**
Miss Ginifer Sweetly
Never trust an adversary.
–Harry Finkle
Robert entered the large room of the general shop his family had inherited from his Uncle Finkle. He noticed Jack balancing on a shaky, three-legged stool.
Robert muffled a giggle, then asked, “What are you doing, Jack?”
“I’m restocking the shelves, like I always do at the end of the day,” Jack said. Jack placed a few tins on the top shelf and straightened them one by one. He insisted on everything being neat and organized.
“Have you finished your inspection of the hourglasses and decided to finally come help me?” Jack asked. “Hand me another tin, will you please?”
Shortly after moving to Finkleton, the Finkle children discovered an unusual collection of hourglasses. There was an hourglass corresponding to each farm in the village, and every hourglass magically controlled the weather for its farm. This was the reason the amount of rain for each farmer in Finkleton was always perfect.
Robert was in charge of inspecting the hourglasses at the end of each day. Every hourglass was connected to a string that adjusted how quickly or slowly it ran, which set the hourglass to provide just the right amount of rain for its farm. If a string broke, or if an hourglass’ angle abruptly changed, it could mean disaster for that farm.
The hourglasses weren’t the only magical items the children discovered. They also found a note from Uncle Harry indicating a clock in the hourglass room that could manipulate time. They all decided to never touch it, though. Controlling the weather was enough to keep their hands full. Controlling time was another story altogether. Some things were better left alone.
“Here you go, Jack,” Robert said, and handed his brother a tin.
Just then the shop bell hanging above the entrance door rang. A young lady carrying a small package entered and carefully scanned the store. When she spotted Jack and Robert at the back, she smiled.
Jack stepped down from the stool and wiped his hands on his trousers. “Hello, Miss Ginifer. How are you this evening?”
Miss Ginifer Sweetly was Mr. Sweetly’s younger sister. The Sweetly family made the sweetest sweets in town. Miss Ginifer recently began delivering orders to local shops. Jack and Robert looked forward to her weekly visit. Robert licked his lips with anticipation of eating some new sweets.
“I’m quite well, thank you for asking, Jack,” Miss Ginifer replied. “I’ve brought your order,” she added, and stepped forward to hand over the package.
Just then the shop bell rang once again. Mr. Appleton’s son, Thomas Appleton, stepped inside and walked over to the counter. The Appleton family grew the most delicious apples in Finkleton. Miss Caroline bought them to make her scrumptious pies. Thomas turned towards Jack and Robert, then tapped his fingers impatiently.
“Thank you,” Jack said to Miss Ginifer. His cheeks turned a light shade of pink, and a sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.
“Would you mind very much walking me home, Jack?” Miss Ginifer asked, and smiled.
Jack cleared his throat, then looked at Robert. “Will you keep an eye on the shop while I’m gone? I won’t be long.”
“Me? You want me to watch the shop all by myself? But I’ll be alone.” Robert’s eyes widened.
“You’ll be fine, Robert. You’re 10 years old now, and I won’t be gone long.”
“But Jack, she’s a girl,” Robert said miserably.
Thomas’ laughter immediately filled the shop. Jack, Robert and Ginifer turned towards him.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation,” Thomas said, then coughed to stifle his outburst. “But I think I have a solution to your problem, Jack.”
Jack narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest.
“As I was saying,” Thomas continued. “I could walk Miss Ginifer home. Your little brother wouldn’t have to be afraid. And he wouldn’t have to tend the shop all alone.”
Miss Ginifer looked at Jack and waited for him to respond.
“That sounds like a fine idea,” Robert said, and grinned.
Jack looked at Miss Ginifer, then frowned.
“It’s settled then,” Thomas said. “I’ll make sure to get you home safely, Miss Ginifer. Shall we be on our way then?” Thomas held out his arm to encourage Miss Ginifer’s decision.
Miss Ginifer’s eyes met Jack’s, but neither of them said a word. She then turned to Thomas and said, “Yes, thank you. I must be getting home.”
Jack and Robert silently watched Thomas and Miss Ginifer leave the shop. Jack’s frown deepened. After they were gone, Jack returned to stocking the shelves and didn’t say a word.
“What’s wrong, Jack?” Robert asked, handing him another tin.
“It’s nothing,” Jack said, and paused before placing the tin on the shelf. “It’s just that she’s a nice girl, is all.”
Jack excused Robert to get cleaned up before dinner. Jack then continued to stock the shelves with only his thoughts to keep him company.