Arms Wide Open by Patricia Harman

Author:Patricia Harman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Beacon Press
Published: 2010-08-20T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Mope

I am sitting with my chin in my hand, feeding Orion oatmeal and staring out the window at the lush green forest. I’m in a mood today, and I can’t tell if it’s PMS or something else. Despite the beauty outside, there’s no joy.

The screen door slams and Mara swaggers in wearing her work clothes, black polyester slacks and a baby blue sweater. She looks like a secretary on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, has a big grin on her face, and slaps the Roane County Times Record on the table.

“What?”

“I found you a job.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you! For weeks you’ve been moping around, letting out these long mournful sighs. I was thinking if you got off the farm more, it would do you good. You’re too isolated. I enjoy working at the eye doctor’s office a few days a week and Rachel really likes taking care of the old people at the nursing home . . . You need to get out more.”

I stare at the folded weekly newspaper and then give Orion another spoonful. Since Mara announced she was pregnant, she’s been way too spunky.

“Who says I’ve been moping? I get out now and then; once a week to the food co-op and occasionally to do a homebirth or make a home visit. Besides, who would take care of Mica and Orion?” I shoot her an irritated look but can’t help asking, “What’s the job, anyway?”

“Oh come on! There are seven of us. I think we can cover child care!” Mara picks up the newspaper and reads the advertisement that she’s circled in red. “‘Outreach Worker wanted to make home visits and teach sewing, nutrition, and budgeting. Some college required. Must have own transportation’ . . . I already called Community Action; the position is still open and Mrs. Hatcher sounds interested.”

“Who’s Mrs. Hatcher? Anyway, I don’t know anything about budgeting. I never had enough money to budget . . .” I think this is funny, but Mara doesn’t laugh. She’s on a mission.

“You know Mrs. Hatcher! She used to work at the library when you taught childbirth classes and volunteered as Story Lady to read to the little kids.”

“Sounds like you’ve got it all worked out . . . only one thing. Vehicle. All we have is the old jeep truck and it’s in bad shape.”

Mara is blowing my mind. Though I’ve resented being stuck on the farm while everyone trots off to work, meetings, or demonstrations, I hadn’t considered getting a job, not since I got pregnant with Orion, anyway. I’m vacillating somewhere between irritation and interest.

“Well, I’ve figured out the transportation too. I saw Sara and Fred Meretti at the co-op and was telling them about the position. When Sara’s grandmother died, they inherited her new car and they want to give us their old Volvo.”

“Give it to us? Why would they do that? They’re good friends and all, but give it to us? Does it run?”

Mara laughs. “Yeah, it runs.” My cynicism doesn’t deter her.

Sara and Fred are Peacemakers who live a few counties over.

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