Violet Barnes

New Jobs

That next day in the afternoon, they could finally leave. Steve took them to his home, it was pretty small, especially with eight people in it, but they made it work. They had to change into their old fashioned clothes, because they had nothing else.

"I can't wait to go exploring," Katrina squealed with joy, once her, Katie and Rachael were seated on the living room couch.

"I have to find a job and get some money, so I can pay for the extra food, and I need to pay Steve for letting us stay here," Michelle said. "Yes... but I need new modern clothes to fit in."

Michelle looked at her clothes and frowned. "Don't worry," Freya smiled. "You look fine. That dress actually looks like a suit that I saw one women wearing. It'll be fine."

Michelle smiled. "Thank you."

"Where are the potatoes?" Aunt Betty shouted from the kitchen.

"They're on the cupboard," Steve answered from his room.

"Well, I better get going," Michelle said. "I'll see you later. Save some mashed potatoes for me."

"We will," Violet said, coming out of Steve's room. "Have a good time."

Michelle nodded, grabbed a bag that Steve let her borrow, and she was off. "Where's Michelle going?" Aunt Betty asked.

"She's going to go find a job," Violet said, walking into the kitchen. "We need money."

Aunt Betty sighed. "Yes, we do. Poor Michelle, she's always the one that has to do all the work. If only Katie and Katrina would get a job."

Violet nodded, and then smiled. "I know how to get Katie to get a job."

"Really? How?" Aunt Betty smiled, as she cut the potatoes, and put them in a big pot.

"I'll be right back," Violet said, and ran back into Steve's room. "Steve... you know Katie likes you right?"

"Yes... why?" He said.

"Well, you know Katie would never get a job... she hates to work, but I was thinking that... maybe if you said that it would be nice if she got a job, and she would probably do it, for you," Violet said with a sly smile.

"No," Steve smiled, raising his eyebrows. "I'm not going to do that to her."

"Why? Because you like her, too?" Violet teased.

Steve raised his eyebrows again, "Go help your aunt." He said, throwing his pillow at her.

She laughed, picked it up and threw it back before she ran away. She went back into the kitchen. "Aunt Betty, do you need help?"

"Sure, why don't you wash the potatoes for me?" Aunt Betty smiled.

"Sure," Violet smiled, grabbing the pot full of cut potatoes, and began rinsing them under the sink, and put them in a big bowl to be smashed.

When it was finally time for dinner, everyone came running. They missed having Aunt Betty's delicious food. They had ham, mashed potatoes and corn.

"So... Steve," Aunt Betty said, after an awkward moment of silence. "When do you think you'll continue your search for Bucky?"

"Well, I don't know, but I'm sure it won't take long to find him," Steve smiled. "I have a pretty good idea of where he is right now."

They all looked at each other. "Then find him," Rachael suddenly said. "Go on!"

"Let him finish his food first, dear," Aunt Betty told her, looking at Steve.

Violet realized that Aunt Betty and Steve had some kind of secret, and she wanted to find out. She was guessing it had to do with Bucky, but she wasn't quite sure. She had to know.

Michelle came back that night, looking very tired, but had a big smile on her face. "I got a job!"

"Oh, that's wonderful!" Katrina exclaimed.

"Where is your job?" Aunt Betty wondered.

"I work at an office, and my boss is very patient and kind," Michelle smiled. "He's teaching me everything I need to know, and he said I would do perfectly. He already gave me my first pay check."

Michelle pulled one hundred and five dollars out of her pocket. "He gave me the full pay, even though I only worked six hours today, but I'll work seven hours every day, except Sunday. Guess how much money I'll get a week."

"Ten thousand," Rachael joked.

"No... But I'll get six hundred and thirty dollars a week, and two thousand five hundred and twenty a month," Michelle smiled.

"That's wonderful!" Katie exclaimed. "You're an awesome sister."

Michelle smiled. "Thank you. I'm glad I can help."

"It would be nice if Katie got a job too," Violet smiled, elbowing Steve. "Right, Steve?"

Without thinking, Steve said, "Yes."

Katie's face turned red, and then she said. "You know what. I'm going to get a job too."

Katrina gasped, and Freya nearly dropped her book when she heard Katie say that. Michelle just stood there, staring, and Violet was smiling, and Steve was just looking around awkwardly.

"That's... great, honey," Aunt Betty said. "What job were you thinking of getting?"

"Is there an opening at your office, Michelle?" Katie asked, eagerly.

"Well... yes, but you would have to do a lot of paper work, good thing I only have to print things out and answer the phone," Michelle said. "Are you sure you want it?"

"Oh yes! Anything, give me anything," Katie said.

"Okay," Michelle said with hesitation. "Well... tomorrow, I could ask my boss if you could try out for the job."

"Okay," Katie smiled. "Thank you so much."

Katie suddenly hugged Michelle, which surprised her, but she was glad she could help her sister. Everyone was surprised, but glad that Katie was going to get a job. Violet just kept smiling, and Steve looked down at her, with a look that made her move away from him. He wasn't going to do anything to her, of course, but that stare made her uncomfortable.