The Cinder Bullies (19)

Nadia was busy finalizing the plans for the welcome home party, when Cindy got up the next morning.

"How was your walk with Millie and Xaviar, last evening?" she asked. "I hope you all enjoyed yourself."

"It was wonderful, and thank you for asking. But Nadia, you did not tell us that Xaviar had been forced to do the work of a scullery maid, too!"

"He told you and Millie about that?" She seemed surprised.

"Yes, he did. We were shocked, but now we know that he understands how terrible the experience was for us, too."

"Yes, but it was for him, Rosa and myself, as well! It is never fun for anyone!"

"Do the owners of the estate know about this?"

"Yes, they do and they have always offered us a place of refuge. They do want to meet you young folks."

At almost the same time, Millie was telling Rosa the same thing. 

She was quite surprised at Xaviar's disclosure, as he had just met the young ladies.

"I am really glad that Xaviar talked to you about it. I did not know if he would yet," Rosa replied. "I thought he might wait, but I am glad he didn't. It is better to have everything out in the open."

"I don't think that being forced to work is something any of us should ever be ashamed of, Rosa. Neither do Cindy or Xaviar," said Millie.

"Neither do I, but I think we all have many emotional wounds that may take a long time to heal," said Rosa. "In the meantime, we have to get rid of our excess, emotional baggage, so that it does not burden us down any further."

"We don't ever have to forget about it. I doubt that any of us can either, but we cannot let our past control our lives," said Millie, quietly. "I know it still hurts."

"I think the next person we need to try to help will be Maddie," Rosa said, with a smile. Obviously, talking to Xaviar and Cindy about it, had been good for Millie. "I don't know how we can reach her though."

"We will, I promise!" replied Millie. "Somehow!"

"Servitude like this, is akin to slavery and God did not create human beings to be slaves to one another," said Rosa. "Even young ladies who were never taught differently, should never be reduced to the status of slaves."

"I think we all learned this the hard way," said Millie. "But, now we have broken free of it, and Maddie can learn how to do that too."

"There will always be young ladies who are forced to work as scullery maids, or assigned  more difficult roles in life against their will, but that does not make it right." Rosa was becoming more and more emphatic about it, as she spoke.

"Sorry, I did not mean to upset you," Millie said, quietly. "Let's get ready for this dinner and I will help you to do whatever still needs to be done for the welcome home party next week,"

Later that afternoon, Xaviar went over to talk to Nadia about it.

"Last night, I told the young ladies about having been forced to do the work of a scullery maid, Mother," he said, quietly. "I thought they ought to know, so that there is nothing for them to worry about with respect to their own lives. They both were quite shocked, but they understood."

"I am glad you had the courage to tell them, son," replied Nadia, with a smile. "These are wonderful young ladies, aren't they?"

"They certainly are! I love that dancing puppy, too. He is so much fun!"