When I was in the sixth grade, my teacher gave me these spelling words. Saying I must write sentences for each, I decided not to. Instead I wrote a story for each unit. I started this in grade six; carring on through grade 7 then ending it. You can see how the writing gets better as it goes on. So if your confused, by the wording keep in mind that I am using spelling words. Enjoy!
This story is dedicated, to a friend, a editor, and a teacher. Who doesn’t teach, she help from behind, giving the extra jolt to keep you moving. Thank you for the hours of your time you spend reading this. Now page is for you, Mrs. Kirk.
Prologue
My Favorite Things
“Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,
Brown paper packages tied up with string,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels,
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles,
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes,
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,
Silver white winters that melt in to spring.
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the dog bites,
When the bee stings,
When I’m feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad.”
- Mary Martin
Chapter 1
I walked home with a scowl on my face. I follow the same path home from school: with the L.A. smog behind me and my little house on the hill in front. There was a small crowed of people in the front yard, oh, ya the baby shower. Ha! Mom was a little late on that one’ Lily’s already three!
I went as silently as I could to the kitchen and grabbed grape juice from the fridge.
“Hey, I didn’t realize you actually came home,” say Mom from the kitchen door way. I being, jumpy dropped the juice. “There are guests outside so hurry up.” calls Mom as she’s walking away.
It seemed that after the baby was born my Mom wanted me out. I hate it with all my heart.
Mad and frustrated I hurried up to my bedroom, were I contend to rant. Still holding the towel I used to clean up the juice with, I chucked it across the room. Next throwing my pillow at the open window, down goes my bowl with the clowns face on it.
Below the window stands the mayor with his pin that says ‘owning township’; whatever that meant, nobody listens to that weirdo anyway. Cluck! It hits him. I heard someone coming up the stairs two at a time. Rushing to my balcony to hide I hear his voice hopefully for the last time.
“I can see your shadow you know,” hollers my step, step dad terrified I start lowering myself down the eve’s trove.
Chapter 2
I really shouldn’t have gone down that eve’s trove. It didn’t look so steep at first! If I wouldn’t have gone down it I wouldn’t this itchier cast on my arm! I would much rather take it all back. Can’t mom just forgive me it was all an accident. But, that is not the worst part… the mayor got a concoction.
My phone buzzes loudly.
“Hello,” I answer
“Liz!” it’s my best friend Alice, “Do you want to come to the fair with me!?!?!?!?!”
“YES!” I hesitate, “That is if my mom will let me.”
“Guess what else!?!?!? She’ll be playing and I’ve got two tickets!” Alice trys to sings but it’s more of a scream.
“Shhhh, who?”
“They have a back stage and everything!”
How could I be such a dummy Taylor Swift. “Listen, I’m kind of grounded so I’ll text you later, k? Bye.”
My parents would let me go or wouldn’t they…
Chapter 3
“Life is like a puzzle with edges and corners.
Life you have to make it work, although some puzzles stay unfinished.
Life sometimes brings mystery pieces that just don’t work.
In life the corners may make sharp turns, the edges sort or curved, life is like an unknown puzzle you must figure out, but no matter what live life live your puzzle today’’
- Jessy Lee Saas
Lying on the lawn I read and let the hot summer sun cool me down. Letting out a yawn, I close my eyes and relics. Sinking into a fantasy land of magic where dra-
“Liz darling come here.” calls mom from her open window.
“Dang-nab it I thought she was asleep.” I mutter to absolutely no one! But that was the deal to do to the fair, I had to be her personal slave.
I sit up just in time to see a bird swooping down nearing the road. Thinking how nice it must be to be free, I bound of toward the house.
Upstairs Mom demands me to read to her.
“Daughters,” I read the title, “Author is Lucy August.” Opening the book I start reading. “The smell of the burning oil was awful, automobiles lay on there sides. Smoke crawling closes the audience not ready to applaud; they are intergraded by this play, for you should know that I’m a daughter of truth-. Mom?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of book is this?”
“A novel darling.”
“It’s depressing I’m going to make supper”
“Ok. Liz I got a letter from Grandma Stella”
“So?”
What do I care about a letter from grandma? I ask myself as I turn to leave. It’s not like the letter is anything important, it won’t knock me down and leave me in a depressed state. So why in the world would Mom think I care?
Chapter 4
Mom and I sat in the waiting room of the hospital. Time to get this stupid cast of my arm.
“Elizabeth Emerald” calls someone from the front desk. “Doctor Stanella will see you now in room 13.”
After stumbling though hallway after hallway we found room 13.
“Hello, I’m Doctor Stanella.” The lady with bright blue eyes looks at us. Extending her hand for a shack, my mother looks at it as if wondering what to do next. I snort. Stanella her parents must of really hated her!
My mom gives me a side glance, and relies what to do. Extending her own hand, I see both of them flinch.
“Nice to meet you Doctor.” Huh? My mom is using the same tone she uses with Drew, like he’s a waste of space.
“How’s the mayor?” asks my mom.
“Well he will be ok, we hope, it was very dangerous getting hit in a head by a ceramic clay bowl. It was also varying gracious for the doctor to come on his day off.”
I moved my left hands fingers in a snapping motion without making a single sound: it’s what I do when I’m nervous.
“Anyway,” continues Stanella, “he has an enormous cut on the top of his head as well as a concussion, but I’m sure you already know all this everybody seems to know. Mysteriously he is making a great recovery. I am however curious to find out how a ceramic bowl fell from a two story house with nobody being up stairs.”
The whole time she was talking mom was just nodding her head having know idea what was being said.
* * * * *
After words we sat in the car I felt so free.
“Darling how did you like that doctor?”
“Ok I guess”
“I think she’s fabulous”
“Yep a total gem”
“ELIZABETH THIS IS NO TIME FOR JOKING”
Looking out my car window I don’t say another word the whole way home. Why did she always loose her temper at me, is she jealous? In the end I came the conclusion that it’s the new doctor’s fault. I never won’t to see that Stanalla ever again.
Chapter 5
I was hiking home with a bag of baby food.
No wonder they call this place ‘the land of the living sky’s’ I stop dead in my tracks. Huh, where that come from?
After standing there for a bit I tell myself to move. It’s much to cold to hang around much longer, but I simply can’t move.
The sun was shining a little will ago and more than ever I wish it could come back. The freezing wind picks up and whisks the leafs by my feet.
Move, move Elizabeth Emerald.
Finally I came out of my little trances and started walking home, that’s when the rain came down. Hurrying, I relies that cold metal cans of baby food held close to your chest is not pleasing.
“I hate that baby.” Is all I could mumble and trudge on.
The wind seemed to, not in any way agree sending cold driven nails though my sweater. Now worried I may not be able to ever get home. See L.A. does not get weather like this. Panicked, I dropped the baby food tilled my head back a screamed.
“I’m sorry, ok I’m sorry I said that about Lily.”
Just like that the wind seemed to think Lily and I needed each other more then day needed night. Everything went silent. A little wind picked up to part the clouds bringing a bright sun; that was one of most magical moments. It was like not a single thing could be out of place.
Chapter 6
Tonight… was a ‘menu’ of anger
Lily, mom and I sat around the T.V. watching American Idol there was to be a special performance by Sarah Mclachlan! Do you have any idea how totally awesome she is?!?!?!?!
I could hardly wait.
Mom got up and picked up the dishes.
“Well if I am not mistaken then I will say that these enough pizza to sink a battle ship.” She says before leaving for the kitchen.
“And now Sarah Mclachlan on the piano,” say some person on the television.
Yes I think in my head putting the clicker on the table in front in my 3 year old sister.
No data, no data, no data, blinks the screen. I look at Lily who’s finger is on the Menu button.
“Lily!” I scream. “How could you? Look what you’ve done little brat! Mom and I were just fine without you! AND WE WERE EVEN FINE WHEN ROSE AND DREW WERE HERE WE NEVER NEEDED ANOUTHER SISTER.” My voice rising with every word.
Of course that sends her in a fit of tears and ear pursing screams.
Chapter 7
Mom sent me upstairs after that, leaving me all alone in the small yellow walled room. Finally, I fell asleep.
My dream was the type that when you wake, for a few moments where you can’t remember which is life and which is make-believe. Although in time neither of them are make-believe.
I was standing in a classroom looking up at a sweet face of the teacher.
“Elizabeth Joy Emerald” she said I gradually watched myself move to the front of the room. “Room 29.”
Was I at a boarding school?
With that a knock at my door awoke me, leaving me in those few moments of thought.
Chapter 8
Alice and I sat in the basement the night before the fair, watching ‘Titanic’ the movie. Tears streaming down our faces the thunder outside rumbled in L.A. as it crept closer to our house.
Brrrr-Ring goes my cell phone casing us to both jump out of our skin.
“Hello.”
“Hey.” My brother’s voice took me back a couple feet, at least that’s what it was like. “Turn on the T.V”
“What?” My brother Drew lived in New York, but that’s all I know it was a far form good relationship. Well as for my older sisters haven’t seen her since I was 2.
“I gave a Statement at the department of ownership on a instrument used on the treatment of rear flues.”
“Ok, so what ever happened to the rollercoaster invention?”
“That is so long ago. But that one went to the dogs. After seeing Joy I changed my mind I saw she really made something of life.”
“Joy?” I ask.
“Wow kid you ask a lot of questions” says Drew before caring on, “Joy is a nickname for our older sister Stanalla Joy Emerald, but you don’t remember her much do you? Ya, that sister was my hero made me relies the good in people.”
“That’s weird, my doctor who still only just started name is Stanalla and my middle name is Joy. Creepy, well talk to you later Drew”
With that he exchanged the good-bye and hung up.
Chapter 9
A 26 block wide and 54 block long fair; nothing you could imagine. It was totaly worth the 4 and half hour drive!
By 1:00 Alice was so hungry, she may as well eat me altogether. So we headed down to the, ‘Solar Century’ where we buy tacos and Root Beer. Walking to athe tent across the street, we grab a couple seats. I thought this show would be great, second from the front we watch the Hypnotist. That’s when she turned around.
“Well look what we have here,” says Suzy Bentinck. Who by the way is the most spoiled child in town, plus her Dads the mayor. “If it isn’t Alice I’m surprised your even have enough money to come. Wait do even know what money is?” holding up a 100 dollar-bill, Alice eye were about to jump out of their sockets. She’s probably never heard of, much less seen a hundred dollar-bill in all of her 13 years on this earth.
“Shut up Suzy”
“Humph,” she turns to me “Well if it isn’t Elizabeth do you know what? I’m even more surprised you’re here, with your Mom being an alcoholic and all.”
I felt my face go redder then a tomato and anger fired up in me like hot bubbling magma.
“You take that back,” I looked at her through the slits ware my eyes used to be. “You take that back right now! My Mom is just fine and don’t you ever say that again.”
I through my Root Beer down and run to the nearest ride.
Chapter 10
“Wait, Excuse me can I go on with her please?” Alice’s voice brought me back to life, she was asking to get a ride with me: me I didn’t see the point why. but frankly I didn’t care at this point ether.
At first we sat in an ugly silent’s till we come to the top of the fairs wheel.
“Lizzie please don’t listen to her she’s just, just well let me go ahead and say it a big bully” I just sit there watching the fair go around and around. “Liz-what … oh I think we’re stuck.” Alice looks around wildly.
“She’s right.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s a long way down.” Alice peers over the side.
“You okay?” I ask, trying to forget my life and worry for my friend and her fear of heights. I guess she was doing the same for me to.
“Oh my- WAIT! You don’t mean, not Suzy!?!?!.”
“Ya, I mean Suzy or at least what she says about my Mom, that she’s defiantly right about.”
Chapter 11
Mom was in her special occasion dress that was all weird in its own ocward way to begin with. Then Mom cleaned the house and told me to sit in the living room with Lily and not to move.
Thats when the knock at the door happened. Looking back at this moment now the knock seem like a death warning, like the one in theater ware the whole audience cries out ‘don’t open that door.’ But today it was just a regular knock. The next and freakiest thing yet was who was behind the death door: Grandma Stella.
We sat there for a bit in silence, when my grandma who was known for her cutting to the chase says, “I’m taking you to live in Saskatchewan to live and attend my school for girls. You will leave in one week and then never see this life again.” How’s that for cutting to the chase?
“Mom, YOU SENDING ME AWAY JUST LIKE YOU DID TO ROZIE AND DREW. I BET YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE DREW IS? AND LILY WHAT GOING TO HAPPEN TO HER? WILL SHE NEVER SEE ME TILL 6 YEARS LATER, LIKE ROZIE?”
“I see why you called me this young ladies is out of this world. I will take her in and make her a proper lady.”
I ran out the door and down the street, through the golf cores and right to the town beach. I find a spot in the sand shelter by some plants and watch the sunset over the Pacific sea.
Silently I slip away into a peaceful sleep where I don’t have to think about the troubles in the world outside. And just before I’m gone into my dream I think of the perfect plan how to save Lily and perhaps my all my fantasies.
Chapter 12
I watched from a distance as the train rolls up. With a sleeping toddler in my arms. Only strangers surround me as I step on to the train to start my new life: In a world where I don’t even exist.
Chapter 13
The train ride to Saskatchewan from L.A. was everlasting. I could do no more than sit and contemplate out the window. That was all I could do, think about reasons why mom sent me to a farm. I loved the big city. I glance over to the leather seat beside me. Lily, my little sister, sat there gazing with her jade green eyes.
“Lil, see Row.” Lily was three, but she wouldn’t talk if she had to. By Row, she meant Rosie, my other sister, 1 year younger than me, I’m 13. There was a screeching sound and then the blurred cranberries came back to a motionless picture, except when the wind blew. In B.C. half way, I think. An absurd looking girl boarded the train with raven black hair, a black velvet dress and a “pull me” suitcase. She sat down across from me.
“Hi”, she said, “I’m Cathy.”
“I’m Liz”; I say.
“I’m here to help run the ski lodge, have you ever been skiing??? I have, but I fell and broke my arm, I couldn’t play my violin duet with my sister, oh, who’s that??”
”Huh?” I was lost. I hadn’t talked to anyone since L.A. plus I’ve never been this close to someone with black skin. Realizing that Cathy was pointing to Lily.
“Oh, that’s my little sister, Lily” I answered. Cathy talked the whole way, till we made our beds and crawled in. I didn’t mind though; it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. Cathy finished talking about her triumph in music class, she went all quiet when the lights off and I was just dozing off when
“Liz, are you scared.” Cathy asked. I took a deep breath
“I have to tell you something, Cathy.” So there it goes, I told her about my life, it was as if we had been friends for ever. I told her about Alice, oh, how I miss Alice! She had texted me telling me that she had gotten tickets to Disney land, but that was all.
I ended the story by saying with utmost sincerity, “Yes Cathy, I am very scared.” In the morning, I ascended in this moving cubicle upon the old fashioned train. A message on the notice board caught my attention, 2 hours until Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan’. Moose Jaw, what a stupid name.
“Liz!” whispered a voice coming from the bottom bunk. Cathy, so she wasn’t a dream after all.
“Yes?” I replied sleepily
“Have you ever been to Saskatchewan?” she responds, “I have. It’s golden, green and flat. No mountains, just hills and flat ground.” A hated feeling swells inside of my chest. The two hours went by fast, I can’t even remember them now.
As I get out the first thing I see is the land, and how Sarah felt form ‘Sarah plain and tall’ movie. All alone in this new place I thought to myself. The next thing I saw was Rosie waving for me from a blue car. But at that moment I realized Sarah wasn’t alone, and neither was I.
Chapter 14
My trip back to the farm was not so bad. Rosie talked the whole way it was not as annoying as I remember. Apparently four Christmas’s ago my grandma bought this huge Victorian house and turned it into a boarding school for girls. You could see this house for mile over this slightly bumpy meadow.
Grandma Stella showed me to my room which was big and in the north-east tower. There was so many rules, my head was swirling. Grandma barked them at me as we climbed the stairs; why didn’t I bring a notebook? After she left I scrambled around looking for my notebook, it was not that hard to miss place; it had one of those bunnies on the cover saying, “I can’t help that I’m this cute” looking up with those big blue eyes. Ok I found it here are the rules I remember:
Pros
1) I’m with Rosie
2) I’m not fare from Cathy
3) We have at least one free period a day
4) Mom can visit once a month
5) The house is huge and I bet it has secret passages
6) We don’t have to wear our uniforms after school hours
7) We can go into Moose Jaw every weekend as long as we catch the bus there and back.
Cons
1) Grandma Stella is very old fashion, so don’t get caught with iPod/cell phone/DS/ or anything else like that.
2) During school hours girls never wear pants.
3) There will be cooks and maids who will cook and/or clean.
4) Must be on top off all home work
5) Never can be late for classes
6) Must always be on best behaviour.
7) No makeup or nail polish (excepted on weekends)
“Hey,” I say to Rosie when were alone in my room. “Do you ever have any fun here?”
“Here are you kidding I love it here, in the summer we can run around and do whatever whenever. Oh ya and I dream of inheriting this play after Grandma Stella you know… goes. My favourite thing to do is to take Lassie my dog, named her after the book, out to the top of this valley and watch the sun set it’s amazing. Sometimes Jake joins me and we just sit and laugh.”
I’ve gathered by how much she talked about Jake that he’s her friend or for all I know he may be her only friend.
“Well good night” with that Rosie leaves me. I run over to my closet and open the door wide to find a sleeping little girl; since my roommate wasn’t here I lifted up Lily and cared her to the bed across the room. Lily mumbled something but I’m not so sure what. How was I to keep Lily hidden, she couldn’t live her life in my closet.
I surprisingly fell asleep easy that night I dreamed of Sarah’s garden, who was Aprils twin sister of coarse I only know this because of Rosie. But in my mind Sarah’s garden is beautiful like Mary’s garden in the movie. And as I dreamed Rosie’s same song played in my mind it went something like this:
Rain Drops on Roses and whiskers on kitten
Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mitten
And you are my favourite person in whole wide world”
I don’t think the poem really goes like that but it still made me feel good inside. It’s sorta ringing a bell though.
Chapter 15
All though I wasn’t looking forward to the first day of school, it may also be sorda fun. I sit in the literature hollow which in my opinion is a huge room filled with books. Like a library! Don’t get me wrong I defiantly don’t like to read, but being in here just felt normal. My normal. Like when Alice and I weren’t to the Library every day after school for 2 months, that’s my normal.
It’s not normal for me to be here in this place around AMILALS. I hate animals unless, they’re cats or dogs. I like horses to, but I’ve never really seen one before. Well I have, but I was only 3 when dad told me about when I went to me cousin Mellissa’s farm and road around all day till, I fell off. I have wanted to ride one before, it can’t really be that hard; can it?
I look out of the window and see Lily walking around, well more like running back and forth between Jake and Mrs. Joe then to Rosie then back to Jake. As you can tell Lily will no longer lives in my closet, Mrs. Joe one of the few teachers with a huge heart here took her in. All the teachers have their own little bungalow on the outskirts of Grandma Stella’s property line. It was equipped with a tiny kitchen, bathroom, living room and two puniest bedrooms ever. Mrs. Joe asked Grandma Stella if she took care of Lily could she stay; well of coarse grandma would never turn away her own grandchild but how would I ever know that. I’ve met Grandma only once before, it’s the day I was born.
I get up and take a book from the shelf, “Citizens of Canada” no thank you I returned the book to the self and wandered out of the room and down the hall.
Chapter 16
Wednesday rolled around again. I sat with Jake, Rosie and Lassie in a wild flower field. Rosie was talking about how books can take you to a world very different world within the subject. It seemed like she had read every book imaginable. I still wonder if I shouldn’t have stepped onto the train station with Lily. Mrs, Joe.
“See, Randolph was innocent, but I still believed that he guilty. But, my favourite was when Randolf got stuck in a pyramid and his buddy was dead and he was dying. He could have had a chance to get out, but he wouldn’t leave h—“
“Would you STOP. I am getting fed up with all this Randolf stuff. I can’t get you to be quiet.” yelled Jake holding his died handkerchief.
Rosie looked back in shock, “Sorry. I guess it wouldn’t kill me to hold my tongue, plus a kindred spirit does always stay happy!”
“Who wants to play tag, we can get Lucy and April” I sigh, field tag was my second favourite farm game. Then we race back to the mansion.
Chapter 17
Awful. Completely and utterly awful, that was the only way I could describe Saskatchewan.
Today we started to wear our uniforms, they are ‘pladish’ they have a white top and a puke green or pumpkin orange skirt. BIG FASHION NO-NO. I don’t like it here at all. And to make matters worse Mikie, Mikie is my roommate she came yesterday; caught a cold and I have been kicked out of my room and now have to sleep with Rosie. On somewhat okay side Rosie has a huge window that looks out over the schools lawn and out across the sea of grass. The problem is that your eyes can see forever, so why don’t I see a mall? Don’t get me wrong, I like the prairies but I LOVE L.A. and the other problem is that; I get the same silky feeling when I look out her window I understand that I won’t ever go back to Mom. And I just hate that so much that.
Chapter 18
It’s Monday. Rosie was convinced that our big console in our room, which we store our clothes in, is like the wardrobe in Narnia. I think otherwise I would like to go to another world sometimes. Does the world really have to spin so slowly?
“Let’s go swimming!” chimed Mikie as he and Rosie enter the room arm ‘n arm.
“Are you crazy? It’s almost October!” I conflict as I jump up from my window seat
“Who cares? Come on!” I watch this moment over and over inside of my head, and it never gets any better. We ran as fast as we could down the road and out to the pond by the teachers houses.
“Ok”, screams Rosie, “you first Liz. Go on jump on in.”
“Are you crazy?” I cried back
“No, I’m just normal.” Rosie came at me pushing me into the water, luckily I held on and took her with me!
As we reach the surface Rosie and I both cry out: “Holly pancakes Martha that is colder than a ice cube in a freezer!”
“Let me in,” cries Mikie, as she also reaches the surface, “Ok you weren’t kidding about the whole cold thing!”
“Can we join?” Comes a voice from behind us.
“Sure!” Yells Mikie, “more the merrier, they say.”
“Who are ‘they’ anyway?” Asks April as her and Lucy wade in slowly.
“I’m guessing the same who said nothing is impossible.” Responds Mikie.
“You know,” cuts in Lucy, “I’ve never gotten that: causes if nothings impossible how do you slam a revolving door?”
We all laugh. Then climb out of the pond with blue lips and decide well go to Moose Jaw on Saturday and going swimming in a pool.
Chapter 19
Dear Dad,
I’m in Saskatchewan mow; I have no idea if you’ll get this. I don’t have a sea here. But Rosie says the land rolls like the sea. It’s so silent in the prairie at night; it’s really kind of spooky. Lily is well, healthy I mean. She doesn’t remember you very much, but I tell her about you whenever she has nightmares. Like how you would take drew, Rosie and I into the attic when ever mom had her bad spells. You would tell us of how some day we would go away and never ever look back on L.A. After you disappeared the sea didn’t seem to have the same glow, It was like all it’s happiness was sucked down with you. Or maybe it does have its glow I just can’t see it, because all my happiness was gone; is gone. I wish I could see you, just for a moment or two; that way you could see how much I’ve grown. I know I’m a big girl now but I really need a parent.
Drew is coming for Christmas he says he has something to tell me, kind of like a surprise. I haven’t seen him forever. Rosie’s already read every book in history, and she’s smart like Grandma Stella smart and that a good thing. I miss you so much. Grandma Stella says she believes your still alive or at least with us I our hearts. And there’s know need to worry; your defiantly in mine.
Your daughter forever,
Elizabeth Emerald.
With that I tide my letter to a red balloon then gave it to my sea; my sea of wild flowers.
Chapter 20
If someone were to write a prologue on me it would go something like this, “If your reading this your life better not have any happiness. Because it will melt your heart and show you that happily ever after do not exist.”
I walked out of the front door in the school in my ‘awesome’ plaid skirt. My mom would be humiliated to see me in public with it on. Mikie and Rosie were going on about farming and life in the cattle business.
“Oh. My. God.” I stop dead letting Mikie bump into me our skirts flowing around us.
“Umm…” I can tell that Mikie know this can’t be good, “I’ll meet you at Jacks.” She high-tails it out of there good for her; smart I mean.
There was a blue pick-up truck with a girl who I problem would have been scared of if it wasn’t that she raised me. Mom was wearing a way-to-short t-shirt with black mini skirt and go-go. Not my taste.
“Hey, Lizziebeth.” She calls.
“Hey mom,” I say back, “Why are you here?”
“Oh, Lizziebeth darling; I met a new guy so I won’t be around for parents day. So I was thinking we could sit on the bench owner there and talk for a little bit. Your little friend could come too?” Pointing to Rosie.
“Ok, I guess.”
At first all that happened was mom going on about her new bow. He was a very chauffeur bad had two kids. Then about how she wished this could be a coed school. Why? No idea. Then finally how much she wounded me to come with her to Las Vegas. Ya that have been she’s going. I guess she’s kissen California good-bye.
“Oh how rude am I?!” Said mom looking at her second youngest daughter, “Abby Emerald.” Holding out her hand. I start fiddling my thumbs. The autumn breezed stopped and seemed to tense. Winter would be here soon I could tell.
Rosie simply replied. “Rose Mary Jane Emerald.” Sharking her hand; I had to bite my tongue to keep from giggling.
“Rose Mary Ja—- I thought you looked fimilier.”
“Ya, I guess it’s pretty hard to recognize your daughter isn’t it?” Rosie continued joyfully and smiles and all goes on, “especially since you appended her only hmmmm… years ago.”
Then just like that Mom leaned over and slapped her hard; Rosie fell into my lap knocked out or something.
“Abigail you need to leave.” I turn my head and there stud. Grandma. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone ever look so powerful over the world. Maybe once when I was little and dad was on his boat. He looked as if he ruled the seeds. But grandma was different, more god-is if that’s a word.
“Stella, I won’t just leave Lizziebeth she’s my favorite child,” defense Mom.
“Yes, Abigail you will because you are no family to Elizabeth or anyone of your many children.” And with one big scooped up Rosie in her little arms and lovingly cared her inside.
“You’ll come with me wont you Lizziebeth.”
For one moment I almost said yes, “NO. I’m sorry Mom, no I am not sorry I have nothing to say sorry for. So no Mom ELIZABETH that’s me it not ever going any wears with you.”
Mom blinked once; twice than turned and returned to her blue pick-up truck. The slamming of the truck door and the u-turn over the economies lawn. Then she was gone. I only herd from her once more. But never really again.
Chapter 21
Lily grew out of diapers about a year ago. Mom clearly forgot that, today is lily’s 4th birthday. Today Rosie, Jake, Mikie, Lily and I took some horse trail up to the abandon crescent. Mikie even has her own horse, Diamond. Diamond has a leather seat and bridal. Mikie was warning her strawberry blond hair in a pony, with a little league baseball cap.
We sat down and cracked open some ice tea cans. Eating some co-co cupcakes, where we watch the sun climb high into the sky. The my cell phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Hi! Liz!”
“Cathy?”
“Ya sorry to call out of the blue like this. But my Mom’s restraint just got bought by a bigger company-change and I’m going to go to a privet academy for girls.” I held my breath. “The academy is called ‘Stella’s academy for girls’ don’t you go there?”
“YES!”
“GOOD! I’ll see you soon then?”
“Ya, defiantly!”
I hung up after that and smiled to myself this year was going to get so much better!
Chapter 22
It’s the amusement I get from Rosie that leads me to believe in magic. She a shining star in my world. But then there’s Alex, she’s like Susie back in L.A. Alex decided to make Rosie beeline that she is sooooo pretty and should come be in a faction show in Moose Jaw. Oh, right all make-up will be done by Alex. Plus Rosie is too much of a little girl name and Alex thinks her new name should be her full name: Rose Mary Jane.
Well I’m her sister so I went to the show, just to see if Rose Mary Jane was happy with her new self. So I took my seat and awaited the faction show to begin.
“Rose Mary Jane. Modeling the spring comfy and cozy line of clothing.” The announcer says. There was Rosie-Roes Mary Jane skipping with a skipping rope down the run way. I held by breath; because back in L.A. I watched my fare few of faction shows on T.V. and if there ever had a skipping rope there were defiantly not skipping with it. Because there chance of not tripping were pretty low.
CA-THUNK
Rose Mary Jane hit the floor of the cat walk faster than you could say mean two-faced bully. I stud up and left the auditorium in a church for one Alexandra Wright. I found her back stage, giggling with her ‘posy’. I swallow. Alex was my age, but she’s tall for her age really tall. Wait was I scared I saw her whispering to Rose Mary Jane; so I was almost positive that Alex had told her to skip.
“Alex.”
She turned and as she saw me her smile faded. “Oh.”
“Why did you do that?” her face was blank with innocence. “I know that you know what I’m talking about… you told Rose Mary Jane to skip! And if you really are all about faction then you should know that they don’t skip down a cat walk.”
A smile pulled the corner of her lips, “Oh, that yes I told her to skip.” She took a step toward me. Her red hair seemed to flame with accomplishment. “And what are you going do?” The ‘you’ seemed to spit sparks.
“Well…”
“Tell her. I likely doubt what impact that will have on me. I have Rose Mary Jane tide around me finger and you are not ever going to get your sister back.” With that she turned on her heel.
“YOU.”
I turned “Rosie!”
“Rose Mary Jane thank you very much. But I have to ask you why? Why did you do this to me! you made me look like a doo fess.” She spotted Alex over my should and left me.
It was confusing it was like standing to the north on your left foot wail breathing through your mouth. It all had no point, or it leaves you lost and confused.
Chapter 23
I watched Rosie get hurt last week and decided that I would call her Rosie. Period. Not any of that Rose Mary Jane junk anymore. She has seemed to put up a cement barrier toward me. Mikie want even look at me, and Lily’s to little to really understand. So it all ends with, Miss. Liz spending a Saturday afternoon in the barn learning how to saddle horses. Ya, ya Miss. Liz saddling horses. I would have told Rosie what I’m up to I could probably have knocked her over with cheese puff.
“So you take your left hand… twist. See the loop, put it in your right hand, reach down with the left grab the loose tip. Pull it through the loop with your left finger tips and then pull.”
“Come again.” I was more confused the a blind bat flying toward the wind.
“Look it’s easy Liz.” His ice blue eyes un-tie and re-tie the lead.
“Fine.” I try, for the eight hundredth time. “Is this remotely right?”
“Ummm… ya it is. And it’s about time I think”
Following that there was a silence that was a chilling darkness of silent’s… so strong that all I want to do I go and hide in a hole. I started to fiddling my thunbs. This silent’s reminded me of when Alice brought her friend from Texas over. I didn’t know her and didn’t really know what to say or do.
“Excuses me?” we look back and in the door way. Rosie was wearing a tiny short pink skirt, with a scrapples white top. She looks gorges with her shoulder length hair. But this wasn’t Rosie: it was Roe Mary Jane two people with very different life stills. “What are you doing with her?”
Chapter 24
I don’t really understand the point of education, ok, well maybe there’s a slight chance I sorda get it. But get real what’s the point in Math… ya, ya it is pretty much in every job ever created but… I still hate it.
So remember Sarah and Lucy from September, we went swimming together. Well there just got back from the Bahamas. I bet it’s warm there. Anyway, we got talking, hallelujah that they don’t blame me! Jakes a little bit annoying at times; but not Rosie annoying just, Jake annoying. Back to what I was saying: when they stopped in the L.A. airport, Sarah spotted a magazine with the name: Alice Evan. Yes, my Alice but after all this time Sarah had remembered her name and got it for me. which I crazy really because how many Alice’s are there in the world, and she happened to get the one with my Alice in it!
When I lived in L.A. Alice and I used to stay up later on her laptop. I would design the cloths and she would right articles on them. We were going to have our very own magazine. Called E.E. I still hope one day it will happen, but the way things look right know that’s a very slim chance.
So what does this have to do with Math? Well this: I reading Alice’s article, again. Well I was so over-whelm by the fact of having something of Alice’s that I kind of forgot I was in Mrs.Ollen’s class. Mrs. Ollen is a denuded of the devil. Ok that’s a bit harsh, but she doesn’t like me and I hate her. Plus she was out to get me.
“Miss. Emerald, can you please answer question number 2?”
“What?”
“Pardon”
Whatever I thought, “Pardon.” I guess I said it with a sorda snarky tone of voice, I just wanted to keep on reading.
“The answer to question 2.”
“uhh…” I go to look down at my Math note book and relies that I didn’t even bring it.
“Do you know what I think Miss. Emerald?” Did it look like I do. “I think that you should pay attention in my class.”
With that Mrs. Ollen reaches down and snatches my magazine and walks over and throws it in the fire. At the same moment I found myself crying out for her to stop. Of course it didn’t work. As I watched the magazine burn and it felt as if the ‘E.E.’ was burned to a crisp too.
Chapter 26
“Hello who is this?” I sobbed harder, “Liz is that you?”
“Ya,” I manage to whisper, Alice just like me had reached capacity and she too started to cry. We just cried and cried I didn’t say anything and neither did she. Finally I rasp, “I read your story, it was amazing. How are things there?”
“Well the humidity is so strong here I can taste in a night. And there’s a probability that my mom’s going to ‘go green’ and cut all of our phone lines. And how’s your new world?”
I went on from there telling Alice all about Saskatchewan, Mickie and Rosie. I don’t know if I’ve said this yet and if so a second time hearing it won’t kill you, but I don’t need a expert to tell me my life’s going to get better. Well at least I thought that it would, but like most my accusations in life I was wrong.
I never did get to hear what she said after that, I guess just like my mom, I needed to say good-bye. Since I had run out of the cafeteria as breakfast was ending it was in to first period. And considering it was not nor Saturday or Sunday I wasn’t exactly aloud to be on the phone. Have you ever read ‘The Series of Unforchanit Events’ there good books really the only books I read, but the point is it’s about these orphans and nothing ever goes right; that’s pretty much my world just a lot less deadly. Anyway it just happened to also be Mrs. Ollens period off and sometimes she likes to have a little stroll outside, well she caught me.
“Miss. Elizabeth, don’t we have class?”
I take the phone off my ear in a desperate search to hide it, “yes.”
“And Miss. Elizabeth please corrects me if I’m wrong but there is a very strike rule implying no cell phones during school week?”
“Yes, Mrs. Ollen”
“Well then I will take that.” She snatches my phone hangs up on Alice, and tells me to march myself back into my class room.
To this day I’ve always wondered how much of that conversation Alice heard; by the time I got my phone back Alice’s mom disconnected the phone, and since they moved I couldn’t ever mail her. It was the last time I heard from her for many years.
Chapter 25
Believe it or not I personally don’t care either way, but I used to play lacrosse. I know I’m not much of the sporty girl that seemed to be Alice’s role. To me soccer is a sport that people with energy play. Foot ball is what not so tiny kids play for an excuse to looking big. Basketball is a sweat game; I hate badminton. And for the life of me the only sport that jumped out to be decent, I stared down at my porridge it was clumpy and getting cold, I was instantly disgusted. I got up and got ready to carry my plate away, when I heard my name.
I turned and dropped my plate on the table again. “Cathy!” we ran and hugged. It all reminded me of the train ride a long time ago.
Grandma Stella enters behind her, “Oh. I see that you girls know each other.”
We nod. Grandma Stella continued. “Well I have to keep showing Cathy around, she’ll meet up with you later.”
I turn to pick up the bowl again. But the bowl was gone someone must have come and grabbed it.
Outside I found Lassie casing a yellow butter fly. I turned the corner into the back yard. Rosie who like me had a free period this morning, was reading a book under a tree. I stood and stared at Rosie for the longest time. She either really didn’t see me or she just want to acknowledge me. I don’t blame her because I don’t want to deal with her either.
I turn back and found that Lassie had given up on the yellow butter fly and had found shad under the big popular. I sat down beside her and wiped out my phone. And dialed the number that my fingers new so well.
“Hello.” Says the voice I’ve longed to hear since I stepped on the train some months ago. Before I could say hello back, the tears I’ve held in for so long came out in one big way.
Chapter 27
I’m here at this stupid spelling bee in this stupid world, with these’s stupid people. And F.Y.I. when you close your eyes and wish to be somewhere else is doesn’t work. All it does when you’re here is get over frusterating because right as you wonder off somewhere there’s:
“Consensus.”
“C-O-S-E-N-S-U-S. a general agreement.”
Were competing this school named Ecouter. So my French may be rusty but I’m about 99.9% sure that means to listen. And not to be blunt or anything but this French school dose not listen. It could be also that because this a English spelling bee so… ya you get the point.
I try to go to a happy place again. Nope! Nothing it’s hard to hear my own thoughts over there accents.
“Lizzie!”
“Huh?” I look up. April is elbowing me.
“Your tern.”
Oh.
“Miss. Emerald, your word is Dolphin.”
‘ “D-O-P-H-I-N.” I spit out.
“Incorrect.”
I hear a wave of snickers flow over the crowd. Oops, so spelling is not my stronger path. I glance back at the Ecouter girls they have the Look on. It’s the kind were they look like wild stallions you clear the path before them.
Chapter 28
Today was prominent; I had to know is Rosie was ever going to be my sister again. I walked very slowly up to her. She was standing with Alex. They had an earphone in one of each other’s ears. I could hear their music going on and off as they varied from song to song. It now was behind them. I was either being ignored bid time or somehow turned invisible. And but the scientific facts of life I’m sorda tilting toward the first one. I cleared my throat: nothing. HELLO! I screamed in my head.
Rosie gave me a sideways glance. Alex was wearing a camouflage dress with matching flats. She looked like a French Designer; which makes sense within reason. She is gorges then is no other way to put it. Alex swiped a look over my ripped jean and to a way to big T-shirt. Mom had given it to me back in L.A. when she was dating a guy with a A.C.D.C. thing. The little second and a half look gave me a cold chill, which moves my hand to pull the shirt around me. You know to make it look smaller.
“Come on Rossssseeeee Marrrrrieeeeee Jaaaaaaaaaane.” Alex says with a very whiny voice. “Somen’ stinks we should go over to the barn.”
If I wound have been drinking something I would have sip it out all over Alex’s pretty little face; which sorda makes me wish I had one. But I don’t. In case you haven’t got it yet, Alex want to go the barn because of… Jake. Duh?
“No thanks Alex.” With thank Rosie turns on her Mary Jane shows heel and grabs my over side sleeve pulling me along.
Wow. You could have knocked my over with a one of those light blue feather flowing in the wind. Rosie starts out in a head full into well as most say song and dance; but in this case talking. About the books she read and the how much French cloths cost. And really there clothes why would you spend that much?
“Hey. Sis.” I raise my eye brow. “Nice shirt!”
I swat her over the noggin. “Ha-ha very funny. Come on lets go to lunch.” Putting my arm around her and ran off. With Lassie at our feet. Sometimes I wonder how Lassie just appears, like puff, then all of a sudden she’s gone.
I side earlier today that today was imported to find out if Rosie was ever going to be my sister again. I was worried but in truth. Rose Mary Jane Emerald was never going to be my sister. No Rose Mary Jane Emerald was going to be my best friend.
Chapter 29
Wishes, on stars or birthday cake candles. Wishes you think for no apparent reason. Today I turned fourteen; and not a sole in the world new about it. I didn’t get a present or a cake with candles so I could make a wish. But I can’t help thinking what my birthday would be like if dad were here. So even though it’s technically past the time were I turned fourteen, I still have a wish.
My wish was for dad I longed for him. I fell into a still steady happy sleep were my dream came true: but what I didn’t know was that miles away it was unraveling in its own way.
My blue jeans had turned brown there was no other way to describe it. My hands were full of blister and scraps lined my arms and legs. All I could think of thought was not the pain but how would I ever find them. My one bed/bathroom house; more of a shed, would never support them. But I’m tired hitch hiking to California and back to northern Saskatchewan was not easy for a poor hombre like me. It’s not easy to track down a hombre’s family when the paper said he had died years ago. Oh what I would do if I could find my children before Elizabeth’s birthday. I lift my head just in time to see a red dot float over my garden. “Is that a balloon?” I find myself asking the air. Now curious and despite my sore legs I walked me out into the garden. I was a balloon!? I limp over toward it. And there at the end of the string was a note tied like a scroll. I un-curl it… “‘Dear Dad.’” I keep reading… at the end was the most shocking thing, “‘your daughter forever, Elizabeth Emerald. ‘” What karma! This could be, no it must be my Elizabeth. But where did this come from? And is it really my daughter? There’s question with more swarmed through my mind. “I’ll find you Elizabeth. I’ll find you and Drew and Joy.” I whispered somehow knowing that my daughter could hear me.
My eyes open fast like they do in movies. I sat up and realized that I was surrounded in darkness. Dad. I saw him he was in my dream. We were back at the dock before he left. But he whispered something to me; something I hadn’t heard before. He said he’d fine me. And I knew he will; or would if he was still alive.
Chapter 30
Christmas in L.A. was just like any other day, except we had so left over hard Christmas cookies. But in Saskatchewan it was celebrated with love and passion. I’ve never seen Christmas lights before, not in the same way I saw them now. The lights danced and glimmered off the snow. It will be a Christmas to remember, I could just tell.
I wave at Mikie as she drives away, going home for the Christmas, leaving just Jake, Cathy and my family. I pull my winter parka tighter around me. And turn back to the front doors to see that they were opened just a crack.
“Lily!” My little sisters green eyes looked up at me. “Lily, come inside you’ll catch a cold.” I pull her and myself in to the hallway and tightly shut the door.
“Lizzie?” I pull my coat off and hang it up and walk over to her. “Lizzie?”
“What Lily?”
“Do you think Santa will come?”
Santa, I was not expecting that. I had never had a present from Santa before; probably because I didn’t have any magic in my life before I came here. But I couldn’t crush a 4-years-olds dream.
“Yes, Lily I’m almost positive in very way. Santa will come and bring you presents.” She smiled. “Do you know what else he’ll bring?” She shook her head, “Laughter!” I started tickling her and she laughter alright. I loved it, we sounded so happy. After a wail Lily squirmed away and ran to get a cookie from the kitchen. I walked upstairs.
Rosie was sitting on her agents the wall. Was she crying? But it’s Christmas. Wait that just came from me the one who’s past Christmas’s have being full of fights. Then I notes’ a book beside her and it all made since. The book was “Where the Red Fern Grows.”
I let her be and turn the corner to front of the house. And almost collided with Cathy eyes shine with excitement. A smile lights her face and it looks as if sparks with fly off if I touch her. I haven’t seen her so happy since Lily’s 3rd birthday.
“Cathy?”
“Come with me!” she grasps my hand and pulls me back down the stairs; then into the living room in the back of the house.
In the room there was a huge tree it was: I’m not sure how do you describe beauty? Lushes? No this is more. It’s the type of beauty that you have to see with your own eyes. But I’ll try and describe it: picture you most member able Christmas. Now what would that memories look like of it where hung on a tree. That’s was what the tree looked like. The room reeked of love and cookies.
“Liz! There’s presents with my name on them I’ve never had a present rapped before!” Lily runs into the room and hugs my leg so I have to drag her around the room when I walk.
Then drew walks in and says, “Ok I’m here you can start the party.”
“Drew.” I drag Lily over to him.
“Hey sis!” he gives me a bear hug.
“Where’s the surprise?”
“In the hallway!” I look out into the hallway and there stud a girl. Not just any girl the doctor I saw when I was getting my cast off.
“Who-” I begin
“Joy.”
“Like my- oh my god.” I run or it was more I hobbled to her arms. When we stopped hugging she looked down at Lily.
“Joy!” that name felt weird on my tough. “But… but why didn’t you say anything that day in the hospitable?
“Because, I knew Mom didn’t recognize me and what would I have said ‘Hi Elizabeth, I’m your sister.’ I think not.”
I smiled at her, “Anyway this is your youngest sister Lily. Lily this is your older sister Joy.” Lily’s eyes got all big then she tighter her grip on my leg. I continued: “She’ll get used to you.”
“Come on you two I smell chicken!” calls Drew so we head down to the dining room. We eat supper and laugh and as were heading back to the living room when the most loving thing I’ve seen in a long time happens. Lily who when I got up from the table ran to my leg; loosed her grip. Finally se lets go all together and runs on her little feet toward Joy. She grabbed Joys leg making Joy stop for a second to realize what had happened. Lily had excepted Joy, it was the sweetest thing I’ve seen in a long time.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
“LIZZIE!!!” I walk with the shaking of my arm, I turn over. “Lizzie! Santa came! He came! He really came!”
I see a little girl still in her P.J’s awaiting my getting up. “Ok, ok Lily lets wake the others and all go see.” She runs out of the room and down the hall and I can hear her waking up Rosie and Cathy.
When we get down stairs Jake was sitting in the arm-chair. Wail Joy and drew sat on the couch. Grandma Stella was walking in from the kitchen holding some hot co-co.
“Mmmm…” I sigh I’ve never had co-co before the sun is up. The next few hours flew by. We opened presents and through rapping paper at each other. As I said before Santa brings laughter.
“What’s this?” Cathy looks at a envelope that Grandma had just handed her.
“Open it.” Replies Grandma Stella.
“Ok…” I watch Cathy’s face go into a shocked expression. “NO!”
“Yes. If you’re ok with it?”
“I’m… ya… defiantly.”
“At first the lawyers wounded let me…. They say I’m too old. But I’m not that old.”
Then it finally set in: Grandma Stella adopted Cathy.
There was a knock at the door and Grandma Stella got up to answer it. I was straining my ears to hear who was at the door: I could hear grandma’s cries of shock. Then there was another voice the same guy who the voice belongs to walks in my dreams. The same voice who told me stories in the attic. Dad.
He limps in to the room. There was a hushed silent’s then I found a tiny voice from inside me. “But you’re dead.”
He, this man, this figure before my eyes; just shook his head. “Your Mom lied.”
More lies! My head was swarming it’s been 11 years. 11 years of letters and for what? LIES! I was annoyed. What if this wasn’t really my Dad. No it was his eyes glowed in the same way.
“Let me explain.” He looked so inanest, “Please?” He started without an answer from any of us.
“It was October 1st and this was the time that flounder fish past through the North Pacific and that’s big money for a fisher man. So I set off, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done; leaving my children with the witch I was married too. I remember Elizabeth standing alone on the dock waving me off. Making it look as if nothing in the world has ever being so sad, and tiny. I wanted to jump off my boat and scoop you up. But how could I? I needed the money so I could divorcé Abby and take all of the lot of you and it be allege.
But then the storm and I it all happen so fast, the next thing I know I’m being pulled out of the water; and waking up on the ‘S.S. Polar Bear’. The media found the remains of my boat. When I saw it on T.V. I made sure that the ‘S.S. Polar Bear.’ Would take me home. But they wanted the flounders too, so I had no chose but to wait. I called Abby but she said that the kids would never see me again if she could help it. If I only knew then that she was really going to do that.”
“Two years later she send away Rosie.” Joy looked down but filled in dad at what had happened. “After that I ran, just hit the pavement and ran I was only 13. Couldn’t stand it there anymore. I went to our cousin Melissa’s farm. Even though Melissa’s Mom was my Mom’s sister, she didn’t tell my Mom I was there. I waited for weeks for Mom to barge in and take me home, but not a sole came.”
“I ran too.” Drew was the one talking now. “I ran to my friend Max’s house, his Dad knew that my Mom was odd so I stared there. And like Joy I waited for Mom to come and get me. But not a sole”
My eyes were about to burst with tears, but I had to say why I stayed. “I waited. I’ve been waiting my whole life.” I looked up at Dad. “I waited for you. For some resin even after I was told you had died, I waited. I got up every day after you died, for seven years; and I looked out my window. I waiting to see your boat on the horizon. It was how I copped through all those years. I was waiting for you. That’s why I didn’t run. Then one morning after Lily was born, I woke up and just walked down stairs. That’s when I knew you weren’t coming home. And I knew that that I couldn’t grieve any more because Lily was going to need someone; someone to look up to.”
“I tried.” Dad was talking now. “I tried, after I got off the ‘S.S. Polar Bear’ but I had been left penniless. So I came over to Saskatchewan in look for a job. Final I had enough money I came looking for you and the only thing I found was that I had died. So I returned to Saskatchewan and one evening I was doing the dishes when; a ballon floated over my garden.” I gasped. “ tied to the balloon was a letter signed by one Elizabeth Emerald.”
Grandma Stella who had been listing from the door way. Walked over and gave her son a hug. When she stepped back something just washed over me and I ran in to Dad. Rapping my arms around him I started to cry, with happy tears. I felt Lily grabbing on to my leg and I pulled one arm away from dad and put in on her. Before I knew it I was smashed between Dad, Joy, Rosie and Lily. This kind of hug was full of love and thanks. I’ve never had such a hug before.
If someone where to a write a book on my past then they would be crazy. My past was a nightmare of loosing love. But I’m not going to dwell on the past because the moment I do I have closed the book, and I spent the last 11 years with the book shut tight. Now I want to move-on and flip the page. It’s just another chapter of your life. A chapter that you can re-visit in memories. A chapter of the past. But I’m not exited to re-visit my old chapters, no I’m excited to fill the blank pages ahead of me.
Epilogue
19 years later
I waved until my dad’s red pick-up truck was just a speck on the horizon line. I know it’s silly because no one in their right mind would still be waving when clearly the person driving can’t see you. I start back down the driveway, the only 3 cars were left: mine, Jake’s and Lily’s. Today I listened to the autumn wind as it blew my black dress. I strand my ears as it told it’s story, somehow I think I could her Grandma Stella’s voice telling the story.
“Lizzie.” I look up. My 32 year old sister did not look good in black. No, I guess she looks alright in black. But today nobody looks good in black. “Lizzie.” She repeats. “I have to go. I’ll come back when people start to look at this place, ok?”
I nod. Jakes already in their car; but Rosie comes around the side and gives me a hug. I can feel her fiddling with her engagement ring on my back.
“I hate to see the place go too Rosie, but you know we just can’t keep it not without Grandma Stella.” I knew she knew I was right, even I hated to see this place go; but you’d be crazy to say that this hidden hit Rosie the hardest. We released and without a word Rosie wiped her eyes an climbed back in to the passage seat. I waved the out of the gate but I couldn’t keep going till there were just a speck I would cry and I knew it.
So I went on a search for little Lily who was 23 now., and I guess little is not really the way to describe her. I turned the corner of the house were on old lazy Lassie looked up at me. Her brown eyes are tired and sad like she is to understood what today was.
“Hey, old girl.” I leaned down and gave her a rub. Rosie left her here, said that this is her home and she should stay until someone else buys it. I look up right as the wind scatters my hair across my face.
I spot lily kneeling by the ground. I make my way over, her hand is on a mound of dirt. Before I can ask what she’s doing, she jumps right to the point; just like Grandma Stella.
“You want to sell this place.” I open my mouth to explain, “I’m not mad sis, just upset. This is my home. And with Rosie getting married and you moving back to L.A. I just can’t see the place go.
“But Lily I thought-“
“I’m sorry Lizzie! Please, please forgive me I know you want me to come back with you to L.A. but fastion bores me. And your clothing’s called ‘E.E.’ and I know that when we get back there you and Alice will be much to busy on our article’s, then to give me work. It’s not right for me to come back with you. I want to keep the Academy and I will run it. I have already asked the bank for a lone.”
“But…. But your roots aren’t here.”
“I know you think me root aren’t her but they will be.” With that Lily patted the mound of dirt once more, then stud and made her way back to the house.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Four days later I was walking about the yard. Then I found myself at the pile of dirt. I laughed, Lily was real brilliant; then relised that this was her home. I couldn’t sell it. Yes, I’ll take down the ‘for sale’ sign today.
Pocking out of the dirt was a little flower. It was a Lillie. A wild Lillie.
i like your puzzle-life poem so much (Header to Chapter 3): the jaggedness, the ill-fitting pieces, the never-achieved completion