Revolution Section 5 Going back to the stove, she [Jane] wiped the remnants of flour off on her apron. Sitting on the high stool, she watched the bisckets begin to rise. She was in a tight place. At seventeen, she should be spending time in the local village with other girls her age, hunting down a good husband. But her duties at home prevented any visits to town other than for foodstuffs. Jane was beginning to feel that she might end up a spinster, spending the rest of her days in front of someone else's hearth, working forever to raise someone else's children. It wasn't as though she didn't love her siblings, she just did not want to stay in her father's house, raising her brother and sisters. Sally came in, cradeling six brown egss in her thin arms. She brought them over and watched as Jane cracked them open into the cast iron frying pan. The sizzle and crackle of the eggs made Jane's mouth water. The twins came in, grinning, though Millie's apron was sopping wet and Grace's hair stuck wetly to the side of her face, bits of flour speckled her like a hen. Jane sighed, those two could never stay out of mischief. "Will you set the table," Jane said, more a command than a question. The twins giggled and went to the china cupboard. "You too," Jane said to Sally. Sally stood quietly, looking at Jane for a moment. Then she threw her arms around Jane's neck, and hugged her. Jane wrapped her free arm around Sally's thin waist, hugging her back. Sally let go and backed away, a small smile making dimples in her cheeks. Jane could do nothing but smile back at her younger sister. "Go on," Jane chuckled at her, turning back to the eggs. As she watched the edges bubble, she began humming a familiar tune, one that her mother had sung to her when she was Sally's age. Suddenly, Grace began to sing the song in a high, clear voice, the notes ringing off the worn wooden cabinets. Then Millie joined in, harmonizing with her sister. The song swelled and faded, then rose again as the two worked around the wooden table. The plain wooden plates shined like china from the many uses and washings, just as the table had been scrubbed smooth and clear. (Written March 12, 2003) To Be Continued... posted by Cassandra 4:49 PM . . .
Revolution Section 4 Jane watched them leave with pensive eyes. Ever since her mother had died from a strange wasting disease five years ago, her father had become a sad, tired, quiet man. Until her older sister, Mary, had moved out, Jane had been able to stay a child. However, once Mary had moved on to her own family, Jand had had to take up the role of mother. "Are you two going to wear your bisckets or would you rather eat them," Jane asked tiredly, turning to the twins. Both girls looked properly abashed and went back to stirring and kneading, rather than flinging, the dough. Jane took up James' place at the fire. The twins brought over the dough and she began to cook breakfast. "Go get washed up, you three," she said without turning to the girls. "And Sally, please go get some eggs when you're done." The three shuffled out of the room. Jane went over to the counter and began cleaning. It sometimes seemed as though all she did was clean. How the tiny house could get so dirty was beyond her. (Written March 10, 2003) To Be Continued... posted by Cassandra 11:09 PM . . .
Deep Thought But as always, the tiny voice asks the question, "What truly is Justice?" posted by Cassandra 11:04 PM . . .
Deep Thought It [age 50], like so much of my life, will likely be here soon. posted by Cassandra 11:19 AM . . .
