Jonas’ S.T.E.A.L
He had seen it both times
He had only been fascinated
The rasping voice through the speakers said
LEAVE YOUR BICYCLES WHERE THEY ARE
His stomach churned... He was frightened
Desperate
The pilot had been making his way back before his error was noticed
There was an ironic tone, “NEEDLESS TO SAY, HE WILL BE REALESED”
He knew it was a grim statement… he had smiled
It was the…evening, telling of feelings, one of the rituals
His feelings were too complicated
He wasn’t eager to begin the process of shifting
Through his complicated emotions
He wasn’t frightened
He was eager for it to come
NO, apprehensive Jonas decided
He had waited a long time…for his special December
While his father took his turn
He listened politely though not very attentively
“He’s a sweet little male with a lovely disposition”
I FEEL APPREHENSIVE
He confessed
This evening he would almost preferred to keep his feeling hidden
It’s almost December…The Ceremony
Each December bring such changes
The Ceremony of Twelve was the last of the ceremonies
The most important
There were rarely disappointments
He knew that some would disappoint him
I’m worried…
There was no way, really, to know in advance
He had no idea what his Assignment would be
He hadn’t the slightest idea what the Elders would be selecting for his future
Your friends will no longer be close…
Jonas shook his head
Asher and I will always be friends he said firmly
There will be changes…good changes mother pointed out
Jonas went to his desk
Sorting though his school papers for the evening’s assignment
His mind was still on December and the coming Ceremony
“He’s a sweet little male with a lovely disposition”
Jonas noticed… the new child peering up curiously from the basket
Pale eyes
He was startled by the new child’s eyes
Almost every citizen in the community had dark eyes
Light eyes were not only a rarity but gave the one who had them a certain look
DEPTH
He felt self-conscious
Realizing that he too had that look
Pretending not to be interested in the new child
Jonas turned to the assignment on his desk.
OBJECTS ARE NOT TO BE REMOVED FROM THE RECREATIONAL AREA
SNACKS ARE TO BE EATEN, NOT HOARDED
Remembering the humiliation
The announcement…had been specifically directed at home
He had disposed of the apple
He was still bewildered about it
But he had not been able to sort out and put words to the source of his confusion
He let it pass…
This was the part he couldn’t adequately understand
The apple had changed
Jonas had been complete mystified
He shook his head trying to forget the odd incident
The evening proceeded
Quiet, Reflective, a Time for Renewal
and
Preparation for the Day to Come
