Hadassah/ Chp 4

To Read Chapter 1, Click Here 

C H A P T E R   4—R A C H E L

Hadassah woke up. The bright sun was peering through the window in rays. Hadassah yawned and went over to her dresser. When she went to grab a comb, she noticed something engraved in the wood on her dresser. She looked closer. It read, 

Made for you my love, wherever you are.

Hadassah squinted to see the words. When she finished reading them, she shrugged. It must be a special family thing. 

She finished combing her long hair and finished dressing. She headed downstairs to the smell of her favorite breakfast food: pancakes and bacon. She inhaled a deep breath of the sweet strawberries and blueberries toppled with powdered sugar, and the smell of sizzling bacon on the frying pan. 

She headed into the kitchen where Aunt Albie was flipping the pancakes. 

She noticed that the girl was awake, and smiled. “Good morning dear,” she said her voice sounding kind. 

Hadassah replied with a simple, “good morning” back. She looked around the kitchen area and asked, “where’s Uncle Henry?” 

Aunt Albie turned her head in the direction of which Hadassah was standing. It was hard to hear with the bacon sizzling.

“Oh, your Uncle’s in bed. He had a hard time sleeping yesterday. I guess he was just excited.” Hadassah smiled. She liked Uncle Henry, and how kind he was.

Aunt Albie turned Hadassah’s way and said, “Why don’t you go explore the farm before breakfast gets done? It's stopped raining.” 

Hadassah liked the idea and slid on some work boots Aunt Albie had given her.

She pulled on her coat and headed out the front door. She smelled the sweet aroma of the fresh spring air and the morning dew.

Hadassah decided she would go to the barn.

She walked along the many aisles of stalls, and counted all the animals. She found almost every farm animal she could imagine. A cow, pigs, goats, sheep, ducks, chickens—but no horse. Hadassah sighed and felt lonesome for home. Not for her house or her parents, but for the chestnut mare and for Harris’ family. Harris had no daughters but Hadassah didn’t mind. She grew up playing with his boys.

Hadassah was lost in thought when a knock came on the barn door. The barn had a sliding door with a little wooden latch as a lock. It looked homemade.

Hadassah heard the knock again. It must be Uncle Henry. “Yes?” She said walking to the door. She went to open it and a girl that looked a bit older than Hadassah was standing there. She had golden hair that was tied in a some up some down hairstyle. She looked very pretty and Hadassah only stared.

“Hi, I’m Rachel. I’m your cousin. I’m so glad you’re here!” She laughed and gave Hadassah a big hug. “I haven’t seen you since forever! I think you were only four or so.” 

Hadassah smiled. “How old were you?” Hadassah asked. 

Rachel smiled. “I was seven years old. Do you want to take a walk?” 

Hadassah nodded and Rachel put her arm around Hadassah.

The two walked almost every inch of the farm. When they reached the pond, they sat down together and relaxed. Suddenly Hadassah said, “I’m getting a bit hot.” Rachel walked closer to the pond and found a little cup lying on the ground. She picked it up, filled it with water and splashed Hadassah, soaking her clothes.

“Will that help?” She said laughing so hard, she fell down on the ground. Hadassah cupped her hands in the water and splashed Rachel.

“How about that?” She said laughing. Rachel screamed and ran away. Hadassah ran after her and jumped on her back, making both of them fall in the lake. They came up for air and couldn’t stop laughing. They laughed and laughed and laughed, while still splashing each other with water. They kept laughing until Aunt Albie rung the breakfast bell. 

“Race you there?” Rachel said, pushing away her long drenched hair. 

“Sure, 1, 2, 3, go!” 

The two ran all the way to the house so quick, their skirts no longer dripped. When they came through the front door, they were still laughing. 

Aunt Albie walked in from the kitchen. She looked confused. “What happened to you two?” She scanned them head to toe. “I see you’ve met Rachel,” she said chuckling. “My, you are soaked to the skin! Let me help dry you off.” 

Hadassah was now dry and dressed, and went downstairs. She saw Uncle Henry for the first time today, reading the newspaper and drinking coffee. He looked up at Hadassah and smiled. “You and Rachel enjoy your little pond affair?” He said in a teasing voice. A toothy grin lit Hadassah’s face. That had been the first time she’d smiled, showing her teeth. 

When Rachel was dressed, the four sat down to eat. Everything looked so good. Hot, moist pancakes toppled on a plate, buttery, sizzling bacon crackling on the pan. Fresh, sweet, strawberries in a glass bowl next to a jar of sugar. Hadassah’s mouth began to water. 

Hadassah was about to pick up her fork when Uncle Henry closed his eyes. Suddenly, everyone closed their eyes. Uncle Henry began to talk. “Dear Father, we thank you for this wonderful meal, and for our very special guest, Hadassah. Please bless her Lord.

Amen.”

Everyone opened their eyes and began passing around food. Hadassah sat there completely taken by surprise. She tried to hide it but it became difficult. Was he praying? Is he a………christian? Hadassah had never prayed before a meal. Neither had her parents. Some reason, everything suddenly became strange to her. Hadassah couldn’t understand why.

Everyone began to eat their food, but Hadassah stared at her plate. 

“What’s wrong dear, are you not hungry?” Uncle Henry’s voice sounded concerned. 

“Oh, um…….yeah, I guess I just lost my appetite,” she said looking to the floor. “May I be excused?” She asked politely. 

Uncle Henry patted her on the back. “Sure, you can. Maybe you’ll be hungry later.” His smile softened Hadassah’s heart. For so long, she had not trusted anyone or dared to make a friend. Maybe she was afraid she’d lose her friend, and be heartbroken. But now, only one day had passed since she arrived here and some reason, she felt she could trust Uncle Henry. Hadassah felt as if he was the father she never had. The one that would teach you how to build things, laugh and tell stories, tuck you in at night. 

But Hadassah pushed away the thought of having a father like that. No matter how hard she tried, Uncle Henry was just………Uncle Henry.

Ok, so I've decided to do it every Friday, only because I think it's a long time in between where no stories are coming out. 

Anyway, I hope you enjoy.