by Lana G. Hurn
had been embroidered in pink roses.
Grandpa bent down and wet the handkerchief in the creek beside the huge rock and said, “Here you go child!” Cassie started wiping her forehead and cheeks.
“I believe it’s time you should have this. It was Grandma’s and I’ve had it for over sixty years. I wash it now and then and put it back in my pocket, but now it seems you need it more than me,” said Grandpa.
Until her dream, Grandpa had not shared this one thing with Cassie. That handkerchief had sacred meanings to Grandpa. It was his way of having Ms, Annie with him at all times.
"Grandma would have wanted you to have it Cassie, and now is a good a time as any for you to have it”, said Grandpa.
Yes, it belonged to my Annie, I gave it to her way back when we used to go to them ballroom dances.
“You know, her name was Casandra Anne, but it was always easier for you to call her Grandma Annie. Someday I’ll tell you the unique story of the handkerchief, but it will have to be our secret, ya hear child?"
“Yes Grandpa”, she replied smiling.
“My Annie was known as Lady Casandra in our good-ole’ dance days and she sure was a lady. Oh, you started calling her Grandma Annie ‘round the time you started talkin’ much, so it kind’a stuck to’er all these years. From about the time you were two or so we all started calling her Annie. Yes indeed, you always put a huge smile on my Annie's face, and she sure did love you Cassie,” Grandpa said in a low tone, as he looked over at Cassie.”
“Your eyes are as purdy’en green as hers ever was,” he told Cassie.
“Ms. Annie and I shared a lot of wonderful years together and ever since, on the weekends I’d put that handkerchief in my back pocket and carry’er down to Ranson’s Creek.” “I guess you could say, I took my Annie fishin’ purdy often.”
Cassie placed her hand up to her mouth and giggled. “Grandpa”, Cassie said.
“It’s kept us pert’n’er close all these years", said Grandpa. “Yep, you sure do look at lot like my Annie”, he said as he flashed a half cornered smile at Cassie.
Grandpa then wiped away a smudge from her cheek where she had been sleeping on the small grassy patch of moss that covered the rocks.
As Grandpa pushed her golden curl away from her face, he handed the lovely handkerchief back to Cassie. After he pushed her, still, matted hair from where she had taken her nap.
Grandpa picked a white lilly from near the rocks and placed it behind Cassie’s right ear.
"Those were some of my Annie's favorite patch of flowers", Grandpa told Cassie.
"I know Grandpa", sighed Cassie, “I know"!
Grandpa took Cassie’s hand after picking up their poles and was ready to head back home.
The small white caps of the water still slapping the rocks underneath as if to be saying, “See you later!”
Grandpa said to Cassie, “You know we’re both in a heap of trouble when we get home don’t you? We’ve been gone longer than usual.”
Cassie replied, “Yes sir Grandpa, we sure will be”, casting him a smile as she answered.
Grandpa was laughing.
Hand in hand, Cassie and Grandpa walked Hickory Path back up the old dirt road toward home. Grandpa whistling the tune from the music box that was in his room while the two tin cups clanged together on his belt. Cassie’s thoughts replayed over and over her dream of Grandma Annie.
All the way home she tightly clutched onto the embroidered silk handkerchief that Grandpa had given her that belonged to his beautiful bride. With the other, she held tightly to Grandpa’s hand.
Cassie looked up at gramdpa and ask if he believed in dreams.
"Well child, I suppose sometimes I do. I often times have dreams about my Annie and they sure do seem real. So, yes, I suppose I do," Grandpa replied, then repeated, “I suppose I do child.”
“I love you so much Grandpa", said Cassie.
"I love you too child; dearly", replied Grandpa, as they started their journey back home.
Cassie walked along the side of the dirt road where the emerald green ferns tickled her legs up to her knees; as she had remembered. While Grandpa continued whistling his favorite tune and Cassie smiling contently while looking all around they took their time in walking home.
......
Inside Cassie’s room was a picture of Cassie and her mom, Sandra.
In Grandpa’s room was a photo of Grandma Annie holding her daughter, Sandra, as a little girl.
You could hear Grandpa’s musicbox playing softly in the background; the melody of Grandpa’s favorite tune.
It made sounds like a hundred voices in unison.
This could only have been, “Cassie’s Dream”
The END!
This story of fiction has been writen by the author for the enjoyment of your child.
If you would like to know more about this author, please click on the links below.
The Author thanks you for your support in the entertainment of your child.
Be sure to watch for the title book: “Mickey’s Mighty Miracle Mouse”.
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