Back in the Habit by Alice Loweecey

Cynthia.
    â€œOne’s our former Superior General, so I’m guessing the others are formers as well.”
    â€œI should’ve guessed from the shared CEO look.”
    The lesson planner said, “Rank has its privileges.”
    The Imitation of Christ reader primmed her lips. “If it doesn’t affect you spiritually, morally, or materially, Susan, then put it aside.”
    Sister Susan wrinkled her nose at the reader, who closed her book.
    â€œâ€˜First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.’ Good evening, Sister Regina Coelis. I’m Sister Mary Elizabeth. Susan and I are from the Indiana branch.”
    â€œDid you give the history presentation?” Giulia stood with the rest of the table to get in line for dinner.
    Sister Cynthia said. “Eleanor, sit there. I’ll get your crackers and soda.”
    â€œNo, that was our Community’s former Postulant Mistress. She was an actress before she entered. The skits she wrote for the Postulants to perform on Saint Francis Day were always clever. She was appointed Postulant Mistress of this Motherhouse after the merger.”
    Giulia helped herself to baked chicken, potatoes, a roll, and salad. While she added milk to her coffee, Sister Bartholomew and a shorter, plump Novice carried plates to a table filled with retired Sisters. Two Postulants did the same for another full table. A third table with five more obvious retirees watched their servers with avidity.
    Right, they’re serving. We did the same. But at least there were three of us and only seven retired Sisters. Those girls need a week’s vacation.
    Eleanor left with her motion-sickness supper. Giulia said to Cynthia, “Are both of you stationed at your old Motherhouse?”
    â€œNo, in Tallahassee. No more New Jersey winters, hooray. Eleanor is high school Spanish and I’m Chemistry and Physics.” She took a bite of her buttered roll. “What about you?”
    â€œI’ve been away for a year. This is my re-assimilation.”
    Susan snorted. “Like the Borg.”
    Elizabeth set down her fork. “Susan, one day you will say that to the wrong person. Don’t forget your review is only a month away.”
    Susan stabbed her chicken. “Don’t worry. I’ll behave for the committee. You know I’m always a good example for impressionable young minds. That covers a multitude of sins.”
    Giulia added sugar to her coffee. “The first one post-vows was the worst. I always rubbed Sister F. the wrong way, and there she sat in judgment on me.”
    â€œOur Superior General was easygoing,” Susan said. “I knew she’d never win the battle for Combined Overlord.”
    Elizabeth rapped Susan’s hand with the back of her fork.
    â€œOw. All right, all right. Blame it on menopause.” She caught everyone’s eyes. “I shall now practice decorum and eat the rest of the meal in silence.”
    Elizabeth briefly raised her eyes to the ceiling. “Is the rest of your group here, Sister Regina Coelis?”
    Giulia surveyed the room. “I haven’t seen them, but I just arrived. It was a long trip. My last post was in Pierre.”
    â€œSouth Dakota?” Susan’s coffee cup hovered halfway between the table and her mouth. “I guess you really did tick certain people off.”
    â€œI didn’t realize the Community had convents so far west.” Elizabeth shot a pointed look at Susan.
    Giulia shrugged. “We do, and I’ve seen them all. I have a reputation as the nun who won’t push girls into Entering.”
    Susan said, “Ouch. Just as the numbers are dropping like rocks?”
    â€œWhat’s the point of talking up the joys of convent life to girls who anyone could see wouldn’t make it past the first round of psychological tests?” Giulia appealed to the table in general.
    â€œYou get no argument from me,”