Chapter 11 of ? (chores homework)
Yesterday, I told Heather I would get some medical information on private girl things, like periods. Sure enough, the minute I get home from school, “Well, did you find anything about it today?” “Yep, I made it to the counselor’s office before class. She knew exactly what I wanted. Here, she gave me one booklet to start with – if we have questions, we need to call. Don’t leave it laying around. Remember, Dad got pissed when he discovered Mom let us shave our legs.” She took off to the bathroom and locked the door to read it – the only door in the house with a privacy lock. This flexible sharing-chores thing is nice, but I’ve figured out somebody has to manage it! Okay, while she’s in there, I better go check what Mom put on the supper shelf...
Chapter 10 of ? (sisters)
Just between you and me, Heather is my balance and doesn’t even know it. She’s not only pretty and smart, she’s realistic. I face life with fear of what-if, and she appears to live it each day, sometimes by the hour. I admire that, but can’t find my comfort level with it. It’s not a judgment thing – it’s a fear of losing her in childish decisions where she gets hurt. I feel a responsibility. Saying that out loud sounds really silly, because in fact, I have no control. She’s the fun person I can’t be – the friend that knows no limits to defend – the girl that says it like it is, whether anyone is offended or not – and one that can turn two hours of freedom into a memorable adventure. I sincerely don’t feel jealousy – I’m in awe...
Chapter 9 of ? (new baby)
It’s been several months since we found out a baby is joining us. Secretly, I’ve been wishing for a girl to balance out our family. Other than that, we’ve just been getting used to the idea. It’s Monday morning before daybreak and Dad just bounced into my room to announce the birth of our – baby brother. I pull my pillow over my head, “Trade him for a girl before you bring him home. We got enough boys.” “Aw, come on girl, get up. We have to cook breakfast.” I know he wants me to share his joy, but I’m just not in the mood. “You mean I have to cook breakfast. Oh man…,” with a moan realizing I have to get the kids ready for school. ### With little Tad here, it is true love all over again. He’s the center of everybody’s life. With...
Chapter 8 of ? (baby?!)
[edit note: prepare photo of a shorthand note before publishing] It’s early, but I’m awake just laying here thinking about important decisions I have to make this school year. Heather is coming in to see if I’m awake. I open my eyes as she sits on the edge of the big bed trying to not wake up the youngest boys on the other side. “Jane, you’re not going to believe this,” whispered Heather. “Mama’s gonna have a baby!” “Oh, come off it, where’d you hear that?” That was the last thing I wanted to hear. “I’ll never get out of here now.” “What do you mean, where’re you going?” “Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. No place right now – don’t worry.” I want to make sure she understands. “I’m taking typing and shorthand this...
Chapter 7 of ?
The mood at home is returning to normal after we got Kevin home. Dad seems to go out of his way to do special things as if nothing bad had happened. He’s very cordial on the weekends around us, and at church services I hardly recognize him. He gives the impression of being a saintly person full of charity and kindness. Being tall and handsome, he turns on the charm and people find him easy to like. Mom knows she has to makes changes. She’s looking for a better job to be able to save some money. Her self confidence is lower than it should be, because she didn’t lose enough weight between having so many kids so fast. She works at many chores, but I’ve never seen her dirty. Quite an amazing feat I’ve never been able to accomplish! When I get dirty, I...
Chapter 6 of ? (Randy arrives home)
[Reminder to new readers: This is the draft of a fiction novel being written by the owner of this blog site and copyright. Thank you for visiting.] Dad is scheduled to work until seven. There’s barely time to cook supper. Normally, I have it at least started by now. Mom is washing the fish while I dice up fresh cabbage. Heather is laying in the middle of the living room floor reading a book to the boys trying to get their mind off of what happened today. All they know is their brother has a boo-boo and the doctor was going to make it go away. In a soft voice, Sally opens the conversation, “What happened today, Jane? Why was Kevin and Allen near the road?” I’m not sure if it was from dicing the onion, or just a release, but I started bawling. “I told them...
