Just Between Friends (7 page)

     “No,” she shook her head.  “I’m not.  I just need to talk to you about something personal, but it has to stay just between me and you, alright?”

     Miranda felt touched that her little sister would come to her with her problems.  “Whatever it is, Cassie,” she assured, “you can trust I won’t say a word of it to anyone.”

     Cassandra seemed to consider this, and after a short silence, she began, “Don’t laugh at me, okay?”  She shifted her body nervously, and hugged the pillow tighter, before she continued.  “I was just wondering, how do you get a boy to notice you?”  Her face had turned a bright red.

     Miranda had a hard time keeping the smile off her face.  She knew Cassie was old enough to be interested in boys, for she had turned fourteen already, but she was acting so embarrassed it was hard for her to give her a serious answer.  Cassie had always been a sort of tomboy.  Oh, she had liked playing with dolls, but she had also liked fishing, stick ball, climbing trees, and other more masculine things too.  Now, here she was talking about boys.

     She debated for a moment as to how she should answer.  “Well,” she began, “first of all, Cassie, don’t ever change what you are for any boy.  If a boy doesn’t like you for you, then he’s not worth your time.  You can put on a pretty dress, fix your hair up nice and even put on some nice smelling perfume.  That always gets their attention, but never change the way you are inside.  Just let him know somehow that you’re interested in him.  If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.”

     Cassandra nodded, letting this sink in.  Loosening her grip a little on the pillow she had crushed to her chest, she seemed to relax a little.  “Yeah,” she agreed, “I guess you’re right.  I think he does kind of like me though.  I see how he watches me when he doesn’t realize I notice.”

     Miranda had her suspicions of who it was, but it had to be Cassie’s decision to tell her or not, but she couldn’t help but ask, “Is it someone I know?”

     Cassie blushed.  “Yeah, I guess so, but if I tell you, you have to promise not to make fun of me.”

     “You know I would never make fun of you, Cassandra!”  Miranda exclaimed. 
Even though she deserved it sometimes,
she thought.

     “Well, okay,” she finally agreed.  After taking some time to decide if she should reveal this much, she almost stuttered the words, “It’s Ben Williams.  Now, remember, you said you wouldn’t make fun of me.  I know he’s three years older than me,” she continued almost defensively, “but I’m fourteen now, and I think he’s the most gorgeous guy I’ve ever seen.  Whenever I see him, my heart starts pounding and my hands get all sweaty.  What am I going to do?”  She finally finished.

     All of these words had seemed strange coming from her little sister’s mouth.  Still, she was waiting on an answer, but she had to think, before she spoke.  She too suspected that Cassie was right about Ben’s feelings for her.  She noticed it too, that special attraction they seemed to have for each other.  Still Ben was Alec’s brother and she didn’t know what to do about that.  It would always be very awkward if anything developed between Ben and Cassie.

     If he ever became her brother-in-law, that would mean she would always have run-ins with Alec, and she didn’t know what that would do to him.  Still, her sister had come to her for advice, and she would help her all she could.

     Ben and Cassie had been enemies when they were children.  He would pick on Cassie relentlessly, taking her dolls, calling her names, and such, until Ben reached about the age of thirteen, when he suddenly became very protective of her.  He would come to her rescue, until no-one dared come near her.  Now, everything made sense.  It was his feelings for her that made him act that way, she was sure, and Miranda was determined to do all she could to help them.

     She knew Cassie was waiting on an answer, so she suddenly spoke, “Don’t worry about it, Cass.  I’ll think of something, but you have to give me some time, alright?”

     “Alright,” Cassie agreed, “but please, don’t take too long, okay?”  She threw the pillow aside, stood, bent down and gave her sister a quick hug, then ran from the room. 

                                              ***

     Two more months had passed, with only one left before the wedding, Steven thought.  He felt as if he had to be the luckiest man alive.  He would soon take Miranda as his wife, and she would be his forever.  He couldn’t wait, but for now, he had things to do, so he pulled on his overalls, and after throwing the quilt over his bed, hurried downstairs for breakfast.  “Good morning,” everyone,” he greeted, as he entered the kitchen.  “Isn’t it a beautiful morning?”

     His mother was standing at the stove, taking up the last pieces of bacon and putting them on a plate.  She looked up, and motioned for him then to place it on the table, before taking his seat.  “Good morning, Son.  Aren’t you in a good mood? What’s brought this all about, as if I have to ask?” She chuckled.

     Samantha, who was placing the last plate on the table, laughed and remarked, “He’s realized there’s only one month left.  Isn’t that right, little brother?”

     Before sitting down, he walked over to his sister and gave her a kiss on the cheek, then did the same to his mother.  He then turned again to Sam, slyly answering, “Why, big sister, I don’t know what you’re talking about?  I’m always in a good mood.”  Filling his plate with bacon, eggs and toast, he asked, “Where’s Michael?”

     Arthur Reynolds cut in, “Well, son, it looks as if we’re going to be having new neighbors.  Sam and Michael have decided to move to the country.”

     Glancing over at his sister, Steven exclaimed, “That’s great!  I was sure getting attached to that niece of mine.  Now, I won’t have to miss her.  I can see her anytime I want.”

     Amelia joined them at the table.  She scooped a helping of eggs onto her plate as she excitedly added, “Yes, and this way we can watch our granddaughter grow up.”

     Steven just smiled, knowing how much this meant to his mother.  She had missed Sam so much since she had gotten married.  Finishing the last of his breakfast, he repeated, “You never did tell me where Michael is.”

     “He went to the Lumber Mill,”   Arthur answered, “and asked if we would meet him there, but he had some other things to tend to first.  It is alright with you, isn’t it?”  He was going to stop by and ask O’Leary if you could be a little late this morning.”

     “Why sure.  I’ll be glad to help all I can, providing it is alright with Mr. O’Leary.  You know how he can be sometimes, but sales have been kind of slow lately.  He’ll be glad to get Michaels business, so I don’t think he’ll complain too much.”  

     “Good, it’s settled then,” Arthur looked pleased, as he pushed his chair away from the table.  “You finish up here, and as soon as you’re done, we’ll be on our way. I’ll just go hitch up the wagon.”

     “Sure thing, Pa,” Steven said, as he scooped another bite of food into his mouth.

***

     As they drove into town that morning, everything was unusually quiet.  Hardly anyone was about.  As they reached the Lumber Mill, Arthur dismounted and went to speak with Mr. O’Leary.  “Town’s awful dead this morning.  I wonder why?”

     Stroking his long white beard, O’Leary answered, “Haven’t you heard?  It looks like we’re going into war.  Arkansas has joined the Confederacy.  A lot of our young men will be marching off to battle soon.”

     Arthurs face grew very dark.  He knew that Steven and Michael would both go, to fight for what they believed in.  “Has Michael been around?”  He spoke at last.  “Steven and I were supposed to meet him here.”

     O’Leary’s face was leathery and bore quite a few wrinkles for a man in his fifties, and his white shirt was smudged and well-worn. He was leaning on a freshly cut board, as he glanced at the town around him. “No,” O’Leary replied.  “I haven’t seen him.  Most likely caught word of it all before he got here.”

“I expect you’re right,” he agreed, voice morose.  ”I think I’ll have a look around for him.”  Arthur had no words for what he was feeling at that moment.  He couldn’t bear to think about it.  All he knew just now was that he had to talk with Steven, and to find his son-in-law. 

He swiped his fingers across his dark beard, as his eyes reflected his fears. “I’m going to look around for Michael. I’ll talk to you later, O’Leary.”  He turned and without another glance at the man, made his way slowly back to the buggy. 
Oh, how could he tell this news to his son?

     When he had returned and took his seat once more, Steven noticed how strange and quiet his father was. He didn’t know what to say to him.  His expression was so glum. But when he was unable to stand the silence any longer, he questioned, “Pa, did you find Michael?  What were you and O’Leary talking about?  It seemed to be a serious discussion.”

     Unsure as to how to answer this question, he said quietly, “I’m afraid Michael might want to postpone building that house for a while.”

     Steven was confused.  “Why would he want to do that?”  He asked questioningly.  “He’s not even here.  Shouldn’t we wait for him?”

     “Son, it seems Arkansas has joined the Confederacy, and we’ll be into this battle soon.  We need to find Michael, and see what he has to say about all this.”

     Steven felt sick.  All of his hopes and dreams were shattering right before his eyes.  He knew he would have to go into battle, and he may never get to see Miranda again, once he left.  It wasn’t fair.  All he wanted at this moment was to see her, and hold her in his arms, but he couldn’t, not yet.  He had to gather his emotions first.

     Neither spoke another word.  Arthur picked up the buggy whip, flicked it lightly across the horse’s backs, and urged them on.

     They found Michael in the General Mercantile talking with Bud Spencer, a neighbor of theirs.  As they walked up to them, Steven could hear their conversation.  “What about you, Michael?”  Bud questioned.  “Will you go and leave Samantha and that new baby of yours?”

     Steven could see the agony on Michael’s face, but he responded, “I don’t see as if I have any choice in the matter.  We have to protect our own.”

     Arthur cut in, “I see you’ve already heard.  I think before any decisions are made we should all go home and talk about this with our loved ones.”  He gave Bud a pat on the back and only said, “May God bless our families and keep our young men safe.” 

     Each left for their specific homes that morning with very heavy hearts.

***

     The three men had returned home, and reported the news to Amelia and Samantha.  The women took the news very hard, but it was decided that indeed both Steven and Michael would both be expected to go.

     The news was spreading all over Arkansas.  It seemed everywhere young men were preparing to leave their homes and loved ones, and some even as young as thirteen.  In addition to Steven and Michael, Alec and Ben were also going.  Alec really didn’t care about himself, but he encouraged Ben to have a talk with Cassandra, and tell her how he felt about her, before he went away.

     So following his brother’s advice, he slowly made his way to Cassandras house.  He walked up the steps and went to the door.  Gathering his nerves, he knocked gently.  When the door swung open, he was so nervous, he jumped.

     “Why, Ben, what brings you over here?”  Miranda asked, standing in the doorway.

     “Good afternoon, Miranda,” he spoke nervously.  “Is Cassandra at home?  I would like to speak with her, if I could.”

     She just smiled, “Yes, of course you can.  She’s in the kitchen.  I’ll go get her.  Come on in.”  She politely offered.

     “No, that’s alright.  I’ll just wait out here.”  If his heart was to beat any harder it would surely beat right out of his chest.  He took a long, deep breath trying to calm himself.

     “Well, suit yourself, but I’m sure you’d be more comfortable inside.”

     Fidgeting as he was, he realized Miranda could see that something was bothering him, but he just assured her, “”No, really I’m fine.  I’ll just wait.”