The Janitor's Assistant

Chapter 3

- Susan's POV -

Tegan and I got a whole lot done that night. Instead of doing one less of each topic, we ended up doing three of each. We were almost done when it was time for me to make dinner. Tegan offered to help so she ended up eating with us. We fried some steak with sage and onion and different types of spices, than we made nice thick gravy out of some leftover chicken broth. We made the boys peel potatoes for mashed potatoes while we set the table. Since it was only the four of us we didn't need a whole lot of potatoes so dinner was ready in no time. Ken and Logan were already at the table when we brought the food in. Usually, the guest would be served first, but Tegan always pounced on the serving spoon before anyone else could grab it. The rule in both our houses was, 'whoever has the serving spoon serves everyone else first'. Another rule that bout our families had made was that the eldest is always served first. So Tegan grabbed my plate and gave me a small helping of everything, because she knew that I didn't eat much, then she heaped Logan and Ken's plates full of everything. Then she served herself. I was surprised at how much she could eat. We started to eat and she said a silent prayer to herself. We believed in God and heaven but we weren't really religious. We respected her religion and she didn't pound us with it. It was very surprising when I first figured out she was Catholic. I even asked her why she didn't pound us with scripture and bible quotes and all she said was, 'Preach often, but seldom with words' (Saint Francis of Assisi). It confused me then and still does. My mind was brought back to the surface when Logan asked how school went.

"Well, it went." Tegan told him.

"That bad huh?"

Tegan just smirked over a mouth full of steak.

"How was volunteering, then?"

I saw Ken and Tegan share a quick glance before Tegan answered.

"Fine."

Suddenly, Logan threw down his fork, leaned back in his chair, let out a sigh, and looked at Tegan.

"What?" She asked.

"Spill."

"What?"

"Oh come on. I know there is something you and Ken aren't telling us. What is it?"

Ken and Tegan looked at each other again, but this time Ken answered.

"Tegan almost nocked my head off with a guitar!"

Before either Logan or me could ask what he meant they both pushed their chairs back, picked up their food, and said, 'goodbye', all in unison before walking out the back door onto the patio. Logan and me looked at each other for a second with confused stares.

"Those two are very strange." Logan said. And I agreed full heartedly.

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- Tegan's POV -

"Whew! That was close." I said, sitting on the wooden bench on the patio. It was warm out so neither of us minded eating outside.

"I don't understand, why don't you want people to know you can sing?" Ken asked me.

I didn't understand shy he always pursued the matter. We were practically best friends. He shouldn't need an explanation.

"Ken...It's just...I can't have people know I can sing." I tried to explain.

"Why not?"

Suddenly I lost my temper and stood up.

"That should be reason enough, shouldn't it?"

I grabbed my empty plate and silverware and walked briskly into the house. Ken followed not far behind. I left the eating utensils on the counter and walked through the dining room saying, "We can finish our studies tomorrow, Sue." I grabbed my ruck-sack and left my three confused friends behind me. 

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-Kellan's POV- 

"What was that all about?" Sue asked me.

"I'm not sure."

And I wasn't. This wasn't like her at all. She rarely lost her temper like that. Something was really troubling her. And I intended to find out what.