The School of Job and Suffering

Chapter II: Meeting Her, Nervous

    "You guys are late; again if I might add." Natali said as she greeted us at the door, "Wow, it's really coming down hard."

     "It's been rainy these past couple of days down in Oxinshburng, we're uses to it." Nik replied to Natalie as he pulled down our umbrella.

      "And where is Vaud?" she said, looking out the glass door, as if she was honestly expecting him.

       That's something I hate about her. She likes helping, but it's always at the cost of our happy lives. She likes to make sure we know our eldest brother is nothing but a potato...

      Nik chuckled and replied with, "He was talking too long with his hair and makeup so we had to leave without him."

       "Naturally I'm sure; how've you been Tatianna?"

       "I've been well, thank you." I say as I sit down on a chair facing her desk.

       "You've been good, darling. Nikolai, this brings me to why I asked you to come here today, and why I really wanted Vaud here." I immediately tensed up, knowing what this was about as soon as those words left her mouth. "I really want you guys to go to school, while you can. It's important to learn."

       "We are smart enough Natali" Nik replied in a gruff voice.

       "Tatiana doesn't know the difference between good and well! You guys need schooling. I care about your family's well being, Nikolai."

         "So what if she made that small mistake, adults that have finished college mess up on the usage of those two words. I cannot fulfill your request of us pursuing an education. We simply can't go the distance or pay for the supplies needed."

         "The I cannot keep funding you guys."

          She can't really mean that, after all it isn't our fault out village is so far away from schools.

         "Wait, let's not be jumping to anything dear friend. If we could, we would go to school. There just aren't any near us." Nik said, wiping his sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief. The one I embroidered our family's crest on. The only one he owns.

         "Well then its settled darlings!" she said with a too-large-for-her-face grin.

          "W-what is?" I chime in.

          "That you guys won't hate me for enrolling you in a new school north of here-"

          "Wait, no, we can't afford it. Thank you, but we can't" Nik said, cutting her happiness off and the room grew silent.

          "It's my money you're using anyway, so I might as well pay for this. You two will do this."

          "What will Vaud do?" I ask, concerned about my brother.

          "He will learn to get off of his ass and contribute to the world. I've done too much for him and he isn't willing to at least thank me. I want to cut him out of this free money program, but in order to do so I need you guys to do this. It will only be for a short two years."

          I know we have no choice now. We have to do this or everyone in the family will fail. Vaud will have to step up to the plate and work...

         "Fine, no longer than two years though, Natali. We'll chat more later, but for now we have to go." Nik said with a cold expressionless face as he grabbed my hand and walked out of the door.

          "It stopped raining.  Maybe it's a sign." I said in an effort to cheer him up.

          "Meeooowwwrrr~"

          "Look Nik! A kitty!" He stopped so I could pet it. "He's so cute, don't you think brother?"

          "Huh? Oh, yes, indeed. Here," he said as he scooped the cat up into his arms, "let's take him home."

          "But Nik, Vaud is allergic to cats..."

           "Exactly."