Chapter 10 - Working the System

When we get to Mr. and Mrs. Cook’s house. They show me the room I am to sleep in. It is a rather small room with a bed and a dresser in it. Mrs. Cook apologized for not making the room feel more inviting but she didn’t have any time to prepare it. I told her I didn’t care and that I was looking forward to sleeping in a warm bed. The next morning I got to sleep in. I woke up around 10:00 am when I wandered into the kitchen.

Mrs. Cook said there was some instant oatmeal I could make myself if I was hungry. It was sure a far cry from the bacon and waffles my other ‘mom’ made for me. I read the directions and was able to figure out how to use the stove to heat up some water. It tasted alright. If I was going to have to cook for myself though I needed to learn some better tasting recipes.

“While you were sleeping I signed you up for school. You’ll be in the sixth grade. You’ll start tomorrow so enjoy your last day off.” She said. I had no idea what I was going to do. I wanted to time travel but I had to resist the urge.

“Is there something I can help you with?” I asked. The time would go by much faster if I had something to do.

“Well, let me think. . . .Do you know how to fold laundry?” She asked me.

“I think I can manage that.” I told her. In the future we never had to do our own laundry but I couldn’t imagine it was that hard.

“Follow me then” She said. I followed her into the room where they put their cars when they’re not using them. There were two machines that were side by side. Mrs. Cook open one of the machines to reveal clothes inside.

“Take these clothes into the living room and you can fold them on the coffee table and watch TV if you want.” She said, “I’m going to finish cleaning the kitchen.” She left me there to remove the clothes from the machine. I put the clothes in an empty basket that was nearby and carried the basket with the clothes in it to the room that had what looked like a monitor. I place the basket on the floor and grab a shirt. I fold the shirt and place it on the coffee table and then grab another piece of clothing. I repeat the process until I think I’ve gotten the hang of it. I just tried to duplicate how my own clothes looked after they were folded. It doesn’t take long before I am done. I walk into the kitchen. Mrs. Cook is staring out the window at something. I look out the window to see what it is but there’s nothing there.

“I’m done.” I announce.

“Already?” Mrs Cook asks. She walks into the living room and looks at all the neat piles of folded laundry. “My, you have done a wonderful job.” She says, “I’ll show you where to put them.” She grabs a pile and I follow her to one of the bedrooms where she puts some clothes in a drawer and hangs other clothes up in a closet.

“What can I do now?” I ask. The day isn’t even half over yet. Maybe being at school would be better but then I remember how bored I was in the village.

“Do you know how to use a broom?” Mrs. Cook asks.

“Yes.” I answer simply. She hands me a broom and a dustpan. I get the hint and start sweeping the floor.

The day goes on with Mrs. Cook having me do one thing or another. The time crawls by in such a way that I want to pull my hair out. I wish I knew what that hack was. When the day is over, Mrs. Cook is very happy with my efforts. After dinner we spend the evening watching TV. How people could stand non interactive entertainment is beyond me. I guess if you don’t know what you’re missing you can’t miss it. I sleep much better the second night. I wonder what school is going to be like.

I wake up bright and early the next morning. I want to get off to a good start. When Mrs. Cook drops me off at school I get a lump in the back of my throat. The buildings look old and the other students dress weird. I can tell there are going to be a lot of distractions here. I brace myself for the worse. Mrs. Cook walks me to the office. There is a woman there and a female student.

“Hi Katy, I’m Principal Saunders. This is Joyce. She will be showing you around on your first day, giving you the low down on our fine school.” When the principal says “low down” Joyce rolls her eyes. “I’ll let you girls get to know each other and remember Joyce, I don’t want you making a delinquent out of our new student on the first day.” Joyce rolls her eyes again.

“I won’t Mrs. Saunders. I promise.” She says in a voice that doesn’t convince anybody her promise is something she is going to hold herself to.

“Mrs. Cook, Katy is in good hands with us.” She says as if she is reciting a speech she has said a thousand times by heart.

“Goodbye Katy. Have a nice day.” Mrs. Cook tells me before she makes her escape.

“So Katy,” Joyce says as we start walking down the hall, “Have you ever had one of these?” She holds out something that looks kind of like a cigarette but it’s not.