Beyond the Border - Part 5

Well, um, good morning, FFFs,

I guess it is Friday, isn't it? Guess what? The sun is shining! And it's not supposed to hide behind clouds today! Or tomorrow! Or Sunday! Wow. This past week has been clouds and rain, and temperatures in the 60s. Now and then we'd get bits of sunshine, or it might reach 70º for a few minutes. Today my mom and I are planning on finally getting out to buy flowers for the yard. We've only been wanting to do that since our birthday in April.

On the writing front I've been getting at least 1k written on Secret Project Book 3 every day this week, and some last week. The story is now at 8k words and counting. Plots twists I didn't know about are up to 3, and unexpected people are 1. It's really starting to move and I am eager to get back to writing.

Hints for today are two chapter titles:

1. Aunt Bertha Takes a Hand

2. Banking on Trouble

On another note, I had my first real job offer yesterday. It's to work part time in the County Clerks office the 4 weeks prior to the August election. It sounds rather fun, but I'm still praying about it. Do you think it sounds fun? I'd be voting people absentee, and some other office stuff.

And here is the final part of this story. Enjoy!

Beyond the Border

Part 5

    “It’s coming from around that side,” Alex exclaimed, rushing off the porch with Eleanor and Catherine on his heels.
    Rounding the corner of the house, they stopped short. No one was to be seen.
    “Miss Gray,” Eleanor called, “where are you?”
    “The window,” came the voice.
    The open window was high but still allowed the two older children to see inside. The woman of the house lay on the floor, her face white. “Thank God someone came at last! Can one of you get in and–” Her face contracted in pain.
    Alex acted first. “Eleanor, let me boost you inside, and you can go open the front door.”
    This was done, and soon the three children were gathered about the woman on the floor.
    “She needs a doctor,” Eleanor stated.
    “Phone . . . over there.” A shaking finger pointed to the wall, and Alex disappeared. “Water.”
    “Yes, of course,” Eleanor said, noticing her dry lips, and brushing a hand over her hot face. “Catherine, stay here with Miss Gray. I’m going to go fetch some water.” Giving her sister no time to protest, Eleanor stood and headed for the back of the house where she guessed the kitchen was. She was right, and, after filling a glass with water, she also put water in a clean pail and carried it back to the sitting room.
    Eleanor took charge and bathed the lady’s face, and held the glass of water while Alex lifted her head, and Catherine sat still and held her hand.
    Slowly, with many pauses, Miss Gray told how she had been sick for a few days and had finally decided to call the doctor yesterday afternoon, but before she could make the call, she had gotten dizzy, and fallen,  injuring her leg. “I get faint any time I try to move,” Miss Gray murmured. “I’m so thankful you came back!”
        It seemed like a long time to the children who never once thought of fetching one of the adults from the orphanage, but at last the doctor arrived in an ambulance, and soon the three children were left alone in the house.
    “We’d better lock up,” Alex said.
    “Yes,” Eleanor agreed.
    “Can’t we pull some more weeds?” Catherine begged. “Miss Gray won’t be able to with her injured leg.”
    Eleanor looked at Alex, and Alex looked at Eleanor. Should they stay?
    “Let’s finish the garden right here,” Eleanor suggested. “We can do more another time if she’ll let us.”

*

    “You missed the excitement,” Julia said at the supper table. “There was an ambulance over at the house next door. We saw it drive by, and some of us watched it from upstairs. They took the lady away. I expect she’s going to die, and then WE can have the place.” She gave a slight toss of her head.
    Eleanor stole a glance at Alex and quickly dropped her eyes.
    “Where were you anyway, Eleanor? You and your sister are always disappearing. I think I should tell Mrs. Cobell. She might want to know where you two go and–”
    “And what?” growled Alex. “Why don’t you mind your own business for a change, Julia, instead of acting like you should know everyone else’s.”
    Julia opened her mouth, but no words came out. For once she had been silenced.

*

    The next day was Sunday, and there was no time to cross the border and pull weeds in Miss Gray’s garden, for everyone went to church in the morning and in the afternoon quiet play or reading was required. Late in the afternoon, Eleanor stood alone near the front gate looking out at the world beyond their confining border. Catherine was still inside reading. Alex came up and stood nearby, though he didn’t say anything.
    Eleanor looked over at him. “Alex, why are you so nice to Catherine and me? Why don’t you let Julia bother us at the table like the others do?”
    Alex’s reply was low. “You remind me of my sisters. They died of the same sickness that took my parents.”
    “Oh, Alex!” Eleanor turned quickly. “I . . . What were their names?”
    “Amelia and Elsie.”
    Stepping toward him, Eleanor held out her hand. “Can we pretend we’re your sisters?”
    Alex nodded and took her hand. “I’d like that.”

*

    On Thursday morning Mrs. Cobell requested Eleanor, Catherine, and Alex to go to the office as soon as breakfast was dismissed.
    Eleanor didn’t miss Julia’s smirk. Had she said something? They had been careful about slipping next door.
    In the office, Mrs. Cobell and Miss Stroder looked at the three children. At last Mrs. Cobell spoke. “Did the three of you go beyond the borders of the yard and into our neighbor’s property last Saturday?”
    Eleanor felt Catherine’s hand tighten on her own. “Yes, ma’am.”
    “Did you go into the house and help her?”
    “Yes, ma’am,” Alex replied sturdily.
    Mrs. Cobell sighed and looked at Miss Stroder. “It seems,” she said slowly, “that you followed the Golden Rule. Miss Gray needs help for a few weeks and has requested you three. I suggested she take a few of our older orphans, but she wouldn’t have anyone else. When you leave this room, you are to pack your things and take them down to the hall. Miss Stroder will escort you next door. Don’t think this move is permanent. The lady hasn’t mentioned anything about keeping you once she is back on her feet again. That is all. You may go.”
    In a daze, Eleanor packed hers and Catherine’s few belongings, and the sisters waited in the hall for Alex.
    Julia swaggered in and stared. “Did you finally do something so bad they are sending you away?” She laughed scornfully. “Where are you going?”
    “Next door to help Miss Gray until she is well,” Alex said, coming into the hall.
    It was obvious that Julia didn’t believe them. Miss Stroder came. The walk out the gate, down the road, and up the stone path to the large house was taken in silence. A nurse opened the door at their knock and led them into the room where Miss Gray was lying in bed with her bandaged leg resting on a cushion.
    Holding out her hands, Miss Gray said, “Welcome home, children.”
    Eleanor smiled. It did feel like home. She was glad they had gone beyond the border to help someone in need.

Have you had more sun or rain this week?

Are you excited about Secret Project?

Did you enjoy this story or was it too short?