her parents had given her over the years. They waved to her parents both promising that they would indeed come visit. The two road away Fraida looking back to waved then wrapped her arms around Regina's waist as the road down the road.