1929. 79851tot I am not sure I will know where to end.

Sara was glad when the food was out and people stopped coming by, but then got another shock. Zac said. “Come on Guests get the first plates, remember, ladies, they can’t get their first plate until we do.”

Rebecca frowned. Sara said. “But that’s not right. We shouldn’t.” Yet the ones at the guest table went first then the older men, and down by age to the women and girls. Yet surely they would just go first after the men, not before them. But Zac wasn’t moving.

Leader Istcons winked at them. “The lad is right, as guest you ladies must fill your first plates before we can. Go enjoy, and do not skimp. I want to see full plates.”

Sara shook her head and stood up. Rebecca was red, with a mix of anger and embarrassment. “But, we couldn’t go first. It wouldn’t be right.”

Leader Istcons repeated. “Guests go first, my dear. I am warmed by your devotion to the rules of behavior, but you are a guest at this feast. Enjoy it, go on. For this day you are a guest with all that goes with it.”

Sara followed Zac over to the food, behind her the rest of the girls slowly stood up. Zac handed Sara a plate before she could reach for one. “You need a full plate not one of those little things, now then you are going to try the items that are gone when you get here. This time you really do get to try everything.”

Sara laughed, it had been a joke of theirs for years, each of them trying to tease more things than the others at the feasts until nether of them could eat a bite more. As they had gotten older though more presser had been put on Sara to be lady like, and avoid the heavy foods, leave them and most meat for the men and boys who needed it more. “Now how is getting me in trouble going to help you with seeing I eat?” She passed over the platter of stakes only to have one put on her plate. The same thing happened with the next item she passed on.

Zac said. “As much as a show I am make out of it, you can hardly be blamed. If anyone is even caring.”

Tim said. “Make sure she gets some of these stuffed peppers and mushrooms. She will like them they are too spicy for me.”

Sara shook her head. “Now you are gang up on me? Is that fair? Come on guys. You know I shouldn’t take all this.”

Zac said. “It is seldom you get a chance to try the delicacies like this. It would be an insult to the ladies that cooked them if you didn’t make the most of it. Peppers are on the list of foods you should be eating more of. He said the spicy heat helps rid the body of the lingering effects. So anything spicy is going on your plate.”

Abiram said. “Make sure to get the items that disappear first, the others can wait for the next plate. She has to try that salad and the orange ham this year.”

Sara shook her head. “I give up. You guys are imposable. I don’t see any of the others being treated so by there brothers.” When there was no way her plate could hold another thing they finally went back to the table and sat down.

Zac said. “There that will get you the things you hadn’t had. You can get your favorites next time though. Just remember to get some peppers.” Sara shook her head, but started eating.

When she got up to go back the third time Rebecca huffed a bit and turned to the girl next to her. “I know I should go for a second. It would not do to be seen as being picky, but I honestly don’t know where I am going to put it.”

The girl said. “I know just what you mean, but perhaps there will be a few salads left. Goodness knows I have had far to much of the rich foods.” Sara ignored the comments and kept walking.

She picked up one of the larger plates the other two came up behind her and made a point of passing over the big ones. They stayed behind her as she started putting food on her plate. “All this rich food has to be good for the men. They need it with all the hard work they do. But it sure is rough on us. I think I would have to let out my dresses should I eat much more of it. Why I would think it would scare my intended to see me eat so much. No man wants a ungentle wife.”

Rebecca said. “Some girls just don’t care what they look like. Wearing flashy clothes and eating to much. They must not care about scaring a man off. I must wonder if that isn’t why some men choose not to have a family.” Others came up and the girls stopped talking. Sara knew they wanted her to respond and so did her best to show nothing of what she felt as she filled the plate. She would have stopped with that plate but Zac set another in front of her, and you just didn’t leave food untouched lest someone saw it as an insult. I was a long day.

On the way home Isaac said. “What is the problem with you and the girls Sara? It was clear they are upset with you.”

Sara said. “It is nothing, we just had a deference of opinion about some things and they are still up set I didn’t side with them. They see that refusal as proof that I asked to take the tests. They are not saying anything to me, and until they do there is nothing I can answer. I am just waiting on them, and I think that is irritating them more.”

Isaac said. “I don’t know about you kids. If it get to much you will talk about it right? I am pleased you all did so well on the tests. I was worried you girls might fill it necessary to hold back, in spite of what you were told. You made us all proud. It is nice to be able to prove magic is not needed to succeed.”

Abiram said. “Thank you sir.”

Sunday dawned clear, but Sara’s legs were stiff so she knew a storm was coming she got up and showered then dressed. As there was no baking to do she took out a book and read until it was late enough she could write Viv. ‘morning how arm’ ‘storm heading here’ ‘legs might ache a bit’

Viv wrote back. ‘looking nice here’ ‘grams said arm good’ ‘going be sore week’ ‘have med if bad’ ‘have good day’ ‘talk after church’ ‘don’t let r get u’ ‘miss talking not same’

Sara smiled. ‘miss to bet letter’ ‘still to short’ ‘have much wish say’ ‘r wont get me’ ‘I wont let her’ ‘yell and name call’ ‘no power I give’

Viv said. ‘good to know’ ‘remember it’ ‘she knows buttons’ ‘saw before dont rise’

Sara said. ‘nothing happen church’ ‘would hurt her there’ ‘she wont get what’ ‘she want from again’ ‘I know now’ ‘time go latter’ ‘longday afternoon bck’

Viv said. ‘hours then be safe’ ‘latter’ She could fell Viv’s worry about her and the stress the girls were causing her. Sara smiled warmed by the care, and reluctantly set the necklace down. It would be better to leave it in her room then remind her mother of it. She went down and put the water on then went to see to the chickens. By the time she was back at the house the others were up and starting the cooking.

As she was outing the eggs away Anna came over and dreamily whispered. “My house is ready. He will come this week.”  As the next in line it was Sara’s job to help her set up the wedding. That way she would know better what to expect when her day came.

Sara managed a small hug to let her know she head before her mom said. “Sara see to the table. This is the Lords day not yours. You should both know better. It will wait tell tomorrow as is proper. I had better not need remind you again. Time is not that short you need be planning today.”

Sara curtsied. “Yes Ma’am.” She moved off and started getting the plates out, taking time to fix her tea with earned a glare as she let it get strong. “My legs a bit stiff. I fear there will be a storm latter.” Her mother’s frown deepened, as it did with any reminder of her problem.

As Sara had expected the lesson in church was all about making wise light based choices. How important it was to live in accordance with the teachings, to live humbly putting blame and praises on the community not the individual, not thrusting another into the spotlight.  On the way to the classroom Sara missed a step and stumbled a bit. Her leg was stiffer, and didn’t want to move right. She paused a moment to let it easy, ignoring the hiss from the girl behind her. When she could she went on into the class room and took her place. Once everyone was seated the teacher said. “Sara I saw you stumble, if you need to you may get up and move, must be good amount of rain coming to be acting up this soon. It is nothing to be ashamed about. No person is responsible for the trials they are give, just how they handle them, and how they respond to others.” Sara bit her lip and wondered how use a person in a lesson was different then forcing them into the spotlight.

“One bit of news before we get started. There has been a minor change in the baptism instituted but the church leaders do to a few complaints. Mostly made by those not used to our ways, still there was judged to be some merit. It seems there is concern that you feel more presser to stay than the boys do. So in an effort to make it clear to all young ladies that they do have a choice, and have skills to make a life outside of the church should they wish, you will all fully move into the guest houses the Tuesday before baptism. It is not a full week, but we feel it is long enough. Also know you can keep the guest house for the next two months with no expectation of rent or payment for food should you not make the vows. After two months you will be asked to make a small payment to stay, not more than the cost of an apartment in Hammer. You can not be shunned for not taking the vows, though you will likely feel some strain, and pressure to do so. Just as any boy in your place would. You may go look at the houses at anytime. Some of you might not have been in them before, and so I suggest you go look at them ahead of time. You brothers and fathers will likely help move your things over. You are to move everything, and fully live there those days. Now then why don’t we go over the ceremony.”