Life’s Expectations

Things Are Looking Up

Grace walked with Holly and Andy through the alley to the back gate.Andy made sure the gate would close.

“We will come back in the morning, early to clear the pathway to the house.And get some of the big stuff out of the attic so you can clean.But tonight you come to my house to stay.You can eat dinner and take a bath.You can get some good sleep before you tackle that attic.No arguing,let’s go.”Holly told Grace.Grace went in to grab her bear.When her and Holly went in they saw the baby kitten curled up to the teddy.Holly held out her arm to stop Grace.

“Slowly,very slowly.Sit on the bed and let it come to you.”Grace sat very slow and careful.

The kitten woke,but didn’t run.They were at a good start.Grace just sat silently.The kitten stood and stretched,yawning.It slowly crawled over and climbed in Grace’s lap.She slowly put her hand on the kitten to rub it.The kitten curled into a little ball.Grace rubbed it and stood up very slow.She walked out of the shed cuddling the tiny baby.Holly grabbed the teddy off the make shift bed.

“Do I need any clothes,Miss Holly?”Grace asked.

Holly shook her head and they walked out of the gate and Andy closed it.

“ You have a ton of clothes to try on.You can have your fashion show for Andy and I.”Holly said smiling.

They walked back to Holly’s.Andy went to get some Chinese takeout.Grace took a bath and tried clothes on in Holly’s room.She looked at herself in the full length mirror.She put the clothes she liked in a pile.When Grace was done she brought the clothes she didn’t like in to Holly.

“So,these are the ones you don’t like?Ok,just put them on the register counter.We will hang them tomorrow.After you show us what you kept,I will wash them.”Holly said,setting the table.Andy came in shortly after.

“How is your baby,Miss Grace?”he asked.

Grace went into the living room and the baby was in a fuzzy pink blanket on the sofa.

“She is fine.She curled up in that pretty blanket on the sofa.”Grace said to him.

“That blanket is for you.I bought it while I was out.And these are for you.”he said handing her a paper bag.

She sat at the table and looked at the things inside.She pulled out a new box of markers, three composition notebooks,pencils,glue,construction paper and a chocolate bar.

“That’s for your lessons with Miss Kay.”Andy told Grace.

“Thank you.”Grace said with a smile.

“Are you two ready to eat?”Holly asked them.They both nodded and sat down.

They all ate in silence and Grace washed dishes after.Holly and Andy were talking on the sofa.Grace put on an outfit and came out to the living room.It was a pink jumpsuit that came to her calves and pink sandals.

Holly and Andy clapped as she turned,then went to change.Next she put on a pair of denim shorts with ruffled legs and a white sleeveless shirt.She came out did a turn and they clapped.She came out the third time wearing a bright yellow sundress and white flip flops.She did her turn a little sassy and they clapped louder.She put on the last outfit,a pair of capris pink pants and a yellow t-shirt with a horse on the front.She carried four other shirts with her.She posed with each shirt,each had pink and would match the capris.

“The rest y’all can just see on me later.I am tired.Going to put on my nightgown.”Grace told them.

“Bring the clothes out here for me to wash them.”Holly told her.

“I can put them in,I know how.”Grace told her and she got the clothes.

“Her mother made sure that girl knew how to keep a house clean.Probably to clean up after her and any men that she brought home.”Holly scoffed out.

Grace got done and came in and sat in the beanbag next to the sofa.

“I do not like black for decoration but I kept it for you to have your own place to sit when you are here.”Holly told her handing her the blanket with her new baby in it.

“So,what are you going to name that one? It’s a girl by the way.”Andy said and Grace uncovered the ball of fur. She hissed and slapped at Grace.

“Eww,she’s full of salt and vinegar.”Holly said with a laugh.

“What does that mean?” Grace asked.

“It means she feisty and a little sour.” Mr Harpeth told her.

She understood sour,so she shrugged.She tried to pet the baby to fast,scaring her and she hissed.

“She’s full of Salts”Mr Harpeth said laughing.

“Salts.Her name is Salts.She is white and what you said.”Grace told them.

Salts curled up on Grace’s chest and fell asleep.They watched the movie Annie.Grace fell asleep in the beanbag,so they covered her up and left her there.

Grace got up early and went to gather eggs after she dressed.She had went into the Shop and found a pair of boy’s denim shorts and a t-shirt,to work in.She brought the eggs in to Holly,who was finishing breakfast.

They sat and ate,then headed to Miss Kay’s.They wasted no time clearing the path,but that turned into clearing the whole yard,because Holly saw a snake.Andy went and got Holly’s lawnmower and hedge clippers.By the time they were done the yard looked like a different place.Holly even planted some flower seeds in the flowerbeds.She told Grace by Summer there would be plenty of flowers.She gave Grace a handful of jellybeans and showed Grace where to plant them.Grace planted them in the large clay flowerpot and watered them.

“Oh are you two planting a candy bush?I just love those things.You should put a beautiful ribbon on it to show that pot is special.”Andy said with a huge smile.

“Great idea Andy!I’ll go grab one and fix us a picnic lunch. I’ll be right back.”Holly said heading across the backyard.

“Oh my gracious if I knew taking in a youngin would have resulted in this.Well I would’ve done it a long time ago”Miss Kay laughed from the huge back porch.

“Well,then you wouldn’t have wanted our youngin Miss Kay.”Andy laughed.

“Actually a snake made all this happen.” Grace said plainly.

“No mam,we could have just cut down what needed to be cut and mowed for that reason.But Holly wanted to go the extra mile for both of you.She hopes this backyard will inspire you two to spend time out here together.”he finished as Holly came through the gate with several paper bags and the picnic basket.Andy rushed to help her.

“Oh,I got this but there is a few things still in the truck.I will have to help you get the surprises out of the back of the delivery truck.”Holly smiled.

Andy went into the alley and saw Second Chances delivery truck parked by the gate.He shook his head wondering what all she brought.Andy grabbed the other picnic basket,the jug of lemonade and the blanket out of the cab.

“Ok Miss Kay you need help down here?”Andy asked and Holly elbowed him.

“Look here young fella.I am not that old.I am only 70.”she replied coming down the stairs.

As she approached the blanket on the ground she laughed.

“Now I will except your help to get up off the ground.”she said laughing and all the adults laughed.Grace looked confused.

“Well little Missy when people get old their bodies are slower.Do you not have any old people in your family?Grandparents?”Miss Kay stopped in thought.

“No I don’t reckon you do or you wouldn’t be here.”Miss Kay said sadly.

“It’s ok,now I have you!”Grace said smiling hugely.They all laughed.