Chapter 117: Day 116

Day 116,

To my tremendous embarrassment, it seems that my inability to properly bathe or do laundry while staying in the archive every night reached a point where it was noticeable.  Or (for my own dignity) maybe Cass was just particularly perceptive when she commented on it this morning before the children showed up.  None of them commented on it at least, but maybe they were just being polite.

And so, after the children had all left for the day and the two of us finished cleaning up the classroom, I went along with Cass to Norman and Marva’s house.  Come to think of it, it had been a while since I last visited.  That didn’t stop them from greeting me with familiarity and welcoming me into their home.  The stray cat was back and they were happy to feed it.  

In an attempt to save at least a little face, I phrased the situation as Cass having offered to let me use their bath so I wouldn’t have to rush all the way back from the outskirts in the morning to get the library opened up for class.  In reality it was more like her telling me to use their bath before she becomes known as the apprentice to the smelly, sun-avoiding librarian.  Huh, I guess I do spend less time than most of the villagers outside, and in an underground windowless chamber no less.  I’d not really noticed it before she said that, but now that I look in the mirror, it shows.

That digression aside, they readily granted my request.  When I thanked them and asked what I could to repay them, Normana laughed it off and said that teaching his baby sister (a wording Cass bristled at) a trade and that was payment aplenty.  I managed to bite back the urge to say that I didn’t feel I was really teaching her much, seeing as how at this point she had nearly as much experience with the job as I did.  Some truths are perhaps best left unhighlighted.

So, yes, I got a bath.  It felt especially good after days without.  Almost enough to get over the awkwardness of using someone else’s bathroom and towels.  Couldn’t bring myself to bring up laundry though, especially when I emerged from my bath to find that they’d already set a place for me at the dinner table.  While on one level I’m sure it wouldn’t have been an issue, it just feels wrong to impinge on their goodwill too much.  I’ll just try to cycle out what I’ve got at the archive each day to stretch it until I get the chance to go back to the house and wash, then bring back a few additional changes of clothes with me.

As I now get ready for bed, it occurs to me that I should probably bring these bedsheets with me to clean as well.

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