Front Porch tales 10

I just have to say that I think it is so funny when I am writing along and suddenly a character adopts a different name. This happened this evening as I was writing... Marie suddenly became Mary and I was getting all confused :) I think we got this problem fixed but let me know if you see any more!!

Marie recognized the awkwardness of the moment and decided to return to her purpose for coming. “We would have to leave a half hour earlier because the walk is a bit longer and services begin sooner.”

Victoria had a hard enough time going to mass when she first arrived at the school, and to go to an entirely different church would be difficult. She had no idea what to expect. At home, religion revolved around horses.  

“Well?” Marie prodded for an answer.

“I don’t know, Marie.”

“Come now, it will be an adventure, and besides I would enjoy the company.” Her voice was a pathetic pleading and Victoria turned to look at her reflection in the window then smiled. How could she refuse such a pitiful request? “Yes, I think I shall go.” She turned back toward Marie and glanced at Alice. “What about Alice?”

“She is still invited and I am sure we would all three have a splendid time.” A little snort came from the other side of the room but Alice remained in the position of staring at the wall as if there were a large spider creeping up the plaster. Little did the girls know that Alice was suffering an inner battle. She couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact that these two girls were offering her a friendship even after all she had done. From the very beginning, Alice could not remember ever being accepted, neither by friends nor by her parents.  Her parents had never given her anything other than her life. The first nine years of her life were spent in an orphanage and after that she was moved from home to home. She quickly discovered that the only way to survive in her cruel world was to put a wall up around her and give no one a chance to harm her. In return for her protective cover no one ever showed her kindness and she was determined that her two schoolmates were no different.

“No, I think not.” With her face still to the wall, she had to imagine that they were looking at each other with smug faces but then Marie spoke. “I am sorry to hear that, I was really looking forward to you coming.” Alice had to turn around to see if Marie looked as sincere as she sounded. If she didn’t know better, Alice would have thought that Marie actually looked upset.

~ ~ ~

By morning a thin layer of snow covered everything in sight. Victoria glance outside only long enough to realize that she would have to dress warmly. Then she hurried to dress and arrange her hair in a braid. She must hurry in order to be at the church on time. Alice was gone already and Victoria couldn’t help but let her mind wonder to why her roommate would be going to a saloon every Sunday. She could turn her in but not when Alice was just getting to where she was bearable. A knock at the door startled her from her thoughts and she moved to let Marie in. “I am just about finished, just need to slip on my shoes.” Marie gazed at her with a funny grin on her face. “I’ve never see you wear that dress before.” Victoria took a quick look down to observe what she was actually wearing. “I should think not since we never see each other on Sunday.” She twirled around, allowing the dress to fill out. “Does it look like too much?”

Marie nodded her head back and forth. “It is perfect! Now come on or we will be late.”

The air was crisp as the girls stomped through the snow and Victoria quickly decided that she would have preferred not to be walking. When they were not too far from the school, Victoria heard a horse approaching and a quick glance over her shoulder revealed that a buggy was approaching and slowing down as it neared them. “Good morning ladies.”

Both girls glanced up at the driver and noted that he was probably no older than they were.

“Could I offer you a ride? I am going your way.”