a wet sunday

Sara legs started hurting more as class went on, to the point that by the time they were finally dismissed it was hard to walk. Other days one of the others would offer her and arm now they just shuffled and looked impatient each time she stumbled. There were there steps that led into the church usually they were not a problem, on days like this though they were, as she had to angle it just right for her sore legs to move. It had been years since she had tripped on them, but the others were upset with her slow paces and somehow she was pushed. Her balance was off enough that there was no way she could recover, and so went tumbling down the stairs. She flushed, but kept her moth shut as she set up and went about getting back on her feet. Not easy when your legs don’t want to move.

Rebecca said. “You would think a lady would have a better since of decorum then to jump down stairs and show there under things.” She chuckled a bit. Sara went redder but managed to hold back her words. “You could move and keep blocking the stairs.”

A man said. “I would think a lady of marrying age would be past petty jokes. Sara take my hand and let me help you up.  So how big is the storm?”

Sara accepted his help and said. “There is not going to be much wind, but a lot of rain. I am sorry for causing you embarrassment. My legs are a bit stiffer then I thought they were.”

Isaac said. “Thank you Jacob. Sara are you all right?”

Sara said. “Yes sir, just embarrassed at causing a scene. My legs are acting like they expect an ice storm. I guess I was trying to rush to much, I hate slowing the others down and so get impatient.”

Isaac frowned and Jacob shook his head. “You have raised your child right Isaac, she is to willing to accept fault than assign blame. It is credit to her teaching, but in this case not needed. I saw what happened and will see it dealt with. Now are sure you are all right?”

Sara nodded, and Isaac took her arm. “Come on lets get you home and off that foot so I can see how bad it is. I don’t know what the problem is, but this is getting out of hand. I am sorry, but I must press.”

Sara said. “I am not completely sure sir. But in part it is that I am not their ideal. They feel that I just bring them all trouble because I prefer reading to sewing. And I fear they might have taken something I said wrong. Miss understood me. I fear they might have thought my say I was happy that Anna was to wed, and glad I had the year to get ready as I needed it to mean I didn’t want to wed. That was not what I meant at all, but replaying my angry words I can see how that could be what was heard. But never made an effort to explain, think it I would wait for the question to come to me. I never thought it would get so out of hand. I am sorry.”

One of the girls Sara didn’t know said. “She took up with one of the fisher folks. You know what they are! I do not see why I have to be with that! It is sickening.” Sara tried not to hear. “She shouldn’t be here. Indecent unfit, why it.”

Sara said. “I do not know how that idea got started, but since you have chosen to air it here I will answer it as publicly as you have made it. For all this is not the place, I can not let it go unanswered. Yes I hung out with a girl who comes from a northern coastal town. She was kind enough to speak to me and help me navigate the mall. There was something that drew us together. We are friends, heart sisters, nothing more and nothing less. I am sorry I didn’t explain, but I never knew what you thought. I truly thought it was the tests that were the problem, not my friendship with Vi.” She hope she sounded humble and not angry. She truly had not thought they would air it here, like this. It was to much, she was scared to look at her father. But his arm had not moved, nor had the grip tightened in warning. It started raining but no one moved. Sara bit her lip wondering what she was missing, a argument should not keep them all out in the rain.

One of the boys said. “Good grief, I can not believe you would sink that low as to make those charges against her. I stand ready to testify on Sara’s behalf as to the charges made. Yes she spent time with people not of the church, but nothing was done that would cast a pale on her or her name.” That is when Sara fully understood just how bad it was. How much trouble she could be in. “They were scarcely alone, and even if they were the bond was the same as between Eathanl and I, that of true friendship, one that we are taught to value for all it of the new world. It is not romantic as a number of us can say.”

“How can you say they were never alone? They were together all the time carrying on. Nothing was fitting about it or her.”

He said. “They were together a lot, yes. But not alone. They were in the same tests the last days so had their same breaks. Most of which were spent shopping in the mall, which was in view of dozens. Those not spent in the mall were spent in the main room, usually at a table full of people. That would generally include, Zac, Abiram or Tim, and if not it was still in full view of everyone. In the evenings they were often in Zac and Abiram’s room, with the door open, or hang out in the lobby with a group from Violet’s school, a group that included a very formable teacher let me add. The days not in the test was again spent shopping or with a group of kids. Abiram or Zac was often there. When Violet was unable to go shopping with Sara they stepped in, and on at lest two occasions went with the girls. I say again there is no merit to the charges. They should never have been publicly aired.”

Another boy said. “I can as well stand wittiness that there was no improper conduct, and do so having been in some of the gatherings.  I was on a few occasions freely invited to join the evening games. There is nothing but friendship between them. Yes it happened fast, but where is the harm in that?”

Rebecca said. “That doesn’t change the fact that she accepted a piece of jewelry! That she said she was glad not to be marring!”

Sara said. “Tim was wittiness to the friendship tokens and approved of the gift. I said that I was glad that I had not taken the vows last year with Anna as I was not ready. I am sure there are many here who can list the ways that is true, but the most important thing is I was not. It is for the best I had this year and I am not upset that I had it. That is all I was trying to say.”

Tim said. “More over I ordered her to take it. I couldn’t see where waiting and worrying would do her any good. The bound between heart siblings is every bit as important as that between blood sibs. I saw the charms as no different than the one my mother gave me.”

One of the leaders said. “By what base did you order her?”

Tim said. “As her brother, for though there is no blood between us we grew up looking at each other as siblings. I often, in the presences of her parents and mine, interacted with her in this manner and felt that was valid enough to do so in there absence.”

“How is it you were there?”

Tim said. “The charms were presented at the event where we were given the results and I was seated at the same table as Sara. The charms were brought over to the table and offered there. I conformed they were acceptable and told her to take it. I also heard it clearly stated there was no other intent behind the gift than to give them a way to stay in touch.”

“Was it the girl or a third person who was making this offering?”

Tim said. “It was a third person, but there were only two charms, the package was sealed so nothing could have been removed before I saw the exchange. Further more I recall the board agreeing that friendship tokens could be exchanged without expectations. The person making the gift explained clearly what they were before hand.”

The leader said. “The fact that there was a third person would have countered the gift on its own merit. But it is further affirmed by Timothy’s evolvement that it was nothing against the laws. I see nothing here to merit action against Sara. Any disagree?” No one said anything. “Isaac you have the right to ask for action against the girls for dragging this out,”

Isaac said. “I see no harm as done. It was over as it started. There is no reason for me to press the matter. I will leave them to their parents. I am well pleased with how my daughter handled herself.” Sara was stunned for him to say openly that he was proud her was a big deal. Something parents seldom did as it might encourage a prideful manner.

The leader nodded. “Well said and well done. However they went against our ruling in air public matters that happened during the testing week. That we must meet over, but for now let every get out of the weather. Do you need a car for Sara? This rain is doing a number on her.”

Isaac said. “No further than it is we can manage. Thank you.”

He nodded. “No one will be held in violation for clearing field drains and setting heat lamps. The crops are needed. I have a feeling we are in for a bad spell of storms.” With that he turned and started home and that got the others moving.

Isaac kept his arm around Sara. “All right can that ankle hold you? Take a step.” She did so, trying not to show how it hurt. “Good enough. The rest of you run on ahead, get some blankets found and have some dry clothes for her downstairs if you would. I want that ankle rapped before she tries the stairs.”

Jacob said. “I will go help Ralph and the rest with the fields.”

Isaac nodded. “If your short handed send Paul’s boy around to Ab’s house and after me, it looks like there will be plenty of hands so I will go home. But you send for me if needed. I’ll see there are hot drinks waiting.” Sara tried to hurry but it took her trice as long as it should have to walk the five blocks.

Abiram met them at the door. “There is no saving the summer oats and the lower fields are barely was already flooded. We put the heat lamps on them, but most of the summer crops are done fore. The temp has dropped three degrees in the last twenty minutes according to the weather station. They sent me back once the lamps were going.” He moved to Sara’s other side.

Isaac said. “I expected them to. You are willing, but no farmer. I trusted them not to turn you loses with a hoe in this weather. Sara we are going to pick you up now. It might make that ankle hurt more, but your legs are not going to handle the steps.” Sara hope they didn’t hear her gasp as the change of presser on her ankle made it throb. Anna was waiting in the entry and had strung a curtain.

Anna said. “There are dry clothes and towels right here. Sara here, it is not much of a changing room, but you need to get out of those wet things right away.”

Isaac said. “Are you all right there? Anna you stay and help her. Her balance is shoot. Don’t take the shoes off yet.”

Anna nodded. “Sara can you step onto this matt that will dry the bottom?” Sara took a step forward and managed it barely. “I have her, you go change over there. The curtains not much, but it will do.” They left and Anna said. “Now just move slow and we will get this dress off you. balancing to dress is bad with one hurt ankle with both your legs being stubborn it is going to be worse.”

Sara said. “I think I have doubled in wait do to the water in my dress.” With Anna’s help she managed to get into the dry clothes.

Anna said. “I need to dry those shoes or they will slip. No you don’t just stay upright. Ab can you come hold her?”

Sara said. “I am sorry about this.”

Isaac said. “Nothing to be sorry about, there is nothing wrong in letting other help you when you need it. Now lean on me and get the wait off that ankle. Anna will the shoes dry that way or should we just carry her in?”

Anna said. “They are dry, but I am not to sure they won’t slip. The floor is slick. I have rugs down, but.”

Isaac nodded. “I will have her, if she starts to slip. Just take it slow.” Sara had to lean on her father more than she liked but made it to the couch and sat down. He reached for the boot. “It is going to hurt but I have to get this off so I can see the ankle.” She managed not to scream but couldn’t hold back a few whimpers as he gently touched it and worked the sock of. “Good thing we don’t ware those stockings some town ladies do. I am sure it is just a sprain, but it is going to be sore.”

Sara relished she was shivering when Abiram covered her up. “The heat should be coming on in here before long. The generator is still working, and I set up the waits so the rain is helping to power it. Anyways it looked like it was. Sara do you need your medicine? Anything from your room?”

Sara said. “If you don’t mind I would like a pen and the black notebook by my desk, or and the blue one if not to much. I should, but I would rather try a cup of tea from the red box first. Sorry you have to wait on me. I feel silly.”

A man said. “Bring me that box tea so I can see what it is would you? A warm drink would be a wise idea. How’s the ankle?”

Abiram said. “I will go get your note books and pens but will leave the tea to Anna. I’m not going to invade the kitchen. And I offered Sara. If it was a problem I wouldn’t have.”

Isaac said. “I think it is just sprained but it is swelling.”

Mr. Framer said. “Now Sara I know you would rather my wife was here to look at it. None of you ladies like have an old man touching you legs, and I can understand that. But there was another emergency that need a woman so you are stuck with me.” He carefully put his hands on her ankle and started probing it.

Sara smiled, no one could take offence with Dr Framer no matter what he said. He was to charming, and fast to put people at easy. “Sorry you had to be out in this weather.”

Anna came in with a tea tray, and a steam tea pot. “Is this the right box? It is just water in the kettle, the tea bags are on the tray.”

Sara nodded, and Isaac said. “Thank you Anna, you were gone before I thought to ask. Your thoughtfulness is a credit to us all.”

The Doctor said. “Anna if we can impose a bit more. Sara it is just a sprain, but you need to soak it for at least thirty minuends and then kept elevated. You need to stay off it as much as you can. Sorry but no school tomorrow. If the swelling is down you can go Tuesday.”

Anna said. “No problem I will go get it. Sara that means you let me help with breakfast in the morning.”

Edith said. “You wake Hannah up as well, it is time she leaned how to do the morning tasks. She will be helping me latter so might as well start getting used to it now. She is getting the footbath, you can set up the trays. Will you join us for supper Doctor?”

He shook his head. “Just a cup of tea, and then I must move on. Sara is not the only one I have to check on. this wet weather caused a number of slips. And Isaac before you try and pay me, Jacob Rason did when he sent me over here.” He looked at the tea. “Indeed try this first, I have been looking for something like this for you. Where did you find it?”