Mage Family by S. D. A. (epub e reader .TXT) 📖

to heat them up. I moved back to the still full bag and got out the broth."Lari, be Sissy's helper and go start a fire for dinner, please." As I poured the liquid into a bigger pot, she obeyed without a word."Thank you!" I called out. I heard her laugh as she banged around the firepit outside. Using the chimney for food would only unsettle Henry.

"That sweet sound, so clear in the air." My voice seemed to carry outside, because I heard whistling coming our way. Jared was the only one that whistled to my songs. Lari singed, Gabe cooed, and Stanley--- he just listened. I made a face at the thought. Lari skipped back inside, back to my baby who was still asleep. Jared soon came, followed by Stanley. I had the carrots chopped and bread thrown in the broth. I would put in some pork and peas once it got thicker. I hid the goods in my Indian cellar, where it could be preserved. The cherrie jublee would be done at the same time. Jared came over to give me a hug, and he whispered," I won't tell if I get seconds." He looked up at me, eyes big. I looked at Stanley through narrowed slits.
"I blame you for showing bad habits." The only response I got was a shrug, but I knew I heard him chuckling under his breath. I was irritated now, my pain back and head on, too. Before I could be rash, I gave him the pot. He grimaced at it, as if it were going to bite him. I stared at him, and he finally walked outside to Lari's fire. "Serves him right." Lari said, smiling as she stared after Stanley. Jared still hung onto me. I sighed. "Maybe. If your good. Now you two should go wash up. Lari, please take Gabe, I need to bring in laundry." My uniform and their pajamas were still drying.
"Okay, Sis." Jared answered for her as she scooped him up. I followed them outside to the hanging line. My baby boy was awake, and he was looking at me, stretching out his hands. Oh, my Gabe... I took down the clothes, and I heard Lari talking to Gabe as she gently washed his tiny hands. Jared was splashing around, acting silly. Stanley, was just bringing in dinner and from the loud crashes coming from his direction, I could tell he was serving it also. I rolled my eyes. Carrying the dry pjs and hidden uniform, I called out to my family:
"Dinner! Come on! There's a surprise for desert if the birthday girl wants it!" I didn't have to wait long; they came running, their faces pink and happy. Lari loved surprises. I followed them, laughing at their eagerness. Well, they are hungry, I guess. The caboose was warm with the smell of my pork stew. To keep it cozy, I closed the door behind me and lit the lamp on the counter. Everyone was seated on the floor, already gobbling down the soup. Only Gabe was on the bed, waiting for me. "Oh... my Gabe! Are you hungry? I bet you are." I cooed at him, picking him up to carry him over to the counter. He giggled and I smiled at him, my pain now very shallow. I took his spoon and filled it with broth.
"Ahhh..." I said, and everyone turned so they were staring at me as I fed our baby. Gabe opened his mouth and his chubby cheeks were so adorable. I poured the broth for him, and when it was gone, I showed him the spoon. Very deliberatly, he took the spoon, and got more broth. I was frozen as he copied my movement. "Ahh!" he opened his small mouth. I started to clap after I was done, and he smiled at me, his three, tiny pearly teeth visible. "Yay, good job, Gabe! Good job!" I picked him up, bouncing him until his laughter started to slow and slur. It's bedtime, I thought. The others had stopped watching, and gone back to their meals. On the bed, I took off his tee, and put him in the feeties he wore at night. He was holding onto me tight, but I unfurled his fingers and put him to bed. Once he was laying down, I went to the oven and pulled out the cherries jublee, and placed it in the middle of my family.

"Save some for Gabe and the birthday girl." I said softly, but with force. They would listen, they had to, for me. The pain flew back, just in my head this time. I dropped to the floor, quietly, and only Stanley looked at me. He put down his bowl and went over to me. His arms wrapped around my waist and he pulled me up onto the bed him and Jared shared. Jared looked at me, and reached over Lari to pat my knee. Lari's eyes were wide as she stared at me, and she stopped eating her jublee. I felt weak, but managed a smile. "Go on and finish, I spent awhile making it for you guys." Her eyes bored into mine, concerned, but she obeyed like the good girl she was.
My hands massaged my temples. I looked at Stanley, and he was staring at me, his green eyes transfixed on my face. "Are you okay, girl? You look pretty worn... Maybe you should eat, Spirit. Have you eaten?" His voice was full of scorn. I looked him straight in the eye. He still called me Spirit after all these years. Well, from years of experience, I lied,"Yes, I ate some food earlier." I sent a thought towards Jared, Say something and no more chocolate suffle EVER. His eyes widened, and nodded to himself. I never ate that much, since we had little enough as it was. Stanley was still looking at me. He sighed and got up, putting his bowl on the counter. With no curtisy, he started taking off his clothes in front of us. His shirt was off by the time he caught my look. He rolled his eyes, but turned away. Jared did the same and changed. I grabbed Lari, and forgetting my pain for the moment got her dressed into a long-sleeved nightgown. I barely looked at my pajamas or uniform as I stalked towards the chimney. Two logs sat in it. I looked at Jared, and he pointed to Stanley. I smiled. Both of them rolled their eyes as they got into bed. Lari was cuddled up to Gabe. I looked out the window by the chimney as I struck a match. It was twilight though it was a little after nine, was what my watch said.
Rats! I thought. Rushing to light a fire. Once the fire blazed, I added little twigs to keep it sated. Lari and Jared were fast asleep, but Stanley was still up, half awake. My mind was as blank as my face, when I walked to put on my pajamas,trying to be discreet as I slipped my uniform underneath. But when I turned, he seemed asleep. Seemed, that word echoed in my head, but I waited a few minutes. Everyones breathing was regular. Quickly, I sat up, flinging my pjs to the rug I had made last month. My outfit's bodice clinged to me, coming out in a spiral like skirt. The apron still tied to the back, held the keys to the Cavern. I tiptoed to the door, and shutting it closely behind me. The fire Lari had made was in embers now but still glowing. A lantern sat nearby; I filled it with twigs and moss, and lit it with the embers. I already made sure I had a match and twigs for it later. With the lantern, I crept towards the bike the four of us shared, and placed it in the basket. Yikes, I was going to be late! Even as dark as the woods were, I quickly found the trail and pedaled faster, not wanting to be late. Mr. Folly could be very generous to me, I thought, and I don't want to make him upset. For my family, I can do this.
The Folly Cavern was huge. It was like no other bar left, from the late ninteenth century, and it was hard work, but it payed well. I stashed the bike in some bushes, and went around the back. The door was unlocked, and I walked right in, greeted with the familliar smell of ale and beer. Mr. Folly sat behind his desk, greeting customers; I went over. "I'm here for duty, sir." I said politely, smiling. He turned, and his smile was half hearted. His brown eyes were cloudy and his matching hair, thinning. This chubby man was my boss."Joy, great! There's fresh ale to be served at tables 7-13, and be sure to be nice." He smiled at me, giving me a pat on the back. Mr. Folly knew it must be hard on a 'fifteen' year old to be around drunkards, but he also knew I was a hardworker. He needed me working there. I sighed inwardly, I'm used to it.
I rushed to Lenny, the cook and bartender, and he gave me seven platters. Expertly, I stashed two on each arm, two on top of my head and one on my side. I heard whistles as I passed by tables. Each table I served was drunk and the usual, ob-no-xious. I ignored their rude comments, and flinched when some touched me. Disgusting. I was glad Jared wasn't around people like this, it was too obscene and hectic. My mind whirled at the idea of going home in three hours. Oh happy day. Becky, my good waitress friend, just then as she passesd by, said to try and avoid table 16. It was good to listen to her, and I felt panicked as I got assigned to that table. I went to it, carrying a large order of light ale and shrimp. The guy I was serving was only a few years older than Becky, who's fifteen. But this guy, he radiated the sense, Special, but I knew special and put down the tray.
"Good evening, I'm Joy, and I'll be your waitress tonight. If you need anything just ask me." I was turning when the guy called out. "Yeah, can I ask you for a favor?" I looked at him, and he just stared right back. I kept waiting for him to continue, but he didn't answer. "Nevermind..." He murmurred. It wasn't weird, just unexpected. I turned and the hours flew by until I heard Mr. F call out my name. "Joy! You're done, take the basket and packet, and get home. I don't want to see you sleeping on the job to'morra." He patted my shoulder as I thanked him for everything.

"You're a good kid, cadet. Go get some sleep." I smiled and waved. The night was over for me, and all of my servers were gone. I rushed home on the bike after I relit the lantern as fast as I could. My mood was somewhat good that when I got back, I didn't realize my head was throbbing again. I stuffed the vegetables, pork, butter, and ale basket I earned under the Indian cellar. I put the bike back, stripped off my uniform, and blew out the lantern. I was very careful when I walked back, minding not to step on any sticks or rocks. Opening the door, very carefully, I managed to step in. I went to my clothes on the floor first, not noticing the figure by the fire. When I finally did, I jumped, still naked and stared. I clutched my clothes to my body. Stanley looked hard at me, and then away. His eyes were burning jade. Watching him, I put on my pajamas. He was stuffing the fire place with twigs.
"Well, welcome home, Spirit." Stanley's voice was so much different