“Hmm, yes.”
“Hey, thanks for waiting, guys,” Grayson said. Whatcha talking about?”
Liam tossed a rock and whistled at his perfect aim to hit a fir tree. “We were discussing Mama, and how we like having her normal.”
Grabbing ClaireLee’s hand, Grayson sighed. “Yeah, it was scary, and I prayed and prayed for Mama every night.” He laughed. “See, guys, God hears us.”
Liam nodded. “Yep, He does.”
As they drew closer to the school, ClaireLee’s stomach flip-flopped. It’ll be hard to face the Lavender Girls, but no one talks to Mama like Kaye did. She knew she’d been right to put Kaye in her place, even though ClaireLee doubted if Kaye learned her lesson.
* * *
* * *
After first bell, ClaireLee purposely stayed at the end of the line of her fellow classmates. When I get into the room, I’ll watch for Kaye’s and Wendy’s reactions at seeing me. If Kaye acts mean in any way. . . ClaireLee welcomed the challenge—relishing it. Her heart thumped deep within her chest. I feel different, even braver somehow. As the line moved, she gripped her lunch pail. Here I go. “Yes, go” sounded within her mind.
Her heart slowed, and she relaxed as she entered the classroom.
Purposely, again, ClaireLee found Valerie and Belinda in their seats. They didn’t see her, but it was okay. Go! She walked to her desk and watched Wendy and Kaye, who were in the next row of desks and three seats back.
Long moments passed, and Wendy tilted her head and ClaireLee pursed her lips in disproval. Kaye started to sit, but she stood straighter and glared. ClaireLee shook her head once each way. I won’t blink or stop staring. Mrs. Reed will have to tell me to sit down first.
Kids murmured, while ClaireLee’s eyes watered and her lashes stayed open. Now Kaye was smirking. ClaireLee counted the seconds as she imagined them ticking with the hand of the clock. For Mama, I won’t back down.
The clicking of heels stopped next to ClaireLee. Mrs. Reed placed a hand on ClaireLee’s shoulder. “Sit, Kaye.” Kaye sat. ClaireLee moved to do the same, but Mrs. Reed’s hand became a firm grip. “Wait.” She crossed her arms and took a few steps, stopping at Kaye’s desk. Chin jutted, Kaye strained her neck up at Mrs. Reed and Mrs. Reed said, “Don’t you think you owe Claire an apology?”
“Nope.” Kaye’s eyes became mere slits.
Mrs. Reed placed hands on her hips. “Is this so?” She sauntered along the row of desks. “Let me get this straight, Kaye Tyner. You humiliated Mrs. Monteiro in front of our entire school,” she whirled around and faced Kaye, who by now slinked lower at her desk, “and you’re saying no?”
A sudden move from Wendy, and she leaned near Kaye’s ear, whispering. Kaye squirmed in her seat, and her face flushed to the color of the pink roses on Mrs. Reed’s desk.
Tapping her finger on her crossed arm, Mrs. Reed said, “Embarrassment shows on your face, Kaye. Good. It tells me you understand how to have shame, when appropriate.” She cocked her head. “Sometimes.”
Kaye’s face twisted in horror. She opened her mouth to speak, but closed it. More time passed, and she bowed her head. “I’m sorry.”
This is hard, but here goes. ClaireLee licked her lips. “I forgive you, Kaye.”
The room exploded with students’ clapping, and Mrs. Reed went to her desk to begin the day. At half-tilt, the edge of Wendy’s mouth lifted, and ClaireLee responded the same.
31
BLEST BE THE TIE THAT BINDS
* * *
The car was packed with boxes strapped onto the top of the station wagon. Feather cried in ClaireLee’s arms as she rocked him back and forth, waiting. “Shh, baby, shh. We’re going home—to your real home.” ClaireLee walked down the driveway a few yards. She promised to say good-bye.
Herding the kids into the car, Daddy called out. “ClaireLee.” She huffed in disappointment. “We can’t wait much longer.”
She tossed the words out over the roar of Rushing River. “Just five more minutes.” She swayed the baby in a wider motion, and he stopped fussing.
Behind ClaireLee, Mama said, “Claire?”
“I know, I know, we’ve got to go.” She was ready to leave, wanted to leave, but where was she?
Mama rubbed her palm between ClaireLee’s shoulder blades. “I told your daddy we could wait more than a few minutes. This is important.” Mama switched to a scratching ClaireLee’s back with a fingernail, and ClaireLee relaxed. “Besides, your nana will keep supper warming if we’re late.”
From Mama’s kind words, ClaireLee exhaled nosily. “Thanks, Mama. I know she will come. She said she would.”
Mama stood next to ClaireLee and watched with her. “I believe you.”
After ten long minutes passed, a car with a loud muffler pulled off of Pit Street. It headed toward cabin number nine, with dirt barreling behind. ClaireLee gave the baby to her mother. “Here, Mama.”
Mama began to move away, but then came closer. “Claire, don’t forget to give her your address.”
“I’ll remember.” ClaireLee walked to meet the car then broke into a sprint, coming to the passenger’s side. The bumper of the car shook as the car hit a pothole. She kept steady pace with the slowing vehicle.
“I’m sorry, Claire.” Belinda was rolling down the window. “Bossy got away from me after I milked. We had to get her back into the pen before we could leave.”
“Your old cow is pretty smart.” ClaireLee laughed. “And I thought you were stronger than some ol’ cow.”
Belinda bent her arm up at the elbow and pumped her bicep into a goose-eggsized muscle.
Pulling next to the station wagon, Grandma Neecy switched off the engine. Belinda threw open the door and hugged ClaireLee. “I’m gonna miss the tar out of ya.”
Squeezed in too hard of a hug, she said, “You’re smothering me.”
“When ya love someone,” Belinda released her grip, “ya give them bear hugs.”
A heavy ache hit ClaireLee’s chest. “I want us to write each other.” She pulled a folded paper from her pocket. “This is my address.”
Belinda’s eyes grew misty, and her lips trembled. “Ah, this is nice, real nice.”
While Grandma Neecy hugged the entire family, ClaireLee was holding Belinda’s hand. Then, the older woman moseyed over to Belinda and ClaireLee. “We gotta let y’all go.” She hugged ClaireLee, who caught the scent of bacon, once again.
The Monteiro car engine roared to life and ClaireLee said, “It’s time.” Tears stung the bridge of her nose.
“Yep.” Belinda swiped at her wet lashes. She gave ClaireLee a nudge. “Go on to your Oregon.”
ClaireLee walked three paces from Belinda, but turned back and rushed into Belinda’s arms. “I love you, friend.”
“I love you more.” Belinda’s chin rested on ClaireLee’s head.
“No, you don’t.” ClaireLee snapped to attention and placed hands on her hips.
Mimicking ClaireLee’s stance, Belinda said, “Yes, I do.”
“Nuh-uh.” ClaireLee stepped backward while facing Belinda.
Her eyes grew large and sorrow showed within her sky blues. “Yeah-huh, Claire.”
Waving, ClaireLee slid next to Mama in the front seat. As the station wagon rolled along the driveway, ClaireLee hollered out the window, “Prove it and write to me, Belinda Cruz.”
The two friends waved frantically, until Belinda and the cabin vanished within the dust.
“You ready to go home, Claire?” her father said.
He said Claire. Just Claire. Her laugh filled her whole face.
About the Author
Jean Ann Williams began her writing career in 1994 by reading a stack of books on the craft of writing. Since then, Jean Ann has published over 100 articles and short stories. In her free time, Jean Ann enjoys reading, reviewing books and mentoring young writers for the next generation. She is also a small-time goat farmer and raises a couple dozen hens on one acre of land. Recently, Jean Ann has taken up a
rchery with her custom-fitted bow for short people.
Jean loves to hear from her readers!
@JeanAnnWilliams
writerjeanann
jeanannwilliams.blogspot.com/
Just Claire Page 20
