The Able Sisters

Chapter 6

Halloween came and went. Sable dressed Mabel up in her old costume from the year prior and led her around the town. Both came home with overflowing bags of candy and other goods, and while the two didn't eat the most healthy items during that week, their stomachs were full for once.

Label had remained inside at the time, trying her best to brainstorm. Every time she had an idea, she was whisked away to do some other task, and by the time she returned, her motivation was gone.

But now that Halloween was over and autumn was in full swing, the Harvest Festival was the next big event the town was focused on, especially Label and her siblings. A free meal for the entire town. It was certainly something worth dreaming over.

Label continued about her tasks, mumbling about and feeling more and more depressed as the days went on. That spark that had ignited her life was gone. She still longed to be a fashion designer in the city, but the idea just seemed so impossible now that she was uncertain if it would ever come true.

She had made frequent trips to Mayor Tortimer, but to no avail. He could offer no more help to them than he already had. This frustrated Label, especially since they were all working so hard. Once again he mentioned the idea of opening the shop, but neither Label nor Sable had glanced at a sewing machine since their parents' demise.

The machine sat in the corner, gathering dust with the rest of the sewing materials. It wasn't that they didn't like the idea of making their own clothing. Label just supposed that neither of them could bear using the same machine that their parents had both touched. They knew that they could not produce the same type of clothing in the same manner their parents had. The pressure seemed too overbearing.

The days seemed long as a build up to the festival. Mabel was overjoyed, and Sable tried to throw herself in the enjoyment too, but Label remained to the side. Her parents would not be bringing a dish to help celebrate this year. Their cooking skills were enough to feed them, but not exemplary. They would be offering nothing to the feast.

But soon the day came. Label's siblings were overjoyed for the event, happy to have a break in chores. All Label worried of was the upcoming winter when they would not be able to scavenge as often as they had done before. 

As morning turned into afternoon, the three left their home to celebrate, which was odd, considering each time Label took a step outside, it was normally for work. Mabel trampled on the crunchy leaves in her purple coat. Both Sable and Label held her hand as she wandered toward the town center.

Already, the divine scent of food filled the air. Label's stomach grumbled. She'd eaten merely an apple today, wanting to be as hungry as she could for the feast. But also, it wasn't as if they had much food in the house anyway. They were still just barely getting by.

They left the orange trees and darkened grass behind to find tables set up with plates of food, all humbly prepared by Franklin, the turkey, himself. The others villagers were gathered around the table, all eagerly holding plates and silverware in their hands.

Label moved around them and grabbed a plate for herself. She reached to grab a plate for Mabel, but Sable had already done the task.

"I'll get your food for you," Sable promised her younger sister.

Label burned with a bit of jealousy and turned away, anxiously waiting in line as her sisters giggled behind her. She kept her gaze away from them. How could they be so joyous in a time like this? Was she the only one actually concerned for their well-being? Though Sable would argue she never showed it. But Label always went through with her chores, even if she was annoyed. And she'd spoken to Tortimer outside of their presence. Nothing was enough though in Sable's eyes.

Label began piling her plate with food. There was an array of salads and soups and sizzling fresh fish. She eagerly piled an assortment on her plate, grabbing a smaller plate for dessert. Label's mouth watered as she glanced down at her plate. She hadn't been served such delicious looking food in months.

Her sisters grabbed a spot at an open picnic table and sat down to feast. They were silent for a few moments, munching away on their foods.

"I wish we could eat like this all the time," Sable sighed.

Label shrugged. The Harvest Festival was always special in its on way. No one ever ate like this all the time. It wasn't just the poor struggling to get by.

Mabel took a bite of apple pie and hummed.

"Delicious!" she exclaimed, shoving another forkful into her mouth.

Label chuckled slightly and bit into her dessert. She took a bite of a banana tart and sighed. She remembered how her mother would make delicious desserts. They'd gather at the table late at night and dig in, nearly finishing a whole pie or cake. She longed for those days now.

A wind swept over the crowd, and Mabel shivered slightly.

"I bet it'll snow in a few weeks," Sable thought.

"Snow!" Mabel exclaimed.

Label grinned, but snow wasn't that exciting to her anymore. It was just another burden. She remembered shoveling out the pathway to the shop after heavy storms until her arms hurt while Mabel would sit on the side and build a snowman.

As they finished eating, Label glanced around at the other villagers. Some faces were familiar, others foreign. They had lost their connection to the neighbors around them since their parents' death, and while occasionally one would stop by with some food or supplies, they never stayed long.

It was not worth it to strike up conversation now while everyone was finishing eating. Label gathered the plates to be thrown away, and when she returned, Sable and Mabel were already leaving the town center, hand in hand.

Label trudged behind, keeping her distance but still staying in sight of them. She could hear their giggles ahead while she, meanwhile, stomped on leaves, thinking of childhood and her more innocent days. She wondered what she was doing at this time last year. She would have never imagined the circumstances she was in now.

Label couldn't tell why, but she felt as if she wouldn't be here much longer. This town was becoming more and more unfamiliar each day, and she felt more and more distant. She didn't know where she would go. The thought of leaving terrified her. But she didn't know how much longer she could stay here.

As they headed back inside, each collapsed onto the couch. Both Sable and Mabel curled up next to each other and were napping in minutes. Label watched them enviously and grabbed her sketchpad, trying to finish another sketch. She had only been working an hour before she snapped her pencil in half and threw the sketch book down, too upset to think.