Welcome to Montana #2

Welcome to Montana #2

By: Emma Ladner

Chapter One

                                                             England’s News

Carter and Peter taught Bobby to plow yesterday, my little Carter was four and now is eleven, it breaks my heart to see them grow up so fast. I also let Carly paint on a canvas today. Also when I told Carly and the rest I was pregnant with another baby they were all like “Do you know what gender it is?” or “Do you have to have four kids?” I looked at Peter and he shrugged. I don’t know if it is a girl or boy but I know it is due sooner or later in this spring. But for now I might as well wait.

“Mom!” yelled Carter. I turned around from the sink. “Yes?” I said. “Bobby took my bag!” said Carter. “Did not!” wailed Bobby. I rolled my eyes. “You guys be nice to each other!” I yelled. I turned back to the sink and began to wash the dishes. Wash, wash, dry, dry, wash, wash, rinse, rinse, dry, dry I went. When I was done I took the washboard and washed the clothes. Peter came in with fresh milk. I grabbed a bucket. “Can you go get me some more water?” I asked. “I’m making everyone take a bath.” I said. “Ok.” Said Peter. He took the bucket and went to the well. I folded the clothes and put them in a basket. I walked outside. Spencer was chasing the sheep into their pen for their sheering. Carly came out to shear the sheep. Carter was helping Peter harvest for this year’s plowing. I pinned the clothes to the clothesline. I took the old clothes that had hung there and put them away. I made the beds and I looked around. Carly had came in and was on her bed, sewing a blanket. “How’s your blanket going?” I asked. Carly looked up. “Good.” She said. I walked over and sat down beside her. “Can I feel it?” I asked. Carly nodded and let me feel the green fabric. “Well what happens if it is more twins?” I asked. “I bet that won’t happen.” Said Carly. “But I want it to be a girl this time.” I laughed. “Well we will see.” I said. I put my arm around her. When she was done I folded it and plopped it on my bed. Then I went to the kitchen. Peter was lighting candles. I filled the tub. “Carly!” I said. Carly came downstairs. She slipped off her petticoat and her dress then she climbed into the tub. I bathed her and washed her hair. When she was dry I sent her to her room to dress. Then came Bobby, than me, then Peter. When I was dressed in my pajamas I came downstairs and cooked some butter bread and some soup. We sat at the table when the mailman came. I stood up and grabbed the mail. “Hope you have a nice dinner.” Said the mail man. “Do you want to join us?” I asked. “Oh no, I have to get back to the house, my wife will get crazy.” I smiled. And closed the door. I sat at the table and opened a letter it said;

Dear Mrs. Jones,

Here is your month’s payment, for doing your newspaper work, we will now award you $40.00 per month, starting now and here is your $40.00.

Sincerely,

The England’s Newspaper Company

I took the money out and set it on the table. I picked up another letter and it said;

Dear Mrs. Gabriella,

It is me your old chum, Buster, I hope you don’t mind but I would like to come visit you in Montana one day.

Write me back,

Buster

I took a paper and wrote;

Dear Buster,

Sure

From,

Mrs. Gabriella

The next one said

Dear the Jones Family,

Your bills have been paid and tomommrow we are coming to install our newest addition, a real working foset which runs your water to your sink and over new stove. Hope you don’t mind us coming tonight.

Sincerely,

Montana Inc.

When I put the note down there was a knock on the door. I opened it and there were some men carrying some pipes. “Hello Mrs. Jones.” Said a man. They came inside. “Good afternoon, children.” He said and tipped his hat. The children watched him screw stuff into our floors and put pipes in the ground. “Children, go on to bed.” I said. The children stood up and headed to bed. I stacked my plates and when they were done they left. I washed the dishes with a real sink which was awesome to have. And then I went to bed.

The next morning, was tougher then I remembered. That morning nobody wanted to get up. But I threatened to spank them so that got them up. Peter and Bobby and Carter dressed in overalls and went to Contuie their morning chores. I dressed in a black bodice with a white collar. I took a white rag and tied it a little under my neck. Then I pulled on a brown skirt and black leather shoes. I helped dress Carly and we sat on the porch sewing. “Rain storm!” cried Peter. Carter, Bobby, and Peter led the animals inside. Carly and I went inside. Peter and Carter and Bobby ran inside. Peter turned on the fire and closed the door. “Wait! Where’s Spencer and Betsy?!” said Bobby. He opened the door and ran outside. “Bobby!” I yelled. “I got him mama!” said Carter and he ran out. “Carter! Bobby! Come back! The dogs will be fine!” I yelled. “It’s alright. I’ll go get them.” Said Peter. I closed the door after Peter ran outside. When they came in there was snow on them and they were soaking wet. “Oh no!” I said. I turned up the heat and gave them a hot bath. When they were dressed in their pajamas it was about 6:30 pm. The snow and rain was still going. “What about Spencer? And Betsy?” asked Bobby. “They were here all along.” I said. “Where?” asked Bobby. I pointed under the couch and there was Betsy and Spencer asleep. “Oh.” Said Bobby. Carter rolled his eyes. “You didn’t know that dumb butt?” asked Carter. “Carter!” said Peter. “What? Well it is true.” Said Carter. Bobby and Carly climbed under the covers and stuck in their feet. Carter crawled under too. Peter lay on another couch with a blanket on him. “Mama? Why not cook some dinner?” asked Carly. “Yeah I’m starving mama.” Said Carter. “Well.” I said. “I don’t know.” I said. “Why not?” asked Carly. “I’m kidding.” I said. I stood up and but the blanket back on top of them. They giggled and kicked the covers off their faces. They sat, listening to music and watching the fire crackle. I walked to the sink and took out some plates. Then I cut some broccoli and chicken. Then I put it into the oven and watched it cook.

After dinner I tucked the children in and me and Peter climbed in bed. “Peter?” I asked. “Yep?” asked Peter. I couldn’t tell but in the darkness I thought I could see him staring at the ceiling. “Why is a widow like a writing desk?” I asked. “I don’t know.” Said Peter. I lay staring at the ceiling, my hands placed on my stomach. “It’s so nice to know Carter still acts like a little boy.” I said. “Yep.” Said Peter. I closed my eyes. “Good-night Peter.” I said. “Good-night.” Said Peter.

“Mama!” cried Carly. I opened my eyes. It was morning. I sat up in bed. “What a strange dream.” I said. I stood up and walked to my closet. I dressed in a white, lacy dress and white heels. Then I pulled back my hair and walked downstairs. The children sat watching some men plug in something. I ran over. “What are you doing?” I asked. “Installing a new television.” Said the man. “How much is the costing me?” I asked. “Not much, just ten, twenty dollars.” Said the man. “Oh.” I said. Suddenly the television turned on. “Just call it TV.” They said. Then they walked out. The children sat watching some show called Be Witched. I sat down beside them.

Peter came inside with some milk. He tip-toed behind me and… “Don’t think about it Peter.” I said. “How’d you know it was me?” asked Peter. He swung over the couch and sat beside me. “I’m your wife, I know everything.” I said. “Huh.” Said Peter. I stood up and walked into the kitchen. I cracked some eggs and scrambled them. I placed them on plates and cooked purge. Then I placed it on the plate and took it to the table. “Dinner.” I said. The family came to the table and I served the children milk. I hate water and Peter had coffee.

After I was done eating, I walked outside to do my morning chores. I took a basket and picked my strawberries, oranges and apples and grapes. I brought them inside and set them on the counter. Then I took another basket and went to pick the eggs. I brought those inside, washed them and put them away. Then I took the clothes I was knitting for the baby or babies and sat on the porch to knit. Carly came on the porch with flowers. “Mama? Where do I put this?” asked Carly. “On the table dear.” I said. Carly went inside and came back outside with the book Gone with the Wind then she sat on the porch to read. I smiled at Carly and fell to the ground. The last words I heard were “Hold on Gabriella! I will go get the doctor!” and “Daddy!” and “Hold on mom!” and the words “Don’t die!” Then I closed my eyes.

Chapter Two

England’s News

I don’t know what happened but I was lying in bed, I suggest dying.

“It’s a girl!” hollered Dr. Mike. I took a deep breath in and let it out. He handed the baby to me. I patted her back and whispered, “Shush.” I patted her back. When the kids came in I handed her to them. “Her name is Grace.” I said. They smiled and handed her back. I smiled and turned over on my side and fell asleep.

THE END