Stillwater by Darcie Friesen Hossack

Author:Darcie Friesen Hossack
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tidewater Press
Published: 2023-05-12T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Tired,” Lizzy said, when her father found her climbing the stairs to her room. When it seemed like he was about to question her, she pressed her hands onto her low belly. “Cramps.”

Daniel stopped her mid-climb. “I see. Did you ask Mrs. Schlant for supplies for that?”

“I have what I need,” Lizzy said. “Maybe you could get me a hot water bottle.”

“Your mother said the ladies make reusable items for themselves. Are you taking advantage of those?”

Lizzy made a face. “I still have some store-bought ones from home. I stocked up.”

“It’s a bit early in the month for you, isn’t it?”

“Excuse me?”

“I mean, you were on your period three weeks ago. And now again?” Daniel narrowed his eyes.

“It happens sometimes,” she said. “And if you’re keeping track, then you’d know that.”

Lizzy stomped up the rest of the stairs and disappeared, just for a minute, into the room she still shared with Zach. When she came back out, she was carrying a plastic-wrapped pad for effect.

“How are things with you and Joel?” Daniel said, having followed her up to the landing. He now stood outside the bathroom door, blocking her way.

“Just friends. Not even that.”

“Having him cover for you seems like you’re friends at the very least,” Daniel said. “Maybe it’s time to find you a different place to work. With Mrs. Schlant. Or Jimena needs help in the laundry. Or there’s the bakery, you know. I’m sure the school could even use someone like you. Didn’t you say you could teach every class?”

“You never said you wanted me to quit working with Joel.”

“I shouldn’t have to spell out everything for you. Not when you keep letting us all know how smart you are.”

“Maybe I’m not so smart, after all. If I was, Mom might not be in the hospital with a tube down her throat.”

When Daniel spoke, his voice had softened. “I’m only trying to protect you, Lizzy,” he said. “All of you.” He touched the side of her face with the back of his hand. It smelled of stale smoke, and Lizzy wondered where, among so many watchful eyes, he found a place to keep such a thing to himself.

“You’re smoking again,” she said, and Daniel tucked her hair behind her ear before lowering his hand.

“It’s been a difficult few months,” he said.

“You promised you wouldn’t.”

“I’ll quit again. I promise. I’ll do it right now. If you go see the director and talk about where else you might be able to serve.”

“And if I don’t, you’ll keep smoking?”

“I don’t want to put it that way.”

“But that’s the way it is?”

“Lizzy, listen to me. You should know this by now, but you can’t trust boys. They’re all the same in a certain way; they don’t think the way girls do. Especially someone Joel’s age. It’s the way God made them. It’s God’s design for humans, but it means that it’s up to you to make sure you aren’t a problem.”

“Are you done?” Lizzy said.

“If you’ve heard me, then yes.

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