The Great Thirst Part One: Prepared

by Mary C. Findley

  Chapter Seven –Dinner with the Principal

  “My dad and I live right across the street,” Keith answered. “That’s his car.” He pointed out an older Taurus sedan parked opposite the Tesla. “Thanks for the ride, and the chance to drive the Tesla. That is such a great car.”

  “Oh!” Talia got out of the passenger seat but hesitated on the sidewalk. “I see.”

  “Something wrong?”

  “I just ... I had hoped we could talk … about the class we didn’t have today, because I screwed up.”

  “You didn’t screw up. Two kids accepted the Lord. How is that screwing up?”

  “God did that.”

  “Of course He did. He does everything good, and the other stuff … well, we’re sinners living in a world of sin. Things can’t go good all the time, can they?”

  “No, I guess not. But how do you – I’ve never known how to – I never expected kids to sit up with their hands folded in my classes, you know?”

  “Well, they don’t always do that in my classes, either,” Keith chuckled, “but it’s no service to them if they think you’re their friend, or some annoying noise they don’t have to listen to. Scare them a little bit. The Bible is full of commands to discipline children, make them fear those in authority. Good, clean fear – not scary ‘I don’t know when you’re going to crack my skull’ kind of fear. My grandma says you have to ‘make ’em mind’.”

  “Can you teach me how?”

  “I could try, but, for starters, you can’t be so cute,” Keith said.

  “Cute?”

  “I just meant that – umm – Wear something less – less – ” Keith’s arms flailed. A car went by and he hurried over to join her on the sidewalk.

  “Cute?” Talia looked down at herself. “Okay, okay. So, maybe a dark, tailored suit, and a white blouse, and flats, or something? And put my hair in a bun?”

  “It doesn’t have to be extreme, but if you look serious, you’ll be taken more seriously. And you can’t be asking the kids for help with your contacts.”

  Principal Bradley came out of the house across the street, hands in his pockets, strolling down the sidewalk toward them.

  “I see the bus has made its deliveries,” he commented. “Ms. Ramin, how would you like to join us for dinner? Keith’s sister is anxious to meet you.”

  “You have a sister? What grade is she in?” Talia whipped her head around and stared at Keith.

  “Yeah, come on, please, have dinner with us. Sorry, dad, I didn’t mean to make you two wait so long.”

  “It’s no problem. Joana saw you through the window and wanted me to invite you in. She does get a little demanding around dinnertime.”

  Talia walked between the two men until they got to the house. Principal Bradley ushered her in and Keith brought up the rear.

  “Hey, sis!”

  “You finally made it home!” Talia froze. She couldn’t help it as the too-thin woman with yellow parchment skin and strings of dark hair rolled into the hallway in a motorized wheelchair. A sort of laptop device produced an electronic voice as she moved her head against a specially-designed headrest. Keith planted a kiss on the woman’s cheek. “Joana, this is Talia Ramin, the new English teacher at the school.”

  “Hey, Ms. Ramin,” Joana responded. “Heard a lot about you.” Her facial muscles didn’t seem to be quite under her control, but it looked like a smile that twitched across from one ear to another.

  Talia’s mind crowded full of thoughts. What do I do? How should I look at her? Can I touch her? Will I hurt her? She looks like her bones would crack if I hug her. She rubbed her hands on her thighs to get rid of the sweat. “Hey, Joana, it’s nice to meet you! Please call me Talia.”

  “Dinner’s on the table,” Mr. Bradley invited, gesturing toward the dining room. “Our hostess can lead the way.”

  Joana rolled into the dining room and moved up to the end of the table.

  Mr. Bradley led Talia to a seat beside him and he and Keith sat on either side of Joana.

  “Father, thank you so much for the food you have provided for us,” Mr. Bradley said. “Thank you for this Bible as Literature class, and for the two souls saved today because of it. Bless Ms. Ramin, and thank You for bringing her to us. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

  Talia blushed scarlet. She peeked at Keith but his eyes were already focused on his sister, his hands reaching for the bowl in front of her. “Here comes the airplane, Joana,” he grinned. She worked her mouth open and took the spoonful of grayish paste like it was ambrosia, her eyes shining and as fixed on her brother as his were on her. Mr. Bradley started the other food moving – turkey slices, a wonderful-looking multi-grain rice dish, green beans, and rolls.

  “Mr. Bradley, you’re a wonderful cook,” Talia exclaimed.

  “I was Sergeant Major of the mess hall in the army. I learned that I could keep almost everyone from complaining about the food if I tried. And here at home, please call me Joshua.”

  Talia lowered her eyes and concentrated on her food, unable to watch the slow, messy process of feeding Joana her pureed dinner. Both men took turns and kept up a playful banter which Talia could not even attempt to join in on. Finally dinner was over.

  “Can I help with the dishes?” Talia jumped up with her plate when Keith rose to clear the table. She followed him into the kitchen.

  “It’s okay, if you need to get home.” Keith set the dishes down and started to rub the back of his neck. Talia thought something else was on his mind, and she definitely wanted to encourage him if it meant she could have more time to talk to him.

  “I have no plans.”

  “You know what … Talia … man … I hate to ask you this … But I guess you heard my dad say that Joana’s caregiver had an emergency and had to leave early. Joana needs a lot of help to get ready for bed.”

  “What?” Talia hadn’t heard that at all, having tried to block out a lot of the intensely personal family interchange. They all dealt with Joana’s disability so naturally, with so much grace and humor, but she kept feeling like she was going to throw up, and couldn’t stop herself. “Oh, wow, that’s too bad.”

  “Yeah … ummm … Do you think … could you maybe help me do it? Joana rags on Dad and me about our scratchy guy paws. She’s got such a great attitude, but we are kinda klutzes about taking care of her. It’s okay if you don’t want to. I totally understand.”

  “I … I don’t know anything about … I’ve never … I’m afraid I’d hurt her … ”

  “You won’t hurt me.” Joana rolled into the kitchen with dishes stacked in her lap. “I’m not as brittle as I look. I know you’re scared and kind of grossed out, Talia, but I’d love it if you’d stay and help. I want to get to know you better.”

  Talia took the dishes from Joana’s lap and forced her lips not to quiver when they spread out into a big smile. “How can I refuse, when you pay me such a great compliment?”