by Roxe Anne
“That’s a deal! Riding bikes always makes me hungry. Then we’ll really be hungry for supper after riding, won’t we, Katie?”
“Sure will! Do you want to help me make the grilled cheese?”
“Oh boy, do I? Do I get to flip the sandwich in the pan?”
Katie laughs. “Yes, Billie. I’ll even let you flip the grilled cheese.”
“This is even better than Mama being home. She sure wouldn’t let me cook those sandwiches. She would just tell me I’m still too little. You’re the best sister a boy could ever have!”
“Hey, what about me?”
“I guess you’re special too!” He says, giving me a hug.
“Hey, Katie, do you think we can have a race on the big hill by the school?”
“I guess.”
“That’s not fair, Katie. I have to ride that old boy’s bike Mama bought at a garage sale. You know I will lose!”
“It’s no big deal, Missy. Just let Billie win. Mama and Uncle Frank fighting is upsetting to him. He’s too little to understand what is happening between them.”
“Billie might be too little, but I don’t have to call Frank, Uncle Frank any longer. Mama said so. And you don’t have to call him Uncle Frank either!”
“Okay, go get your bikes. Let’s get this race on the road. Come on Sandy, you ready girl?” Katie asks her.
Sandy just stands by Katie’s side waiting for Billie and me. She loves to tag along anywhere we go.
“This seat is hard on my butt, Katie. Can we trade bikes?” I ask, my butt already aching.
“Not on your life. I bought this bike with my babysitting money!”
“It’s not fair. This bike is meant for a boy, not a girl. I’m too short for this old bike. And the bar hurts my butt when I get on and off!” I complain even louder this time.
“Just deal with it you big baby or you can stay home with Frank by yourself!”
“No thanks. I’m coming with you guys!”
Sandy and Katie arrive at the hill first, with Billie close behind. I am about half a block behind and out of breath.
Katie makes a starting line on the top of the hill. We all have to stay behind the line until someone says the word “go”.
“Can I count to three, please?”
Katie winks at me. “Okay, Billie.”
I still don’t see how it’s fair I have to let Billie win. If I win fair and square, then I should be able to declare myself the winner.
“One…two…three…go!” Billie yells.
The hill is as long as a block and about as steep as a mountain. It makes for great sledding in the winter. But if you are riding bikes, you only want to ride up it once. You don’t even have to pedal on the way down, you can just glide.
Halfway down my pant leg gets caught in the spokes. “Help, Katie, my pants are caught!” It is a long way to the bottom of this hill. “I’m going to fall!”
My bike falls over with me on top, just rolling down that steep hill. “Ow…ow…ow….” I begin crying. I can’t help myself. It hurts. “Katie, I’m bleeding and my left side has no skin on it. I don’t think I can move. Ow…ow…I want Mama!”
“Good Lord, Missy! You’re going to live. Stop your crying. The whole neighborhood is going to hear you.”
“But it hurts!”
Billie already reached the bottom of the hill. “I won. I won!”
“You did not. I fell!”
“I won, didn’t I, Katie? It’s Missy’s fault she couldn’t stay on that old boy’s bike”
“Yes. You sure did win!”
Katie is better with little kids than me. That’s why all the neighbors want her to baby-sit. I wouldn’t have let him think he won. He has to learn how to lose someday.
Sandy comes over to me and starts licking my tears. At least she still loves me and cares about me.
“Katie, I think I broke something. Look at all the blood oozing through my pants. They are ruined. Mama’s going to be real mad!”
“Mama’s not going to be mad at you, Missy. Stand up and try to walk!”
The top of my pants are soaked and are now stuck to my shredded flesh “Ow…ow…it hurts too much to walk!”
“Billie, give me your shirt. I need it to wipe off some of Missy’s blood.”
“Okay, but you tell Mama where my shirt went, I’m not!”
“Ow…Katie, don’t touch it. It hurts!”
“I don’t think anything is broken, but there sure isn’t any skin left on your side.”
“I can’t walk. How am I supposed to get home?”
“Now you hear me, Missy Canfield. You are picking your bike up and walking it home. No one else is going to do it for you. You will live!”
“I sure wish Mama was here,” I cry. “She would go get her car and drive me home!”
“Well I don’t have a car, do I?”
I knew there was a reason I didn’t want to ride this darn boy’s bike anywhere. I wouldn’t have got my pants stuck in a girl’s bike. If the bar hadn’t been there, I could have just jumped off. I wouldn’t have fallen so hard and hurt my side either.
Billie bends down close. “Your side looks real neat. Maybe Mama will take a picture of it!”
“That’s not funny! You wouldn’t think it was so neat if it was your bloody side and had no skin!”
When we get home, Katie helps me out of my torn clothes. She takes some warm rags and gently washes my open wound.
“Stand in the tub, Missy. I’m going to pour some warm water down your side. You might want to hold on to the towel bar so you don’t slip.”
“Katie, it hurts real bad!”
“It looks like there’s some pieces of gravel stuck in your side. I have to try and get the gravel out.”
“No! Just leave it alone. Please, Katie?”
“Missy, Mama can’t afford a doctor if you get an infection, and she sure can’t afford to miss any work. I called her and she told me what to do. Now, just hold your breath. I’m going to use Mama’s tweezers and pull the gravel out.”
“Ow…ow…haven’t you got it all yet?”
“Katie, can I come in and watch you take the gravel out of Missy’s side?” Billie asks.
“No, she doesn’t have any clothes on and she doesn’t need you to watch her cry!”
“Boy, I never get to have any fun.”
“Go outside and play with your army men until we’re done, Billie. Then you can help cook Missy’s grilled cheese.”
“Missy, I think I only see one…more…piece…of gravel and we’re done. Do you think you can stand still long enough for me to get it?”
“That better be all!”
If Katie or Billie had hurt their side as I hurt mine, I don’t think they would be standing still either. If fact, they would both probably be crying more than I am!
“That’s all I see, Missy. Hold on. I’ve…got it. We’re done!”
“I’ll wet one of Mama’s dishtowels with warm water and you can keep putting the warm towel on your side.”
“I don’t want anything touching my side. That includes a dishtowel, Katie!”
“What am I going to put on for clothes? My pants will rub on my side.”
“Go put on one of your cotton nightgowns and rest on the couch. I’ll bring you a Bobbsey Twins book to read while Billie and I make your dinner. Do you want an aspirin? I think Mama would give you one if she were here.”
“Okay, maybe it will help with the pain. Thanks, Katie!”
After I take the aspirin, I fall asleep on the couch. I don’t even finish two pages of my book. I dreamt I was flying through the air and every time I tried touching the ground, I landed on my side. Mama tries to catch me a few times, but I just bounce right over her head. I remember telling Mama, “Look at me. I’m flying!”
• • •
Billie whispers. “Missy, your dinner’s done. Wake up. I cooked your grilled cheese all by myself. I brought you a tray and everything just like in the hospital. Wake up and e
at it before it gets cold.”
“Hmm…I’m awake, Billie. It sure does smell good.” I try sitting up but my side is stuck to the warm rag which is now cold, and I don’t want my clothes to touching my side. “You’ll have to wait a minute; it might take a few tries before I can sit up without hurting my side more.”
“Are you ready for your tray now, Missy?” Billie asks me.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
“It’s going to be the best grilled cheese you ever ate!”
“Maybe it will, Billie.”
“How is your side?” Katie asks.
“It hurts a lot!”
“Mama will look at it when she gets home.”
Katie and Billie are trying to take good care of me. I almost don’t miss Mama. Billie’s grilled cheese looks real good. I couldn’t have cooked it better myself. It isn’t even burnt.
We hear Frank’s car pull up in the driveway. We know it won’t be long before he comes in the house and asks questions about Mama. Maybe he won’t be drunk this time.
Frank comes in the house and walks over to the stove to see what Katie’s cooking.
“Where’s my grilled cheese, Katie?”
“I didn’t cook you one. You weren’t home and Mama said you can cook your own food!” Frank throws the frying pan in the sink, making a loud noise. Then he opens the refrigerator and grabs a bottle of cold beer.
He takes his beer and storms out of the house slamming the screen door behind him. Pretty soon we hear Sandy yelp.
“Stay out of my way!”
Billie runs to the screen door and retrieves Sandy, showing old Frank his fist. “Don’t you ever kick my dog again, Frank!” Billie runs out the door screaming at him; showing him his fist.
“Billie, you get in this house with Sandy right now, young man. Leave Frank alone before he kicks you next!” Katie warns him.
Billie holds his fists up ready for a fight. “I ought to kick the prune juice right out of that old weasel!”
“Billie Canfield, I don’t want to ever hear you talk like that again. Frank might hear you and do more than kick you!” Katie warns him again.
“Where do you think Frank’s going, Katie?” Billie asks.
“I don’t know and I don’t care! Just eat your food while it’s still warm.”
“Billie, this is the best grilled cheese I’ve ever tasted!” I tell him, hoping he forgets about old Frank.
“Can I get you anything else, Missy?”
“Thanks. I sure could use another aspirin for the pain if we have any.”
Billie marches into the kitchen with Sandy at his side. I think she knows he isn’t going to let anyone hurt his dog.
Katie and Billie do the dishes as I lie on the couch. Sandy is lying by my feet as if to say she’s sorry I’m hurt. I read some of my Bobbsey Twins book to Sandy; she rather enjoys the attention.
“Want to play cards, Missy?” Billie asks. “It might make you feel better!”
Katie winks at me.
“I suppose it won’t hurt my side too much, Billie. I guess I can play cards for a while.”
• • •
Frank comes back home drunk about midnight. He doesn’t look happy. I know we better stay out of his way.
“Where’s that mother of yours?”
“Frank, it’s only midnight and you know Mama works till one or two in the morning,” Katie tells him.
“What is this Frank stuff, with you kids? What happened to Uncle Frank?”
Katie, Billie, and I look at each other not sure of what to tell him or how he might respond.
Katie begins shaking. “Uhh—Mama told us to call you Frank from now on. You’ll have to ask her what her reason is.”
“You tell that tramp to wake me up when she gets home. I want to talk to her!”
Frank stumbles off to the study to pass out on his cot. I don’t think he’s going to be doing much talking to anyone soon. He won’t even remember what he said to us by tomorrow.
“Katie, are you going to tell Mama what Frank called her?” Billie asks.
“Uhh—I think we need for Mama to look at Missy’s side. That’s more important now. And Mama doesn’t need anymore trouble with Frank. But, Billie, try to stay out of Frank’s way while he’s still living here. Don’t go following him out the door yelling at him again. This means you, too, Missy. And whatever you do, keep Sandy out of his way.”
I really am not into playing cards after Frank comes home. I don’t think Katie is either, but we play them to keep Billie entertained.
“I must be getting better at playing rummy, Missy. I beat you the last two games! Do you think it’s harder to beat me now?”
“I think you’ve got the best teachers in the world right here, Billie. We’ve taught you everything we know. Now you’re beating us,” I tell him.
“You feel like playing Monopoly next?”
“No, Billie, you know I lose every time. Besides, Mama will be home soon.”
“I sure hope Mama and Frank don’t fight tonight, I’m tired.”
Katie pipes up. “Billie, Frank’s too drunk and he’s probably passed out by now. He won’t hear a thing the rest of the night. You don’t have to worry about them fighting tonight, unless you tell Mama what Frank said.”
“I won’t, I promise!”
“Why don’t you get your pajamas on and go to bed. I’m going to wait up for Mama with Missy so she can take a look at her side.”
“Okay, I’m tired anyway. Can I sleep with Sandy?”
“I think that’s a good idea, especially if Frank wakes up.”
• • •
Mama arrives home later than usual. It is about three in the morning. Katie and I have fallen asleep on the couch. She is sure bubbly and talking up a streak. We can hardly get a word in.
“Where’s Frank, Katie?”
“He’s passed out in the study, Mama. I don’t think you want to wake him!”
“How are you feeling, Missy?”
“My side really hurts, Mama. Katie cleaned up the wound and took all the gravel out with your tweezers. I don’t think you need to touch it!” I sure hope Mama doesn’t touch my side. It has been touched enough by Katie already. I don’t know if I can stand any more pain. I might just pass out this time.
“Remind me tomorrow to clean my tweezers, Katie. I hope you cleaned them good before you used them on Missy.”
“I did, Mama. I put the tweezers in a pan of boiling water to sterilize them before I used them.”
I turn over and pretend to go back to sleep; hoping Mama will leave me alone for at least tonight.
“Missy, you’re not going to get off that easy. Let’s go in the kitchen where there is more light. I need to take a look at your side!”
“Don’t touch it, Mama! Please?” I beg.
“Missy, we don’t want you to get an infection. Let me take a look at it!”
“Okay, but…be gentle.”
I take off my nightgown so Mama can see my side. I sure hope Frank is passed out and doesn’t come in the kitchen. He still seems as perverted as Uncle Sammy.
“Missy, Katie’s right. You don’t have any skin left on your side. We are going to have to put some mercurochrome on it”
“No…Mama, that stuff stings! Please?” I cry.
“Missy, keep it down. Remember, we don’t want to wake Frank!”
“Okay, I’ll try. Katie, will you hold my hand?”
“Sure, I know how bad that stuff stings.”
“Ow…Mama…ow…that burns! Don’t put any more mercurochrome on my side! Please?” I say, trying not to scream.
Mama gives me a kiss on my cheek. “My poor baby, I’m sorry you had to walk your bike home all the way with your side like this. You sure are brave!”
She gives Katie a kiss on her cheek, too. “Katie, you did a good job of taking care of your sister today. I’m really proud of you. I guess you are growing up to be a fine young lady!”
Katie’s eyes li
ght up like a Christmas tree when Mama tells her she is proud of her. I think Katie feels pretty important. And she is! She took care of me as good as Mama ever has.
Chapter Sixteen
Frank leaves the house before Mama wakes up. Maybe if we are lucky he is out looking for another place to live. Mama sleeps in peacefully for once.
Mama finally comes out of her bedroom. “Ah—it feels so good to have my bed all to myself!”
“Is Frank still here?”
“No, Mama,” I tell her. “He left awhile ago.”
“Thank goodness. I hope he never comes back! Did he take any clothes with him?”
“No. He just left the same as usual wearing a white shirt.”
“How about I make you kids some biscuits and sausage gravy for breakfast?”
“That sounds yummy!” Billie shouts excited.
It is one of his favorite meals. Mama hasn’t made biscuits and gravy since Frank and Sammy came to live with us. They always want pancakes, eggs, sausage, and hash browns for breakfast when they are home.
“Can I help you make breakfast, Mama?” Katie asks.
“Sure, it’s about time you learned how to make milk gravy anyway.”
Mama makes the best milk gravy in the whole world. It is one of Dixon Inn’s specials every morning. Mama told us kids that the men come into the restaurant bringing their wives saying, “Now honey, ask Dot how to make her biscuits and sausage gravy so you can make it for me at home.” Mama says she always gives them her recipe, but those men just keep coming back insisting she didn’t give them the whole thing.
They ask her, “Dot, you sure you wrote down the whole recipe for my wife?” Mama says those men coming in and complaining their wives can’t cook like her makes her feel special.
• • •
Mama doesn’t have to work today. We have the pleasure of her cooking breakfast for us instead of her customers. I almost feel sorry for her customers when she isn’t cooking. Their other cooks can’t cook as well as she can.
“I’m going to go fishing with Aunt May when I’m done making breakfast. You kids stay close to home.”
“Mama, can I go, too?” Billie asks excited.
“No, Billie, Aunt May wants some time without kids tagging along. You know how she needs time away. Besides, she wants to talk to me about something real important in private!”
