The Daisy

by Morgan Dawson

  “Sure. Alice, do you want to go see the river?” I hold out my hand, and she pauses before taking it.

  She jumps up and down squealing. “Yes. Yes. Pwease.”

  I get her shoes on, and she runs to the door. I follow after her, and she giggles as I grab her hand. “Slow down you, silly girl.”

  Alice pulls on my arm, and I laugh, looking into her scrunched up face.

  “Genevieve?” Joel calls my name from the door.

  I turn and he’s putting his hat on. “Do you mind if I come? It’s just getting a little loud in there.”

  “Sure.” I smile, waiting for him to catch up.

  Alice is pulling on my hand still and as soon as he catches up, I follow after her.

  “This is Darlene and Robert’s daughter?” Joel asks, looking down at Alice.

  “Yes. Alice.”

  She turns to look at me. “What?”

  “No.” I laugh. “I was just saying your name.”

  She giggles and keeps pulling me in the direction of the river.

  Once we reach the riverbank, I kneel down and grab a few rocks. “Here. Look what happens when you throw these into the water.” I take one rock out of my hand and throw it into the water.

  It lands with a splash and Alice instantly starts to laugh. “Me do.”

  I hold my hand out to her and she takes one out of my hand. She furrows her eyebrows and throws the rock, letting out a huff as she does. The rock doesn’t go more than a foot.

  “Here. Try again.”

  She takes another one and this time, it lands in the water and she jumps up and down screaming. “Again. Again.”

  One thing about children is that their attention span either lasts two seconds, or they never get bored of something so simple. In this case, ten minutes later, she is still throwing the rocks and laughing every time.

  I’m now sitting on the ground with a pile of rocks beside me. Joel is seated next to me, while Alice stands next to the rocks.

  She laughs again as another rock hits the water.

  “Children are so easily amused.” I laugh, watching her spin around in circles.

  Joel smiles in her direction. “I wish I was a child. Life would be a lot easier.” He pauses. “Thank you for inviting my siblings and me. We don’t get out much and I know this means a lot to them. And me.”

  “You’re welcome. And always know you’re all welcome any time.”

  “Unless your Pa’s around.”

  “Joel.” I smile at him. “I don’t care what my pa thinks. I’m an adult and besides, everyone else forgave you. Maybe he can too.”

  I watch Joel hesitate for a minute before taking my hand. I hold my breath, unsure what to do. Eventually, though, I hold his hand too. This isn’t so bad. I’m just glad Alice is here or it could be quite awkward.

  “Joel, I’ve always wondered what the scar on your face is from.”

  He looks at me and his smile disappears. “I’m not sure you want to know.”

  “I’m pretty sure I do.”

  He sighs, squeezing my hand gently. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “It was six years ago, I was fifteen. It was a year before I met you the first time. I was with some friends—three of them. We’d gone out one night to steal some money from the local restaurant back where I lived in Missouri. See, I was young and stupid, and I got into stealing with those boys, It gave me a strange kind of feeling, like I had something fizzy in my veins or something when we split the money. I however, used most of the money to give to my ma. I started stealing a few months after my father left us.” Joel pauses, looking at me.

  I nod, hoping he’ll continue.

  “We didn’t have much money, and my ma was thinking of selling the farm. Of course, I have no excuse for what I did, but back then I was angry with the whole world. And especially at my father for leaving us so we had to struggle so hard with no money.

  “So, I got in with some boys who could help me get some money. The night we broke into the restaurant, I smashed the window with a rock while the other two climbed in. I watched for people coming our way. No one came, though, and we got the money we wanted. The one boy I was with, I guess you’d call him the leader, began splitting the money when we reached the forest.”

  Joel shifts and gives me a small smile.

  “He gave himself $3.00 and the other guy the same amount, but he only gave me $2.00. He said I didn’t go in so they should get more. I was angry and I told him I wanted the money evenly split. He refused and soon we were fighting. I punched him in the nose, and I remember it made a horrid cracking noise. I immediately knew I’d broken it.

  “The other boy shoved me down, and the leader held me down with his foot when I tried to stand. I swung at him but he kept pushing me down. I finally managed to knock him off me, then I jumped up and began to run. I didn’t get far, though, before the second boy grabbed my suspenders, pulling me back.”

  Joel looks out beyond the flowing river. “The main one punched me in the mouth and his ring caught on the corner of my lip. He yanked it out and it scraped along the side of my face. I remember how much it hurt. It cut deep into my face, and that’s why I have this scar.”

  With his other hand he touches the scar lightly.

  “How’d you get away?”

  “Well eventually, we heard some people coming out of their houses when the restaurant owner began screaming. They fled and I’ve never seen them since.”

  I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Taking a closer look at the scar, I try to imagine the ring cutting his face. “That sounds painful.”

  “Not the worst I’ve had, but of course it scarred.”

  I smile at him. “Thank you for trusting me to tell me that. I think scars make people seem more real. They show they’re human. Look.” I hold out my hand. “This is a burn scar. My ma was cooking some peas, and I grabbed the handle too close to the pot. It instantly burned me, and I was so scared I didn’t know what to do. So I held onto the handle for about ten seconds until my ma screamed at me to let go.”

  Joel grimaces, looking at the faded scar on my palm.

  “Excwuse me. I hungwy.” Alice taps my shoulder.

  “Yes. Supper should almost be ready. We should get back.” I stand, and Joel lets go of my hand. Alice runs ahead of us. She’s not very fast though, so Joel and I can keep up just walking our normal pace.

  Soon we’re back at the house, and I’m helping Alice to wash her hands before eating.

  I finally am sitting at the table and smile at the smell of the roasted chicken.

  “Thank you for inviting my siblings and me. It’s nice to get out of the house for the day.” Joel smiles at everyone.

  “You’re very welcome. I will admit, you’ve certainly changed, Joel.” Darlene smiles, taking a drink of her water.

  We eat quickly, discussing the happenings of Riverbend and the men talk about Robert’s scythe breaking and how he’s repairing it. I don’t quite remember what a scythe is, but I know it’s used for farming.

  After eating, I help my sisters and Julie to clean up. The sun is beginning to set as we say our goodbyes. Adeline and August stand in the door waving goodbye to everyone. We walk to our wagons still parked near the church.

  “Goodbye, Mr. Adams. It’s been nice to see the good side of you.” Robert shakes Joel’s hand and then moves to guide Darlene, with Levi in hand, and Alice toward the wagon.

  Julie wraps her arms around my neck. “Goodbye, Genevieve. I think we’re going to be good friends.”

  “I think so too, Julie.” And I believe it.

  She lets go, and I smile at Joel. “Goodbye, Joel.”

  “Bye, Genevieve. And if you ever happen to be in Riverbend sometime throughout the week, you go out that road there.” He points at the road in the opposite direction our house is. “You turn right after a mile, and then you keep going till a little log house with a sign that says, ‘The Adams.’ I might not be home, but Juli
e usually is and if I have to keep listening to her complain about how she’s withdrawn from contact with other females, I’m going to lose my mind.”

  “Oh, brother. You already have.” Julie laughs, looping her arm with Joel. He scowls down at her comment.

  “Okay.” I smile at the four of them. “Well, I’m sure I’ll see you before next Sunday.”

  I watch them climb into their wagon before climbing up into my own. Robert has offered to drive, and I’m glad because I’m exhausted. I find myself asleep on the blanket next to Alice within a few minutes.

  Chapter 16

  It’s been a few days since church, and I’m once again in the house alone. Pa and Bradley went out to check the cows while my sisters and Freida went for a walk. I think the acceptance of Douglas being gone has hit nearly all of us now.

  It’s been almost a week since we last saw him, and the flicker of hope is beginning to die down. Freida refuses to accept he’s gone yet, though.

  Bradley locked himself in his room for the whole day yesterday, and he now barely says a word other than the rare, “yes,” “sure,” or “no.”

  I’ve just finished washing up from lunch when I hear the sound of a wagon making its way down the gravel road toward our house.

  Looking out the window, a rickety wagon—one I’m sure is going to fall apart—is coming our way. But who is it?

  I watch as the wagon stops in front of our house. There are two white horses pulling it and soon I see none other than Joel’s sister, Julie, hop down. Her long, blonde hair bounces with each step she takes up to the house.

  Rushing to the door, I smile as I open it.

  “Hello, Julie.” I laugh, and she pulls me into a hug.

  “Genevieve. I’m so glad I came to the right house.” Julie lets out a giggle as she pulls away.

  I motion for her to come in, shutting the door behind her. “What are you doing here?”

  “Well, I’ve come to invite you to a dance.”

  I raise my eyebrows. “A dance?”

  “Yes, in Riverbend.” She sits at the table with a huge grin spreading across her face. “It’s a spring dance. Almost everyone goes. You dress up and dance the night away. Of course, there’s delicious food too!”

  “And you want me to come?”

  She laughs. “No, I’m making you come. We can get ready together. It’ll be so much fun.” Julie raises her hands in the air, and with a smile she says, “Imagine, the lights…” Her left arm swings out. “The music…” Now her right arm is out. “Just think of the fun.”

  I fold the wet towel I’d been holding and set it down. “All right, I’ll come. When is it?”

  “Tonight.”

  “Tonight? Julie! What short notice.” I laugh, sitting down beside her.

  “Oh relax. It’s not until seven. I can take you back with me and we can get ready together. Oh, and do invite your sisters.”

  I laugh at how enthusiastic she is. “Oh all right. Say, Julie? How did you know how to get here?”

  “Oh heavens, I wouldn’t have known, but Joel came with me. I begged him to let me invite you and then when he said yes, I made him show me how to get here. He’s hiding in the back of the wagon, though.”

  I smile, standing up. “Okay, come help me pick out a dress. My sisters should be back soon. I’m sure they’ll want to come.”

  Julie lets out an extremely high-pitched squeal, and I flinch.

  She follows me up the ladder and once I show her where my dresses are, she goes crazy. She lays them all out, comparing them to my hair and eyes. Soon she has it limited to three. One is a dark purple with black lace on the long sleeves. The other is a light blue, and the last one is an emerald green silk dress. It’s the one my ma bought me as a Christmas gift one year. I’ve been letting out the seams for years, until it’s almost not able to fit me anymore.

  “I say we bring all three.” Julie stands up with the three dresses draped over her arm.

  “Umm? Why?”

  She’s laughing as she climbs down the ladder. “Because, what if one doesn’t match the shoes, or one gets a hole in it?”

  I decide not to argue.

  The door opens as I’m making my way down the ladder.

  “Oh, hello,” I hear Freida say to Julie. “Who are you?”

  “I’m Julie Adams. Genevieve’s friend.”

  I’m on the floor now and I watch Freida shut the door behind her. “Oh, it’s nice to meet you. Are you Joel’s sister?”

  “Yes, I’ve invited Genevieve to come to a spring dance with me in Riverbend. Lydia and Hazel are welcome to come too. And your son if he wants, but I’m not sure he’d want to right now. I’m sorry about your youngest by the way.”

  “Thank you.” Freida looks down, but instantly puts a smile back on her face. “Yes, Lydia and Hazel, if you want to go, you can.”

  Hazel bounces up and down and replies quickly, “Yes, oh yes, I’d love to.”

  Lydia gives a smile and rubs her arm. “Well I would, but I’ve got some weaving I planned to do tonight.”

  “Come on, Lyd. It’s one night.” Hazel elbows her in the side.

  “I don’t know. Things like dances just aren’t my thing, I guess.” Lydia shrugs and sits down.

  “That’s all right.“ Freida smiles at her. “You two go on. I’m guessing you will take them there?”

  “Yes.” Julie grins, throwing the dresses to me. “And after it’s over, I will have them dropped off at Adeline’s. Don’t worry, I already asked her.”

  “All right, that sounds good. Hazel, go find a dress, won’t you?”

  Hazel laughs and climbs up to the loft with Julie close behind her.

  “Well, Genevieve. This dance sounds fun. And don’t worry about us. You have fun. I should’ve recognized Julie when I came in. She’s such a nice girl.”

  Soon, Hazel is carrying three dresses down too, and Julie rushes us out the door.

  The back hatch of the wagon opens, revealing a hiding Joel. “You took forever, Julie. You said only ten minutes.”

  “I meant ten minutes times three.” She smiles, reaching up for his hand, and he helps her up.

  He helps Hazel and I up, then looks at the dresses in my hands. “Why on earth do you have so many?”

  “Ask your sister.” I laugh, folding them on the seat of their wagon. Hazel is sitting on the seat already, and soon Joel gets the wagon going in the direction of Riverbend.

  Chapter 17

  “Genevieve. What about this dress?”

  I’m sitting at her vanity, looking at my hair that’s now pinned up. Glancing up at her, I smile. “Lovely. Just like the other seven dresses you’ve tried on. Where did you get so many dresses from anyway?”

  “A kind aunt we have who wanted girls but got boys. And, you can never have the perfect dress. But I want one as close to perfect as possible.” Julie’s eyes move to Hazel who is standing up. “Oh yes, that dress is the one, Hazel! See that pale pink really brings out the color of your blonde hair. Oh, would you look at that!”

  Laughing, I watch Julie rush to her dresser, lifting a beautiful necklace with what looks like a pink stone. “Hazel. This will look perfect right…” She lifts the necklace to Hazel’s neck. “Here.”

  Hazel’s face brightens when she sees herself in the mirror. Julie had pinned her hair up with a few braids working their way through the hair. She’d also woven some pink flowers into the strands.

  “Okay, well I guess this dress will do.” Julie sighs, sitting on her bed.

  “Julie.” I laugh as I look up at her. “You look stunning. Every man will drop when they see you.”

  “Well I hope not. How can I dance with passed out men?”

  I look up at her and shake my head. “Julie, you certainly know how to make me laugh.”

  She gives me a smirk. “No, I’m serious.”

  Hazel laughs and sits beside her on the bed. “Now what?”

  “We wait.” She smiles. “And try not to ruin our outfits.
”

  “Yeah. I’m not so good at that.” Hazel sighs, lying down.

  “Well you’re going to have to be.” Julie laughs, fiddling with her hair.

  Hazel loves this sort of thing, but she also has a tendency to get messy. She loves the woods, running and jumping, so I’m excited to see her sit still for a while.

  I stand and make my way to the full-length mirror in the corner of Julie’s room and look at my reflection. There must be something wrong with the mirror though, because the woman looking back cannot possibly be me.

  But sure enough, there I am. I’m wearing the dark purple dress. I adore this one because it’s arm length, but the sleeves are black lace. It’s a beautiful dress and I believe it used to be one of my ma’s.

  My hair is up in the most intricate hairstyle I’ve ever seen, with two strands of curls hanging down perfectly on either side of my face. Intertwined in the hair, is a crown of violet coloured flowers. A little much for me personally, but Julie told me I need to stop being so boring. Whatever that’s supposed to mean.

  I look at myself and see for the first time, a woman. One I hope my ma would’ve been proud of.

  * * *

  “Julie! Hurry up,” Stephen shouts from outside.

  “Yeah,” I hear Joel pipe up. “We’ll leave without you.”

  “Just give me a minute, for goodness sake,” Julie shouts, sitting down to put her shoes on. “You two go on out. Then by the time you get in the wagon, I should be ready.”

  Hazel flashes me a huge smile, her eyes sparkling.

  “Don’t…” Julie is cut off as Hazel runs out the door. “Run. I was going to say run.”

  Laughing, I walk away, aware of Julie watching me intently. Hazel is already being helped into the wagon by Joel as I make my way toward them. Nervously, I raise my one hand to hold my pendant. I really need to get out of this habit.

  Joel takes my hand to help me up, but stops, his eyes meeting mine. “You look lovely, Genevieve.”

  “Thank you. You don’t look half bad either.” I smile at him as he helps me climb up.

  “Julie!” Joel shouts again, chuckling to himself. “I tell you. She’s in her own little world.”