Just some tidbits

     The Dawn of Freedom

Hello everyone! Here's a little summery of the new story TDOF.

Temperance Danielson is an ordinary twelve year old living in the 1700s. But when she is cast away from her home with her brother James, to be sold as a slave, how will they escape? Will they ever see their home again? 

"Go," Mother said. "Your father wants to sell you and your 

brother."

"What?" Temperance's eyes grew with fear. Father?

in a twist of events, Temperance and James are cast away, boarding a slave ship heading to America. 

"As long as we're together we'll be safe. James says."

But will they?

What if they get separated?

I hope this works out, since I'm really excited about it!

Anyways, a post will come out either very Monday or Wednesday. Well, that's about it!

--Elena

The Dawn of Freedom

Hello, everyone! This is a story that I have been working on for quite some time, so I thought I should share it with you all! Enjoy!

-Elena

                    T H E  Dawn

                                                                                                                          O F  Freedom

M A R C H

C H A P T E R   One

1762

Temperance ducked her head behind the hill. She laid stomach first, 

down on the fresh spring grass. It smelled sweet. Temperance sighed 

with contentment. There was nothing like a beautiful day in March. She felt relaxed and carefree. Even with the fear of Father finding her. Finding her playing when she hadn’t finished her chores. Oh, the beating she would get. But though Temperance had to deal with her father’s anger, she still tried to enjoy her life.

Mother always said that when something happened to Father, they would leave on a ship to go to Virginia. A place where they could be truly happy. But Father would not allow it. He was a very abusive drunk man, and most of the time, he wasn’t in his senses. But nevertheless, Mother, Temperance, and her brother James still remained hopeful.

Suddenly, James interrupted her of her thoughts. He found her hiding. He was supposed to be the seeker in their game, but the sight of him made Temperance fearful. His eye and lips were cut and bloody.

“Temperance, come quick, Father is looking for you.” He was quiet and solemn. 

Temperance breathed a shuddered breath. “Has he gone mad?” She asked her older brother.

“Yes, Temperance.” James replied. “He broke my spectacles. I fear I may never own a pair, until I am grown. It took Mother years to save up.” James looked back to the cottage. “Go quick. It’s best you get it done and over with.”

Temperance nodded and dashed off to the house. By the time she was there, she was panting. She couldn’t spot Father. She only heard the faint sound of her mother crying.

She went to the small room where her parents slept. She sat bruised and sobbing, on the small wooden bed, that barely stood on its little legs.

“Oh, Mother, what has he done now?” She sat by her mother’s side and comforted her.

“H—he—he hurt,—hurt me. I—I threw his drink—drinking bo—bottles away. I buried them as deep as I could, but he threatened me and I was forced to tell him.” Mother continued sobbing. “He’s drowned himself  in taxes, and now—” She looked Temperance in the eyes. “He’s going to sell you and your brother.” 

Temperance stared at her mother. “Fa—father? He—no! He can’t! Mother, we have to run! We have to escape. We can board a ship and go to America, just like we’ve always wanted.”

Mother put a finger to Temperance’s lips to quiet her. “No, child. It’s been my dream to see my children become free from Father, and happy. I am too weak to travel, I—” She looked down ashamed. “I had a baby. And I—I took her far away to a woman who was going to America. She said she’d care for her and love her.” Mother touched her daughter’s tear stained face. “You have to run. Leave me here, I’ll be alright.”

Temperance’s eyes widened. “I could never leave you here. Who knows what Father could do to you?”

Mother nodded. “I’m very weak and frail. I visited the doctor yesterday, and he told me I only have a week or more to live. But I want my children to grow up happy.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a compass attached to a golden chain. She placed it in the palm of Temperance’s hand. “Keep this in remembrance of me. But leave tonight. Father is looking for you.”

Temperance nodded seriously and standing up, she backed away slowly and made her way to the door. “I’ll be back, Mother. I’ll gather food and supplies.”

With a single tear rolling down her sunburned face, Temperance dashed out the door to find her brother.

Alberta Chp. 4

Alberta yawned. The day had began. Her once smiling face, gave a weary expression. She looked at the picture of her dear, long past mother. The beautiful, Miss Albury.

Alberta. Nineteen. So much time had past, since the unexpected death of her mother. Now, she was orphaned. Orphaned and rich, though. But as time went by, they began to owe money. And a lot of it. Elizabeth, twenty four years old, was now having a full-time job. And in those days, when a lady had a full-time job, it showed that, one—they were poor and the husband couldn’t provide enough, two—they were drowning in taxes, or three—there was no husband.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Alberta got up and went to her window. She saw a lovely view of the busy, bustling, London City. People everywhere, scurried around, some trying to get someplace, maybe they were late for work, and then some just advertising and trying to get customers to buy their food and products.

There were signs, wagons, mailmen on bikes—Alberta felt jealous sometimes. For two reasons, actually. For one is that she never was taught how to read, and she yearned and yearned to do so, and two is that she didn’t exactly have many friends, not including siblings. Most times, she spent her days in the house. 

Now I know, you’re probably thinking, ‘Why didn’t she just teach herself to read?’ Well, here’s the answer: since they were late in payment, they sold everything they didn’t need. And that included books. She would’ve taught herself to read, but she couldn’t. Therefore saying, she was a poor, uneducated, girl, living in the most luxurious, (though empty) mansion in all of London. Sounds pretty odd, right? 

Most city folk, especially the poor, thought that the family who lived there, must be stuck up snobs, who care for nothing, but themselves. And I can see why they thought that. One—they never left the house. And two—they never gave alms to the poor or gave donations to funds. And that was because, they had no money.

But nevertheless, that is the way it was.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Knock! Knock! 

It was the window.

Alberta rushed up, still in her night-gown and dashed to the window. Sure enough, the sound was coming from a rock being tossed at the window. The rock nearly shattered the glass.

“Matthias, are you daft? These windows cost a fortune! You’d have to repair them!” 

Matthias took off his cap, and grinned, saying, “Easy as pie. Didn’t I repair the last set?” He smiled charmingly. He took a newspaper role from out of his mailman bag, and aimed it at the open window. Luckily, he didn’t miss.

Alberta smiled and rushed to her dressing room, then down the steps, across the dining room, through the long foyer, to finally reaching the doors. She swung them open and ran out to Matthias. 

“You know Matt, even if you repair them, I don’t think you should spend your life, breaking windows and them fixing them. Aren’t you a gentleman?”

Matthias laughed. “Maybe sometimes, but today—I’m plain old Matthias.”

“Good,” Alberta added. “ I think I like plain old Matthias better.”

The two walked along the cobblestones of London, through the little hidden door behind the shoe store, and out to the grassy meadows. 

Alberta had felt so trapped and enclosed as a child. She wanted fields, forests, flowers, mountains—she wanted adventure. She was six years old, and had lost her way in town, when she stumbled across the little hole in the stone wall. She called it, her hidden door. 

Ever since then, when she wanted to escape, she would crawl through the hole, and run to the meadows.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Do you like it here?” Alberta questioned to Matthias. 

“Yes, of course. It feels…” He picked up a flower. “Free.” He answered. 

Alberta continued on talking, about her reasons for wanting to come here often. “I get confused a lot…you know, with all the signs and stores, and labels. It gets hard, not being able to read. I want it so bad, you know. I’ve heard wondrous things about books. About feeling like you’re in a completely different place, just by reading the words that are written. And to be able—” She paused and sighed. “To be able to write a book. Perhaps, a book about my life. Or a book about adventure. Or maybe a book about love. It all sounds nice, don’t you think? And there, in the city, I barely understand a thing. But out here—I feel as if I can understand things. The animals, the nature everywhere, the earth, the wind, the sky—I love it all. But life in London—” She looked up at Matthias and stopped her walk. “I feel as if I’m in a cage. Or a permanent nightmare, I can’t escape from. There’s walls, and doors, and horses tied up with strings, being forced to work and carry heavy loads. When they should be here. Free. Free to run, and graze. Free to gallop with a whole herd. Free to feel a part of the family. Instead of living a life alone and locked up in some old stable, with no real nature anywhere. Do you know what I mean?”

Matthias chuckled awkwardly and rubbed the back of his head. “I’m sorry Miss, but I can’t say that I do.” He took her hand and continued walking.

Suddenly, a voice was heard. It was the voice of Alberta’s sister, Elizabeth, screaming her name.

“I’m very sorry, but I must go!” She said, looking back once, and then running off.

“Do you want me to walk you back?” Matthias called to her.

“No, I don’t think you should!” Alberta’s voice was hardly heard, since she was far now.

Dear readers.......

dear readers,

Our dog becky cut her neck really bad, and it's bleeding constantly. We've wrapped up her neck and are doing the best we can, but it still looks really bad.

She is in very severe pain, and I ask please will you keep her in you prayers? She means a lot to us, and I hate to see her in this much pain.

Thanks 

Alberta Chp. 3

3

Alberta entered the room. “Mother…what is it?” She examined her mother’s pale face. “Why are you so ill?” 

Miss Albury gently smiled and was about to reach out her arm, to hug her daughter, when she stopped. “It’s contagious. You must back away.”

Alberta backed away, but only a little. She exclaimed, in confusion and sadness: “But Mother! What is the cause of your suffering?”

Miss Albury looked as if she were grieving. She looked at her hands and sighed a deep sigh. “Try to forgive me one day.” She looked at the other children standing in the doorway. 

“Come, Elizabeth. Come Franz, come Maryann. This may be the last time I get to gaze upon your beautiful faces.”

Elizabeth let out a cry. “That can’t be true, Mother. Are you mad?” She stayed a safe distance away.

“I hate to admit it, but yes. I’m sorry, my children, but—” Her voice was weakening and breaking up. “I’m dying. But I leave you four, with an important responsibility.” She gestured for Rita to bring her something. 

Rita nodded her head and brought in a cloth. A baby lay inside.

“My children—this is your sister Marguerite.” She told the maid to give the baby to Elizabeth. 

“Treat her well, children. For now, I go.” She inhaled a deep breath and closed her eyes. Her eyes never opened, since that day.

Alberta Chp. 2

2

“Franz Eli, you get down here this very minute!” Mrs. Bedder stood at the bottom on the long stairwell. Her face was beet red. “I know you’re up there!” She yelled. She stomped her foot and sat down on the last stair. “I’m way too old for this sort of thing, if I can’t go to him, I’ll wait for him to come down to me.” She grumbled. She kept jittering and mumbling under her breath, when she slowly closed her eyes and dozed off. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Franz peeked down the banister. “Looks like she’s sleeping.” He said to himself. When you take a first glance at Franz, you might see a well dressed proper little boy. But as you get to know him, you soon discover that he’s a monkey and is known for making mischief. 

He carried the bowl of melted chocolate that he had stolen from the cook, and he quietly tiptoed down the stairs. He was just passing Mrs. Bedders, when she woke up, and grabbed his leg, causing him to fall.

“Got ya now, you monkey!”

“Mother! Mother! Cook’s trying to eat me!” He did his petty little scream and pretended to cry. 

“Quiet!”

“Mother please!” He struggled to get away.

Miss Albury rushed in, and Mrs. Bedders released Franz’s leg. “Whatever seems to be the problem?” She looked at Franz. “Was Franz causing mischief again?” She looked at Mrs. Bedders.

Mrs. Bedders frowned at Franz and then standing up, stalked to the kitchen, with the chocolate bowl in hand. 

“Franz, I told you to stop bothering our cook. If she leaves out of anger, who will make dessert? Who will make you cookies when you’re hungry? Or hot chocolate when you’re cold?” 

“I’m sorry Mother.” Franz said, looking at his shoes.

Miss Albury looked around. “Where are your sisters, Franz?”

“Elizabeth’s sewing, Maryann is asleep, and Alberta—” He shrugged. “She could be on Mars for all I know.” The little boy cantered away happily.

Miss Albury almost fell to the ground, but quickly caught herself. “Oh, my head.” She groaned in pain. She shakily lifted herself up and tried to walk back to the grand room, when she groaned again and fell to the floor unconsciously…

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Alberta lay on the spring meadow grass and closed her eyes. Her hands were folded behind her head as she dreamed. She imagined all sorts of things. She thought maybe one day, there would be horseless carriages and ways to talk to people from across the world. 

“Maybe. Just maybe.” She whispered. She sat up and ran around the field, trying to catch clouds and fleeing butterflies. She dropped the book that was in her pocket, but she didn’t notice. It was her learner’s guide. Yes, that’s right. She was trying to learn how to read. But as you saw in the beginning, she was also expelled.

She ran along the creek and lowering her hand, felt the cool rushing water. It bubbled and gurgled freely, so happy, without a single job, but to carry the waters up to the mountains.

“I wish I could be a river.” Alberta ran faster, and spotted wild horses a few miles away. She waved to them, pretending that they could wave back. 

Suddenly, she heard a calling. 

“Alberta, come quick!” 

The seven year old girl ran with all her might to the mansion, and dashing inside, ran into the butler, named Lars. 

“Slow down, Alberta.” He wouldn’t let her go. He held on tight to her arm. “Your mother is very ill. It’s best if you stay here.” 

“But Lars—”

“No.” Came the voice of Miss Albury. 

Alberta peeked in the doorway of her mother’s room. Miss Albury lay on a wide bed with heavy blankets and sheets covering her. She tried to sit up, but couldn’t get herself to do so. Her body was failing.

“Let her come.” She said weakly.

Boring post

 Hey everyone, I'm sorry that I haven't been posting for awhile......I stopped doing Hadassah 

and The Great Adventure, cause it's now for sale and I don't want to give away what happens.

I recently started Alberta, which I might not do, just cause I also am working on a novel called 

'whisper through the storm'. I'm considering posting that, but I first want to get a little farther into the 

story.

I hope you's don't I'm ignoring you, it's just that I've been busty lately, and i'm kinda running out of stories.

Anyway, just wanted to throw that in there!

Au revoir!

(Farewell)

Alberta Chp. 1

Hey everyone, just wrote a new story for you all, I hope you enjoy it!

A —L — B — E  —R — T — A

1

“Alberta May Albury. The most despicable, the most disgraceful, the most horrid child, I have ever had an encounter with! And believe me, I know! I have seen girls from all over the world!” Miss Ruth stretched her arm out as she explained. “I have tried. And tried, and tried, and tried again! But it’s no use. Your child is either handicapped, dysfunctional, or simply refuses to learn!”

Miss Albury looked down. “I understand. But can’t you give her one last chance?”

Miss Ruth laughed in her face. “Me? Give her a last chance? I’m sorry, miss Albury, but your—your animal has already been expelled from my school.”

“What? Expelled? When did that take place?”

“Two weeks from today.” Miss Ruth thought the woman was crazy.

“Two weeks? I knew nothing about this!” 

Miss Ruth gave a small smirk when Miss Albury wasn’t looking. “Well, then, I guess you have no business here, Miss Albury. It’s clearly not my problem, so I suggest you run along home, and deal with it yourself.” Miss Ruth was cruel.

Miss Albury almost cried. Here she was, almost the richest woman in town, and still she could not find a suitable school for her daughter.

“I guess I won’t be back.” She faintly said. She left the room, without even glancing at Miss Ruth.

But Miss Ruth didn’t care. She had other girls to deal with.

Miss Albury, also called Janet, was holding back her urging tears. These tears though, were not for herself. 

Usually, when she arrived home after a day like this, she would find Alberta and give her a scolding. But this time, she felt sorry for her daughter. Alberta seemed like a bright child. But was she? She often enjoyed her time outdoors and her time with plants and animals. But was she smart?

Miss Albury arrived home, to her beautiful mansion. She had walked for miles, and her grand house was a sight for sore eyes. Instead of rushing out to the grassy meadows, or the rippling brook to find Alberta, she plopped down on the fancy sofa and asked her maid, Trishka to fetch her a glass of tea and a platter of biscuits with jam. She also asked for a lemon sponge cake with some buttered potatoes.

Trishka was very confused with her large order for just one person, but she was paid to obey her mistress, so that is what she did. 

“Here is your glass of tea, platter of jam and biscuits, a lemon sponge cake, and some buttered potatoes.” Trishka said, while setting them on the table next to the sofa. When she was finished, she politely asked, “Was that all, Madam?” 

Miss Albury weakly smiled and gently nodded her head. “Yes, Trishka. Thank you for being so kind.”

Trishka was again confused at her lady’s behavior. First the big order, then the ‘thank you for being so kind?’ What was going on? Also, Trishka noticed that Miss Albury looked quite sick and frail this afternoon. She didn’t mention anything about an ill feeling or some sort, but Trishka could hear it in voice, see it in her eyes, and sense it when Miss Albury came into the room. She felt worried for her mistress. 

Miss Albury had almost raised her from a young girl of seven years old. That is when Trishka’s parents died and she became Miss Albury’s maid. Trishka, in all her years before she came to be a maid, she had been born and lived in Poland, Europe. Her parents died from a contagious disease and she was going to be sent to live in an orphanage. And orphanages weren’t very pleasant. Most of the owners, were poor and didn’t treat the children well. So when Mr. and Mrs. Albury took her in to let her be a maid for them, Trishka was very grateful. She had her own room down in the basement. And it was a very nice room, indeed. Of course, not as nice as the family’s rooms, but it was very grand, compared to the rooms of the other maids and servants.

Trishka was also a friend to Miss Albury when she grieved for her husband on that dreadful day. The day she got a telegram, saying that James Albury had crashed in a train accident, on his way coming here. “He was so close,” Trishka told the other maids. “So close to coming home, and wrapping his big arms around his lovely wife.”

“Yes, so close indeed.” Miss Cinch sorrowed as well. She was the head maid and was in charge of all the other servants of the house.

“Poor little mite.” Rita lowered her head as she talked. The three maids huddled together and sobbed. 

Presenting..........Hadassah!

 Hi everyone! I am very excited to announce, that today, my book 

officially became live on amazon.

Here's the link:

Hadassah

I started Hadassah first, but the editing took soooo long. So, while it was being edited, I wrote a short story, that I already announced, which was the Great Adventures. 

That is more for kids, but Hadassah was written for older people, I guess. I was trying to make it a little deep.

However, even though it was edited, there might be a few mistakes, but I've decided to just ignore them. My short story is now up to four editions............Kinda embarrassing, but I'm sure the mistakes will slowly disappear in my books, over time as I get older.

Anyways, just thought I'd throw that out there!

Have a great day!!

Twenty years later: A letter to my future self.

 Hi everyone! Recently, I was nominated to do a Twenty Years later, letter 

to myself. I was nominated by Quinley, and I thought, "What a great 

idea!"

Also, I just wanted to say, "Thanks Gauri, for the great idea! Writing a 

letter to my future self sounds really fun!

So, here it is:

Dear Elena,

I hope you haven't done anything stupid, recently. It's weird reading a letter 

from the future, right? Also, are you still dreaming of becoming an 

Author/Artist? 

Well, I have great news: You did it. Really. You did succeed, although had a few 

mistakes along the way, such as publishing a book with ten editions. 

(Whoops)

But you still persevered. And even though, I'm telling you this, Don't ever give up, 

or give second best. Always put your all in everything you do. And yes, you did

succeed in becoming an Author and an Artist, but that didn't mean you never

failed. I want you to know, that even if it sounds weird coming from yourself, you

still need to stand up, when you fall. And by the way, you can't stand up, if you

don't fall.

Sincerely, 

Me

I nominate: 

Annika Lorraine

Beth in Boots

Liberty

Meri Greenleaf 

& Damara

Hadassah Chp. 7

C H A P T E R   7—O L D   B A S E L 

The day went by and the weather was fairly good. In the morning, Hadassah sat by the oak tree and read her book, A Tale of Two Cities. She read until lunch and then learned how to use a grill. 

The day slipped passed and in the evening, Hadassah, Uncle Henry, and Aunt Albie sat on the porch steps watching the sun set. 

The stars hung in the sky and the sun slept among the clouds. Hadassah sat on her bed snuggled beneath the covers, just finishing up her book. When she read the last page, she flicked off the lamp and laid her head on her pillow. 

Hadassah woke up. She looked at the clock: 6:30 am

She rubbed her eyes. Is is time already? She jumped out of bed, and went downstairs. Aunt Albie was still in bed, so she tiptoed to the kitchen and buttered a biscuit from a few days ago. 

She combed her hair and got dressed and then waited for Uncle Henry.

“I wonder why he’s still sleeping.” She wondered aloud. Just then, Uncle Henry walked in from outside. 

“Oh, you’re awake. Time to get dirty!” He exclaimed. He sounded anxious to begin.

Hadassah shuddered, but then straightened up.

“I’m all ready.” She said, trying to sound confidant. But Uncle Henry lifted his eyebrow.

“Oh, no, you’re not.”

“What?”

“You can’t go feeding animals and cleaning stalls, dressed like that.” Hadassah looked confused. She was wearing an old dress.

“What do you mean, Uncle?”

“I mean, take these overalls, and get some boots. We’re here to get muddy, girl.”

Hadassah was dressed and headed outside. This is so humiliating. She thought. She never, ever wore overalls!   

“Here, can you get that for me?” Uncle Henry motioned his hand towards the tin bucket that sat in the corner. Hadassah picked it up sheepishly and handed it to him.

“Now, you can sit on that stool, and milk her.” Hadassah stared at Uncle Henry. Then at the cow.

“With what?” She asked, hoping for a good answer.

“With your hands child! What else can we milk a cow with?”

Hadassah inched her way to the stool and sat down. Uncle Henry motioned his head towards the cow.

“You better get milkin’. I’ll be back shortly.”

Hadassah nodded her head and began. This is the grossest thing I’ve ever done in my life. She kept milking Basel, when she heard a sound. It kind of sounded like mice. Then she saw a little tail peek from a hole in the wall. Hadassah screamed and fell backwards, having the bucket of milk spill all over her face.

“Ew, mice!” She sputtered, wiping the milk from her eyes. But just when she wanted to cry, three tabby kittens popped out from inside the hole. Hadassah’s face grew red.

“Kittens? I spilled a weeks worth of milk, for kittens?” She dropped her head in her hands and cried. I don’t know how to do anything right here!

She cried for awhile and then wiped her tears away. She decided she would try again.

She picked the stool back up, wiped her milk—covered face, and tried again. This time, no milk came.

“Basel, come on, you’ve got to have something left in there!” She kept trying and trying. But no milk came. It was all gone.

By that time, Uncle Henry walked in and saw Hadassah’s clothes covered in milk, and the bucket sitting there empty. He sighed and rubbed his beard.

“We’ll try again tomorrow. Now let’s feed the other animals.”

They fed the goats, and the sheep, and the cow and pigs. When they finished feeding and cleaning out their stalls, they took care of the ducks. The ducks had a little pond, all to themselves. They had just had babies, but they looked strange.

“Where’s the father?” Hadassah asked Uncle Henry. Uncle Henry shrugged and pointed his head towards the fence. Hadassah looked at the fence. Nothing was there. She just stood there silent for a moment while Uncle Henry showed her how to handle ducklings. Then, out of nowhere, a loud, GAUKKKK!! GAUKKKKKK!!! Hadassah screamed and nearly fell in the pond. A enormous white duck was trying to peck her and chase after her.

“That’s the father?!” She asked, sounding petrified. 

“Sure is. Rachel found him wandering on our farm, when he was a baby. That was loooooong ago. What we didn’t know however, was that Rachel wanted ducklings. Now, at that time, we had no male duck. So when Rachel found this strange looking duckling, she just figured she was in luck. It was supposed to be a surprise for us.” He began laughing and Hadassah laughed too. 

When they finished with the ducks, they headed inside and Hadassah took a nice, hot bath.

This is just what I need after a hard day’s work. She thought contently. 

Uncle Henry finished dressing and went to the kitchen where Aunt Albie was wiping the counter. He sat down at the little table and began chuckling again.

“My, what a child.” He muttered under his breath. Aunt Albie sat down next to him.

“When are you going to tell her? She’s been here more than a week,” she said looking him straight in the eye.

“Well, I don’t know Alberta. I really just don’t know. But I’m sure the Lord will reveal to me when it’s the right time.”

The Great Adventures Chp. 4

This may be the last time, I post a chapter for this story, for a few 

reasons, but it will still be available on amazon. 

C H A P T E R   F O U R

Charlotte had been taken into the house and was shown her room. It wasn’t at all what her old room was like. Her old room had silk bed blankets instead of a plain quilt. It had a huge window with its own window seat. Here, there was only one window, that was small and had a view of the horse pasture. Charlotte preferred the city. That night, she cried in her bed just thinking about it.

“Charlotte! Dinner time!” 

Charlotte groaned. She wasn’t hungry. And besides, she didn’t want to see that filthy farm boy. More like a farm animal. She thought.

But she inhaled a deep breath and decided to go downstairs and eat anyway. 

When she arrived, Henry was the seat right across from her. He stared her down until she stuck out her tongue, when Travis and Rachel weren’t looking. But Henry did it back, and did something that made Charlotte scream. 

“Mr. Thompson!”

“Yes, Charlotte, what’s wrong?”

“He just spit across the table! And it touched my food!” Charlotte cried. Her face was red and hot.

Henry burst out laughing. “Sorry, Pa. But I had to. It was just an empty opportunity.”

“Henry—” Travis sighed an annoyed sigh. “We do not spit on our guests food. Obviously, Charlotte is not going to want to eat it now, so what should we do?” He asked him.

“We make her eat it?”

Travis rubbed his forehead. “No. You’re going to have to eat it now.”

“But she’s already touched it!”

“Well, you’re just gonna have to trade.”

“I can’t.”

“Why is that?”

“I spit on my food too.”

Rachel looked at Travis. If they kept talking, it would never end. 

“Henry.” Rachel began. “Why did you spit on your own food?”

Henry grinned. “So no one would take it.”

It was bedtime. Rachel came up to Charlotte’s room to say goodnight. She apologized for Henry’s behavior.

Charlotte looked away. She knew Rachel might be sorry, but Henry never would.