Black Hair, Blue Eyes
Friday, May 6, 2005
Collette was a little unsettled that morning; she couldn’t quite be sure why. It was, indeed, going to be another sunny day. Why that thought preoccupied her every morning, was another mystery.
However, for once, she decided it might be a good thing. The church steeple was to be lifted to its berth on the church that morning at eight o’clock, and Collette decided she would bring OLeif’s camera to catch the action.
Thursday had been somewhat tiring. Perhaps it was because the office had been so warm. But back at the house, things were much cooler. Mom and Carrie-Bri had spruced up the back lawn with happy flowers, the color of sunset, more ivy and potting soil, and ferns. And Carrie was busy shaping two hundred-fifty yellow rose mints for the party. She seemed to be on auto-pilot, she had been making them so long. To pass the time, she listened to Muse, taping the headphones together on her head to prevent them falling to pieces. She placed the finished mints in delicate silk bags, which she had collected from Columns at the Indian wedding. They had been filled with lavender.
“They gave away spices and herbs for favors,” she was saying. “It smelled so good.”
Meanwhile, Collette had just enough time to read two chapters of Nancy Drew to Linnea before Mom took her home. Everyone was going everywhere that evening. Dad was back for another night of salvaging the old building in Chesterfield for church materials. Mom was taking Francis and Linnea to Great Skate for a Scouting field-trip. Carrie-Bri and Rose were off for some shopping, and Joe was leaving for Scouts. It was a good, busy life.
On the way out, Collette asked Carrie if she worked the next evening. Carrie drew on a huge grin as she molded the mints.
“Yes! And I’m so excited. But it’s going to be so weird.”
“Oh, that’s right. You’re serving at the senior banquet.”
“And my co-workers are going to think I’m so weird.”
“Your group isn’t weird.”
“Well, some of them are…”
“Besides, half the people serving are probably going to be seniors anyway. Make sure you watch the talent show though.”
“Right.” Carrie laughed, probably envisioning Justus Orange giving a comedy routine on stage. “And Slava is going to be there.”
Collette laughed, “I told you you’d find some good reason to enjoy work again. The tides have turned.”
“I know – I’m really looking forward to it again. It’s starting to be like the old days. Elizabeth and I come in to work, and there’s a sea of black hair and blue eyes.” She sighed dreamily. “We just watch them all huddled together to punch in at the time-clock, and they never even notice.”
Collette laughed and shook her head. But it was good to know that Carrie was back in the swing of things regarding work. For awhile, she had been dreading the very mention of it.
And that evening, Linnea and Francis were spending the night. Collette figured they’d have a pizza for all of them. Then they’d let them pick out a box of movie candy and they might watch “National Treasure”. Linnea had already packed her little suitcase Thursday afternoon. She was so cute.