TITLE: A Ballerina In Cowboy Boots -Chapter Two By Marilyn Klunder 03/02/07 |
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Maggie finished wiping Lucky down and took the reigns to lead her back into the barn. She walked Lucky into her stall and made sure there was enough water and feed. Maggie rubbed Lucky’s nose and laid her cheek on the horses nose. She hated to leave him.
She pulled away from her horse and finished the remainder of her chores.
It was hard for Maggie since Dad was at work most of the time. Her daily duties to take care of her horse was once a chore she use to share with her Dad. Now, at fourteen, it was all up to her.
Maggie walked into the house the phone was ringing. That would be Mom, she thought. Mom had her times to call down pat. Everyday, Maggie’s return to the house was greeted with a phone call from Mom.
“Bailey residence,” answered Maggie.
“Hi sweet girl, it’s Momma,” replied her Mom, “how was your day?”
Maggie loved the sound of her Mom’s voice and the words she used to call to her. Sweet girl made Maggie feel very special. Almost like a little girl again.
“It was okay,” Maggie replied. This was hard for Maggie. Talking to her mother on the phone just wasn’t the same as running into the house and seeing her standing at the kitchen sink or talking to her from across the table.
“Well, tell me what happened at school today?” Mom asked.
“Bor-ing,” replied Maggie.
Maggie’s mom laughed. That was another thing that Maggie missed in her home; hearing her mother’s laughter throughout their home.
“How did you do on your English test?” She asked.
“O.K. I guess,” Maggie replied.
“Well, was it hard, easy or you don’t know?” She asked.
“It was O.K.”
“Did you ride Lucky today?” Mom asked.
“Yep.” Maggie remembered her ride with Lucky and again the name Besodoeiah rang in her head. The word had meaning, but right now she could not remember what it was.
“Is your brother home?” Mom asked.
“Nope. The last time I saw him he was heading over to Stephen‘s house.”
“Where’s Laurelei?”
“In her room.”
“Would you please call her to the phone.”
Maggie laid down the phone’s receiver.
“Laurelei,” Maggie yelled, “Mom wants to talk to you!”
Maggie went into the kitchen and grabbed an apple from the fruit dish. She walked back into the living room and plopped into her favorite comfy chair. She could hear Laurelei talking softly on the phone. She could tell by her responses that Mom was asking her the same questions.
“O.K. Momma. I love you too. I will. Goodbye.” Laurelei laid the receiver down.
“Momma wants to say goodbye, Maggie.”
Maggie walked over to the phone and picked up the receiver.
“Goodbye, Mom.” Maggie said.
“Goodbye, sweet girl. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Maggie hung up the phone. It was pretty much the same conversation every day. But she was glad that Mom called. Maggie went back to her comfy chair and to her apple and Laurelei went back to her room. Poor Laurelei, Maggie thought. The divorce hit us all pretty hard, but Laurelei just wasn’t the same since Mom left. She was sad all the time. Maggie had tried to cheer her up but nothing seemed to work.
“It’s almost dinner time,” Mrs. Foster interrupted Maggie’s thoughts. Mrs. Foster was the lady Dad hired to watch and cook for them after school. She was a nice older lady almost like a grandmother, and she was a very good cook.
“O.K., Mrs. Foster,”
“And please tell your sister, too,” Mrs. Foster replied.
Maggie started upstairs and found Laurelei in her room. Her bedroom door was partially open and Maggie stood at the door and watched her as she talked to her dolls.
“That was Mama,” she told her dolls.
“She must still be mad at me; she’s not coming home.” Laurelei began to cry. She picked up her baby and held it close to her cheek and began to rock back and forth.
“I’m sorry, Mama, I’ll be good. I promise.” Laurelei continued to cry.
Maggie walked in and sat down beside her sister.
“Don’t cry Laurel. Shhhh. Don’t cry.” Maggie put her arms around her sister and together they both rocked back and forth.
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