"What else is Felix teaching you?" His dark eyes seemed to question me more than he did. He snapped a dry limb from the tree.
"It's really none of your business but he is also teaching me to write and spell."
"Yeah, Felix is a good friend of mine."
"So, I heard." As of now, I was avoiding looking at him.
"He's a good friend of yours too, isn't he, LeAnna?"
I stared at him, irritated. "What are you getting at?"
"I saw you and him in the field the day he left."
"So?" I was faking. I was sure he had seen us now.
"So, I know something is going on between you two."
"And what if there is?" I started climbing down. "I will kindly ask you to get your nose out of our business."
I turned, ready to run. If I stayed a second longer, I was sure to explode on him. But as I started toward the entrance of the woods, Tom grabbed my arm.
"Don't be mad. I was just playing with you."
"Well, I don't like that kind of playing!" I jerked free and ran towards the house. And as I climbed the porch stairs, Sarah opened the door and came out.
"I got you something," she said happily and held two colorful bracelets up. She slipped one around her wrist and handed me the other. "They're friendship bracelets. I made them."
I thanked her, smiling. I almost forgot the anger I felt as I studied my bracelet after putting in on my wrist. It was mostly blue, but each blue bead was a different shade. The secondary color was pink. Her bracelet was the opposite pattern of mine. And in the center of both, was a heart bead.
I held my wrist next to hers. "Aren't they beautiful."
She agreed.
Jane opened the door and when she saw us holding up our bracelets she smiled.
"Are you ready to go now?" She asked.
"Yes." Sarah said, and hugged me goodbye.
Jane gazed at the yard and scanned the driveway. "Where's Tom?"
I didn't care and I didn't want to know his whereabouts. And I certainly didn't want his mother to know I was with him. So, I shrugged and jetted inside.
That evening, Ella was busy doing house chores. She was changing all the bedding, sweeping all the floors, and dusting every nook and cranny.
I had just finished wiping the dining room table and sitting a vase of wildflowers in the center. Jason was sitting on the other side, reading one of his books when he began to struggle on a word.
"Moma!" He called. "Will you help me with this word."
"Hold on, darling. I'm in the back."
I didn't expect it. But when his eyes locked on me, I knew it was coming. I tried to think of an escape, an excuse, but I knew there was nothing I could do.
"Will you help me, Ann?"
My heart raced. I felt embarrassed to admit to a six-year-old my secret. He toppled from his seat and brought the book in front of me, pointing at the word.
I sighed. "Jason, I – I can't read." The route I chose was honesty. Whatever came after would be whatever it would be.
He stared at me and pulled out another chair and flipped the pages to the beginning. "I'll teach you all I know," he said.
I repeated after him, every word. Just as he read it. Soon, Ella had came to help him with his word, but when she saw us, she smiled. "My, my," she said, and continued cleaning the house.
By evening time, I could read the book by myself.
"The girl bought bread. The girl danced in a circle. The cat ate the red fish. The mouse loves cheese."
Chapter 11
PTSD
The next morning was Sunday. I woke up early, put on my blue dress, and Ella braided my hair.
At church, Sarah sat beside me on the pew. She had an excited aura about her, and it had more to do with just her smile.
"I go you something," she said.
"You didn't have to."
"But I did. I hope your not mad, but Tom told me you were learning to read. So, I got you something useful."
She lifted the pink book from her lap and placed it in my hands.
"This is wonderful. Thank you, Sarah." I hugged her and she quickly left to rejoin with her family.
After the service and prayer, everyone collected in small circles sharing their thoughts of the sermons and catching up with their friends.
I was standing alone by the exit, waiting for Sarah. But while I was waiting, Tina hurried over and greeted me. Her eyes scanned my dress.
"Where did you get that dress?"
"Ella got it for me. Why?"
"It just looks similar to my grandmother's dress." There was hidden smirk on her face.
"Oh really?" I faked. "Tell her to wear it next Sunday so we can match."
Her expression dropped because she was disappointed with my remark. "Right. Anyway, I'll see you around."
Just as soon as she walked off, Sarah took her place in front of me.
"Hey, it's all settled with our parents."
"What is?"
"If you want to, you can spend the day with me and go home this evening after church."
I smiled. "That would be great."
"And I could show you a quick and yummy cookie recipe."
"That would be amazing."
After saying goodbye, I climbed into truck with Sarah. I had not met her dad until then. He was in the driver's seat and waved a friendly hello. His name was Gary. We buckled up, except for Tom because he was riding in the truck bed, and he drove us out of the parking lot.
Their house was large with dark wood, a cabin set on a sloped hill sprouting with trees. We drove up a winding road hedged with them. I couldn't but think my home was prettier with its flowering fields and mystical pond. But there was one thing they had that I thought was better. And that was leaves! They laid scattered in mounds on every inch of incline. I could only imagine the monstrous pile Sarah and I
