"Shannon?"
"Finish your studies before bed. Do you need my help?"
As hard as Shannon worked she knew Mother Teresa worked harder. She eyed the weary nun. If she said no that would be a lie, and that would be a sin. But if she said yes this nun she loved so dearly would be toiling more than she should.
"I can do so without thee."
Not a lie, not putting out Mother...
"Very well then. Good night dear one."
Shannon smiled. She didn't call her little one this time. She was near full grown, but for Mother to say so, in this small way? It just made Shannon's heart glow.
"Good night Mother, sleep well."
Shannon hurried away, determined to make Mother proud.
She emptied the sack of leaves into the wooden box. It would turn into magic dirt for the garden that helps the garden grow. Only Mother doesn't like it called magic dirt. Shannon tried hard not to think of it that way, but she always did.
Now how might I take some burden off Mother?
The answer lay before her. She wasted no time getting to work.
Soon Shannon was absorbed in her toil.
Shannon, weary before she had begun, burned out before making a great difference in the garden. She gave a great yawn. She put away her tools, washed her dirty hands and face, and went to bed. She felt so pleased, going to bed as tired as Mother. She drifted off thinking of how good it is that Mother can depend on her now.
***
Shannon stared at her cake. It was beautiful.
"Make a wish Shannon."
"Mother are wishes blasphemous?"
"Say a prayer or make a wish child."
I wish...to stay with mother.
Shannon kept her eyes on the cake while she asked softly, "May I stay with thee forever Mother?"
Mother Teresa gave Shannon a hug.
"Mother Teresa?"
Shannon turned back to her cake as Mother hurried away. Mother and a woman spoke in low furtive voices behind her. Shannon did not mind. Nuns help people. The spiritual needs of the people do not end with the birthdays of young ladies.
Mother Teresa began to cry. Shannon froze. These were not the tears of sympathy. Shannon had heard heart breaking sobs before....but not from Mother.
"Come Shannon. You will stay with me until you are caught up with your studies."
"No! I live at the convent! Father McGreggor sent me here. He is the highest authority over the convent. You can't take me!"
"Which is why I asked him if I may."
A chill spread over Shannon.
"Come with me. Now."
The woman turned sharply away and Shannon followed.
As she passed Shannon whispered, "God be with thee Mother."
Shannon knew then she had a long way to go to be like Mother. For what she felt about the woman who made Mother cry
was not nun like at all.
As Shannon walked through the garden she felt like she should have done more of it to help Mother. Then it struck her. She hadn't touched her schoolwork in a long time. She had been working until she could work no more, then going to bed with out opening a scroll.
I should have prayed instead of making that wish.
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