Slipping but not caught

Sister Irene didn't like Pearl orphanage for many reasons . As a Sister it was her duty to adhere to the rules , command and demand order . A loud of rotten figs , is what she thought . 

She had been fifteen years old when her father told her she would be sent to a convent school . She had stomped her foot and cursed loudly but that had merely made her father's resolve more sure . 

But in an act of defiance she had done something to truly spite him . After being sent to bed , she had sneaked out of her house and gone to a certain boys house a few houses over . She had then persuaded the boy to take away her maidenhood . He had argued but she'd been very persuasive . 

The next day as her father put her on the bus , she had told him to look for note she had left in her room under the bed . She had smiled as the bus left , because the note described, in detail , her nighttime adventure . 

When she had gotten to the convent school she had instantly hated the place . The girls had all been timid , the teachers ruthless and the days dull . Eventually it all became so monotonous , she was surprised when she graduated and was then sent for three years nurse training . 

The bliss of being outside again had been amazing but it was short lived when her convent asked her back to teach children of a mild disposition . She had taught for five years and by chance ran into her father . He had become a priest and passed their school . 

He hadn't yelled , cursed or insulted her when they met but instead had actually told her he loved her and was proud of how well she was doing . Irene had felt like a cool bucket of water had been splashed on her . She had changed without knowing it . 

She no longer lashed out when angry at every turn , she held her tongue most of the time . She had a sense of calm that her father had loved when he saw . Irene though suspected he had never read her letter or he'd have hung her and himself . But she was happy he was proud and didn't want to ruin the feeling of pride that brought her .So she had carried on until eventually she was sent to the Pearl orphanage . 

She had imagined it would be another convent , with harsh rules and unfeeling Sisters . She has been correct , the rules were brutal and she felt pity for the boys inside the place that was close to a prison in certain ways . As for the sisters , she had never met such vicious snakes . 

They were all pompous , self-righteous and criticized everything around them that didn't reach the godly standard . She had thought of trying to apply for a removal within the first few weeks but then she had met Sister Cali . 

She was a pleasant looking old woman with a down to earth smile . Sister Cali had taken an interest in Irene after an incident that had resulted in her losing her temper and lashing out at another sister . She had insulted the other sister so much and so loud , it could be heard echoing through the halls . 

Sister Cali had come and calmed her down , taken her away and had a very long discussion with her . She had explained the way to survive in Pearl orphanage and although it had been hard , very hard , Irene had managed it . 

She had then begun coming to Sister Cali with most of her grievances and they became something close to friends . They talked about their lives before and after joining their convents . Sister Irene had even told her of her grave act before leaving home . 

The older woman had raised a brow but gave no comment . She didn't approve but she also didn't say she disapproved. Irene had loved her most then . 

Then Sister Cali had told her of the boy she had found on the orphanage steps . Irene had felt sorry for the child but Sister Cali had assured her he was fine and a very good boy . 

" But I'm not . Fine that is . " She had said the day before her departure ," It's been many years since I've seen a four month long summer . " 

" I loathe it , it's a hard thing for me knowing you're leaving . " Irene had said drinking her cup of tea . They had sat inside the dining hall , having a peaceful lunch . 

" You're not alone , my dear . Henric fares no better . " She had said ," I saw a look in his eyes at benediction that has me worried . " 

" How so ? " Irene had asked . 

" Henric is a very sensitive boy . " She had sat putting her tea on the table ," He has always had me when he was sad or when he was in need of reassuring , although I've told him many times to rely on the almighty first . When I leave I'm worried he'll slip and I won't be there to catch him ." 

" Do you want me to look out for him ? I've always wanted a younger brother . It'd be plenty of fun to care for someone like you did for me ." Irene had said with a smile but Sister Cali had shaken her head . 

" No , you would not be doing good by taking my place and I doubt he'd be willing to replace me ." She had said putting her hand on the tea cup but not picking it up ," I gave him something that could help although I'm not one for miracles . Unless they're the almighty's that is ." 

" What did you give him ? A picture of yourself ? " Irene had asked but the older woman had coughed into her hand harshly first . 

" No , no , that would be worse for both of us . He'd hate it and I'd hate myself for giving it to him . " Sister Cali said ," I gave him something from my mother , who got it from her mother and so on . It's a family heirloom if you will . " 

" Well that's nice ...it is nice right ? " Irene had asked looking at Sister Cali's frown . 

" It didn't help me the slightest and I don't know if it will help him . It's just a bit of hope I suppose . " She said and got up ," Sister Irene , when I am gone , I don't want you to replace me in his heart . He sees me like a mother , you'll have to be a sister to him . A real sister as much as you can . " 

" Yes Sister, I will do it with glee . " Irene had said and the older woman gave a smile that reached to her eyes . 

" Thank you , my dear . I just hope it won't be too hard for you ." Sister Cali had said and Irene had put her off . How difficult could Sister Cali's good boy be ? 

....

" Henric , how are here again ? " Sister asked as Henric came into the infirmary . " And what happened to you ? 

The boy was covered it scratches and dust . A sleeve was torn with a wide hole and the white shirt was crumpled . He held his right hand which had a large cut on the wrist , dripping wet with crimson blood . 

" You look like you've been dragged through the bog and beaten by the savages on your way out . " Irene said and Henric sat on the bed . He had his eyes downcast and Sister Irene was scared to check if he was crying or not . 

" It was an accident by the logs . " He said softly as Irene wiped the cut clean ," I was chopping one down when it tipped over along with the ones below . I slipped and rolled down until I got to the ground ." 

" You're still chopping those lumps of wood ? Ain't there a soul to help you ? " Irene asked ," Don't flinch , the iodine stings but hold still . Well , no other child wants to help you ? " 

" It's my punishment , why would I ask for anyone's help ? I can do it alone." He answered and the other woman gave a frown . 

" I didn't ask if you were capable or not , only if no one wants to help you . You'll be out there for the winter end if you work alone ." 

" I ... prefer to work alone . " He said as she rolled his arm in a bandage .

" Oh , an ego in that head of yours is there ? Who would have thought it possible . " Irene said with a smile .

" It's not pride but I just prefer it . No one but me and my thoughts ." He said with a weary sigh .

" If I wasn't a woman of peace I would call that , a pile of duck pickles . Alone with your thoughts ? What would you be thinking so much for nearly half the day ? " She asked him . 

" I ... I think about Sister Cali and all the stories she used to tell me . " Henric said and looked at his scratched hands ," I ... wonder what she's doing and whether she's forgotten about here yet ." 

" Oh away with such baseless thinking . Look child , I ain't one for the heart to heart talk but let me tell you something . " Irene said looking at him ," It's been less than two weeks , Sister Cali may have been old but not ancient . She remembers us , or I'm queen of the Moors . As for this accident you just had , I'd blame that mind of yours for wandering around when it should have been paying attention to the cutting . You're lucky it's a scratch and not a chopped off limb . " 

" I'm sorry Sist- " 

" Oh enough of that , I'm not reprimanding you here . Maybe a tad bit but not as much as Sister Cali would if she knew how careless you were being . You want me to send word to her ? You want her to drop dead in a huff from this ? Henric , you're no child and she ain't one neither . If you feel sad then speak and don't just put on a strong face . A man who can't cry is a fool , my father used to say ."

Henric looked at Sister Irene with such a look of surprise that Irene gave a pause . Oh , boy , I've really loosened my tongue now , she thought , does he think I'm wordly now ? Wonder if he'll say anything about it to the others ? 

" Was I tad rash with my words ? If so , then I'm sorry . A loose tongue is my curse , I pray each night for a peaceful one but my prayers often hit the ceiling and miss the almighty . " She said with a smile but the boy just looked at her . 

" That was a jest if you didn't know . Not blasphemy ." She explained and Henric shook his head as if from a stupor .

" Yes , Sister . I know it was a jest , but I'm merely surprised at your ... wording . " He said ," I understand what you said but I'm struggling to find calm . Just as you struggle with your tongue , so too do I ,with my now whirling emotions. " 

" Oh , child. Make a space ," Irene said sitting next to him ," Let me tell you something which you won't believe but you need to hear it regardless . Sister Cali never liked being a nun . If anything , she had a sense of resigned bitterness over the whole matter . "

" Really ? Why would she feel that way ? " He asked and Irene raised a brow . Why would she not ? , she wanted to say but thank the almighty she didn't . 

" She never had a choice in life Henric , like me . We were both sent away from our homes at a young age . " Irene sat placing a hand on her chin ," Years in different places doesn't change the longing for home , no matter what anyone says . I haven't been to my home in over thirty years but I still want to see it before I pass away . It's a trait of anything human ; we want to go back to our roots before becoming manure to plant roots ." 

" Was that another jest ? " Henric asked and the Sister laughed . 

" Yes it was , Henric. You need to develop a sense of humour before you leave this place or you'll end up the behind of every joke at the local tavern and bar ."

" So what should I do now ? I truly miss Sister Cali . Truly I do ." Henric said and Sister Irene gave a sigh . 

" You're not alone but what we should do , is be happy she's finally gonna get over her cough . Aren't you happy about that ? " 

" Yes , I am . Thank you Sister . " Henric said standing up . 

" Henric , next time you feel frustrated don't plummet down a pile of logs , just come by and we can talk . Less time focusing on bandages that way . " She said as he neared the door . 

" Was that another- " 

" Yes , another jest and we can practice on those aswell next time . Build your funny bone . " She said and waved him off . 

Sister Irene smiled with glee afterwards , she hadn't joshed the whole thing up . She'd done well and hoped Sister Cali would have been proud .