A Dream Come True

ONE I opened the refrigerator door and turned to the girls. “Okay, girls, what should we have for supper?” “I want hot dogs, said Jane, with chili.” “I’d rather have hamburgers,” said Annie. I looked at Alice, for her choice, and she shrugged her shoulders. “What would you like, Alice?” “I like hot dogs and hamburgers, but don’t you get a choice too? After all you are the one who will fix supper, Suzanna.” “You know, Alice, I agree; I should have a choice.” The girls’ looked at me; eagerly waiting to see which one of them would win. “SAY HOT DOGS, SUZANNA,” shouted Jane. An expression of defeat clouded Annie’s face. Bless her heart, she knows Jane will go on, and on, until everyone is exhausted, to have her way. “I know, let’s go to the Burger Shack. There we can have a milkshake also. Is that okay with everyone?” Needless to say all three girls jumped for joy. There were a few times over the weekend I didn’t think Sunday would ever come. However, it was a fun and energy-consuming weekend for all, especially me. I teach first grade in Henry county, Georgia where I grew-up. My husband Bill has a traveling job with the civil service. We are living with my father until we can save enough for our own home. My mother died and father married, Emma Lou, our housekeeper about a year ago. Emma Lou is my favorite person in the whole world. Alice is Emma’s granddaughter. She lives with us because her mother, Lou Anne, simply doesn’t want to be responsible for her. Jane is my friend, Janet’s, daughter. Annie is Janet’s, foster child. Janet also has a little boy, Joseph. Janet and I have been best friends since we were eight years old. Janet and I were sitting at the kitchen table drinking our favorite beverage, iced tea. It’s plain to see something is bothering Janet. I don’t understand why she is hesitating to confide in me. This is not like my friend- after all- we are as close as sisters. “Janet, what is wrong, you are not your happy go lucky self today?” “Oh, Suzanna, I’m so glad you asked; I’m so worried about Joseph. Do you remember when I took him to see Doc Browne last year?” “Yes, I remember, but didn’t the doctor say there wasn’t anything seriously wrong with Joseph at the time.” “You are right, Doc Browne said he was just run down. He gave him a tonic with three refills. He said if that didn’t put the spring back in his step to bring him back. After Joseph took the tonic all summer he seemed to be okay so I didn’t take him back for a final visit.” “Okay why are you so concerned about him now?” “He’s started sleeping a lot and he complains with stomach aches. I can’t get him to eat much of anything, anymore, even his favorite foods. My gut feeling tells me something isn’t right.” “Janet, I’ve found with my first graders all they ever complain about is stomach aches. Maybe Joseph doesn’t know how to tell you what really hurts. Is his stomach upset a lot?” “No, that’s the part I don’t understand: he says when he eats it hurts.” “I think you should take him back to Doc Browne as soon as you can get an appointment.” “You know how Ricky feels about running the kids to the doctor. He thinks I overreact where the kids are concerned.” “Maybe you do but Rick will be thankful you overreacted; if something is seriously wrong with Joseph.” “You are right, I’m gonna make the appointment first thing in the morning- to heck- with what Ricky says.” Annie came running into the kitchen, with a look of fear on her face not making a sound. “My goodness, Annie what’s wrong, asked Janet?” “Mama Janet, you gotta come quick.” She grabbed Janet’s hand and pulled with all her strength. “What on earth is wrong, child?” Janet turned and looked back at me, “Suzanna, come with us.” We ran to keep up with Annie. When we got to the girls room, Alice was sitting astraddle Jane’s chest, grasping a hand full of hair, demanding she say she was sorry. Jane is whimpering softly, but determined not to let Alice make her cry. I stood there in total disbelief. Janet walked over and pulled Alice’s hand out of Jane’s hair. Saying not a word, she lifted Alice off Jane. Then she demanded that Jane get to her feet for she had some explaining to do. I asked Alice what happened, but she said not a word just looked at me and started to cry. Janet asked Annie for an explanation because Jane was crying now, too. “Annie, please tell me what happened?” “Don’t ask Annie nothing, Mama,” cried Jane. “You know she will take Alice’s side, ‘cause she hates me.” Janet (with hands on her hips), kept looking at Annie for an answer. Annie doesn’t want to be on Jane’s bad side so she says, “maybe Alice can tell you.” We both look at Alice, since she has stopped crying. “Alice, please tell us what happened to cause such chaos?” “Okay I will tell you- it’s like this- Jane was bad- mouthing my Ma. She called my Ma “white trash.” I’m not sure what that means, but I know my Ma ain’t no kind of trash.” Janet looked over at Jane, “Jane, where did you hear the words “white trash?” Do you know what it means?” “My friend, Jody, told me Alice’s Mama ain’t nothing but “white trash.” I don’t know what it means, except I know it’s not a good thing to say.” “That’s right, Jane, it is a terrible thing to say about anyone. I don’t want you to be friends with this Jody anymore. You owe Alice an apology and I had better not hear the words, “white trash” ever spoken in this house again. Do you understand?” “Yes, Mama. I didn’t mean it and I am sorry.” Jane walked over to Alice. “I won’t ever say another bad word about your Mama, Alice; I promise, cross my heart, and hope to die, if I do.” “Okay, Jane, I forgive you, but if you go back on your word, you better remember, I will never be your friend ever again.”