Page 95 - The Mending Season

tion for that temper. Its out of control. If thats what she heard then she should have told the teacher instead of doing that. Gosh, people like that give Blacks a bad name.”The bell rang as we reached class. I nodded without really agreeing and reflected on how she said “V’ro-n’ca”, the same way the teachers said it. Her accent was perfect.In class, neither Veronica nor Beth was at her desk. Sister Margaret, one of the oldest nuns in the school, was speaking with them outside on the balcony. I imagined that she wanted them to shake hands and call a truce. Sister Margaret always wanted us to turn to God in difficult times. “The Lord says: leave your troubles unto me. He will carry your load,” she always told us. She would make sure her eyes met each and every one ofus as she added, “There is no need to walk alone. Christ said: I am the way, the truth and the life. Remember the disciples’ uneasiness on the boat. Remember Christ calm­ ing them, telling them to have more faith? Trust in his love.”She always said “Christ” and never “Jesus”, like when older people prefer to call people by their surnames. Once she asked me a question and my answer was “Jesus”. Sister Margaret fixed her eyes on mine and said, “Christ”.Outside, she was probably quoting the Bible and forcing them to speak to each other. When they returned to class we were in the middle ofreading Fiela se Kind, so no one had a chance to ask what had happened. The Afrikaans teacher looked annoyed with them for walking in while class was in session.The rest of the morning passed by smoothly, and I felt relieved. The air coming through the window was cool with the arrival ofautumn. It was nearing lunch time and no teacher had asked me to give my account ofwhat I had seen and heard the day before. I began to think that the aunts had overreacted as usual. It looked like people were already beginning to forget about it. Beth even looked cheerful talking to Laura and KB,95