“How do we do that?” Prudence asked.
“We’ww pwetend this is ow twone room and over there is ow dining haw where we have the feasts,” she said, pointing to a spot a few feet away. “Ow be the pwincess and Pwoodance can be the duchess and Wendeww can be a knight and tew us stories.”
“What kind of stories?”
“About monsters he beat up and things like that.”
“I don’t know any stories,” he said.
“Fine, then you be the duchess and I’ll be the knight,” Prudence said. Wendell agreed to this and they got started. With Prudence in the knight’s role she got to rattle for hours while Samantha and Wendell sat in the grass and listened. They devoured a pretend feast and then Samantha let Wendell try on her slippers and tiara and carry the scepter.
“You’re not supposed to have those,” Prudence said.
She snatched the scepter away and then tried to take the tiara off his head, but he jumped back a step to avoid her. “I’m the duchess!” he cried out.
The twins ran around the meadow, Prudence trying to tackle Wendell and take the tiara and slippers. Samantha watched them from her spot on the grass, taking off her socks to dig her bare feet into the ground. She wished she could build a real castle up here, a place where she and her new friends could play.
“Kids, it’s time to come home,” Mama Veronica called from the trees. Prudence had finally managed to catch Wendell and steal the slippers and tiara from him. She pleaded to allow them a few more minutes, but Mama Veronica refused. “You kids can come back here tomorrow.”
In her bare feet, Samantha ran across the meadow and into Mama Veronica’s waiting arms. “We had so much fun, Mama,” Samantha said, telling her all about their game.
“That’s good, sweetie. So you had a good birthday?”
“The bestest ever,” she said. “Thank you, Mama.”
“You’re welcome. Now put on your shoes before we get too much farther.” Prudence had retrieved her shoes and gave Samantha back the costume slippers. She kept the tiara and scepter; Samantha hoped she gave them back later.
She felt much better walking through the forest this time with Mama Veronica at her side. Mama Veronica wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her or her friends. Samantha relaxed enough to skip ahead of Mama Veronica with Prudence, who continued rambling about everything she saw.
The town was now deserted and so quiet, Samantha wondered if all the children were a figment of her imagination. The pink banner still flapped in the breeze and the streamers and balloons hung from the storefronts. The sight of these cheered Samantha, reminding her of the wonderful party.
The red-haired girl from earlier met them outside the cottage. “Hello girls,” she said. “Go in and wash up for dinner. Make sure you scrub good under your nails.”
Samantha didn’t know who this girl was or why she bossed her and Prudence around. She would have to ask Mama Veronica about it later. Inside the cottage she found her gifts piled up in a corner by the crib followed by the more unwelcome sight of Joey sitting at the table. He wiped his nose with the back of his sleeve as they came in. “Did you guys have fun?” he asked.
“We had lots of fun,” Prudence said. She went on to describe every detail of their afternoon as Samantha climbed onto a stool to reach the water bucket and soap. She made sure to scrub her fingernails clean as the bossy lady had said.
For dinner they had roast beef, potatoes, and bread. Despite Samantha’s protests that she was a big girl, Mama Veronica cut up her meat into bite-sized pieces. Again Prudence hardly touched her meal, her mouth too busy talking, so that Samantha cleaned her plate as well. Throughout the meal, Joseph sat across the table, sniffling and wheezing through his nose. He’s so gross, she thought. Why did he have to live here?
After dinner, Mama Veronica told them to get ready for bed. Molly the bossy lady took Wendell and Joey into one room to change while Mama Veronica took Prudence and Samantha into the other. From a basket on the floor, Mama Veronica took out a nightgown the color of Prudence’s dress for her to wear. Prudence talked nonstop as she put on the nightgown and brushed out her long hair. When she finished, she climbed into the bed. Mama Veronica pressed a cloth doll that resembled Prudence—only heavier and with less hair—into Prudence’s hands. Mama Veronica kissed her on the forehead and said goodnight.
“What about me, Mama?” Samantha asked.
“We’re getting to you, sweetie.” She took out a pink set of one-piece pajamas with the feet like babies wore.
“I don’t wanna wear that,” Samantha said. “I wanna nightgown wike Pwoodance.”
“Now Samantha, don’t be difficult. It’s been a long day and you need your rest.”
“But that for babies. I’m big girw now. You said.”
“I know you are, sweetie. Just put this on for tonight and I promise tomorrow we’ll get you a nightgown.”
“But Mama—”
“Now, young lady.” Samantha took off her princess dress and climbed into the pajamas, Mama Veronica helping her zip them up. “You look very nice. Let’s get you to bed and then Aunt Molly will tell you a story.”
Mama Veronica scooped Samantha up, but instead of putting her in the bed with Prudence, Mama Veronica started towards the crib. “I wanna sweep in the bed,” Samantha said.
“Sweetie, the bed is for Prudence and Aunt Molly. Your bed is in here.”
“Cwibs ow for babies,” Samantha said. “I’m big girw. You said so.”
“If you don’t want to be treated like a baby then stop acting like one. There’s nothing wrong with your crib.”
“No fair!” Samantha wailed. She clawed and squirmed to break Mama Veronica’s grip. “I’m twee. I’m not baby!”
Samantha thrashed about in Mama Veronica’s arms, her elbow coming up to hit Mama Veronica in the ear. Mama Veronica’s grip loosened enough for Samantha to squirt free. She ran towards the bedroom to jump into the bed with Prudence.
Mama Veronica dragged her down by the hair in the doorway. “You little brat! You’re getting in that fucking crib,” Mama Veronica said, her voice sounding different. She sounded like a monster. She picked Samantha up by the hair to look her in the eye. Samantha kicked and clawed at Mama Veronica to no avail. “I think you need a good spanking to teach you a lesson.”
“No! I get in the cwib. I be good,” Samantha said.
“You need to understand who’s in charge here,” Mama Veronica said. She tucked Samantha over her shoulder and took her into the kitchen.
“Veronica, what’s going on?” Molly asked.
“Samantha is misbehaving and I’m giving her a spanking.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea? I think she’s learned her lesson already—”
“Mind your own business or you’ll be next,” Mama Veronica said. She picked up the smallest of the frying pans. Samantha’s eyes widened and before she could stop herself, she wet her pajamas. “Christ, she just peed on me.”
“I’m sorry. Pwease, don’t—” Samantha’s plea broke off with a scream as Mama Veronica bent her over and struck her bottom with the frying pan. She hit Samantha again and again, Samantha’s screams growing louder until they filled the cottage.
When Mama Veronica finished, she turned Samantha over. Her voice returned to normal as she said, “I hope you learned your lesson, sweetie. When you disobey me, you have to be punished, understood?”
Samantha nodded, her throat too choked with sobs to form any words. Mama Veronica pressed Samantha into Molly’s arms. “Find her some new pajamas and make sure you put a diaper on her this time. I’ll be back in the morning.”
After the door slammed shut, Molly set Samantha down on the table. “Why?” Samantha asked. “Why…she?”
“She was only trying to teach you a lesson. You have to behave yourself and do what you’re told. Your mama has to work very hard now and she needs all of us to be good for her.”
Molly applied a drop of glowing water to Samantha’s bo
ttom, the physical pain receding, but she still felt the blows in her mind. Mama Veronica had turned into a monster. After this most wonderful day, how could this happen? She didn’t understand.
So wrapped up in her thoughts, Samantha didn’t put up any resistance as Molly put a cloth diaper on her, followed by light blue pajamas exactly like the other ones. Samantha was still trying to unravel the mystery as Molly set her down in the crib and kissed her on the forehead. She fell asleep crying.
Chapter 9: On the Run
Samantha woke up screaming. In her dreams, Mama Veronica wielded a frying pan bigger around than Samantha’s birthday cake. No matter how fast Samantha ran, Mama Veronica was always a step behind, ready to bring the pan down on her backside.
Hands lifted her out of the crib. Samantha swatted at them, calming only when she heard Molly’s voice say, “It’s all right, dear. No one’s going to hurt you.”
Samantha’s whole body shook as she cried. “Mama hates me,” she said between sobs.
“No, of course not. Mama loves you very much.” Molly took Samantha over to the hearth, sitting with her in front of the cooling embers. She bounced Samantha on her knee and wiped at Samantha’s tears. “Your mama has been under a lot of stress. Sometimes when people are under stress they get angry and do things they don’t mean. It doesn’t mean they’re bad people.”
“She hit me. That bad.”
“I know, dear. I’m sure your mama is very sad about that and tomorrow morning she’ll come back and tell you how very, very sorry she is.”
“I hate her,” Samantha said.
“Samantha, you shouldn’t hate anyone. People like your mama need our love and understanding. It’s not easy being responsible for you and Prudence and all the other children. It’s a very difficult thing to care for so many people.”
“She mean and I hate her.”
“I know you don’t mean that. Tomorrow you’ll see how bad Mama feels and forgive her because you love her.”
“No I won’t. I hate her forever.”
Molly stared in the fire, absently fiddling with Samantha’s hair. When she spoke, her voice sounded very sad. “I had a mama once, years ago. When I was not much older than Prudence a terrible thing happened and I lost my mama.”
“Where she go?”
“She went to Heaven, dear, to live with the angels.”
“What happen to her?”
“Well, I guess you could say she drowned. She fell into the water and never came back again.”
“Why not?”
“It’s hard to explain, dear, but when people go up to Heaven like my mama they can’t ever come back again. They wait for us to go to them and live with them forever.”
“How you get to Heaven?”
“Well, you have to be a very good girl and not do anything bad. And when people do bad things we have to forgive them.”
“I don’t wanna fogive Mama. She mean to me.”
“I know, sweetie, but you must. Before my mama went away to Heaven, I got angry with her. She hit me like your mama did and I didn’t think I could ever forgive her. I thought I would hate her forever. It was only after she left that I realized how much I still loved and missed her.”
“Aunt Mowwy, you cwying.”
“I know, dear. I know.” She dabbed at her eyes with a sleeve. “I would give anything for one more chance to tell my mama how much I love her. Do you understand now why it’s so important to forgive your mama?”
“Because she could go to Heaven wike you mama?”
“That’s right, dear.” She stood up, turning away from the hearth. “We better get you changed and back in bed,” Molly said. She carried Samantha back over to the table, changing her out of the second pair of soiled pajamas. Molly left her there for a moment, returning with a yellow nightgown. “This used to be mine when I was your age. It might be a little small.”
The nightgown clung to Samantha’s belly and left her bare legs exposed. At least it was better than those awful pajamas with the rubber feet. She squirmed on the table when Molly brought out a fresh diaper. “I know you don’t want to wear it, dear, but you have to for now. I’ll make you a deal: if you stay dry for three days you can try sleeping without it.”
“OK,” Samantha said. She let Molly put the diaper on. “Can I sweep in bed with you and Pwoodance?”
“Not tonight, dear. If you’re a good girl tomorrow and are nice to your mama I’ll talk to her about it. Maybe we can have a bed made especially for you. Would you like that?”
“Yes,” Samantha said.
Molly set her into the crib, kissing her on the forehead again. “Don’t worry about anything. Tomorrow everything will be fine. You’ll see.”
“G’night Aunt Mowwy.”
“Goodnight, dear. I’ll be in the next room if you need me.” Molly patted Samantha on the head and then disappeared.
Samantha tried to sleep, but couldn’t. She kept thinking of what Molly had said, contrasting this with what Mama Veronica had done. She should forgive Mama Veronica. After all, Mama had thrown her the bestest party ever, given her lots of great gifts, and found a pair of wonderful friends—she didn’t count that stinkyhead Joey. Mama Veronica loved her, didn’t she?
Samantha shivered at the memory of Mama Veronica grabbing her by the hair and screaming at her in that awful voice. That ugly, mean voice. Then came the thrashing with the frying pan. Afterwards, she remembered seeing not a look of sadness on Mama Veronica’s face, but something else. Anger, yes, but more. Almost like a smile at the edges of her mouth.
Mama Veronica enjoyed beating her. She enjoyed putting Samantha into those baby pajamas and then into the crib. She said Samantha was a big girl, but she wanted to treat her like a baby forever. She was a monster and everything else just pretend like Samantha and her friends playing in the meadow.
No matter what Molly said, Samantha could not forgive Mama Veronica. Not ever. She couldn’t forgive a monster. She didn’t care if Mama Veronica went up to Heaven and didn’t return; Samantha would never forgive her. “We weaving and never, ever coming back,” she said to her dolly.
She tucked the doll under her arm and then tried to pull herself over the side of the crib. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t do it. She finally sank down to the mattress, crying and panting from the effort.
“Smanfa?” Prudence said. “Are you all right?”
“No. I hate this pwace. I hate Mama Vewonica. I gonna weave,” Samantha said.
“You are? Can I come with you? I don’t want to be alone,” Prudence said. She leaned over the edge of the crib so Samantha could see her face.
“Yes. Can you help me out of the cwib?”
“All right.” Samantha tried to pull herself up again, only this time Prudence took hold of her nightgown. They both tumbled to the ground. A cut opened on Samantha’s right knee from the fall, but she bit down on her lip to keep from crying out. They couldn’t let Molly know. “Wait here.”
Samantha watched Prudence sneak back into her bedroom, a hand going to her lips. She’s going to tell on me! Samantha thought. Instead, Prudence returned a minute later with Samantha’s princess costume, including the scepter, and her own green dress. Samantha left the diaper on; even though it made her feel like a baby she didn’t want to ruin her pretty dress.
After they changed, Prudence led Samantha into the boy’s bedroom. She poked at her brother with a finger. When this didn’t cause him to stir, she shook him. He still didn’t get up, so she finally rolled him off the bed, onto the floor. “What—” he started to ask, but Prudence clapped a hand over his mouth and put a finger to her lips.
“Smanfa and I are leaving. You’re coming too.”
“Where we going?”
“I don’t know,” Prudence said.
“I don’t want to go.”
“You don’t have a choice. Get dressed.”
“Can I come?” Joey asked from the bed, sniffling and wheezing through his nose.
�
��No,” Samantha and Prudence hissed together.
“Why not? I don’t want to be alone.”
“You a stinkyhead,” Samantha said.
“You’re a snotface,” Prudence said. “We don’t like you.”
“Maybe we should—” Wendell started to say.
“No. He’ll make too much noise,” Prudence said. She reached across the bed to seize Joey by the shirtfront. “You better not tell on us.” She curled a fist for emphasis.
“I won’t tell,” he said, his sniffling and wheezing becoming worse as he cried.
“Good. Now let’s go.” Prudence led the way, tiptoeing through the house, past Molly’s door, where she slept peacefully in her bed. Prudence opened the door, ushering Samantha and Wendell through before closing it behind them. They stood in the darkness a moment, a shiver running through Samantha.
“Where do we go?” she asked.
“This way,” Prudence said, leading them into the forest.
Chapter 10: Red Water
Wendell bumped into Samantha as an owl hooted. “I want to go home,” he whined for the millionth time since they’d left.
“Shut up,” Prudence said.
“We’re lost,” he said.
“We’re not lost. We just haven’t found what we’re looking for yet,” she said. She picked Samantha up off the ground and then set out once again.
“What are we looking for?” he asked. Samantha thought this to be a good question. In the hours of stumbling through the darkness, getting dirt all over her pretty dress, they didn’t seem to be any closer to finding anything.
“I don’t know. I’ll know when I see it,” Prudence said.
“But how?” Samantha asked.
“Trust me, I’ll know. Now could you two shut up? I can’t hardly think with you two carrying on,” Prudence snapped.
Samantha began to cry and threw herself back to the ground. “I’m tired,” she said. Her belly growled. “And hungy.”
“Then maybe you should go back,” Prudence said. “It was your idea to leave in the first place.”
“I didn’t wanna come out here,” Samantha said. “It’s dark and scawy and dirty.” Wendell seconded this with a nod.
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