Coffee Cake Days (short story)

PDF, for Kindle, or Nook: $1.25 
Print copy: $2.25 (plus shipping)
(available May 29, 2015 Lord willing)
3,250+ words

First page:
Meg Hoale quietly shut the door and crept across the front lawn. Steam rose from the pond across the street, blending in with the grey shadows of morning. Tucking her Bible and notebook under her arm, Meg settled into the corner of the wooden swing. She flipped the front cover of her Bible back and began reading in Genesis.

Ten chapters later, Meg looked up as the front door opened again, interrupting the serenity. A barefoot girl, still in her nightgown, peeked out the door. "Meggie! I hungie!"

Meg rolled her eyes and slammed the cover of her Bible shut. "I'll be in soon - be patient! And don't call me 'Meggie.'"

"But Mom said--"

"I'm coming," Meg grumbled as she unfolded her legs and clenched her books. As she walked up to the doorway, she noticed Crystal's hands reaching out to be held, but Meg brushed past with, "You need to get dressed in day clothes."

"But Phy'is an' Annie's busy an' Merith's not up yet. Can you get my dress?"

Meg tossed her Bible onto the sofa as she passed it and marched into the room, flicking on the light. "Meredith, get up now." Seeing Phyllis and Annie both reading their Bibles, Meg looked down at Crystal, "And they're no busier than I am. I've got to do breakfast." To the other girls, she said, "Someone get her dress."

In the kitchen, Meg found the large pot and set it on the stove a little harder than necessary before putting water in to boil.

I'm sorry, God, she inwardly fumed. I was trying to read Your Word this morning, trying to have a nice quiet time, but it just didn't work out. She measured out oats then took out bowls and spoons. For a brief moment, she sat on the chair, waiting for the water to heat. How did she think that life after graduation would be easier than before? Sure, she had a load of school, but now that the books were put away, she still couldn't manage to find much spare time.

The water hissed and she jumped up to finish the oatmeal.

"Can I help?" Crystal, now dressed in regular clothes, crept up close to Meg.

 "Nope! I'm practically done and it's hot on the stove. Go tell everyone to come eat."Crystal's lower lip stuck out. "But I wanna help!"

"That is helping. Go!" Meg gave Crystal a gentle push in the right direction.