Rendezvous

Once I finished helping move all the luggage into the house, I returned to the privacy of my room to take a rest, only to find the invitation letter waiting for me to deliver it to Jacob. The whole family was in the sitting room, and I was the only outsider. I decided to take it to him anyway.

The women were chatting excitedly, while the men sat back quietly, rarely contributing to the commotion. I approached them and delivered the letter. To my disappointment, master Jacob took it but didn't open it. It was only later, after night fell, that he bothered reading it. I laid in bed, Beverly beside me, and listened to the master and mistress discussing it.

"So do you want to go?" master Jacob asked.

"I would, but I'm afraid I can hardly dance like this. Besides, I could be going into labor any day now."

"Then I guess I'll have to go alone. If you're not coming then I'd really rather not go at all. I can't even eat anything. It will be like torture."