Life’s Expectations

Things Could Be Worse

“It isn’t as bad as it could be.”Grace’s voice and those words kept running through Holly’s mind.

“Daisy what on earth kind of life has that child had to think that shed is a good home?”Holly asked over the phone.

“Well Holly.Grace has lived in a hall closet her entire life.Only getting freedom when her mother was gone or she was at school.And her mother pulled her out of school after I left.”Daisy replied.

“Daisy!”Holly exclaimed.

“Now wait a minute Holly.I did what I could and when I tried to do more.Well,look what’s happened.The girl is there alone and I’m here.Courtney found my planner.I had my party plans for Gracey a 10th birthday party.Her first ever.And her mother was furious.She ripped my planner to pieces and we got into a horrible screaming match.She said having a party would just make Gracey act like a child.That she needed to grow up fast to help with the bills.Then we fought and her boyfriend threw me out.”Daisy said with a sigh.

“What!Grace is a child,she wouldn’t be acting!What on earth can a ten year old do to help with bills?”Holly paused and Daisy huffed.

“That is disgusting!What momma would do that to her own child?Why don’t you come get her?”Holly asked,so upset and hurt for Grace.

“Holly,that is called kidnapping.Her mother is going to come hunting for her,especially when Grace fills out.Grace is going to be gorgeous and if she is shaped like Courtney.Well,Courtney will get a lot of money off her.”Daisy said matter of factly.

“That is awful!”Holly exclaimed cutting Daisy off .

“Awful or not,it’s life.And that is that child’s life.Courtney never wanted that sweet little girl. But when she realizes how much money she could have.She will search high and low.I bet Grace is already starting to blossom.”Daisy said.

“Yes,she actually is.I am going to take her and get some personal garments for her soon.”Holly said.

“That girls never even owned a pair of panties.When I tell you she only got from me,I mean it.The school signed Grace up every year for Christmas.Courtney sold it every single time.That teddy Grace has I took it from the Santa sack before Courtney saw it.Made Grace hide it til it didn’t look new.Then we said I got it from the trash.I made Grace a treasure box,put in small things.She loved it.But she had to keep it hidden,until it didn’t look new.And Courtney was so mad.Just try to hide her.If social services finds her,back to her mother.If she goes to school,the same.I know you have no room for her and to many people come in and out of there.People ask questions.If she stays with you to much,she’ll get caught.”Daisy said and Holly started to cry.

“I know you want to help,but just be careful.Courtney is the type to blame you and say you took Grace.If she is caught around you.”Daisy told Holly.

“I gotta go Daisy.I will keep it all in mind.”Holly told Daisy and hung up.

The rest of the day Holly couldn’t shake the horrible feeling that conversation had left.Her boyfriend Andy Harpeth was coming into town that day and she just couldn’t even get happy about that.They hadn’t seen each other for a few months now.When he came and she just wasn’t herself,she had to explain.They sat out on the front porch after she closed the shop,she told him the whole conversation with Daisy.He already knew about Grace,so he was up to speed.

“Can you believe Grace’s mother would actually want to make money by selling her to men?”Holly said with tears running down her face.

But before Andy could reply they heard a twig snap to the side of them.They both looked as Grace rounded the bush to the side of the porch.Grace’s face was flushed and tears were already welling up in her eyes and she ran.

Holly and Andy jumped up.Holly tried to run after Grace,but the child was gone like a flash.Andy caught up to Holly,not even sure if he should have followed.

“Do you know where to look?”he asked Holly,rubbing her back.And she nodded.They walked to Grace’s shed,but she wasn’t there.Holly and Andy walked around town not trying to be to obvious.As it got dark and Grace had not returned to her little home or to Holly’s.Holly went and knocked on the shed owners door.

“Who is it?”came the voice of the elderly woman that lived there.

“Mam,you don’t know me.But have you seen a little girl?”Holly asked through the door.

“Are you her mother?”the woman asked.

“Umm,no mam.”she replied and the woman snatched the door open.

“Miss Holly,I presume.”the older woman smiled,showing them the way in.

“Yes mam.”Holly sighed.

Grace was there and must have just poured her little soul out to this woman.They followed the woman into the kitchen.She gestured for them to sit.Grace was in the living room asleep on the couch,but woke up when she heard Andy introduce himself.Grace tried to sneak out the front door.

“No mam,little Missy.You come here.By the way,I am Miss Kay.Everybody calls me Miss Kay.Little Missy introduced herself and I haven’t gotten a single word in.”she told them patting the seat next to her for Grace.She sat.And they all sat in silence for a while.

“So,are you the reason my babies are not eating their food and keep going in the backyard?”Miss Kay asked Grace.Grace nodded.

“Are you attempting to steal my cats?”Miss Kay asked Grace.

“Why no mam!I was just trying to catch a tiny white kitten in the alley.It doesn’t want my food,but your cats sure do.”Grace said.

“I can see where you would want that little baby.It’s mother was taken by the dog catcher and that baby doesn’t trust humans”Miss Kay said.

“Grace I am so sorry you heard our conversation,I didn’t know you were there.”Holly told her.

“Well her being there or not,doesn’t make it untrue.Right?”Miss Kay asked.

“No mam.It’s what my cousin Daisy said.”Holly told Miss Kay.

“Alright.Well,she needs to stop going to your house so much during the day.She also can’t be walking the streets after dark.And she can’t keep staying in my over grown backyard so close to the alley.She can’t go to school,but needs schooling.And she must not get caught by her mother,the school,the police or social services.You’re a little outlaw.”Miss Kay said.

“I have lots of school books,but I don’t have time to teach her.”Holly said rubbing Grace’s head.

“I can handle that.I know you aren’t scared of cats and we will work together to catch yours.But in the mean time,you can take all your things up to the attic after you clean it out.You,clean it out.Miss Holly and Mr Harpeth can help you haul things away.None of my cats are to go up to your room.Do you understand?”Miss Kay asked and Grace nodded.

“You mind your manners,you have those don’t you?”Miss Kay asked.

“Yes mam.”Grace said.

“That’s a great start,we will get along just fine.I do not celebrate ANYTHING.You may with Miss Holly.I will give you lessons from 10 am to 2 pm.If there is anything good in the attic,you may use it.”Miss Kay said,showing them all to the attic.They walked up the narrow stairs and Miss Kay opened the door.It was a huge mess.

“Well,maybe you can get some help.”Miss Kay said,but Grace shook her head.

“You let us help with the heavy stuff.And put a handkerchief over your nose and mouth,so you don’t inhale all this dust.”Miss Holly told Grace.

“I will leave you to it.And Miss Holly you come by whenever you have time.”Miss Kay said and disappeared down the stairs.

Grace told them she was going to sleep in the shed until her room was clean.Miss Kay said that was fine as long as she shut the back gate and had a clear path to the house.