Where Fire Blazes - Part 2

Just a quick not before you read this. Learsi and Airamas are Israel and Samaria backwards. If they have some other meaning floating out there, it was not intended. I just needed some names for the places.

I didn't know how long I laid there on the bed, drifting in and out of sleep. It felt like days had passed. If I knew what to do and where to go next, I would get up. A shiver raced up my spine, and goosebumps speckled my skin. What if the people who had stolen my brother and killed my new family came back for me? I could already imagine someone watching my back, ready to pounce on me the moment I moved; but I had to get up. I had to flee the horrid place. Sitting up, I dragged myself off my brother's bed. I fingered the jagged words in the wood, Ring of Fire, one last time before stumbling from the room.

A heavy urgency pressed upon me as I sneaked through the house, gathering up a few meager belongings. The entire time it felt as if someone's eyeballs were boring holes into back. My heart began to pound in my chest. I quickened my pace and dashed out the door. A bag slung over one shoulder and a loaf of bread tucked under my arm, I sprinted for the main road that would eventually lead me to town. I didn't really want to go back to Airamas, where my brother and I had spent countless weeks begging; but I thought someone there could have heard of the Ring of Fire. Then I could find a way to rescue my brother if, of course, they hadn't killed him.

Even when I knew I was miles away from the cabin, it still felt like someone was drilling my back with their cold stare. I told myself I was just paranoid, for it seemed unlikely that my brother's captors would just follow me if they wanted me dead. But maybe they weren't people. Or perhaps they were one. I had no clue. That's why I had to flee to Airamas. Being the crowded capital of Learsi, surely someone there had to know something.

As the moon cast a silvery sheen over the forested hills, I dragged my heavy feet onward toward the intimidating walls of Airamas. A glow of light spilled forth from the top of the outer walls, and the towering castle turrets announced that this city was indeed the greatest in all of Learsi. The music and laughter floating from the city could be heard even at my distance. I still wandered the main road, passing bleating sheep and their watchful shepherds. As I passed, I could feel their gazes peel from their sheep and onto my lone figure. It didn't make much sense that a young girl would travel alone, especially during the darkness of night. I sucked in a quick breath. How could I be such an idiot! I should have disguised myself in Viho's extra set of clothes. Oh well, it was too late now. The sooner I could get into that city and find a safe place to stay, the better.

As if to reinforce my mistake, a calloused hand grabbed my arm. I shrieked and frantically tried to jerk away, but the man's grip was firm.

“What are you doing out alone in the middle of the night, young lady?” he spoke.

I froze at the soft yet stressed words. They were full of concern, warming my cold, exhausted form; yet they fell like rain, cooling my seared heart. I looked up into the face of the source that had spoken such magical words. Weary, yet twinkling eyes met mine.

“The gates are closed, miss. You won't be able to get in.”

“Oh,” was all I could manage. I was so stupid! Of course the gates would be closed this late. I examined the stranger more closely. His face was shadowed by night, but I could make out a ruddy face framed in a mop of dark hair and a shaggy beard. He reeked like he hadn't had a bath in weeks, but his kind countenance made up for the smell. Could I trust him?

A Joyful Shake

    Hey guys!  Here's a little bit of my story for the challenge.  Right below is the prompt that I got.

Fifteen year-old Joy hates her life...and her name. Her daily routine consists of the same “joyous” old tasks day after day...eating, school, eating, chores, more eating, sleeping, and repeating. She is convinced no one could ever have a more boring life. In her few and far between prayers, she often complains, “God, why can't you just shake my life up a little bit?” Joy doesn't think God actually hears her. Her prayers are just wistful wishes whispered to the wind...but then God literally shakes her entire world. 

  

    There was actually a bit more to this prompt.  However, I had permission to leave it out if I wanted because it was so crazy.  As you can probably guess, I decided to go ahead and do that. :)

    Anyway, here is a little taste of the story.  Hopefully I will get a much larger chunk of it up soon.

             “Joy!”

             Joy’s green eyes shot upwards from the pages of the small diary she cradled in her hands. 

             “I need your help!” her mother’s voice was laced with irritation.

             Dear Diary, the evil stepmother calls.  I must go.  However, I will return quickly with more complaints. 

             Yours Truly,

             The Girl with the Absolutely Most Boring Life in the World

             The green fur branches pulled gently at her hair as she crawled out from beneath the safety of their boughs. 

             “There you are!” her mother stood not ten feet away, hands on her hips.  “I should have guessed that is where you would be.  Could you come watch Susie while I make dinner?”

             The question was really an order.  There was only one answer that would meet with approval.  “Sure.”  I always watch Susie.  Why can’t Mark do it?  Glowering she walked past her mom and slammed the screen door as she entered the house. 

             At least her mom hadn’t lectured her on how she, above all people, should act joyful because her name was Joy.  ”Who cares?  If I had been named Fly would people expect me to fly?”  Still grumbling to herself she ducked the diary away in her room and went to find her baby sister. 

˜  

             The moon cast a beam of light through the window.  Besides that all was dark.  Joy pulled the covers up tightly beneath her chin.  Here in the quiet, within the confines of her mind, she could go through all kinds of exciting adventures.   However, these moments of contentment did not change the fact that her life was downright boring.  Why me?  Why does my life have to be son uninteresting?  God, why can’t you just shake up my life a bit?  Make something happen out of the old routine?    She snorted.  Did God exist?  Maybe.  But if he did he didn’t care a bit about her or her prayers.

             She tried to plump up her flat pillow before closing her eyes. 

Death Lingers in the Morning Air-The Sequel

         If you couldn't tell, I have been pretty busy recently and not in the mood to write.  This is the beginning of a sequel I started writing awhile back for Death Lingers in the Morning Air.  Anyway, enjoy this little tidbit. 

Soup was in the pot.  Bread was in the oven.  The house had been scrubbed and dusted until it shone.  There was no more work for her to do to drown the sorrow out of her soul.   Helen sat down by the table and buried her face in her hands and cried.  Oh, why, my little girl, why did you go?  Why did you do what you did?  The tears, the grief, were more than Helen could bear.  Cassie, her flower, was gone.  Helen had watched with wide eyes as her daughter had escaped death and fled into the forest.  Was she still alive?  Where had she gone to?  The woods were a dangerous place, a place to be feared and avoided. 

“Helen.”  A shadow from the doorway darkened the room.

Raising her head took effort.  It felt heavy and stuffed with cotton.  Her mouth was dry, her face was wet.  “Yes?”   Annie was a good friend.  One of the few that still talked with her.

Annie sat down beside Helen and gently rubbed her shoulder.  “How are you doing?

“Surviving.”  Helen tried to smile, but it collapsed, and more tears spilled down her face.  “Annie, do you think she is alright?  Do you think she is safe?  The woods, they are so-“

“Helen, you must not dwell on Cassie.  It will only drag you down.  You must seal her off from your thoughts.  She is dead to our world now.”

The words were hard and cruel, but Helen knew they were true.  If Cassie returned, death would await her.  The Teachers and the Master were very bitter over what had happened.  They would kill her without a second thought.

“Yes, you are right,” Helen nodded with resolution, “I must forget about her.  I will forget about her.  I have no other choice.”

Baylor's Choice

Well, here is the first part to my story for the challenge!

Baylor is soldier with a hard choice ahead of him--will he fight against what he believes, or against the family he loves?

 

 Let me guess; is it Hope's story back cover idea? ;P   
 It's like a prologue... I know, short stories aren't really long enough to have prologues, but I wanted to do this, so, thus, it has a prologue...

1852
    The morning sun crept lazily over the horizon, casting deep shadows across the ground.  Two young boys stole stealthily across the lawn towards the stables, excited for their secret morning ride.  Two feisty horses had been purchased the day before, and the boys were itching to prove to each other that they could ride them. 
    “Come on, Henry, hurry up!”  Baylor whispered, grasping the other boy’s hand and pulling him along.
    “I’m coming, I’m coming!”  Henry replied in the same tone, scurrying to keep up with the overly excited boy’s pace.
    The boys reached the stables and silently slid the door open, watching cautiously behind them to make sure they were not seen.
    “Do you want the paint or the buckskin?”  Henry asked as they stood before the stalls that confined the snorting horses.
    “The paint.”  Baylor said decisively, reaching to unlatch the stall door.
    “Careful,”  Henry warned in a low voice.  Baylor slowed his movements and began talking in a soft, soothing voice to the nervous paint.  Henry soon followed suit with the buckskin. 
    After some diligent coaxing, the boys managed to get the horses out into the corral and over to the fence where their short legs could make use of the rails to mount.  Amazingly, the horses cooperated long enough for them both to swing astride.  Henry and Baylor grinned at each other and let out exuberant whoops.  Then all grins were quickly lost when both horses began to buck ferociously.  The boys held on with surprising strength for ten year olds, and lasted several seconds before they were thrown mercilessly to the hard packed soil.  The paint and buckskin snorted and galloped to the other side of the corral while the Henry and Baylor picked themselves up from the ground, wincing and grinning stupidly at the same time.
    “Well, we did it!”  Baylor cried exultantly.
    “Yeah, we shore did!”  Henry’s sweaty face gleamed with pride. 
    Their reverie was broken when a voice yelled from the house.
    “Henry!  Come on boy, da run’s rising and it be high time you’s had the fire goin’ in da summer kitchen!”
    The sun was indeed rising, and it’s light shed color on the world, revealing the stark contrast of Henry’s dark skin and Baylor’s pale toned skin.  Henry straightened his grin and quickly ran off to his mother’s bidding, leaving Baylor standing behind.

I'm Sorry, But I am Not.

First of all let me apologies for my lack of blog existence. Life was very busy for me until last Thursday afternoon which found myself on a gym floor with a white face and a fat ankle. Being on crutches necessarily slows down your life but, much to my delight, makes time for other things that are normally shoved aside. One of those things has been writing my part of the recent challenge hosted by Faith.

So, here was the idea I received, I believe I can thank Josie for the inspiration for this story. Josie, am I right?

One day, while out riding his horse, practicing for a rodeo, the rider (you can decide whether you want it to be a guy or girl) is bucked off his horse and is knocked momentarily unconscious.  While unconscious, the rider is kidnapped and shipped to a foreign country, then stranded on an island when the ship wrecks.  The rider starts off through the jungle and is soon met by a band of natives, who start rejoicing excitedly.  They mistake the rider for the new missionary who is coming to help out at the newly established mission there.  (The rider has the same name as the missionary).  

When the mistake is found out, will the rider go back and perform in the rodeo, or stay and help at the mission?  And will he be able to find out what happened to the real missionary?


So here is my first part of I'm Sorry, But I am Not

As the black cloud slowly receded from Ian’s brain he began to be aware of a gentle rocking movement and opening his eyes he looked confusedly around. He was laying on his back and looking up at the large supporting beams of a…what? He struggled into a sitting position, ignoring his spinning head and tried desperately to focus on the flying objects in front of him.  Squeezing his eyes shut and then opening them wide he finally made out several hammocks hanging around him on to his immediate right a ladder which the bright sun was pouring down. He was in the hull of a ship!

He stood up slowly and stiffly his spurs making a familiar jingling sound as he began to stumble painfully towards the ladder. The jingling turned into a loud buzzing noise.

Ian jerked wide awake, gasping for breath, as he felt his body suddenly drenched in very cold water. He was lying at the bottom of the ladder where he must have passed out as he began his ascent and scrambling to his unsteady feet as he felt the ship tip on her leeward bow, another flood of cold water poured down the open hatch and re-drenching him.

He grasped a wrung of the ladder and began to desperately haul himself up; he must know what was going on. The last thing he could remember he had been out in the Montana flatlands practicing some of his trick riding for the upcoming rodeo.

He reached deck just as the ship tipped steeply to her stern and he found himself sprawling across deck.  The wind was screaming through the mast heads and a freezing rain tore mercilessly at his lightly clad body. His legs were warmer than the rest of him, thanks to his cherished leather chaps but they were still soaking. The ship dipped to her helm and he was soon sliding towards the side. His hands scrabbled for something to hold onto and his voice croaked an appeal for help but he went over the edge in a moment.

Ian fought with the raging waters as they tried to pull him down. His beloved chaps were like led on his legs when he tried to kick and sorrowfully he unbuckled them.

A mother wave stole up behind him and gently tucked him under one arm a rocking him to sleep.

When Ian woke up again he found himself once more lying on his back but this time he was quite familiar with the scene that met his eyes—blue sky!

He breathed deeply and heard the wash of the ocean tide tenderly caressing the beach. A large bird cast it shadow over him for a moment and then lightly dropped near by. He lay still not caring for anything, but resting his limbs, when a beak appeared over him and two beady eyes watched him carnivorously.

“Earwaaah!” the vulture announced his find to his friends riding air currents above.

Where Fire Blazes - Part 1

Well, here is my first part to our most recent challenge. For you readers that don't know, the four L.A.R.K. writers decided to do a challenge where we all wrote a brief description for a story. They were all sent to Faith who redistributed each one to a different person. Now we have to write stories based on another person's idea. Here is the idea I received:

When Hidi walks into her brother’s (whose name is Viho, her only living relative) room and finds him gone she is thrown into panic.  What’s worse is that the sentence Ring of Fire is carved into the wood above his bed.  Not long afterward, Hidi is sure that someone is following her wherever she goes.  What is going on? (note:  this is a fantasy story, so you can make up the name of the country, world, town, etc.)  

Now here is the first part of the story I wrote for it:

I peeked down at my brother's snoring form. His blanket was hugged up past his chin, and only an unruly mop of brown hair was visible. Pulling myself back onto my bunk, I stifled a giggle. The iciest rain wouldn't damper my plans for the first day of spring. I swiped my ragged dress from the bunk's railing and slipped it over my own head of tousled brown curls before leaping to the dusty floor. My feet thumped against the squeaky wood planks. I heard a grunt from my brother's bed and swung around. Viho stirred beneath his thread-bare blanket before laying still again. I breathed out a sigh. That was a close one.

I tip-toed forward and cracked the door open a bit. The house was silent, except for the continuous pitter-patter of the rain on the shingles. I could now execute my plans. Easing the door shut behind me, I groped through the dark for a candle and match box. Upon finding their cold forms on the table, I lit the candle, casting a glow of light across the room. I wanted to make a special breakfast for Viho and I's new family. Perhaps if they saw how useful I was, they would decide to keep us permanently, despite their lack of wealth. It also happened to be Viho's sixteenth birthday, so I wanted to make it extra special.

Fried eggs were on the menu along with a little toast and milk and perhaps a little cheese too, if I thought we could spare some. Maybe I would even pull the apricot jam from the cellar. I cringed at the thought of descending down the rickety ladder into the dark depths of the bug-infested place. The first night Viho and I had come to stay with the Kiplings, Mrs. Kipling had asked me to retrieve a jar of jam from the cellar. A spider had dropped onto my nose as I was retrieving the jar, and the precious preserves crashed to the ground in my attempt to swipe it from my face. The poor lady cried over the spilled jam, exclaiming how foolish I was and how we couldn't afford to have anything go to waste. Of course, Mr. Kipling supported his wife, and that began my bad relations with my new parents. Viho, however, fared much better, but only due to the help he provided in the fields.

I glared at the door before me, listened to the raindrops pelting the roof, and attempted to shrug off my fear. Whether I liked it or not, I'd be climbing down into that cellar, for much of the other food was also stored in the cool interior. A crash of thunder sent me flying out the cottage door. My feet sloshed through the mud, and I shivered as the icy water splashed up my legs. I yanked open the cellar door and quickly descended before I had time to change my mind.

Moments later I arose from the cellar, my breakfast ingredients bundled closely to my chest. Sloshing back through the mud, I darted back to the house, just as another mighty crash of thunder split the air. A bright flash blinded my vision, and I stumbled across the threshold. My bundle flew from my arms. Glass shattered, and jam splattered the floor. A sob escaped my chest as I looked in horror at the mess. Surely now everyone would wake and discover my horrible mistake. Viho and I would be thrown back out on our own.

The howling wind mocked my plight, slamming the door shut behind me. It swooshed through my curls and snuffed out the candle on the table, submerging the world into total darkness. Hot tears tumbled down my icy cheeks. I stood waiting my moment of doom, when the Kiplings would emerge from their bedroom to tan my hide; but it never came.

Silence reigned with the darkness as the raindrops ceased to fall. I exhaled slowly, not daring to break the silence. Why hadn't they awoken? They couldn't have been sleeping that hard. I crept over to my bedroom door, hesitated, and then peeked in. Letting out a strangled gasp, I gaped at the scene before me. My heart thumped wildly in my chest as I stumbled forward. I collapsed to my knees and gathered up the charred remains of my brother's blanket. What had done this? Lightening? No, it couldn't be. It was just the bed, nothing else. My gaze flitted to the top bunk. There, gashed into the underside of my bed, were three words: Ring of Fire. I fingered the rough lettering in the wood, trying to make sense of it. What could it mean? Who had done this? And where was my brother?

My concern shifted to my adoptive parents. I let the charred blanket crumble to the floor as I leaped to my feet. I jerked open the Kipling's bedroom door and stumbled towards their bed. At the sight of their still, sleeping forms, relief washed over my body; and then I froze as it dawned on me. They were too still. Deathly still. Their blankets seeped red in blood, and smeared on the wall above their heads were written those same frightful words: Ring of Fire.

My body trembled with shock, and then anger. I stumbled back to my room and threw myself onto my brother's bed. My hot tears soaked his pillow. Viho had laid there less than thirty minutes ago, and now he was gone, leaving me completely and utterly alone.

The Jarginson Family Saga part 8 - the last!

The next morning, Lizzie, Sadie, Nellie and Archie waited on the porch for Uncle John and Aunt Eleanor to arrive. Lizzie and Sadie were sewing on a patchwork quilt, and Nellie and Archie were climbing the nine feet posts of the entrance.
    “Hey! I see them!” Nellie suddenly cried.
    “YAH!” Archie inched up the post and got to the top and looked down.
    “Ah!” He shouted.
 Lizzie and Sadie chuckled. He inched along the top and got to Nellie. He then slipped and bumped into Nellie. Nellie lost her grip on the post and fell. Lizzie and Sadie cried out and dropped the quilt, rushing to the post in time to break Nellie’s fall.
    “Oh, dear! Archie, get down from there!” Lizzie shouted. Archie scrambled down just as a wagon drove up.
    A tall Uncle John hopped out and helped pretty Aunt Eleanor down. Then a tall, lean girl jumped out, followed carefully and slowly by an older one. Lizzie recognized them at once. Emma looked over and ran to Lizzie.
    “Em!” Lizzie cried, hugging her. Opal was embracing Sadie and Nellie and Archie all at once.
    “It’s so good to see my little sisters and brother again!” Opal cried in a grown-up voice. She was 17 now.
    “Opal?” Lizzie asked.
    “Oh, Lizzie, dear!” Opal hugged her tightly.
    “I didn’t see you until now!” Opal sighed slightly.
    “Of course you didn’t.” Emma said quietly.
    “What did you say, Em?” Lizzie asked quickly.
    “Nothing.” Emma was acting a little bit strange.
    “Let’s all go inside now.” Sadie said quickly, changing the subject. She, too, noticed the change in Emma.
    So they all filed inside and soon everyone was in the living room, chatting and laughing happily together. Uncle John, Aunt Eleanor, Nora, Cara, Daisy, Candy and Johnny were staying for the week.
The next day, Opal, Emma, Lizzie and Sadie decided to take a walk in the woods. Nellie insisted on going along, so they agreed after a moment of deciding.
    “Let’s go to the cave!” Nellie said.
    “I don’t know, Nellie.” Emma said.
    “What! I am ten now, I’m old enough to go!” Nellie cried.
    “Nellie, Em’s right, besides, I don’t feel like going to the cave at the moment.” Opal said.
    “Oh, okay. Let’s hurry though. Come on!” Nellie said.
So they hurried along on the trail. Opal suddenly started to feel her way around, slowing down.
    “Op! Hurry up!” Nellie yelled over her shoulder, slowing.
    “Sorry, Nellie!” Opal yelled back, hurrying along. Opal suddenly tripped and fell face forward on the dirt trail.
    “Oh, dear!” Lizzie and Emma ran to Opal with Sadie and Nellie trailing behind them.
    “She just fell! How did she trip?” Lizzie asked quietly.
    “Ohhhhh.....” Opal groaned.
    “Here, Lizzie, and you and Sadie help me get Opal back to the house. Nellie, make sure nothing gets in our way.” Emma said, placing her arm under Opal’s back while Lizzie and Sadie lifted her legs. They stumbled back to the house and by then Opal was ready to walk again.
    “Just a little fall, nothing to worry about.” Opal said when Emma told Mama about it.
    “Well, Opal, you’d better stick to the indoors for a bit, all right?” Mama said.
    “Yes, Ma’am.” Opal said quietly, stumbling to her bedroom.
    Later in the after noon, Sadie was fetching flour from the pantry and she heard voices in the parlor as she went past. She leaned her ear up against the wall for a moment..
    “Lewis, I suppose now we need to tell you and Mary Ann.” Uncle John was saying.
    “Yes, indeed.” Aunt Eleanor’s voice.
    “What is it, Eleanor, John?” Papa said.
    “Well, you do know how Opal fell today.” Uncle John said. Sadie caught her breath and leaned closer to the door.
    “Well, ever since a few months ago, her sight has been decreasing rapidly. One day she couldn’t hardly see at all. Lewis, Mary Ann, Opal is going blind.” Sadie almost gasped, but she kept quiet.
    “Oh, No!” Mama cried softly.
    “Yes, Mary Ann, it’s true, sadly.” Aunt Eleanor said sadly.
    “We didn’t take her to a doctor, since we didn’t know what to do, and Opal refused to have any thing done. Her excuse was that we would be wasting our money. Of course, Eleanor and I thought no such thing, but we didn’t want to force her.” Uncle John said.
    “Ah, we will be able to get her to a doctor. Tomorrow, if possible.” Papa said gravely.
    “Oh, we are so sorry we didn’t do any thing before now. If you can ever forgive us..........” Uncle John was interrupted by Papa.
    “No, no, it’s not your fault. Of course you couldn’t make Opal do as you wanted, and that was all you could do, so this is not your fault.” Papa stood up, quietly, but Sadie heard and she fled down the hall to the pantry and hid inside until Papa, Mama, Uncle John and Aunt Eleanor had left the Parlor. Then she grabbed the flour bag and dashed to the kitchen.
    “What took you so long?” Emma sighed.
    “Uh, ah, nothing.” Sadie blurted. Emma eyed her and then measured the flour into the bread dough. Thirty minutes later, the bread was done, and Emma and Opal were sitting in the kitchen.
    “Em?” Opal said quietly.
    “Yes, Opal?” Emma asked.   
    “You know how at Uncle and Auntie’s I told you that I was having trouble seeing?” Opal asked.
    “Yes?” Emma leaned forward in her chair.
    “Well, this afternoon, I couldn’t see nothing. I can see blurs now, but then nothing.” Opal sighed greatly.
    “So you think you’re going blind??” Emma gasped.
    “Yes, Em. I think so.” Opal said.
    “Oh, dear! That’s terrible! What are you going to do? This is horrid!” Emma cried.
    “Keep your voice down, Em. And don’t be so dramatic. It’s not that bad.” Opal assured Emma.
    “Well, it sounds dreadful!” Emma was almost crying now.
    “We are never going to be able to do things together if you’re blind!” Emma added.
    “Emma, I’m not for sure yet. It will be fine. I’ll learn to do things without seeing, you’ll see!” Opal said.
    “Oh. But, Op, aren’t you going to go to a doctor or something and try to fix it?” Emma asked sadly.
    “No, that would waste time and money, Em.” Opal said.
    “Oh, dear, here you go again!” Emma sighed.
Just then, Papa and Mama came in.
    “Opal, we need to talk. Em, why don’t you run along now?” Mama said.
    “Mama! That’s for little children!” Emma sighed and quickly left the room when Mama eyed her sternly. Once Emma was out of earshot, Mama and Papa talked to Opal.
    “We need to talk about your sight, Opal. Your uncle and aunt have told us that at moments you go blind. We have set an appointment with the eye doctor for tomorrow.” Papa said.
    “Papa, no! It costs so much!” Opal cried.
    “Opal! Shh! This is NOT a matter of money, It’s for your own good! Now, you will cooperate, all right?” Mama said quickly. Opal hung her head and muttered,
    “Yes, Ma’am.” Opal fingered her apron for a moment and then Papa and Mama left. They were going to contact James and Annie’s new parents. That night at devotion time, Papa announced,
    “We are going to Arizona to see James and Annie next week.”
    “Oh, hooray! I can’t wait!” Sadie eagerly cried.
    “Oh, quiet down, Sadie.” Opal growled. Mama shot her a surprised glance. Opal never was stern or any thing with the younger ones. She sighed and then remembered about the conversation in the kitchen. Probably that was bothering her. But, still, she shouldn't act so. Nora and Cara yawned, and Aunt Eleanor sent them to bed with Daisy, Candy and Johnny. Nellie and Archie went to bed, too. The next day, Opal’s appointment went well, and she had a quick eye surgery. Then they got her the right kind of glasses and Opal could see much better. Then the next day, Uncle John, Aunt Eleanor, Nora, Cara, Daisy, Candy and Johnny had to go home. The others prepared for the trip to Arizona. The day before they were to leave for Arizona, Nellie and Archie were bouncing off the walls because they were so excited. Opal and Emma and Mama and Aunt Phoebe were busy preparing for the trip, and Lizzie and Sadie were helping Papa with the wagons. Finally, morning came, and Opal and Emma woke all the children while Mama and Aunt Phoebe packed food.  Later, they were all settled under quilts and blankets in the wagon. It was spring time, but it was still chilly in the mornings. By dinner time, Nellie and Archie were worn out by jumping around in the wagon with excitement. Mama made them take a quick nap while the mules rested. 
Several days later, they arrived in Winslow, Arizona. They stayed the night at a hotel just outside of the town and in the morning, Papa asked the clerk if he knew a couple with 2 children named James and Annie.
The clerk said that he did, and he gave them their address. Then Papa left with the wagon to the farm house 5 miles out of the town.
That night, Papa returned, and he looked quite sad.
    “What is it, Papa?” Opal questioned.
    “Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were kind, but they said it would be almost impossible to legally get James and Annie back.” Papa said.
    “Oh, dear!” Mama said, worried.
    “Suppose we could talk with Dean and Laura’s lawyer.” Papa said.
    “Who’s ‘Dean and Laura’?” Nellie asked.
    “Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, James and Annie’s new parents. They also have some children of their own. Katie, 9 Ellie, 16, and Peter, 14.” Papa said.
    “May be we could all go see them tomorrow.” Opal suggested.
    “Good idea, Opal. I’ll ask the clerk if we can rent this room for a couple of weeks. Then we’ll have some where to stay until we get this figured out.” Papa said, heading for the door of the hotel room.
    “Oh, and may be I’ll get a room with a kitchenette so that we can fix our own meals!” Papa said as he opened the door. Mama smiled and handed him the key to the hotel room. Papa disappeared into the hallway.
    “Ah, excuse me?” Papa said to get the clerk's attention.
    “Oh, Mr. Jarginson! Hello again, any thing you need?” The clerk asked.
    “Yes, actually. We will be needing to get a larger room with a kitchenette for about 2 or so weeks.” Papa said.
    “All right. Let’s see here....Ah, here’s a nice large place with three rooms. Here’s the key, sir. Room 115.” The clerk handed him the key.
    “You can move your things into the room and then give me the 101 key from your first room, all right?” The clerk asked. Papa nodded and headed up the long, winding stairs to the hotel room. Mama and Emma watched the room while the others moved the suitcases and things from room 101 into room 115.
Once everything was in and settled, it was time for Nellie and Archie to go to bed. The next morning, they ate breakfast in the hotel’s dining room and while Papa and Mama went to visit with the Bennet’s lawyer, Opal, Emma, Lizzie, Sadie, Nellie and Archie went into the town and bought things to make meals for the next two weeks at the hotel.
    Later, when the family was gathered in the kitchenette for dinner, Papa told them the news from the visit with the lawyer.
    “We’ll have to go through the orphan train again and let them know that we are 'UN-adopting' James and Annie. Also, the counsel of the town that helped Mr. and Mrs. Bennet adopt James and Annie will have to agree with this. It will be quite a process, I’m sure. We’ll just have to go through it all. How about tomorrow we visit the Bennet’s personally?” Papa asked, looking around the tiny table at the family.
    A chorus of ‘yes’s’ went up from the 4 younger ones, and Mama, Opal and Emma smiled happily.
    “Then it’s settled!” Papa cheerfully said.    
 They slept peacefully that night, and were freshened up by 6 o clock in the morning. Opal helped Mamma fix breakfast, and they all ate. Then Papa hitched up the horses to the wagon and drove the family to the Bennet’s house. Once there, Papa unhitched the horses and helped everyone out of the wagon. Then they knocked on the door and a tall, slender, Amish lady opened it. “May I help you all?” She asked.
    “Yes, this is the Bennet household, I presume?” Papa said.
    “Jah, that’s right. You’d like to speak with the mistress?” The lady asked.
    “Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, please.” Papa said.
    “All right. By the way, my name is Rachel.” The lady said. Then she hurried away to find Mr. and Mrs. Bennnet. A few minutes later, everyone was sitting in the parlor.    Mrs. Bennet was a short, plump lady with a sweet face and Mr. Bennet was tall and slender.
    “You’re here about the children, I presume?” Mr. Bennet asked.
    “Yes, actually, Dean.” Papa told him everything that the lawyer had said, and Mr. Bennet replied,
    “We’ll do all we can to help with this arrangement, although we will miss James and Annie terribly. But you have most likely been missing them more then we, since they are your children.” Mr. Bennet said. Mrs. Bennet agreed. Just then, a girl hurried in, followed by a tall boy.
    “M--” The girl started to say something but stopped when she saw the Jarginsons. She backed up, right into her older brother.
    “Kat! Watch where you’re going!” The boy exclaimed.
    “Sorry, Peter.” Katie muttered.
    “Peter, Katie, this is Mr. Lewis Jarginson, and his wife, Mary Ann, and their children, Opal, Emma, Lizzie, Sadie, Nellie and Archie. These are James and Annie’s real family.” Mrs. Bennet said, motioning for the two children to come on in. Just then, a tall girl entered.
    “Howdy do!” She said when she saw the visitors. “Mr. Jarginson and his family, right Mama?” She asked.
    “Yes, Ellie.” Then to the Jarginsons she said, “This is our oldest, Ellie.” Ellie smiled at them sweetly.
    “Mama, would you like me to fetch James and Annie?” She asked, looking at Mrs. Bennet. Mrs. Bennet nodded and Ellie hurried out.
    In the barn, James and Annie were feeding the mules.   
    “I wish we could see Papa and Mama and the others again.” Annie sighed.
    “Yeah. Me ‘n Archie used to have so much fun. Peter’s okay, but it’s not the same. I guess you feel the same about Katie?” James said.   
    “Yes, kind of.” Annie sighed again as she climbed aboard Sugar, the oldest mule.
    “I miss the country, too. With all the maids and every thing, I don’t really like it. Sure, the Bennet’s are kind enough.” James was saying as he brushed down the other mule. Just then, Ellie hurried into the barn.
    “James, Annie!” She yelled.
    “We’re right here.” James called. Ellie hurried over.
    “There’s some people here to see you two.” Ellie grinned.
    “Who, Ellie?” James asked.
    “Your Papa and Mama!” Ellie said. James and Annie stood, stunned.
    “Come on, James, Annie!” Ellie said, taking their hands and leading them out of the barn. James and Annie looked at each other, still stunned by Ellie’s quickness.
    “Ellie, slow down, will ya?” James asked, trying to keep up with Ellie.
    “Sorry, James.” Ellie slowed. Once they reached the parlor, James and Annie were very excited. They had seen the wagon by the house, and they knew that someone from a long ways away had come. Rachel appeared and swung the door open for them. James and Annie entered first.
   
    The other 8 sat in the parlor, waiting for Ellie to come back with James and Annie. Archie and Nellie were jumping around happily, and Mama had to tell them to calm down. Just then, Rachel flung the door open and two children slowly walked in, looking at the Jarginsons.
    “James? Annie?” James and Annie stared at them and James ran to them, and Annie flung herself onto Mama.
    “Oh, my little baby!” Mama said, hugging Annie. Annie hugged Mama back and all 10 of them hugged each other. They were all together again!
They talked and talked late into the day until it was time for the others to head back to the hotel. The next day, the court met and James and Annie were 'UN-adopted'. Then that afternoon, the Jarginsons went to the Bennet’s for supper. When they were going to leave, the Bennet’s hugged James and Annie good-bye.
    “I’ll miss doing things with you, James. Bye.” Peter said to James. James smiled at Peter and said good-bye to him. Then James hugged Ellie and Katie good-bye.
    “May be you’ll come visit, aye?” Ellie asked. James nodded and then Annie hugged them good-bye, too. Then Rachel hugged them good-bye, too.
    Then everyone piled into the wagon and headed for the hotel for the night. Then the next morning they were on their way HOME. Six days later, they turned onto the dirt drive that led to their house.
The wagon rolled up the drive and past the two big, oak trees. Then the old house appeared. Papa said,
    “We’re all home together now.”

THE END!

Side note:  I cut out three pages of an unnecessary side story about them babysitting some children they met in Arizona.