Zero Hope for Survival (closed)

[slippedhalo]

She laughed and explained that she had figured out most of the letters herself but not all the sounds. It was odd to find that some letters could have more than one sound and combining them to create various words, it was like magic!

Jay was more kind and patient than he looked. He spent the majority of the afternoon working with Rose on this. And, she was reading a level 1 children's book to him at the end of the time.

 

[Othermoose]

Jay was impressed with Rose's quick progress. It was clear to him that she had one of the sharpest minds in the camp. He listened quietly as she read to him from a children's book. She finished the book with hardly a mistake. "Wow, that was impressive. Really impressive. It took me a week just to figure out the different letters." Jay said with a smile. "We'll work more on it tomorrow, but for now let's give it a rest. And you can keep the book." Jay said getting up from the couch. He walked over to the kitchen and grabbed a jar of peanuts and two beers before returning to the couch.

"I've had fun with you today, but we do need to get a little bit serious now. You need a job assignment. You can do pretty much whatever you want, but nothing on the surface. Maybe working in one of the shops? Or the kitchens?" Jay asked before devouring a handful of peanuts. He took another handful before offering the can to Rose.

 

[slippedhalo]

Rose was pleased with her progress as well. She agreed with Jay that she'd need a task to do. "I'm happy to assist in the shops, or even in the greenhouse farms. I know out in the wild I'm good with figuring out which plants are which, like for medicines, poisons, or food. I don't know if that's considered useful. I used to be a janitor as a kid so I could probably get back into such work, cleaning and repairing broken stuff, as well. And...I really liked meeting the baby of Wink and Seth's. She said there's a few families here besides just theirs. If anyone ever needs a babysitter I think I'd enjoy doing that too." She added with a hint of her earlier smile. She didn't like to admit how charmed she truly was by her time with that baby. "Whatever is needed." Rose offered.

 

[Othermoose]

Jay nodded thoughtfully. "Sammy and Becky have been working on starting a school for the kids, we have twenty three kids in the camp who are too young to work, but they're both too busy running things to be dedicated teachers. But maybe once you can read we could look into that for you." He said. "But for tomorrow go back to Taylor's shop. She'll never admit it, but she's starting to get overwhelmed running the shop and making clothes for everyone. She can show you the ropes, then focus on her clothing." He said happy that Rose had a comfortable job now.

"Now we move on to the most important item of the day, dinner!" Jay said happily. "We can go down to the kitchens and eat there, or we can stay here and eat. I'll leave the decision up to you." He said with a smile.

 

[slippedhalo]

Rose was not certain she was as smart as Jay seemed to think. She'd been reading all of a couple of hours now and he seemed to believe she'd learn the rest so quickly she could actually teach little kids from scratch soon...Wow, what if she could someday? That would be a very rewarding job, teaching and helping kids grow into their full potential! She smiled as she imagined what having such an influential position might feel like. Then, he mentioned Taylor's shop and she focused on that one immediate reality. In truth, she'd instantly liked Taylor and thought she could enjoy helping out in her shop. Really, being with people, well meaning, not at all cruel people, was something Rose was enjoying so very much she doubted there would be many jobs she wouldn't find reasonably tolerable.

Rose thought going out to the dining hall near the kitchens would be more interesting for her and also less likely to stir up any more gossip than Jay having shared his mask with her this morning already had. She wanted no special treatment, just fairness, and wanted to make friends. So, she was determined to stay good natured and helpful, not foster any jealousy between those well established in the colony and herself, the new girl. "I'd like to see the kitchens and dining hall. I want to learn how everything works around here and meet as many people as I can." She admitted with a smile as she twisted her finally no longer damp, red waves into a braid down her back, secured up again at the nape of her neck with the white scarf from Taylor, used as a bow, leaving a twisted rope of hair which looked halved in length (from waist length to mid back) by the way it was styled. "Shall we go, then?" Rose asked, heading for the door.