6488, over 2,000 words just to get to the school. eek

Chapter 2:

Title here.

Sara woke up got out of her bed, it was still dark and she heard no one moving so she just might have be first for the shower. Showers were a matter of chance. With the power being unstable hot water was hard to come by so wasn’t used in the shower. Lest wise not in the girls bathroom, but she suspected that the boys bath had hot water. Still if you got there early enough this time of year you should be able to get a almost warm one thanks to the insulation on the storage take, but if that tank had drained then forget it. The others teased her about being up before the birds but she felt that between not have to fight and the close to warm water rising early pad for its self. Smiling and not bothering with a light she made her way out of her bedroom and down the hall, enjoying the peace.

The shower didn’t take long and soon she was back in her room. This time she struck a match and light the lamp on the night stand. Likely the generator was running so the electric lamp would work but the generator would be taxed soon enough. It was going of solar right now as there hadn’t been enough wind to charge the batteries. She  looked at her closet and reached for one of the plane dark dresses hang there. Wondering what it would be like to ware something like the lost ones at school did. Bright and not so bulky. It did get a bit old, but there were good reasons behind the gowns. She had seen how the boys all made eyes at the girls, even those of the church who know better. But if she did what Grandpa thought she would then. Well she couldn’t ware the dress then, she would lose the right. She shook her head at her foolish though, took out a dress and got into it then put up her hair, making sure it was all in the bun before put the veil over it, as modesty demanded she do.

 She looked outside and judged that there was time to get some reading done before heading down to get a jump on the meal. If she had breakfast going then there would be less complaining if she was a bit late getting back after school and it was time to empty the recycling bins. If she was there she could go though them and take out any old journals that had ended up in them. It would help with her senior paper, the more stories she had the better the image of that first year would be. Yet it wasn’t one of those she reached for but the one of the books her father would be upset by. One that related to things judged to confusing for her. She paused mid reach and heard again her grandfather telling her she didn’t fit here. Could he be right? Why did she have this pull to know things she didn’t need to? The elders all taught that she should just worry about getting meals on time and seeing the young were healthy and headed on the right roads. History was a fine line of study but leave the rest to those men destined for it. A woman’s place was the home and hearth. Was there something to what her Grandfather had said? She had not seen anything like the pull she felt in her sisters. The never moved to see the boys math problems better as she had found herself doing to her shame. But there were a few other ladies who sometimes seemed to know a bit more than basics of math and science, so surely this was just a faze that would pass. She would settle down soon and learn to stay in the light. There was nothing advanced in the book, it was just a high school level book. Surly if it was dangerous she wouldn’t have been allowed to have it here. Abiram had taken other books from her, saying she had no business with them. She was just seeing more to it because of the words. That was all. But it was one of the journals she ended up opening and reading tell the first light of the sun could be seen. Then she closed the book and made her way down the stairs.

Once in the kitchen Sara turned on the overhead light and went to the stove for the kettle and got the water on for morning tea. Then she went over to the fridge and looked in it to see what there was. Her mom hadn’t said anything about breakfast last night therefore she could pick what to make.. Lots of eggs that needed to be used and some peppers, hum it had been a couple of weeks since they had omelets. It would make a change from the pancakes they had been eating. That would take care of the leftover ham and bacon as well. That decided she started pulling things out and filling up the counter. She had a bowl full of grated cheese and was starting on the meat when she heard the first set of feet on the stairs. Certain it was her mother she heard Sara stopped to put hot water in the waiting tea cup. When the door opened Sara turned and said. “May the morning’s blessings be with you.” She handed her the tea cup.

Eidath said, taking the cup with a smile. “And with you. So what are you planning there?” It was so nice to have a daughter that liked the mornings. Made it easy on her now that Sara was old enough to cook she need not stumble down stairs quite as early to get things started.

Sara said. “There was a good bit of leftover ham that needed to be used so I thought it was time we had omelets. I put Anna’s bisects in the oven and have the cheese grated, and have started getting the ham cubed.”

Eidath smiled and took a sip of her tea. “It has been sometime since we had omelets. I am sure Issac and the boys will be pleased.” She moved to the other side of the counter and started chopping the peppers and onions. They worked in silence for a bit before the others bounced in and filled the room with chatter and the smells of cooking food.  Mornings were loud as planes were gone over. As it was a school day no one lingered over long at the table. Father was kind that way, making sure the girls had time to clear it and see it tided up before they had to leave. That way the ones not in school wouldn’t have to take care of the breakfast mess on their own. That meant mother and Anna, who most days were the only ones home, would have time to do some sewing or go visit with some of the other ladies, and not have to spend the day cleaning. Still it was a rush to get out the door and to the school. They all walked together, that way the older ones could make sure the younger ones went. The first five grades were taught locally but after that they had to go to the bigger school down the road with children form the neighboring town.

 Ones that didn’t follow the teachings they had tried to fight that law. But there just was not enough children to fund the running of two upper schools in the area. However, the elders had managed to see that there were no lessons about magic and its beings offered in the school. It was enough to know that such existed. To know more was to invite darkness. If the others felt such was needed they could get them in after school clubs or other places. Not in classes that all had to attend. The first year they thought the rule would be enough, but after finding some questionable books in school bags they took to inspecting the school and now anything relating to those things was kept in a separate room that only those with permission slips could enter. The kids for Hammer found it funny that books they had grown up with were locked away, but Newton paid the bigger share of taxes for the school and so had more control over it.

It was Abiram duty, as the oldest, to see the three that went to the small school to the door. Sara and the others spit off and got in line for the bus. The boys took places towed the front of the line with the other boys as the girls hung back. There was not long to wait and soon they were on the bus. Just like in church the boys on the right and girls on the side. Sara hung back and boarded last. It was easer to just wait and take what ever spot was left then try and keep up with who wanted to sit whit who, even if that did sometimes put her with those younger. This day she was next to one of her year mates. Anna nodded at her then turned back to her friend. Sara didn’t pay any of attention to their conversation, instead taking out her government book to review for the test.

Rebecca leaned over the seat to talk to Anna and saw the book. “Sara what on earth are you doing? Who cares about that junk? It doesn’t  matter. You should be more worried about the food care test then government.”

Sara jumped hearing her name. “I studied that over the weekend, and besides it is something we do everyday. But some of the Hammer kids looked like they needed a few more lessons on preserving food, so we all get them. Like we don’t know how to care for a house at this age. But with that and working on my project I didn’t have time to review for this test. Father is upset enough about me having to go this year I will not have him getting notes because I failed a test. There are enough demands on his time.”

Anna said. “I bet it is that deduction to manly subjects that had us get the lecture on behavior yesterday. Honestly it would be good if you would at least come in close to failing sometime. You don’t want them think you are unfit so close the promising. And a history paper really? Why couldn’t you have done a nice sewing project like everyone?”

Sara said. “I am not going to cheat on a test. That is what deliberately doing less than my best would be. If you think otherwise I will gladly go to Teacher Evern and ask her. As I did before picking a senior project, by the way, it is she who suggested that I do a paper. I will freely my stitches did not pass her examination.”

Rebecca said. “I still say it is unseemly to forever be reading. If you would just put half the time you are at books into your sewing you would be better and it would look much more approach. So Anna I heard Johanas and my dad talking this morning. It seems Hammer is letting a group of scientist come in to play with the weather, and they will be addressing the school. I hope they will give us a pass. I can’t think of a thing duller than that. She will likely enjoy it. Filling her head with junk like she dose. One would think she was from Hammer. Next she will be making eyes and talking about going away to school next year. Instead of getting her house in order.”

Anna said. “How dull, my head hurts just thinking about it. Surly they will make exceptions, knowing that we are not made to handle such things. Even Sara is not that foolish, I hope. Though with all that reading who knows?” They laughed, and the bus came to a stop forcing the conversation to halt as they had to gather their things, for they had been sewing.

Sara blushed a bit. It was not the first she had heard such remarks. But before she had all ways dismissed them, Rebecca and Anna always had that air about them. But this time it wasn’t so easy to let the words go. In part because she did want to her the talk. She was so upset she didn’t realize her brother was standing in front her until she ran into him. Making her turn even redder.

“All you all right? Where were you?” Abiram, to his credit, sound worried not annoyed. “It is not like you to be so up set but those two. Just what did they say?”

Sara said. “Nothing new really, it is silly. Just girl stuff. I guesses there is to be some assembly and they were certain it would be dull and unfit for them. Which means no real female should be interested in it.”

Abiram nodded. “That would explain it, because if they knew that much they knew it was about weather, so you are interested. Don’t let them brother you. You will not be the only girl listening to them. I was just going tell you about it, and that I would see you made it. The weather played a big role in the first years, so ties in with your project. If you hand me a list of questions I will see about getting answers for you.”