The Able Sisters

Chapter 8

"I think you should get a job," Sable spoke from the stove.

Utensils clattered and the fire crackled. Label sat up. She had been staring outside the window at the falling snow, trying to find inspiration in the multitude of snowflakes that drifted down from the sky.

"Job?" she muttered.

"Yes," Sable replied, dropping a pot of soup on the table near her.

"Why? You don't have a job," Label challenged.

"I keep this household running."

The truth was, Label had been debating this idea for a while as well. They weren't making enough income as it was, and someone had to stay home and care for Mabel. But Label didn't know where to start. She hated doing anything but designing, and she knew there were no available fashion designer positions in the town, obviously. 

Still, getting a bit more money every couple weeks appealed to her, and she slowly made calculations in her head.

"I don't know. Where do I even look for one?" Label complained. "Why don't you get a job?"

"Because you're older, and animals will hire you. Besides, I doubt you want to do most of the work I do."

Label looked away, knowing she was right.

"Is dinner ready?" Mabel called, staggering from the bedroom after a long nap.

"It's ready right now!" Sable exclaimed. She rushed over to Mabel and lifted her into her booster seat.

Label took a seat at the table and spooned soup into her bowl, thinking of all the food they could afford with some more bells. She was growing tired of the same old things and the same old routines.

"Just go to Town Hall tomorrow," Sable suggested.

Label let out a sigh and nodded. It was becoming boring, anyway. Perhaps this would be a positive change.

The next day was sunny, and the snow glittered as Label walked alongside her two sisters. Their boots crunched against the soft snow, and Mabel eagerly pointed to every single glowing pine tree.

Warm puffs of breath escaped their mouth as they spoke about their plans for the day, with Sable attempting some fishing and and perhaps some digging for fossils. Label nodded, though she was more nervous than ever to go to Town Hall. 

She had still continued her conversations with Tortimer, though they had been less and less, and each time, he gave her no resolution. She had stormed out on a few occasions. Her cheeks turned red as she thought of it.

Label glanced forward to see where the path parted. She waved good-bye to her sisters, feeling a bit more positive for once, and approached Town Hall. The snow had been paved away in the center, and her feet slid over the icy cement.

She stepped inside, immediately filled with warmth after her walk in the cold. Pelly was at the front desk, moving around and organizing letters. At the sight of Label, her eyebrows raised.

"Oh, Label, you're back? Mayor Tortimer is busy right now--"

"I-I'm not exactly here to see him about that," Label explained, stepping closer to the wooden counter.

"What do you mean?" Pelly asked.

"I came to see if there were any jobs available around town. I don't know if you or Tortimer is the better animal to ask. My sisters and I have been getting along, but...we need more. I hate seeing soup go on our table every night," Label explained.

"I know you care very much for your sisters," Pelly responded, leaning forward to place some letters in slots. She stood back up and grinned. "I may have a position for you."

Label's eyes widened. "What? Really?"

"I could use an assistant in the post office, not permanently, but especially with this busy season..."

"Are you serious?" Label asked.

Pelly nodded. "Yes, I could get you started...today, actually. I could train you right now, if you'd like. There's not much to do, but it would keep you busy. You could work a few hours a day. Paychecks are at the end of two weeks."

"That'd be great! Thank you!" Label exclaimed, filled with joy.

Pelly grinned shyly. "I will have to ask Tortimer first."

"Oh...should I come back?"

"Why don't you wait out here, and I'll go speak to him?" Pelly suggested.

Label nodded and rested against the wall, glancing around. It was quieter than normal. She supposed many of the villagers were out enjoying the lovely winter day.

"I got approval," Pelly spoke, interrupting Label's thoughts. "Let me show you what you can do."

Label followed Pelly behind the desk and found a wall full of square boxes.

"I'm putting you in charge of sorting mail," she explained. "Pete comes by once a day to pick up and deliver, so you'll be sorting."

Label nodded. It seemed simply enough.

And perhaps that was the problem. It was too simple. Pelly spent two hours training on her on her job. It was mostly repetition and tasks that Label could easily understand the first time, but Pelly almost saw the job as a sacred position.

Label agreed to come in early the next day, for "mail was always coming and going," as Pelly would say, and even when she arrived home, she was exhausted just from listening the same phrases repeat from Pelly's mouth for hours on end.

"I suppose the job went well then?" Sable asked when Label stepped in. "Or else you were off messing around town."

"Yeah, I got a job working with Pelly at the post office, sorting letters and stuff," Label explained, collapsing on the couch. "She talked on about it to me for too long though."

"How much are you getting paid?" Sable asked.

"Five thousand bells a week," Label replied.

Sable let out a gasp, so loud that it startled Label.

"That'll be great! I won't have to stress as much about funds. Oh, that makes me feel better," Sable thought.

"Yeah, me too," Label replied quietly. Still, she wasn't sure how much she enjoyed the job, but Toy Day was coming up, and she was sure Mabel wanted presents. It did seem a fitting time to get a job.

Mabel sat on the floor and was drawing with a colorful assortment of crayons on the table in front of the fireplace. Label sat down next to her and ruffled the top of her head.

"What are you drawing?" she asked.

"Toy Day!" Mabel exclaimed. "Look, it's you, me, Sable, and Mommy and Daddy," she explained, pointing out each hedgehog to Label in the drawing.

This took Label in surprise, and she held back tears.

"I hope we can all be together at Toy Day," Mabel explained.

"Me too," Label whispered, but not loud enough so Mabel could hear. She let the girl continue her drawing, wiping away tears from her eyes. Winter seemed so much colder without the warmth their parents brought to the household.