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Manuela knew that a birthday or wedding was approaching, for love letters were being sent left and right throughout the Sisterhood. The Messenger Sisters were fluttering around like birds and butterflies, going here and there, crisscrossing the street and filling each Home. Manuela herself got two letters! From Edel and Mother Eliza.
The note from Edel read: ‘Dearest Manuela, I have been fond of you since you first entered the Sisterhood. It would be an honor to take you to the party. Edelgard.’
And the note from Mother Eliza read: ‘My sweet girl, you have been a model Sister—friendly, eager to learn, and respectful of the rules. Such a good girl deserves a good date to the party. If you will it, I will be happy to be your date. E. v. B.’
Manuela knew that if she were to choose Edel over Mother Eliza, Mother Eliza would be understanding. She was a very cool, down-to-earth woman. It was Edel she was worried about. If she chose the Mother instead, would she take it well? She could be quite emotional at times…
And even though Ilse would have loved a note from Manuela or her dear Mother Eliza, she had her heart set on Sister Marie.
ILSE: “It doesn’t look like she has much going on in that head of hers, but her appetite has made her strong and busty! She has such a thick, beautiful body. I once saw her pop the front of her dress open with her great bosom!”
MANUELA: “I’m sure Marie isn’t dumb. She just—likes to take her time with things.”
Ever since Ilse mentioned that, Manuela had a hard time concentrating whenever Marie was in the bedroom or the washroom with them.
*
Just down the road from the Homes was a large event center. Whenever a familiar planned a celebration, it brought great excitement to the Sisterhood, for everyone would become inspired to work on their crafts.
The dramatic Ilse and Manuela (as both writers and comedians) put together plays of the familiar’s choosing. (Or sometimes it is a play of their own creation!) This also inspired the Sisters of sewing and carpentry to make costumes and set designs, as well as the Sisters of music and lighting.
The familiar in question was the very Headmistress of the Sisterhood—Mother Emilia. Rarely anyone saw her, as she was always in her bedroom (which happened to also be her office), working on endless amounts of paperwork. Green Street was ever so lively and productive, and Mother Emilia kept an eye on all the finances, read all the complaints and demands. She might have been the oldest woman there, but she was fierce. Stern. Those that saw her said she kept her figure well. Only her legs or hips might have hurt, as she slowly trudged around with a cane.
*
Marie was the Head Sister of food and catering. (Her family was a long line of slaughterers and butchers. Marie was used to the killings, but everyone else wasn’t. Whenever she’d absentmindedly tell others about her childhood full of animal death, it disturbed them. In the end, Margot was ordered to tell Marie to keep the meals she prepared strictly vegetarian, with the animals they had in their barn spoiled and well taken care of, with regular doctor visits. The meat had to be tofu, made with soy, or chickpeas, mushrooms, cauliflower, cashew nuts, etc.) She inspired the Sisters of gardening to be swift in the collecting and thorough in their washing.
When the Messenger briefly entered the kitchen and dropped off Marie’s mail on her counter, the Head Sister didn’t even notice it. That, or just forgot about it. Marie was busying herself, deep in churning and mixing and kneading, focused on precise cutting and measuring and pouring. Not to mention the heavy lifting of the cheese slicer and boxes of fresh raw ingredients. No wonder the Sister Head was so muscular.
Her Sister Cooks and Mother Elise, who had overall charge of the kitchens, had to tell her that she had a love note, the envelope by then covered in flour and drips of milk.
MARIE: “A note for me? It must be a joke.”
A Sister opened it and read it for her: ‘Beautiful, strong Marie! Please go to the party with me and make everyone else jealous! Ilse. <3’
MARIE: “It’s definitely a joke. She always wants to laugh at me.”
*
It was Margot that sent a note Mother Kirsten’s way. The Messenger that collected it saw the nervousness in her face and already knew: “Do not worry, Margot. You are her favorite. She loves you tenderly.”
This made the Head Sister of the rules giggle and bring her hands up to her face in embarrassment.
*
Mother Atems had had her eyes set on one meek actress. She certainly had the face and body for the stage. It was her vocals and confidence that needed work. She sent a letter her way, the Messenger giggling when she collected it.
The note read: ‘My Darling Greta, my shy one, won’t you go to the dance with me. I can teach you to dance, like how I teach you to act.’
The Mother knew that Greta occasionally gazed at her curvy hips during lessons. That might have been why she was so bashful! How adorable.