April 8, 2013

“That's your kid?” Vinca scratched her head. Her hair was still scandalously short, but at least it was growing in, and she was decent covered now, even if she had nothing like a proper posture of respect for his stature in the community. “He does not resemble you.”

Pastor Jeremiah found it refreshing, even if it came from someone who scrubbed floors in the community for food and found. “Of course he doesn't.” He nodded, walking past her to greet his parents and Nesim, swinging him up and tapping his son on the nose. “Hello Little Man.”

Nesim giggled bent backwards over his arms. “Down.” He grabbed at the ground, even though he was almost a foot above it. He wanted to be on the ground, and running. His mother had said he'd discovered the art of toddling forward until he fell or found something to hang on to, frequently a chair or table leg, less often, the dog's tail or an adult's legs.

“No you don't.” he flipped the toddler up, holding his head to keep him from trying to escape. He bowed to his parents as best he could with his arms full. “Salamlamaq, Mother, Father.”

“Salamlamaq, mina.” His mother reached up and kissed his cheek, “it is always good to see you.” She looked past him, and a faint scowl. “Who is that?”

He looked over his shoulder and saw Vinca watching them, the rake she was supposed to be using on the path idle in her hands. Her eyebrows were raised. He scowled at her and jerked his head at the Community Hall. She rolled her eyes and made a gesture he was certain was even less respectful than her expression, but she turned and put the rake over her shoulder, sauntering away. “That is a qerib who is wasting her time upsetting the village.”

Goodwife Rice, who'd the care of the Community, sniffed. “At least she gives an honest day's work, unlike some of our other visitors.” She pursed her lips, glanced at Nesim and shook her head. “The scandal is a single man taking on role of both father and mother. You should get yourself a wife, Pastor, it isn't fitting, my cousin's sister-in-law's best friend has a girl – ”

Pastor Jeremiah smiled and nodded, “I thank you for your concern, Goodwife.” He turned back to his parents, “The Pastorage is over here, may I show you the room I've made ready for Nesim?”

His mother put her arm around his waist while his father trailed behind. “I fear the Goodwife has the right of it, Son, a man should cleave unto a woman.” his father said, “Even Yamatake had Azuma in his wars and travels.”

“But I am not Yamatke, and Nesim isn't war and travels.” He shook his head at his father. “I'm young yet, there's time enough to find a wife.”

“A better one than that Cari.” His mother sniffed. “The least amount of challenge and off she went.”

“Nesim is not 'the least amount of challenge', Ana. You've been writing about the trouble he's been, into everything, and not minding you. That's why I invited you here, to take him and show you how I've settled in.”