Alberta Chp. 7

7

Alberta cried for hours. She went to her window. She thought all hope was lost. But suddenly she thought, I’ll run away. And I’ll never have to deal with this ever again. I’ll finally learn to read.

Alberta looked out the window. “It’s pretty far down, but—I have to do it. I’ll find Matthias.”

Alberta slowly lifted her foot and had it balancing on an inch of a brick was stuck out a little bit. But suddenly her foot slipped and Alberta fell, and almost to her death.

But a loyal friend she had, ran with all his might and sliding on his knees, on the rough cobblestones, he caught her just in time.

Alberta was shook with fear. When she recovered, she looked back at Matthias. “I’m so glad you’re here. I have so many things to tell you. And thank you for catching me. I could have paralyzed myself or worse—even died.”

Matthias shrugged. “Don’t go blabbering about it to anyone, you hear?”

“Well…” Alberta began. “I can’t.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m—I’m running away. And I need your help. Do you know of a place where they could teach me to read? And also,”

Matthias felt the back of his head. “I think I might.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Alberta told Matthias all about Elizabeth on the way. 

Alberta noticed Matthias constantly reaching into his pocket and feeling around. She then remembered something. “Matthias,” she began.

“Yeah?” He suddenly stopped and took his hand from his pocket.

‘That ring, you had. Was it really your ancestor’s?” 

Matthias paused. After hesitating, he replied, “Yes. But I thought I’d pass it down to my friend. As a gift.”

Alberta almost cried. “Matthias. I know Elizabeth’s the way she is, but, but that’s over now. We’re free. Maybe we can even go to Africa, or all those places we’ve always wanted to go as children.”

“Alberta. I don’t even know what to say. We don’t have any money. We don’t have anything. We’re both poor.”

Alberta said nothing.

Matthias spoke once more. “Maybe one day, when we’re older and things are better with your sister—maybe we could raise a family of our own. But—but not right now.”