Part 4

The next morning Abby was up with the sun, having slept from five the previous day. Climbing down from the loft she found that Frau Gabor had left her a bucket of water for washing. Quickly she scrubbed her face, hands, and forearms before heading to the house. She figured she could wash up better later, when she knew she wasn't needed. Melchior met her at the door and told her his mother was in the chicken coup. Laughing, Abby twirled around and went back to the barn. After helping Frau Gabor collect eggs and cook breakfast, Abby moved towards the door with her plate.

"Where are you going?" Melchior asked as he came in and sat at the table.

"I didn't think it was appropriate for me to... I mean I'm not family." Abby explained. Honestly, she wasn't sure what was appropriate for this community. She knew from history that girls were meant for the home and had to cover themselves in long dresses when they were "in bloom". But beyond that her knowledge was limited. Melchior looked to his mother, who seemed mildly torn.

"Nonsense. You're our guest." Frau Gabor finally said, ushering her to the table. "You'll sit right here and eat. You must be starved."

"Thank you." Abby said, more to Melchior than his mother.

"Now when Melchior leaves for school I need you to walk with him. He will show you how to get to the girl's school from there. I need you to drop off a note with the headmaster there."

"What's this about a note?" Herr Gabor asked, pulling out his chair.

While Melchior's mother chattered to her husband about what the note was for Abby ate her meal and spared glances at Melchior. He was handsome, no one could deny that. But for some reason all she could think about was Moritz. His messy hair, his socks that constantly fell, his eyes.
Just like the first time she traveled Abby only remembered the vague details. She knew that the play was about suppressed youth. She knew who the characters were and what they looked like. She could remember some of the music. But she couldn't remember anything that happened during the show and for some reason that scared her.

"Are you ready?" Melchior asked, bringing her out of her reverie. Frau Gabor had gone to scrub the laundry and her husband had left for work... wherever that was.

"Yes." Abby said, standing up to wash her dish. She took his dish and put it next to hers in the sink and reached to pull the pump handle.

"Alright I'm going to finish my morning chores and then we can go." he said.

After the dishes were done, Abby leaned against the wall and stared out the open door at the sky. She judged it was about 8 o'clock and she had no clue what time school started for Melchior. He walked past her and ran up the stairs, coming back down a moment later with his books. Smiling, he motioned for her to follow, handing her the note. The walk was mostly silent at first, Abby looking around at the trees and houses. Mid-walk, Abby heard singing in her head. Wendla's verses of Mama Who Bore Me played in her head, clear as day.

'So that's what it's like when it's a musical.' Abby thought, smiling.

"So you were telling me your views on religion yesterday. I'm quite interested." Melchior said.

"Oh yes." Abby said, racking her brain for where she had left off. "I don't believe God wants us to be perfect but He wants us to believe in Him and trust Him. I believe He expects us to mess up and He's alright with that. That's just my opinion."

"Well it sounds very... odd for a girl to have such strong, dissenting views." Melchior said.

"I don't." Abby said lightly, brushing a few loose strands of hair from her face. "I think anyone can have their own views regarding politics and religion and life in general despite gender."

"I agree." Melchior said.

"Melchior!" a voice cried.

They both turned and Abby froze in her tracks.