The Contract Page 16

  “Has Jason already had his breakfast?” Sara asked a few minutes later when he still had not entered.

  “I doubt it,” Mrs. MacDougal said with a frown. “Sometimes that boy…” She cut a quick look at Sara.

  “He leaves before five on Sundays. To his job.” Mrs. MacDougal’s disapproval was obvious.

  “Job!” Sara exclaimed. “He has a job?”

  Candy explained. “Master Jason works at one of the marinas on Sundays, cleaning boats.”

  “He has mentioned scraping and refinishing. Apparently it is nasty work. He comes home a mess, sometimes,” Juliet said.

  “Why on earth does he work?” Sara asked.

  All four women looked at her with amusement.

  “It is different!” Sara insisted, coloring slightly. “All this is his. I just…”

  Mrs. MacDougal let her off the hook. “It is, at least in a way,” she said. Still smiling, she added, “But not all that much.”

  “I know he loves the boats…” Mrs. MacDougal shook her head. “But on Sun-days! Bah!”

  Duchess grinned. “Maggie intends to break the foul habit of working on Sun-days. He even insists on doing his household chores on Sundays, after he finishes his job.”

  “Chores? He does chores? Here?” Sara asked. Again her amazement was obvious.

  “I have been thinking about that,” Mrs. MacDougal said. “It is just as unseemly for a young lady to not have responsibilities as it is a young gentleman. It is time we decided on a set of household chores for you.

  “Master Jason mows the lawn for Henrietta at least twice a month, in season, and keeps the walks and drive cleared of snow, also in season. Dishes once a week. And he helps with the outside windows during spring and fall cleaning.”

  “He mows the yard?” Sara asked.

  Duchess, Juliet and Candy watched delightedly as Sara was informed of Jason’s household responsibilities. And hers, now.

  “You are a fit young woman. At one time, I probably would have you doing mostly domestic work. But these days…”

  Mrs. MacDougal seemed to think for a moment. The rest of the staff knew very well what she had in mind. They had all discussed it. Mrs. MacDougal had planned on talking to Sara and Jason that evening about their chores.

  “You are entirely capable, I am sure, of using the lawn mower. So, you shall mow once per month, and Master Jason, once. Both of you will help keep the snow cleared, as needed. Each of you will help with the outside work during spring and fall cleaning. Each of you will set the table, clear and do the dishes once per week.”

  Mrs. MacDougal glanced over at the other staff. They suddenly knew she was going to depart from what she had planned.

  “Actually,” she continued, “part of responsibility is learning to divide responsibilities. The pair of you will do the kitchen chores once per week alternate weeks, twice per week alternate weeks.

  “As the chores are now being shared, we shall add a chore. I think, one of the less pleasant… Cleaning the bathrooms in your rooms, should fill that bill. Once per month, I think will allow you to gain the skills, and learn the responsibility.”

  Mrs. MacDougal gave Sara a firm look. “Does that sound reasonable? I must tell you, the McKindrick parents have always insisted on the children learning these types of responsibilities.”

  “Yes,” Sara said, “Yes, of course. I do not mind the work. I wanted to do something…”

  “Now, young lady,” admonished Mrs. MacDougal, “this is not some game. Playing at working. These are chores. To build your character. You get no allowance for them. Certainly no pay. You will be expected to do your chores in a timely manner, correctly, and cheerfully. Just as Master Jason does.

  “I have not had to discipline Master Jason in years. You will be allowed one transgression without discipline, other than a stern talking to. After that, discipline will be administered.”

  “Yes, Ma’am,” Sara said when Mrs. MacDougal looked at her expectantly.

  “I will inform Master Jason of the new chores arrangement. I expect the two of you to work out the schedule for the chores you must do together. I expect that to be done amicably. No pettiness or bickering. I do not tolerate such actions. I am sure Commodore Erickson will agree with me.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  “Mrs. MacDougal,” Candy said, able to grin over at Maggie without Sara seeing her. “I was wondering, with the extra use, if I might have some assistance with the cars. Perhaps two hours one day per month in additional cleaning of the vehicles.”

  “That is correct, they will both be getting licenses soon. That will be excellent training for the responsibilities of using vehicles as licensed drivers.”

  Mrs. MacDougal looked over at Sara again. “Consider that part of your chores. Arrange it with Candy to suit your respective schedules. I do not think I will have to remind you that these chores will not be allowed to become excuses for poor schoolwork. In that I am sure the Commodore will agree. He expects anyone in his charge to work up to their potential.”

  She smiled at the still slightly stunned Sara. “All that done, I think we should leave for church. I will want to take you in to meet the minister.”

  Sara could only nod. She, Mrs. MacDougal and Candy all rose, leaving Duchess and Juliet to finish their meal and then do the minor cleanup before they left to go to their church services.

  Sara really did not think about how Mrs. MacDougal might introduce her to her minister, until it was actually happening. But she was not at all uncomfortable with the introduction.

  Mrs. MacDougal simply indicated she was another of her charges, with no details.

  That evening was the first time for the new chore schedule for Sara and Jason. Setting the table, clearing, then doing the dishes.

  Duchess, in agreement with Mrs. MacDougal, insisted that, as a chore and character building process, that the dishes be hand washed. They could not use the dishwasher.

  As they worked in the kitchen, Sara said, rather accusingly, “You did not tell me you had a job. Or that you did chores.”

  Jason shrugged. “My father insisted I learn to be responsible. To learn to do things on my own. He told me that my mother had felt the same way.

  “From what you had said about wanting to help, I thought you would not mind.”

  “I do not mind, I just did not think… because of the contract… It just did not occur to me.”

  She frowned over at Jason when he handed her a plate to dry. “Similar to the responsibilities I acquired, from you I might add, when I suddenly became Mistress of the House.”

  Jason just grinned.

  “Funny thing about that,” Sara said, allowing a smile to show. “This sure does not feel like Mistress of the House type work.”

  “This is not,” Jason said, handing her another plate. “This is character building, life skill learning, responsibility taking work. For our own good. Did not Mrs. MacDougal make that clear?”

  “Very,” Sara said dryly. “Doing these chores, I never would have been able to pay you back doing additional work. The staff does a very good job. There is not that much left to do.”

  Jason did not look over at her when he handed her the next dish to dry.

  “Of course, you knew that, did you not?” Sara asked.

  “The staff is very efficient. Very skilled at their jobs,” Jason replied.

  Sara suddenly grinned. “And Mrs. MacDougal would never allow make work, I bet. It is either real work, or else.”

  Jason laughed. “There is no else to it.”

  They worked silently for a few minutes, then Sara asked, “Do you think Duchess might teach me to cook? I do not really know how to fix anything except fry an egg and make some packaged dishes.”

  “I imagine she would love to teach you, actually. Simply ask Duchess, and work out something with Mrs. MacDougal. She will not let you interfere with Duchess’ duties, but I bet they would both love to have a young lady in here to indoctrinate.”

 
“Indoctrinate?” Sara asked.

  “In the proper way to do things. I think that I sometimes greatly disappoint them.”

  “I doubt that,” Sara said seriously. “Though I do think they might not always agree with you. I know I sure do not.”

  Smiling, Jason looked over and said, “I just consider the source.”

  “Mrs. MacDougal told me we had to work out the chore schedule amicably, with no pettiness or bickering. She did not say the same about anything else,” Sara replied.

  “Okay. Retracted. Because she does mean everything else.”

  “Probably,” Sara admitted. As they continued to work side by side Sara asked, “Candy said you clean boats down at the marina. Juliet said you even come home really dirty, sometimes. Why do you do that kind of work? I do not think Mrs. MacDougal would be upset if you got some other job. Especially one that was not on Sundays.”

  Jason grimaced. “The work around the house is chore type work. The job at Mike’s Boats is a job. I earn money there.”

  “I have learned that you like bo… ships, and sailing, so would want a job around them if you could get one. But what you do…”

  “Physical work is physical work. I do work hard, because I, like you, want to give value for value.” Jason’s eyes, Sara saw, took on a faraway look.

  “My father told me that the McKindrick’s have been well off since before they came over from Scotland when America was first being colonized. That part of the reason that they have been able to maintain, even increase the holdings at times, is that every McKindrick is expected to be able to earn a living without benefit of an inheritance. Each generation has gone out on their own and accomplished something. It was not always making a great deal of additional money, though many did. They have all been able to support themselves and their families, independently of any inheritance.

  “The chores I do, have been required in some form for hundreds of years. They are the initial training. I have had chores since I could walk. One of the memories I have of my mother is her helping me put away my toys, then making me do it by myself.”

  Jason smiled fondly for a moment, then continued, as Sara listened, entranced.

  “The last three generations, my great-grandfather, my grandfather and my father have all been very good business people. Each added significantly to the McKindrick holdings I will eventually inherit.

  “My great-great-grandfather was seaman all his life. He made enough to raise his family his entire life, though, of course, he and they benefited from the inheritance. But had the need been there, they would have been provided for nicely.

  “One of my more distant relatives was a scientist. Again, he made a living wage. And contributed significantly to the world’s body of scientific knowledge.

  “It is not so much you achieve greatness in any particular thing. The point, my father said, was to do well at whatever you chose, with the skills, talent and natural ability you are born with and acquire in your youth.

  “We have only one real tradition. Every generation of McKindrick’s has served in the United States Coast Guard since its inception in 1790. It has never actually been demanded by any generation of the family. Father said that the sea just seems to be in our blood. And the McKindrick’s, again, even before their migration to America, were loyal citizens. That means you serve your country in some capacity. We just seem to gravitate to the Coast Guard in America, rather than the Navy, like my distant ancestors.

  “Something to do with it being the oldest continuous federal military service in the United States.”

  “I did not know that,” Sara said. “I thought it would be the Army. Or maybe the Navy.”

  Jason shook his head. “I will show you the history some time if you want. I just know, that for several reasons, tradition actually being one of the lesser ones, that I will join the Coast Guard when I turn eighteen. At least a single hitch. Perhaps even as a career, though I doubt it. I do have many other interests I want to pursue.”

  “Wow!” Sara said, wiping down one counter as Jason did another. “You actually know what you want to do for the next… Holy cow! Over eight years!”

  “They are plans. Nothing is really set in stone.”

  “I have a feeling you will do exactly as planned.” Sara suddenly looked startled. “But what… I… When you are…”

  “It does not affect our contract in any way,” Jason said. “If I am where you are, the conditions apply. When apart, they are as stated, too.”

  Sara shook her head. “But I could not live here if you were not here! It is your house. What will your stepmother say?”

  “Nothing,” Jason said. “I have no way to reassure on this, but if you would, just trust me on it.”

  “Still, that is not fair! Me living here, you off in the Coast Guard. The staff… They might not like it, either, me here, but not you.”

  “Ask them. And, of course, you always have the termination option. You can accomplish your goals, without living here. And there will be no hard feelings. I hope you do know that.”

  Sara sighed. “You never seem to have hard feelings. About anything. I am the one that always gets angry.”

  They both turned toward the study when they left the kitchen. “You, too, have some tentative plans. You probably will not be here much longer than I will, when we turn eighteen. They have a good architectural school here, but there are many others in other cities and states, even countries, that you may choose to attend. That is if you keep architecture as your main career choice.

  “Not everyone knows for sure what they want to do with their life at our age.”

  “It has been my dream for a long time. Even when I really had no hopes to accomplish it.”

  Sara watched him carefully as they took seats in the study to do some required reading for school. “You do seem to feel strongly about your civic duty. I do not think it is simple rhetoric you picked up from your father and family traditions.”

  “It is not,” Jason replied. “I learned the values from my family, that bring me to make the choices I make. But I really do not do anything blindly. My whole family seems to be that way. Apparently has been for generations.”

  “Actually, that sounds nice,” Sara said, suddenly closing the book on her finger that she had just opened. “I really do not know anything of my family.”

  Jason said nothing, as Sara got a distant look on her face, similar to the one he had worn earlier, without know it.

  “My mother was an only child. I never knew her parents. My grandparents.” Suddenly she dropped her head. “I do not actually know who my father is. My birth certificate only lists Mother…”

  “So, you start your own family history and traditions,” Jason said when Sara fell silent.

  “Easy for you to say,” Sara said, beginning to rise.

  “No, it is not,” Jason said softly. “I say that I do things on my own free will. And I do. But I cannot honestly say I do not worry about letting my family down. Failing to live up to expectations.”

  “But you are an orphan. Who could you let down?”

  “Myself,” Jason said.

  “Oh,” Sara replied, resuming her seat. She understood perfectly, suddenly.

  Jason did not stay in the study very long. “I think I will turn in early. The boat I worked on today had not been out of the water for years. I scraped the hull for four hours this morning and just barely made a dent in it. Could not use power tools, since Mike plans to restore it. Then the lawn. Please do not tell Mrs. MacDougal, but that chore is a real chore. I hate mowing the lawn.”

  Sara had to smile “Not the sea, huh?”

  Jason looked over surprised. “Exactly. Very perceptive. I think I shall have to be much more careful about what I say. If you let on to Mrs. MacDougal any of my secrets like that one, I may not live to my majority.”

  Sara was laughing when Jason left the study.

  When Sara went up to the bedroom Jason said nothing until she slid into the bed, then he mu
rmured a quiet, “Good night.”

  She returned the comment and turned on her side, back toward Jason. It was only a few minutes before she turned toward him.

  “Jason?”

  He turned toward her. “Yes?”

  “Do not try to find Mother. She does not want to be found. She knows where to find me, if she so chooses. I love her, despite what happened. But… I want to start my own traditions. And history.”

  “As you wish. If you change your mind, all you have to do is tell me.”

  “I might,” Sara said softly. “I might. But for now…”

  “I will call first thing in the morning and cancel the search.”

  “Thank you. Good night. Again.”

  “Good night.”

  Their lives fell into a fairly comfortable routine. For the most part.

  “I do not believe you gave them two complete CAD systems!” Sara fumed after school one day. “And a digitizer and digital plotter. And drafting printer. Anonymously. ”

  She glared over at Jason, who continued to eat his supper. “Mrs. Albertson found out somehow that I have had beginning drafting. She said I could take a proficiency test, and if I pass, can take the second year drafting class curriculum the way you are.

  “Did you tell her I had already taken the class in another school?”

  “Of course not,” Jason replied calmly. “Your work, in that beginning class, is as good as mine. She obviously could tell you had taken drafting before.”

  “Well… Okay. But why did you give them those units? They are exactly what I need for my type of work.”

  Jason shrugged. “They were cut from the school budget when there were not enough second year drafting class students. I think the school should have them. Not just for you and me. They may be the key to get some of this year’s beginning students to take the advanced class next year.”

  “Oh…” Sara resumed eating, calmer now.

  Jason did not tell her that he had made sure Mrs. Albertson found out about Sara’s trouble with transcripts. And had sweet talked Mrs. Llewllyn into revealing the status of the CAD equipment that Mrs. Albertson had talked about the previous year.