Perhaps the rainy slip-and-fall that Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton had taken while making their preaching rounds one day was for the best.

Yes, suppose they did end up in casts—Sister Barnes with a fractured wrist, and Sister Paxton with a broken arm—but they had met you.

You, in your lovely flowered sun dress and hand-sewn penny coat, carrying a hand-made basket full of your recent farmers market finds. You, who saw them fall, and immediately dropped your basket to help the poor girls to a hospital.

They thanked you endlessly, and you insisted on staying and waiting for them while they got checked out, and then took them back to your small apartment and made them lunch. You even let them stay until it was so late, that they just spent the night.

And then another, and another, under the guise of leaving once they were healed. But you kept letting them stay.

Now you’re very close; you know how Sister Paxton best likes her tea and you braid Sister Barnes’ hair for her. They take trips to the market with you and teach you scripture before bed.

It’s lovely. Like a little family you didn’t know you needed. Sometimes you wonder if you’re beginning to develop crushes on the girls…but thats better left tucked away in the space between your heart and lungs.

“I’m home!” You call, removing your shoes as you enter the apartment. “How was your day? Are your injuries okay?” You call out questions to the two girls, unpacking your new trinkets and food from the farmers market, as they look up from their pocket bibles.

“Good, I think we can get our casts off soon.” Sister Barnes smiles, getting up to help you.

Sister Paxton follows suit, both manoeuvring around you in the kitchen and helping to put away groceries and small trinkets.

You can’t help but feel a bit saddened that they’ll be getting their casts off—you’re glad they’re better, but you suppose they’ll be leaving you soon once they’ve healed.

“Oh…” You smile brightly, but it doesn’t fully reach your eyes. “That’s great! I’m happy for you both.”