“Well, hello again, Laramie. Look who I brought to see you this afternoon?”
“Hi, Laramie. You sure do look a lot better than you did last night.” Why did I have to say that? I’m sure that’s just what she wanted to hear. “How are you today?”
“You girls visit a little bit. I need to make a call.” Then Daddy stepped out.
I pulled the card out of my pocket and walked over to the edge of the bed. “I made you something, Laramie. I’m sorry I didn’t have an envelope big enough.”
Her eyes got big when she saw the two cardinals on a limb. She reached for the card. “Did you draw these?”
“Yep.”
“You can really draw good, Kate. And you drew the birds, the kind like your mama told you to remember.”
“Yep. I know how you like to feed the birds and all, and you’re the only one in the class who lets me know when the redbird shows up at the bird feeder. So now you have some birds to remind you you’re not alone. Maybe one of them can remind you of your mama.”
“Thanks.” She looked like she was going to cry and she didn’t know what to say.
“Is it okay if I sit on your bed?”
“Sure.” Laramie smoothed out the sheet, and I sat down.
“Everybody’s been real worried about you.”
She just shrugged, so I went on. “I’m glad you’re okay and that you threw the rocks at my window, but I was wondering why you came to our house.”
“I don’t know. I guess I was scared, and I remembered what you said in class one day when you gave your report about what your daddy does. You said his job was to help people. So I just came to your house. I knew where you lived, just down the street from Emily and not far from the school.”
“Yeah, Emily lives up the hill. But how did you know which room is mine?”
“That was the only light on upstairs, and I could see you sitting at your desk. And I wasn’t throwing rocks; I found some acorns underneath the snow. I didn’t want to break a window and be in more trouble than I was already in.”
“Everybody’s glad you came to our house. My daddy and my uncle Luke went out looking for you.”
Laramie didn’t say anything for a long time, and I just sat there on her bed. She was looking at the redbirds on the card. “Kate?”
“Uh huh.”
“Last night when I came to your house, I sat under the tree a long time until all the lights went out, and there was a redbird.”
“I think they roost in that tree in the nighttime because it’s safe in the weather and it’s close to where they feed.”
“I was throwing acorns at your window. After that I don’t remember very much.”
I was glad the redbird made Laramie feel better.
“Kate, you think I’m in real big trouble?”
“I don’t think so. I haven’t heard my daddy say anything like that.”
That’s when Daddy walked in, and I was glad. I didn’t want to talk about what Daddy said about Mr. Fields having a bad temper. Even if he wasn’t the best father, he was still Laramie’s daddy.
“Well, girls, you having fun?”
“Yes, sir,” I said.
“Well good, because you’re just getting started. Laramie, how would you like to come to our house for a few days? They’re letting you out of here tomorrow morning.”
“You mean to stay at your house? What about going home? Am I ever going home?” Laramie was holding that card I made her real tight.
“It’s not a good idea for you to go home just yet. Your dad should be home in just a few days, and he thinks it’s a good idea for you to stay with us. We have a doctor in the house, and you’ll have Kate here to buddy around with. Doesn’t that sound like a good idea?”
“I guess. I mean, yes, it does, sir. Thank you very much.”
Laramie was using her good manners. Sometimes she does, and sometimes she doesn’t.
“Then it’s a deal.” That was when Daddy handed me his notepad and pencil. “Now, I need to talk to someone, and while I’m gone, Kate, make a list of all of Laramie’s favorite foods.”
After Daddy left, Laramie asked me, “What’s your favorite food, and your daddy’s?”
I told her. She said those were her favorites too. I was glad because I didn’t know who in the world would make it if she liked something weird. Daddy wasn’t that great at cooking, and Aunt Susannah Hope wasn’t up to it. Maybe Granny Grace would. But anyway we wouldn’t have to worry about it now.
Daddy came back in to get me. “Laramie, you watch TV and rest this evening, and we’ll be by to pick you up in the morning.”
She was holding on to the card when Daddy and I walked out the door.
I went right upstairs when we got home. I didn’t even say good-bye to Uncle Luke when he left to go shopping. I wasn’t supposed to know about it so I couldn’t tell him to buy the bloomin’ ring anyway, like Daddy said. I cleaned up my room and put away some things I didn’t want Laramie to see. I knew she was going to be my friend and all, but there were some things Mama gave me I wasn’t ready to show her.
I cleaned out some drawers for her and boxed up my stuff and put it in the closet. I would ask Daddy to stop by the flower shop and get flowers for Laramie in the morning. He always did that for Mama. I’d make sure they were yellow, the happy color.
“Supper!” This time it was Daddy’s voice, not Chesler’s.
He was putting leftover chili in the bowls when I got downstairs, and the hot corn bread was on the table. “Pour the milk, will you, Kate?”
“Sure, Daddy. Don’t you think we should have something green?”
“Green, you mean like grass?” Chesler was running around in circles in his sock feet like Grady chasing his tail.
“No, not like grass. I mean like green beans or a salad or some broccoli.”
“We had yellow eggs this morning.” Chesler was just trying to be cute. I ignored him.
“Mama’s list on the bulletin board says we’re supposed to eat something green every day.”
“Okay, Kate, you can take your hands off your hips. You’re right. I just wasn’t thinking. Would a tossed salad do?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll help you make it.” Tossed salad to Daddy means only lettuce cut up in little pieces, so I got out the tomatoes and celery and cucumbers.
Last spoonful of chili, and I was at the sink washing dishes again. Daddy went to his office to pay bills, and Chesler went up to his room to play. I was thinking about Uncle Luke buying a diamond ring when the redbird showed up again in the cedar tree. The moon was reflecting so bright on the snow, it looked like a spotlight on that redbird. I couldn’t help but think about the picture of the redbird on the magazine Mr. Josh had.
“You know, little redbird, maybe I’ll just talk to you about what I know. Uncle Luke’s thinking about getting married to Miss Applegate, and he might be buying her a ring right this very minute. Daddy wants him to, and I know I want him to. If my mama was here, she woulda just marched down to the jewelry store with Uncle Luke and picked one out. That’s the good news, but I know some bad news too.”
That redbird just fluttered her wings like she knew what was coming.
“My Aunt Susannah’s sick. Daddy’s afraid she’s got what was wrong with Mama. When Mama got sick and told me she was going to heaven, I used to wish it was Aunt Susannah Hope. She didn’t have any children to take care of, and I loved Mama so much. It just seemed better to me if my aunt had gone to heaven instead of Mama. Now I’m sorry I was thinking those things because I don’t really want her to be sick. Uncle Don would be so sad, and poor Granny. One of her little girls has already left this earth without her, and Grandpa too. I hope I didn’t make Aunt Susannah Hope be sick because I was thinking those things. I know I can tell you what I know, little bird, because you won’t tell a soul. Oh, and I met Mr. Josh today.”
I didn’t hear Daddy come into the kitchen. “Who you talking to, Kate?”
“Just to myself. Daddy, I was
just thinking I could put two smiley faces on my calendar tonight because we made Laramie happy two times. One for the card I made her and another for inviting her to come home with us.”
“I think you’re right, Kate. And if there’s room, you can add a smiley face for me, because it made me so happy to see you welcome Laramie into our home.”
“Thanks, Daddy.” I liked that I made Daddy smile. “Guess tomorrow’s the big day, so I’m going to my room to make sure everything’s ready.”
“Sure. Need any help?” Daddy put his arm around me and squeezed.
“No, sir, I think I can handle it.”
“I’m sure you can. Turning in a bit early sounds good to me too. Now, how do we get Chesler to do the same?”
“That’s not on my list. Besides you’re the daddy, and that’s your problem. My door’s gonna be closed. So tell him that.” I grinned at Daddy and walked out of the kitchen. I put one foot on the bottom stair and turned around. “And make sure Chesler brushes his teeth.”
By the time I finished tidying up my room and putting everything away, it was late. Chesler’s room was dark and quiet when I went down the hall to ask Daddy something. I headed back to my room when I saw there was no light coming from under Daddy’s door. My question would have to wait till morning. Uncle Luke wasn’t home, and I was the only one awake in the Harding house.
I put three smiley faces on my calendar, crawled into bed, and pulled the blanket up tight around my neck.
All was quiet inside the house, but outside the wind was howling, and the naked branches of the elm tree rattled against the house. Now I might have been in bed and not making a sound, but I wasn’t quiet on the inside. My brain was rattling like those tree limbs. I was really worried. Only a few more days until Christmas, and nobody had been able to answer my question about getting Mama’s present to heaven. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever figure it out, but I kept thinking.
I was just about to give up when it came to me. I sat straight up in bed like somebody had just turned the light on. Why hadn’t I thought of it before? This was the best idea ever.
I lay back down. The wind had settled down, and my feather pillow felt so good. I thought my idea might work. It just had to.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE SKY WAS gray, and God wasn’t holding the snow back but letting it tumble. I was watching the flakes collect on the elm tree branches when Daddy came in my room.
“Little peep, rise and shine. It’s snowing again. Looks like it’ll be a white Christmas in Kentucky. Can’t remember a December when we had so much snow.”
“Guess we have a busy day today, Daddy?”
“Sure do. We have to get groceries and pick up Laramie, and Granny Grace is coming over to help with lunch.”
I stretched long under the sheets. Mama always said I stretched like a cat and not to stretch any farther than I could walk back. “And will you add to your list putting some seeds in the bird feeder on my window? The birds will need it with the snow. And maybe you should have a talk with Chesler about Laramie coming to stay with us. He needs to use his manners and not be asking her any questions if he wants Santa Claus to make a stop here.”
“Right again, little Miss Hands-on-Your-Hips. You make lists like your mama. What would I do without you? Anything else I should tell him?”
“You could tell him . . . never mind, he won’t remember it anyway. I just don’t want him bothering Laramie. Oh, and could we stop at the flower shop and get some daisies for Laramie?”
“Sure we can. That’s a good idea.” Daddy went to Chesler’s room.
I put on nice school clothes since we were going back to the hospital. I walked by Uncle Luke’s room on my way downstairs. His door was wide open, and I knew he was already in the kitchen with Daddy and Chesler. I thought maybe I would see a bag or a box from the jewelry store. If he bought a ring, he hid it, or maybe he already gave it to her. Sure enough I couldn’t ask him.
I didn’t stop at the bottom of the stairs to hear if they were talking grown-up stuff. I didn’t want to know anything else that I had to keep to myself. Two secrets—that was enough. So I just walked straight on into the kitchen.
At breakfast Chesler asked Uncle Luke to take him ice skating down at the tennis courts by the school.
Daddy said, “Yeah, you’ll have some fun. I saw the guys from the fire station hosing down the tennis courts yesterday. We don’t get to do that every winter. Should be good skating this morning.”
“Talked me into it, big brother. Let’s do it, Chesler. I need to practice. I’m planning on taking Lisa skating later this week.”
Ice skating? I guessed that was okay, but that was not what couples did on television when they were dating. “Why don’t you dress up and take her dancing?”
Uncle Luke wiggled his eyebrows. “Skating or dancing? Dancing or skating?” He looked at Daddy. “Your daddy’s the dancer. I think I’ll have better luck on skates.”
“Well, you better get her some flowers or perfume or something girly then.”
“Why, yes, ma’am. I’ll do just that.” Uncle Luke got up from the table. “Get your skates, Chesler. We got some scooting around on the ice to do.”
I was glad to be alone with Daddy without Chesler around. We did the grocery shopping and stopped to get the flowers. Granny Grace’s good friend, Mrs. Rutherford, owned the flower shop across the street from the church. When we stepped through the door, Christmas music was playing, and whiffs of cinnamon and pine filled the air. Mrs. Rutherford came out from the back to greet us. She could have been Mrs. Santa Claus, wearing a bright red apron and a Santa hat on top of her wavy white hair. “Well, merry Christmas, you two. You’re my first customers this chilly morning.” She wiped her hands on her apron and shook Daddy’s hand. “Haven’t seen you in a while, John. What can I do for you this morning?”
“We need some flowers for one of Kate’s friends who’s in the hospital.”
“Must be the little Fields girl. Heard about what happened to her. That’s just a heaping ton of trouble that no little girl needs.” Mrs. Rutherford headed toward the back. “Let me see what I have that just might put some color in that little girl’s day.”
I turned to Daddy. “I think Laramie would like yellow daisies, and they’d look real good in my room.”
“Well that’s certainly an idea you got, Kate, but look around. What would you think about red and white carnations? It is Christmas, remember.”
Daddy was right. Today was not the day for yellow flowers. Christmas had arrived and set up camp at the Lilies of the Field flower shop. There was nothing in that flower shop that wasn’t red, green, or white.
“That’s fine.” Maybe he thought daisies were only for Mama because they were her favorites.
We got to the hospital, and I carried in the Christmas carnations wrapped in green paper. Mrs. Rutherford had wrapped them up real pretty and tied them with red ribbon. We ran into Aunt Susannah Hope in the hospital lobby. She was leaving.
“Good morning, Susannah. What are you doing here?”
She pointed her finger at Daddy like he was in trouble. “Well, Luke stopped by the house yesterday and suggested I see my doctor and get some blood work done.”
I knew all about blood work because they made Mama do that all the time.
“Are you here to see Laramie?” Aunt Susannah Hope asked.
“Yes, and to take her home with us. Since she’s going to be around for Christmas, would you like to go up and meet her?”
I didn’t think Aunt Susannah Hope would come with us, but she did. We were all quiet on the elevator up to the third floor. I think we were remembering the times Mama was here.
When we got to Laramie’s room, Daddy let me go in first. I held the flowers behind my back so she couldn’t see them. “Hey, Laramie. I hope you’re feeling better this morning.”
“I am. I’m feeling much better.” Laramie was all dressed and sitting on the edge of her bed.
I pulled the f
lowers out. “Look, we brought you some flowers.”
Her eyes got so big and her mouth opened like the choir teacher had told her to sing a high note. “Oh, flowers? Thank you. Thank you so much. They’re really pretty.”
The way she held onto those flowers with both hands and stared at them made me think nobody ever gave her flowers before.
Daddy walked over and put his hand on Laramie’s shoulder and pointed toward my aunt. “Laramie, this is Kate’s Aunt Susannah Hope. She wanted to come up and meet you. You’ll see her again because she’ll be at our house on Christmas Eve and again on Christmas Day.”
Aunt Susannah Hope stepped closer to Laramie’s bed. “Hi, Laramie. It’s lovely to meet you, and we’re so happy you’ll be celebrating Christmas with us. I live up the hill from Kate.”
Laramie stood up and used her best manners. “Thank you, ma’am. I think I know where you live. Don’t you live in that pretty white house with the porch all around it and the fence with the morning glories and the roses in the summertime?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.”
“My mom always liked that house and said she dreamed of living in one like it someday.” Laramie looked back at her carnations.
“I think your mom and I would be great friends if she likes beautiful old houses and raised a little girl as sweet and pretty as you.”
“Yes, ma’am, you’d like her.”
I’m glad Aunt Susannah Hope said she would like Laramie’s mom. Laramie probably thought nobody liked her mom since she just took off.
“Well, I’m so glad you’re feeling better, and I’ll see you again over at Kate’s.” Aunt Susannah patted Laramie’s arm and left the room.
Laramie stepped across to the closet. “My things are in that sack, and I’m ready to go.”
Daddy treated her like a young lady and took the sack. Laramie walked beside him like she was the prom queen, holding the card and flowers I gave her.
When we got home and walked in the front door, Laramie looked around like she had never seen anything like our house. “I don’t remember any of this from the other night.” But when we got to the den, she hesitated. “Oh, I think I remember this, the sofa, and that big stone fireplace. Yeah, I do remember. The fire was out, but the coals were still red.” She turned around to me. “I didn’t imagine all that, did I?”
The Christmas Portrait Page 11
