CHAPTER TEN Linda M Rhodes

GRAND DAY WITH GRAND CHILDREN

By Linda M Rhodes

~~~~~
Magic shines in their sleepy eyes
As pajama clad feet skip downstairs
And reach up their arms in recognition
While a smile lights up their face
It’s going to be a great day
One of adventure and play
Full of avast maties, hoist the colors arrrh.
Or yippee kiyay, giddy up and yeeha’s
Taming wild horses and herding cattle,
Rough tough cowboys work real hard.
Next we’re away sailing on a pirate ship
Across the stormy sea searching for treasure.
When the day allows outside play
Mighty hunters head to the woods
In search for turkey, deer and bears.
Of course Grandma is always invited along.
And when the adventures subside
It’s time to color or listen to a story.
Yes it will be a great day…
One that begins with I love you
And ends with a cuddle and goodnight hug.


MISSY’S CHRISTMAS ANGEL
by Linda M Rhodes



Melissa hated recess, she often found a place to hide off by herself, while the other kids laughed and played. She walked quickly, head down staring at the ground ignoring their staring eyes, while blocking out the embarrassing chant.
"Snarled hair, rag bag dress, don’t she care, she looks a mess." The chant was always followed by teasing laughter with Missy’s cheeks burning scarlet. Her feet quickened until she was running: she had no destination just ran as fast as she could manage.
Shane Connor, never before witnessed the mean teasing initiated by Shelby, and the others girls. He may never have known if the football didn’t slip out of his hands. It bounced along the ground nearly striking Shelby.
"Shane, did you throw that?" Shelby asked her hands on her hips, as he ran to pick up the ball.
"No…I just missed catching it, sorry. Geez you girls sure are mean aren’t you?" Shane remarked, eluding to the harsh treatment of Missy. Missy had long since disappeared around the corner of the brick school building.
"Mean? Like you boys don’t tease each other. Why should you care anyway? You’re just a boy, since when do boys care about girls?" Shelby defended her actions, simply not worrying what a boy thought.
"Whatever…gosh just forget it. Sorry the ball almost hit you." Shane shook his head and ran back to the game. During the remaining twenty minutes of recess Shane looked around often wondering if Missy ever came back to play, but she never did.
A little while later the teacher blew her whistle marking the end of recess. The children lined up at the school doors forming two lines, Missy made her way toward the end of the line. She passed by Shelby quickly hoping not to hear more insults, unfortunately Missy tripped falling hard to the ground. The girls snickered and began shouting new insults, "Klutz, geez learn to walk, how clumsy."
Shane thought he saw Shelby stick out her foot causing Missy to trip, but could not swear to it. Shane was enraged by the girl’s cruelty, and moved out of line to help Missy up. All eyes were suddenly focused on him, boys and girls alike. Shane made a bold statement for a 9 year old boy. Somehow Shane’s sense of fair play gave him courage to act.
"Are you okay, that was a nasty tumble?" Shane asked helping Missy up. Missy nodded her head, brushing off her salvation army dress. Missy clutched closed her torn, unzipped jacket, which was nearly too tight to wear.
"I’m fine, thanks." Missy whispered softly wondering, why does he care?
"Get in line everyone, come on now get back in line Shane." The recess duty teacher called, organizing the rambunctious forth grade class. They proceeded inside and the afternoon progressed normally, until the dismissal bell rang. While getting their coats to go home, Shane reached Missy’s for her, handing it to her with a smile.
"This isn’t very heavy is it warm?" He asked watching Missy struggle to wiggle her arms into it. As he did Shane witnessed dark bruising along Missy’s arms. Shane held the other side of her coat, until Missy managed both arms through the tight holes. "It doesn’t even fit good, why doesn’t your mom buy you a new one?" Shane asked innocently. Missy’s eyes met his, blinking back tears that suddenly formed. "It’s all I got…It’s fine." Missy managed to answer turning quickly away from him.
The short ride home on the school bus left Shane perplexed. He didn’t join in the normal I spy game, he and the other boys usually played. Shane sat alone by the window gazing out in quiet thought. He observed the freshly fallen snow, at least an inch fell since recess. They wouldn’t be allowed out to play tomorrow, darn no football. Then he remembered little Missy, and her flimsy coat that was clearly too small. She had to be cold, why didn’t her mom buy her a new coat? Shane pressed his hand against the icy glass, the warmth of his hand melted his hand print to the window pane. Taking his hand away he touched it to his face, feeling it’s cold sent a shiver chasing over his skin. Wonder if Missy was this cold.
Melissa rode a different bus to the trailer court at the end of town. After getting off the bus she trudged to end of the uniform rows of trailers, finally coming to theirs. Mom’s car was in the driveway. Maybe she bought groceries, Missy hoped as her tummy was growling from hunger. Hurrying inside Missy closed the door quickly, trying not to let in too much cold air. Missy took off her scuffed wet sneakers, the fresh snow tracked the imprint of her worn soles onto the rug. Her mom was watching TV and smoking a cigarette, the silver smoke swirled above her head and looked like the foggy mist rising from a pond in the morning.
"You home already…damn where does the day go." Janet, Missy’s mom, asked putting out her cigarette, blowing her last puff of smoke directly in Missy’s face causing her to cough slightly.
"Yep, Mom did you get groceries?" Missy asked but didn’t see any plastic supermarket bags in the trash, so she figured Mom didn’t go out today.
"Like I got money to buy anything. Your Dad, the jerk, is late on his support check again, and I don’t get my welfare check till Monday you know that Melissa. There should be some peanut butter in the cupboard make a sandwich."
Missy finished the peanut butter on Tuesday, still she looked into the nearly empty cupboard. There was a tin of tuna fish, which Missy hated, a couple cans of tomato soup, and a half loaf of bread. Missy opted for the bread toasted, at least it was quick and they did have Jelly.
Plopping down on the sofa next to her mom, munching on her toast Missy asked, "Mom, can we go to the Goodwill, my coat is too tight I can’t zip it?"
"God it's always something, new shoes, now another coat, shit stop growing will ya? It will have to wait till Monday, I don’t have any cash till then. Wear one of my sweaters okay?" Missy nodded dumbly agreeing, as if her mom’s sweater would be any warmer.
"Did you find a job yet?" Missy asked her mom promised she would look but each day Missy’s hope dwindled a little more.
"Jesus, what’s with the questions….no…no one’s hiring…we’ll be okay when your stupid Dad pays what he owes." Janet got up and went to the refrigerator, grabbing a can of beer she opened it taking a swig.
Missy dismissed herself to her room, closing the door. Going to her bookshelf Missy picked out a favorite book and lay on her bed, engaging her imagination where she could plot her escape from her reality.
Monday came and went and Mom got paid, she bought more beer, along with a few groceries. At least she bought more peanut butter, but completely forgot the trip to Goodwill. Missy reminded her, but her Mom only shrugged and tipped her beer. Mom didn’t seem to care about anything these days. Missy felt her mom missed her father, and that was why she drank. Sometimes her Mom went out, bringing home men to sleep all night. When the men stayed, Missy tried to remain in her room and be extra quiet, not wanting to upset her Mom.
The next week at school Shane paid closer attention to Missy observing her curiously. At lunch she sat by herself, only bringing an apple or half a sandwich to eat, and she never bought milk. Today as Shane’s mom packed his lunch, he asked for more planning to share with Missy.
"Mom, can I have another pudding, and maybe another bag of chips?" Shane’s Mom gave him a puzzled look.
"Don’t I pack enough?" Shane shook his head and explained.
"No…there’s this girl at school she never has much to eat, and we have plenty. I wanted to share with her. She never buys milk either." Shane’s mom smiled warmly at her caring son, giving him the extra chips and pudding. When she gave him milk money she gave him extra.
"Get your friend a milk too." Shane’s Mom said hugging him as he stepped outside.
Missy was surprised at lunch when Shane sat down beside her. She looked around to see who was watching, there were a few kids who turned to look.
"Hi, can I sit here?" Shane asked, and Missy nodded smiling. Shane smiled back. "Wow…my Mom must think I’m really hungry, she packed me extras. Hey do you think you could help me eat it. I don’t want Mom to get mad at me." Shane figured if he simply offered Missy the food she might not take it, so this way it was like she was doing him a favor. Missy took the pudding, it was chocolate along the milk and chips, what a treat.
"Thanks for sitting with me." Missy smiled her eyes shining happily.
"It’s okay….can I sit with you tomorrow?" Shane asked as they lined up to go back to class.
"Yes if you really want to." Missy couldn’t believe Shane wanted to sit with her, he seemed really nice for a boy.
Shane sat with Missy the rest of the week, sharing his lunch and always buying an extra milk. By Friday they were quite the scandal among all the forth grade class, with both his friends, and the mean girls voicing their opinions to him at recess.
"Why do you sit with Missy now? Do you like her?" asked Tommy, one of the boys Shane played ball with.
"Yeah Shane, you’re turning into a loser hanging with her." Another boy added.
"No I’m not…look she doesn’t bring a lunch, my mom packs extra so I’m sharing, no big deal." Shane defended his actions.
"Yeah whatever you're still a loser, maybe you should go play with your new friend instead of playing with us." The other boys nodded agreeing.
"Fine, if you ask me you guys are the losers." Shane huffed storming off, he didn’t really want to play dodge ball anyway.
Walking past Shelby and her friends, they started on Shane too.
"Hey Shane, are you insane? Kissy kissy with Missy, don’t tell me you like her?" Shelby teased.
"Shut up Shelby you and your friends are so mean." Shane shook his head ignoring them. He ventured to the corner of the gym where Missy was sitting, hugging her knees counting the minutes till recess was over.
"Are they teasing you cos of me?" Missy asked Shane who sat beside her.
"Yeah, but I don’t care. I’ll play with whomever I want. So want to get a game to play or something?" Missy smiled and agreed, finding a checker board, she and Shane played all recess.
Shane continued to be Missy’s friend, further alienating himself from his old friends. However after a short while, Shane wondered if maybe he made a mistake. Sure he liked Missy, but he missed his friends too. The issue escalated one recess, while playing inside again. Shane asked to play with the boys and a confrontation ensued.
"You can’t be friends with us, and her too. If you want to play tell Missy you hate her."
"I can’t do that. Why can’t I be friends with her too." Shane asked.
"Cos we said…you want to play with us, ditch the girl."
Shane walked slowly over to Missy, she heard the whole thing and knew how much Shane wanted to play.
"Go on, go play with them you know you want to."
"They say we can’t be friends, I don’t know what to do Missy." Shane shrugged his shoulders not looking at Missy.
"I don’t need you to be my friend, Shane. Go play, I don’t care." Missy pushed Shane away, knowing how it felt to be alone. She didn’t want his friends being mean to Shane.
"Okay…geez, what’s with you?" Shane growled heading back to the boys who let him play.
The girls crowded around Missy jeering and teasing again now that Shane was gone. “Silly girl, no boy could like you, rag bag hag. Face it Missy no one likes you." Shelby laughed and the other’s joined in. Missy felt the sting of their words, but the thing that hurt most was Shane turning away as well.
That weekend Missy again asked her Mom to make a trip to Goodwill, the weather was really getting bad. It was late December, and the winds blew frigid artic air. Her mom promised, Monday again, always the same story. When Monday came Missy found her mom sleeping on the sofa. It had been a long day at school spent mostly alone. Shane bought her milk and gave her his pudding, but he didn’t sit with her. Missy was hungry, opening the cupboard the only thing in it was tuna fish. I am not gonna eat that, Mom has to have some money left.
Being quiet trying not to wake her mom, Missy found her mom’s purse and began rummaging through it. Missy found a five dollar bill, stuffing it in her pants pocket. However that wasn’t the only thing Missy found, while rummaging through her mom’s purse. Missy came across a shiny gold case, it looked expensive. Curious Missy thought it must be make up so she opened it. Missy was surprised and frightened by the contents, there was a small plastic baggie, filled with a white powdery substance. There were three cigarettes, only they didn’t look like normal cigarettes. Missy knew it was drugs, and quickly shut the case.
At that moment her mother’s hands gripped Missy’s arms tightly, her forceful grip actually hurt while she shook Missy screaming at her.
"What the Hell are you doing? Why are you going through my things? Miss nosey brat, get out of here."
Janet pushed Missy hard, and Missy toppled over landing abruptly on the floor, hitting her head against the coffee table. It dazed her, but only for a moment as Missy burst into tears and ran for the door. Sliding into her wet sneakers, Missy grabbed her tight jacket and was gone before her mom could stop her.
Blinking tears Missy ran, and ran, until she felt a stinging catch in her side and had to stop. Her head hurt, and her arms throbbed where they started to bruise. The snow swirled around her as she walked. Missy brushed away her tears, she was calming down. Craming her hands in her pockets to get them warm, she found the five dollar bill. A smile stole across her face, and Missy quickly made her way to McDonalds. Missy decided to only get a cheeseburger and a coke, saving some money to buy milk at school, and maybe another cheeseburger tomorrow.
At McDonalds Missy ran into Shane, who was there with his mom. Shane noticed Missy’s rosy cheeks, chapped from the strong winter wind, he saw her rubbing her arms. He thought she was cold, she was still wearing that thin jacket. Shane went up to her, leaving his mom to wonder.
"Hi, sorry ‘bout school, are you okay? You look sad and cold." Missy didn't want anyone feeling sorry for her and pretended not to care.
"I’m fine, is that your Mom?" Missy nodded at Shane’s mom.
"Yeah….I gotta go, look Missy I still want to be friends can we?" Shane’s loyalties were torn and he was feeling guilt.
"I don’t know, guess that’s up to you isn’t it Shane." Missy stepped in line to order ignoring Shane. He sighed deeply and left with his mom.
Shane agonized the rest of the night and through the weekend worrying about Missy. It was Christmas vacation next week, and they only had two days of school. Shane thought of a plan certain to make Missy like him again, but he’d have to get some money somehow.
Tuesday was their last day of school, and that morning Shane stealthily picked his mom’s wallet out of her purse, stealing a twenty dollar bill he quickly stuffed it into his pants. His heart raced, and his palms were sweaty as he hurried to eat. Shane never took anything without asking before. Shane knew he should talk to his Mom about his plan, but he couldn’t take the chance of Mom saying no. Shane brushed his mom’s cheek with a hurried kiss, as he rushed out the door to catch the bus, his conscience consumed with guilt. At school Shane met Missy at the coat rack.
"Hey can you come with me after school…I got a surprise present to give you."
"What, a present for me…after school I have to catch a bus." Missy’s mom was still pissed she took off the other day. The bruises made by the welts from the leather belt Mom spanked her with still hurt.
"Me too, I’ll call my Mom, and she’ll give you a ride home I promise, please." Shane won, as Missy’s curiosity got the best of her.
After school both of them hurried out the doors with the other kids that walked. Missy strolled with Shane a few blocks, admiring the beautifully decorated store windows. Every one displayed a tree, sparkling with gorgeous lights. Missy loved
Christmas time, not that they had a tree to decorate, but she still loved the festive giving season.
They walked for a bit, until Shane stopped in front of the discount department store. Shane knew his mom shopped there to get certain things cheap, he saw they sold coats on their last visit. Missy’s eyes widened when Shane ushered her inside. Over to the rack of coats they went.
"Pick one I got money see." Shane pulled out the twenty dollar bill and Missy started to cry.
"For real…you want to buy me a coat, why?" Missy asked looking at the selection of new, not hand me down coats from Goodwill.
"You need one, I don’t want you to be cold no more." Shane explained, smiling as Missy seemed excited. Missy tried on a pretty purple coat, it even had a warm hood.
"This one…Shane thank you no one has ever been so nice to me ever." Shane nodded grinning happily. It was great to see Missy in a coat that was warm and fit. They paid for the coat and had enough extra for two candy bars and an orange soda to split.
The happy friends walked downtown, planning to call Shane’s mom. Before they reached the phone booth Missy suddenly stopped, frozen in her tracks a look of dread came over her face. Her mom’s car pulled up alongside them.
"Who’s this?" Shane asked seeing Missy’s reaction.
"My Mom and she’s pissed. Shane you should go."
"No…I’ll tell her it was my fault it will be okay." Shane didn’t realize Missy’s mom took drugs and had been drinking all day.
"Where have you been? Who is this kid you’re with? Did you steal that coat? Talk Missy!" Janet grabbed Missy shaking her violently. Missy looked like rag doll, her head bobbing back and forth.
"Mom you’re hurting me, ouch stop." Missy cried her mom was gripping over the old bruises and they really hurt.
"Leave her be, stop it you’re hurting her. I bought the coat for Missy." Shane tried to intercede, grabbing Janet’s arm pulling her away from Missy. Janet re-acted angrily striking Shane across the face, giving him a bloody nose instantly. Missy screamed seeing the blood.
"Mom, what did you do? Shane are you okay?" By now a few people gathered to stare, witnessing the actions of the enraged drunken Janet.
"You will not defy me." Janet started hitting Missy with her fists.
She pounded on the tiny girl, who cowered on the ground trying to block her Mom’s blows. Shane jumped back on Janet, hitting and kicking her trying to protect Missy and make Janet stop. Janet didn’t think, instead she grabbed Shane and tossed him. Shane landed in the middle of the busy street, an oncoming car could not stop and slid on the icy pavement striking Shane. Janet, Missy and the group of on lookers witnessed Shane’s body tumble along the cold unyielding asphalt, coming to rest several yards from the car. His body certainly broken, blood oozing from his silent lips.
Missy jumped up and ran to Shane ignoring her mother’s calls. "Shane … Oh Shane No!" Missy cried and hurried with several others, including the driver, toward Shane hoping they could help.
Janet became instantly frightened, she was drunk and on drugs, she could not be there when the cops came. "Missy….get in the car….NOW YOUNG LADY!" Janet fought her way to Missy trying to physically take her. A man in the crowd grabbed Janet, keeping her away from Missy. The man with the help of another kept Janet contained, until the police arrived.
The ambulance took Shane away the siren blaring. Missy rode to the hospital in a police cruiser, crying the entire way, dripping salty tears on her brand new coat. At the hospital Missy was handed over to children’s services, while Shane was rushed to surgery. Missy passed Shane’s mom hurrying into the hospital, as Missy and the social worker were walking out.
"You’re Shane’s mom I hope he’s okay, he just wanted to buy me a coat….this coat. He’s my best friend, I’m so sorry." Missy apologized still wiping tears.
"You’re Missy? He bought you that coat?" Shane’s mom pieced the puzzle together now. That explained the missing twenty from her wallet. Missy was crying too hard, she could only nod.
"Well that coat looks really nice on you, no need to be sorry honey you didn’t do anything wrong." Shane’s mom gave Missy a hug then rushed inside to be with Shane.
Two weeks passed, and the beginning of a new school year resumed as usual. Missy showed up dressed in her new coat, her hair neatly combed in braids secured with pretty ribbons. She had a new dress, not a Goodwill dress, and new boots. Shelby, and the others had nothing mean to say, and their silence was Missy’s biggest triumph. The class settled down as the final bell rang. Among the class room full of students there remained an empty seat. It was Shane’s seat, Missy looked at it sadly remembering the horrible accident.
Missy's mom, Janet, was arrested and remained in jail. Missy was placed in a temporary foster home, as her father didn’t want her. Missy didn’t know what happened to Shane, no one ever told her. She hoped her friend was okay, but not seeing him in his seat made her sad.
The teacher began to call roll as the door suddenly pushed open, and through it came Shane and his mom. Shane was on crutches and hobbled to his desk. His mom helped him get settled. Shane's Mom smiled at Missy waving, Missy waved back.
Happy to see her friend, Missy walked over to Shane and in front of everyone, she hugged him and gave Shane a kiss on his cheek. Shane was totally embarrassed, but liked the gesture all the same.
"Thank you Shane, you were my Christmas Angel." Missy whispered only loud enough for him to hear. Shane smiled and nodded.
"So we can be friends again?" Shane asked, Missy smiled warmly at him, "Yes, you will always be my friend." Missy answered.

This was done as a writing challenge... the theme write poem about the last tree.

THE LAST ONE

By Linda M Rhodes

Death, I wish for it…
I am old, ancient with life,
Pulsing throughout my core,
To be the last, cruel fate,
Gone the sapling youth,
Generations before and after….
Seasons of change know only color gray,
Countless the never-ending days,
Future grim, final destruction eminent,
Enemy shall return, scaring all Earth,
Selfish multitude, greed the driving force,
Mutilate, destroy, burned to ash…
Forced to watch the devastation,
My roots buried deep, limbs lift upward,
Heavy with burdened soul, murderers…
Rays of sunlight warm without comfort,
Shadows cast upon yesterday…
Guarding memories pleasant,
As fresh blossoms of spring…
Evergreen summer foliage thriving,
Bringing harvest coloring fall,
Ardent my flailing branches…
Whipping upon strong winds,
Arrogance perhaps justified,
As twister touches down…
Twas Mother Nature gave me life,
Fitting she will grant my death…
Along with the concrete forest,
They foolishly plant in my stead…

WHAT MAKES GRANDPARENTS SO GREAT

     It was a rainy spring day when the grandchildren could not go outside to play. Grandma was inside her kitchen taking the last tray of chocolate chip cookies from the oven when Grandma noticed she had a small visitor. Four year old Timmy wandered into the room, and found himself watching intently while Grandma placed the hot cookies one at a time onto the platter to cool. Grandma smiled at him, but wondered why he was in the kitchen. Grandpa was supposed to be keeping him and his sister busy while she made the cookies.
"They’re too hot to eat yet Honey, let them cool a little. Isn’t Grandpa playing with you and Sarah anymore?"
"Well kind of ___ I wanted to play with the cowboys, but Sarah wanted to play with blocks."
"So Grandpa is playing blocks then I guess."
"Yep and I didn’t want to. How long do they have to cool?"
"Just long enough for us to play Cowboys and Indians."
      Jimmy gave Grandma a high five, and together they headed back into the living room where the box of toys were scattered all over the pattern rug in the middle of the room. Toys scattered about didn’t bother Grandma, they were supposed to be played with. She knew Sarah and Timmy would pick them up later. Grandpa looked up from the princess fort he was building and shrugged his shoulders.
"Couldn’t do two things at once?" Grandma chuckled.
"Nope, I tried but someone went missing." Grandpa replied with a little laugh as well.
"Come on Grandma I have the Cowboys all set up."
      Grandma sat on the floor next to her coffee table that was representing a huge canyon cliff, where the Cowboys were waiting in ambush of the Indians. The Indians were smart though and found a way to creep up behind the Cowboys attacking by surprise. The Cowboys won the battle though, like they always do. Grandma and Timmy had to fix all the wounded, even the Indians, making them all better in the first aid tent. Timmy had a wonderful imagination, and Grandma never discouraged it.
      Grandma decided the cookies were cool enough and brought a plateful to the dining room table along with glasses of cold frosty milk. Sarah needed her booster seat, but Timmy was old enough to sit at the table alone. Of course Grandpa hurried to have a seat too; he loved chocolate chip cookies and milk as much as the children. While they were munching the yummy cookies Timmy posed a question.
"Do you know what makes Grandpa and Grandma’s so great?"
Grandpa glanced at Grandma and smiled before he ventured a guess.
"Is it because we let you get messy?" He asked seeing the melted chocolate smeared all over both the grandchildren’s faces.
"No Grandpa." Jimmy laughed making Sarah giggle too.
"Is it story time; I know how much you two love us to read stories?" Grandma added a guess.
"I love stories." Sarah admitted nodding her head before taking another bite of her cookie.
"Nope," Jimmy shook his head grinning happily.
"I know, we let you stay up past your bedtime when you stay over." Grandpa guessed again, "Or is it going to the park when it’s sunny." Jimmy simply shook his head.
"How about building a tent out of the kitchen table, or hiking in the woods?" Grandma added trying to guess what Jimmy would think was great.
"Guess again." Jimmy giggled.
"What about taking trips to the zoo or a playground then getting ice cream?" Grandpa thought he had a winner.
"Good guess, but nope that’s not what makes you great."
"Well I’m not sure we can guess Jimmy, will you tell us what makes grandparents great?" Grandma was very curious now and got up from her chair moving next to Jimmy. She gave him a hug while waiting for his answer.
"Yes please tell us Jimmy." Grandpa wanted to know too.
"It’s easy, it’s love and you give us it with hugs. You make us feel safe, and make us happy by playing with us. We love you Grandma, and we love you Grandpa, that’s what makes you great." Jimmy’s eyes were big and bright and his smile priceless. Grandma gave him a huge hug and kissed his cheek when she let him go.
"Well I guess that’s what makes Grandchildren so great too, love is the most powerful thing I know and we love you so much." Grandma answered wiping a happy tear from her eye as her smile spread across her face.
"Yes we will always love you." Grandpa echoed nodding his head feeling so proud of his little grandson.
"I know I love you too; now can I have another cookie please?"
Grandma chuckled handing him another cookie along with another loving hug for good measure you; can never be too great.