16667 day 9

Rachael said.  “No I don’t think he will be happy. They will be making the announcements in the member meeting this evening.  Until then the trip is officially under consideration. You will be spending the week in Bixter, though the tests take up only a small amount of that time. You will be under the schools supervision, and will be under the same guidelines as the students from Newtown. It is up to you how you handle it. You have been having problems with the others? Why have you not talked to me before now? And how do you think it is related?”

Sara blushed. “It is nothing. They were just finding the right buttons to push is all. They have been suggesting that I am to into the boys, making me rethink each thing I do. I shouldn’t let them get to me like that. And of course they wouldn’t know what the elders were discussing. I just wasn’t in control of my self. I am sorry for lose my composer like that. At my age I should be better than that.”

“It is your sewing isn’t it? You know that you are hardly the only one that has difficulty with it. It doesn’t make you any less fit, everyone has there things they can’t master. Your cooking more than makes up for it, you will have no difficulty with trading deserts for minding work, and there is no shame in it.  In truth it is the fact that they can’t cook that has them poking at your sewing skills. Think about it, how many cooking classes have you had with them?”

Sara said. “That never dawned on me, but now. There have been times they went out of their way to avoid a cooking class. I just thought they were pretended to have problems with the test as it was written, but maybe it wasn’t review for them. That would explain why they are so upset with me. They are worried I will realize it. Thank you. That explains a lot. It will make it easer to take there jabs, knowing why they make them.”

Rachael looked at her a smile tugging at her lips. Sara had no idea just what a wonder she was. Any other girl would have been plotting ways to use the information, not using it to find understanding. She would make a good teacher when her turn came. “That could be. So what kind of frosting are you thinking for this cake?”  The morning sailed by, filed with the scent of baking.

Sara actually forgot about the test until she walked into the house and saw her father. Then the worry and fear hit her to fast to keep it off her face. He saw it. “How was your day? Is there something to say?”

Sara said. “Teacher Evern should have enough cakes for her guests. She was kind enough to let me show off a bit with the decorations. I hope I didn’t get to carried away.” She bit her lip, not knowing what to say. Her words just kind of jumbled over each other and spilled out. “Also she wanted to talk to me. I have no idea how, or why. I never even thought or wanted it. There are six girls being sent to takes the graduation exams. I have no idea how. I don’t understand why any would want to. I mean the project is more than enough.”

Her father frowned. “Take a breath and compose yourself. Now tell me what you are trying to say.”

Sara flushed realizing she had been improper. One should not let emotions control them. “Somehow I have been granted permission to go to Bixter and take the graduation exams. I do not know how, I never asked for such a thing. Teacher said it means spending the week in Bixter. I am not sure where or anything. I just am lost. I am sorry sir, I don’t know how this could happen.” She could see he was angry and didn’t blame him. This was an embarrassment, having one of his daughters reach so. It was unthinkable. But she didn’t know how it happened and didn’t know how to get out of it. “I never asked. I never wanted this. I have no idea. I just wanted to take a history class and do a graduation project. That was all. The tests never ever entered into my thoughts. They are not meant for such as me. I’m sorry I don’t mean to babble like this.”

Isaac said nothing and nether did anyone else for a few long minuets.  Everyone waiting for his response, not that there were many others in the room Sara was lucky that way. It would have been worse had more been there. It was just her oldest brother and her father there in the front room, likely they had been going over the harvest out look. It was time to decide to plant the fast growing crops or leave the off fields to rest.  Still Sara was whishing she had of gone around back and entered that way, giving her more time to work out what to say. May be come up with a better way. Her dad said. “Did you say they are having those taking the test stay a week in the city?”

Sara nodded. “Yes sir, that is what she said.”

Her father said. “I see. Say nothing about this to anyone. We will talk more once I know what is going on. Now go see if your mother needs any help, and keep your tongue under control. You should know better at your age.”

Sara curtsied, “Yes sir.” and walked as fast as she dared. Glad to be out from under those angry eyes for a bit. This was going to be bad.  

She no more than walked into the kitchen then a bowl was shoved at her. Anna said. “Walter, Greg and all will be here. We have supper in hand, but could use you on desserts, if you are not tired of cake making. Mom is out watching the steak on the grill.”

Sara said. “How about some fruit tarts? I bet everyone if longing for a bit of berry this deep into summer.”

Anna said. “There is nothing out, but if you can use frozen go right ahead. I am sure it will be well liked. Now this is a meeting night so make sure there is a lot, the men will likely want another helping to go with the tea after and who knows how many will be here?”

Sara said. “No problem. There is a lot of fruit that needs to be used.” With that she set to work.

By the time dinner was ready and it was time to set the table there was pastries filling every bit of unused surface area. Anna said. “I know I said a lot, but I think you might have over done.”

Sara looked around. “My batter kind of grew, I guessed wrong about the amounts. Maybe the neighbors will like a few tarts? I know you wanted a lot, but this is bit much and there are a few more to cook yet. I thought the men might like some warm ones after the meeting so kept some back.”

Eidath laughed. “I am sure they will, and you can take a sack full with you to share with the girls at lunch, if there is any left. You will be surprised at how fast they disappear. Now let’s get supper on the table.”

Sara sat down at her place expecting to just get a bit of a salad like she had all week, if that. After all there were plenty of reasons for her father to be upset with her. But to her surprise every item made it to her, and so she had a full meal. After the meal was done the men, those over fourteen, left for the meeting and the boys took to the front room as the girls cleared the table. Sara said. “I will get the dishes tonight, I need to be in here anyway, as there are still tarts to cook. I think I can replace what was ate twice over with the batter I have left. I do not know what we are going to do with so many tarts.”

Edith said. “Don’t worry about that, but you shouldn’t clean up on your own.”

Anna said. “Oh Shannon and I will help mom. Why don’t you go visit with Henna, you don’t see much of her and the kids since they moved?” Sara was surprised at that, she didn’t expect help. Really there wasn’t much about dishes that needed a second set of hands.  Still who was she to argue? The others left and she started filling the sink.

Anna watched then said. “I have them, you tell us why you have spiced tarts sitting there to cook. Just why is Father going to be upset? And don’t even try and get out of it. Remember we have been around longer than you have.”

Sara said. “I was told to say nothing, I don’t know what I can tell you. I’m sorry. It is nothing any of did, I just think there was a decision made that he is not going to be pleased about. I am not sure how Donald will react. I’m sorry, but it really isn’t my place. Yes it is a part of why I was asked to help make cakes.”

Shannon said. “Fair enough, and you are right to say nothing if told not to. It would just add fuel to the flames. Likely they will all be upset. Good thing there will be tea and treats waiting on them.”

A bunch of men came back with them after the meeting and settled on into the dinning room. Eidath, Shannon, and Henna took the tea and tarts to them. What ever was said was to soft to be heard outside the room, but the women looked a bit upset when they came out. Henna was the first one to speak, and she said brightly. “Well we are all going to spend the night here kids, so off the bath for the young ones.” If they knew what had the men upset they said nothing to any of them, even when the little ones were all bedded down.

It was three hours latter before the men started coming out. Isaac looked over. “Why are you still up? There was no need for you to wait. After all tomorrow will be a long day. Off to bed with you.”

As on any holy day the house was silent the next morning and breakfast was plain. As it was a long day there would be no lunch, but the big roast for supper was slid into the stove at low heat and should be done when they got home. It would cool as the salad was made. Everything served that day would be as tasteless as possible, a way of making sure that attention was centered on the teachings and a reminder to give thanks for the food.

Sara entered the church and made her slow way to her place. One did not walk with speed in the holy house. Her father nodded and she sat, clasping her hands in her lap, eyes fixed on the podium. One did not look to see who was still coming in or who was there all ready, least it be thought you were making judgments or looking for something you shouldn’t be. She hoped her nervous didn’t show. She wondered what if anything would be said and what the fall out will be. She didn’t like the fact he had said nothing. It was not a good sign.