Dinner Part 1

Waking up, I felt groggy. Time was a cruel mistress to me indeed. Yes, I was feeling the pressure of the ensuing fate I had gained.

A sigh escaped my lips as I got up. I wondered what Annie was doing now. My eyes flicked to the window and darkness filled it completely save for the shapes of the trees presenting their selves in the moonlight's glare.

The growl that swept me then showed to me that I should not miss this time. Getting up, I glanced at the books. They sat there, almost staring at me.

Time moved slowly in my mind. I sighed. The thought about my mortality hit me again and I will not lie. I had to wonder if I really was going to be able to complete this book, like I said I would have.

As if the books were trying to grasp my attention, a gentle wind hits my back like some probing hand. The rustle of the leaves on those trees outside clashed well with the sound of Joel's shouting.

The words got lost in the suppressed spread of his voice coursing through the walls on their way to me. I decided to deal with my hunger first.

I came outside and saw plates on the table. Nobody was around, so I moved past the living space and into the kitchen. My eyes touched the kitchen with its crowded countertop loaded with pots. There were a lot of foods lying around in their natural state, so they have not prepared yet.

"Nils?" Anne's voice drew me to turn around and see her coming up slow. Her hands were being wiped of moisture with the hem of her dress. "Oh, you ready for dinner?"

I nodded my head.

"Well, wash up first. I have not finished yet, been so busy washing clothes. Joel got called to a tribe meeting, so he will not be back until late. Good timing, I guess… I will come and finish up, okay?"

"Yes," I said after a pert nod of my head.

Annie left me there, and a thought drifted my mind at how hard she was working. I looked down at my hands. Crushing them, Joel had always said I needed to be the man. I see no better time than then the present. For now, Annie was finishing up her washing.

If she was not finished by the time I bathed, then I would have followed suit to get rid of the day's agonies and dirt, to be fresh for dinner.

I had not the desire to eat alone. Soon enough, with tender care and speed, got washed up.

I got dressed and re-entered the kitchen to see Annie's internal struggle to lend a hand to preparing dinner. I realized she needed help. She needed my help.

"Put me to work sister, where do you want me?" I said, shocking her. Her head spun around quickly, and a grin formed in her eyes and smile.

"What?" she asked.

"Let me help you. I realize today supposed to be our day to spend with each other, but it was mostly spent taking you on draining trips for myself, so I want to show my appreciation for you and spend this time with you. How do you cut this?" I reached for a knife.

She quickly grabbed it for me. "Oh no, no, okay. How about I cut and you wash the meat?"

"Okay," I smiled brightly. "I can do that." I reached for the bowl that had the slab of meat inside. It pulled on my fingers and the tips burned with the urge to release, but I kept my fingers tense.

Then I laid it closer to me. I looked around and then saw the lather. Picking it up, it slipped, but I caught it with the other hand. I came over the bowl of meat, but a bout of laughter made me stop.

Annie was laughing out loud. She quieted down and said, "You sweet soul." She suddenly grabbed me and filled my head with kisses. I resisted, but really, I welcomed the kisses. Still laughing, she said, "You don't wash the meat with soap. Here." She handed me a small pot of clear liquid.

Why would she hand me a pot of water to wash an entire cart load of bear?

She saw the confusion spread across my face; she shook her head, stifling another laugh. "We do not use soap, we use water. Just water is needed. Also, grab some of that salt over there and you know what, we'll even add a bit of lime, why not?"

Just water was needed? Guess she would know best. She cooked for us after all. It showed how little I knew, which was nothing at all when I think about it.

I was still confused and not sure where to start. "Oh dear, let me show you," she said. I stepped away from the meat while she stepped in front of me.

"So, for each portion of meat I cut and hand to you, you're going to use this much water." She splashed the meat she had already cut while I was washing up with a small amount of the water. Then she grabbed a handful of salt and started rubbing the meat.

She rinsed it with some water, then squeezed half of a lime over the meat, rinsing it with some water once more. "See?" She then said, "All clean". She stepped away from the meat.

"Okay, I can do that," I replied, eager to prove my worth.