A Place to Belong

by Joan Lowery Nixon

  "Mrs. Pratka!" Danny blurted out. "Why?"

  "She's a near neighbor and a good friend," Melba said. "Your mother will want to meet the neighbors, won't she?"

  "Uh, I guess," Danny muttered, not knowing what else to say. He wandered into the parlor and kicked at the footstool. Mrs. Pratka would probably be her usual bossy self, and Danny didn't want anything to hurt Ma's good impression of Alfrid and his home. Aunt Melba, with her sighs and resigned looks, was bad enough.

  Ma came in glowing, her cheeks pink and her eyes sparkling. A few strands of her hair had come loose, and she tried to tuck them back into the bun at her neck. 4 The land is beautiful, and there's even a cluster of young birch trees off to the south that could well be a faerie ring if it were in the right place."

  "What's a faerie ring?" Gussie asked.

  "It's a part of the Irish magic," Ma said.

  "Ma tells the best stories," Peg said. "I like the scary ones—like about the pookas who change shape in the night and thunder down the dark roads."

  Gussie leaned forward eagerly. "I love a good story!"

  'Then you'll hear them all," Ma promised.

  Alfrid had come in behind Ma, and Danny was aware that he was intently studying her. He doesn't understand her, Danny thought. Was there something else I shovld have told him? Something I left out?

  The kitchen door suddenly burst open, and Ennie Pratka sailed into the room. In her hands was a large, fragrant mince pie. She stopped and stared at Ma. Danny was surprised to see that the look in Mrs. Pratka's eyes was exactly like the look in Wilmer's eyes when he and Danny had first met and he was sizing up Danny for a fistfight.

  Melba stepped forward and hugged Mrs. Pratka with one arm, taking the pie from her with the other hand. "Dear, dear Ennie," she said. "Let me introduce you to the children's mother, Mrs. Kelly. Alfrid, don't just stand there. Help Ennie off with her wrap. Mrs. Kelly, Ennie has long been Alfrid's and Olga's dearest friend."

  Ma was taller than Aunt Melba and Mrs. Pratka. She had to look down at them. She held out a hand to each. "Ennie, it's my great pleasure to meet such a good friend," she said. "And Melba, how kind you have been to Alfrid and to the children, too. Alfrid hasn't had to tell me all that you've done. I can see it."

  "Oh. Well. My goodness," Melba murmured, suddenly flustered.

  "I hope that you'll both be my friends, too," Ma said, "so please call me Noreen."

  Gussie turned from the stove. "Dinner's ready whenever you are," she said cheerfully.

  "Gussie," Melba mumbled, her lips thin with irritation. "It's my place to invite our guests to dinner, not yours! What will Mrs. Kelly think?"

  Noreen laughed and winked at Gussie. "I'm thinking that it ail smells so grand I can't wait to eat it."

  Danny trailed at the rear as they filed into the dining room. Gussie stopped him by grasping his shoulder.

  "Watch out for Mrs. Pratka," she said. "She hasn't given up yet."

  It didn't take Danny long to realize that Gussie was right. Mrs. Pratka immediately steered the conversation to cooking, and Ma admitted that she probably couldn't hold a candle to Ennie as a cook.

  "The cook where I worked taught me how to make many dishes," Ma said, "but when I lived with my family, we often didn't have much to eat. We relied mostly on potatoes and cabbage, which were filling."

  Melba raised her eyebrows, and Mrs. Pratka looked smugly satisfied.

  Conversation during the rest of the meal went just as badly. Alfrid didn't speak but toyed miserably with his food. Mrs. Pratka continually alluded to Ma's lack of experience in running a prosperous farm, compared to her own abundant skills. Danny winced when once again she quoted the late Tyrus Pratka's remark that she should win a gold medal for her cooking.

  Ma kept her peace, simply agreeing with everything, until Mrs. Pratka glanced at Danny and Peg and said, "You have such lovely children. How could you bear to give them away?"

  Ma put down her fork and leaned across the table toward Mrs. Pratka. Her eyes glittered with tears and anger. "I couldn't bear to. It was the most painful thing I have ever had to do in my entire life, more painful even than losing the husband I loved with all my heart. Each day we were apart I missed my children more than the day before.

  "I have many faults, Mrs. Pratka," Ma added, "and one is that I am a proud woman. Yet I would choose any humiliation, any hurt, in order to be with my children again." She straightened, sitting tall, shoulders back and chin held high, and her words were spaced with determi-

  nation. "We will never speak of this again. I know you understand me."

  But Mrs. Pratka refused to bend. "I think we understand each other, Mrs. Kelly."

  After a few minutes Gussie carried the dishes from the table and brought in Mrs. Pratka's mince pie, which she had cut into generous pieces.

  "I'll serve," Mrs. Pratka said proudly, and reached for the pie, the serving wedge, and the plates, while Gussie handed forks around.

  "Guests first, family last," Mrs. Pratka said pointedly as she dished a piece of the pie onto a plate. "For you, Mrs. Kelly."

  Ma passed the piece on to Melba. "No, thank you. None for me," she said.

  Ennie flushed. "I made it for you." She quickly glanced at Alfrid. "That is, for Alfrid and for you, too. At least try a small piece." The thin smile she gave Ma made Danny shiver. "You could use a little meat on your bones."

  Ma smiled back. "You seem to have more than enough to spare." She paused. "I'm speaking of the pie, of course." She accepted the small wedge of pie Mrs. Pratka cut for her, took only a tiny taste, then turned to Alfrid with a series of questions about the town of St. Joseph.

  Danny was relieved when dinner was over but horrified when Ma said, "I had better get busy and pack the children's things."

  "Ma!" Danny cried. "We live here now!"

  "I'll be staying with Mrs. Banks for a while," Ma said. "I just thought that you and Peg would want to be with me.

  "/do!" Peg piped up.

  "You're taking the children?" Alfrid looked astounded. "But they're used to being here, and they have school to go to."

  Danny stood close to Alfrid. "I can't go with you, Ma.

  My—my father needs me." As Ma's eyes widened with surprise, he quickly added, "And the wedding will be soon, won't it? Then you'll come here to live."

  Danny wondered if the others had seen Ma flinch. When she spoke, her voice was so strong he decided he must have imagined it. "It wouldn't be right not to give Alfrid the opportunity to get to know me," Ma said. "His offer of marriage was a kind one, but he should go into marriage sure that this is what he really wants." Quietly she added, "What we both really want."

  "Come on, Ma!" Peg said, tugging at Ma's hand. "I'll show you my room, and we can pack my things."

  Danny took a deep breath and looked at his mother squarely, hoping that she'd understand. 'Take Peg if you want," he said, "but I'd like to stay here."

  Ma's smile was loving as she tousled his hair. "I understand, Danny. I love you very much, and I'm proud of you."

  As Ma ran up the stairs with Peg, Melba sucked in her breath, then let it out with a hiss. "Well, I never!" she said. "I do believe that Mrs. Kelly actually wants to be courted!"

  "That's not what she said, Aunt Melba!" Danny protested.

  Alfrid nodded as though Melba had spoken wisely. 'Thank you for your advice, Melba," he said. "If that's what is on Noreen's mind, then I'll know how to proceed."

  Melba let out a little gasp. Mrs. Pratka clutched her elbow and propelled her out of the room, saying loudly, "Let's see if we can lend a hand to Gussie." But Danny heard her add in a whisper, "We need to talk."

  When they drove Ma and Peg to Katherine's house, not only Katherine was waiting for them; John Murphy was, too.

  "This is a rare coincidence," he said as he jumped to

  his feet and smiled broadly at Ma. "I had just stopped by for a few minutes to discuss with Mrs. Banks a change of feed for her horse."

  Danny saw that
Mr. Murphy had scrubbed so hard his skin was still red, and the high collar on his shirt was stiff with starch. Some coincidence! Danny scowled at him and said, "You're a blacksmith. What would you have to do with feeding Mrs. Banks's horse?"

  "Danny! Don't be rude!" Ma warned.

  But Mr. Murphy extended his smile to include Danny, too. "The lad was not being rude, just curious," he said. "To answer Danny's question, I am not just a blacksmith. I have a half interest in the livery stable as well." Mr. Murphy looked back to Ma. "Which could provide a very comfortable living for a small family."

  Peg asked, "Do you help take care of the horses? Do you let your children ride them?"

  "I have no children," he said, "never having been married."

  Danny wished Mr. Murphy wouldn't keep staring at Ma. "Ma came to St. Joseph to get married to our father," he said.

  Ma blushed. "Foster father," she said. "And you needn't explain, Danny. John heard the entire story while we rode together on the train."

  John! Danny had felt warm and comfortable when he had heard Ma call Alfrid by his given name, but he didn't want her to be friendly to Mr. Murphy, too.

  "I have a cat named Whiskers," Peg said to Mr. Murphy. "I wanted to bring him, but he hid and wouldn't come."

  "Youll see him soon, Peg, when you and Ma—" Danny began.

  "Here, Peg, let's take off your coat," Ma interrupted.

  Katherine waved a hand toward the overstuffed chairs and sofa. "Everyone, please sit down," she said. "Who

  would like a cup of coffee or hot apple cider?" She grinned at Peg. "And who'd like to help eat the pan of shortbread I made?"

  "Could I have a piece now?" Peg asked.

  "Surely. Come and help me put some on a plate— some currant cakes, too. We'll let you pass them around."

  As Katherine and Peg left the room, Ma removed her hat and coat. Before Danny knew what had happened, Mr. Murphy had steered her to a place next to him on the sofa. Alfrid sat down on a chair across from them.

  Something was going wrong with his plan, and Danny didn't like it at all.

  "Pegs with her mother, and you won't be needing me," Melba said to Alfrid when he and Danny returned to the farm that evening. "I'm wanted at home, so I'll be on my way tomorrow."

  "I thought you'd stay for the wedding," Alfrid said.

  Melba avoided his eyes and said only, "I've been away from home too long."

  "It was good of you to help us," Alfrid said. "I can't thank you enough."

  For some reason Danny didn't understand, Melba looked guilty instead of pleased. She smoothed down her skirts and spoke quickly. "I know Gussie's not much of a cook, but she'll do until your new wife takes over. In the meantime, if there's anything you want, just call on Ennie." Melba gave a long sigh. "Dear Ennie is so good-hearted, she's already offered to send over some baked goods now and then, and perhaps a roast and a few other things for your dinners."

  104

  "She needn't go to all that trouble," Alfrid said. "In fact, I wish she wouldn't." Now he looked guilty.

  "Nonsense," Melba said. "Ennie truly cares for your welfare, Alfrid. I'm surprised you haven't seen that."

  Danny couldn't stand it any longer. He rushed out to the kitchen, where Gussie was preparing to leave. "Ma is supposed to marry my fa—foster father," he blurted out, "but everybody tries to get in the way! I don't know what to do."

  Gussie buttoned the last button on her coat and tied a scarf over her hair. "It's up to your Ma and to Mr. Swenson, not to you."

  "But having them get married was my idea!"

  Gussie nodded. "That's why your ma came out here, so why worry about it?" She opened the back door but turned before she stepped outside. "Just stop your frettin' about whether they'll get married or not. There ain't nothin' you can do about it."

  Danny just stared at the door after Gussie had closed it behind her. Oh, yes, there was something he could do. He just had to figure out what it was!

  Alfrid rode into town to see Ma the next few evenings, but he came home as solemn and serious as when he left. Danny wished he would talk about Ma, but he didn't.

  Gussie reported that just about every day while Danny was at school, Mrs. Pratka brought favorite dishes over to add to the noon meal and stayed to eat and chat with Alfrid.

  "About what?" Danny demanded.

  Gussie shrugged. "About nothin' very important. She does most of the talkin', but the mister's gettin' kind of used to her, I think, because now and then he has somethin' chatty to say hisself."

  Danny groaned. He hurried outside to help Alfrid,

  who was shoveling a path through the snow from the house to the barn. "Do you ever see Mr. Murphy, the blacksmith, when you're in town?" Danny asked him.

  Alfrid nodded. "As a matter of fact, I do. He often stops at Mrs. Banks's home for a short visit."

  "To see Mrs. Banks?" Danny managed to ask.

  4 To see your mother," Alfrid said. He handed Danny the shovel. 'There isn't much more to do here. Could you finish this job?" Before Danny could ask him another question, Alfrid went into the barn.

  Miss Clark kept Danny after school one afternoon. "Danny, you don't have your mind on your work," she said. "I had to call on you twice to recite before you even heard me, then we both discovered you weren't prepared."

  "I'm sorry," Danny mumbled. "I've had a lot to think about lately."

  Miss Clark leaned her elbows on the desk and rested her chin in her hands. "Yes, you have, Danny. A lot of difficult things have happened to you, but you've handled them well. You usually seem to be able to think ahead, to plan for tomorrow. I admire that quality in you."

  "A plan! That's what I need—a plan!" Danny said aloud.

  Miss Clark looked puzzled. "A plan for what?" she asked.

  Danny backed toward the door. "It's just something I have to work out for myself," he said.

  Miss Clark shrugged. "All right, Danny. But don't forget what I said about keeping your mind on your schoolwork."

  "I won't," he answered, and ran out the door and halfway home before he was out of breath.

  During the rest of the walk he thought hard about both Mrs. Pratka and Mr. Murphy, trying to remember

  everything they had done and said, and an idea began to tickle the back of his mind. Danny laughed aloud as he suddenly knew what to do. Oh, he had a plan, all right. And it would begin with Mr. Murphy!

  Danny didn't waste any time. As soon as he arrived at the farm he went straight to Alfrid and said, U I miss Ma and Peg, and I'd like to see them tonight. Will you take me with you when you go to visit them?"

  Alfrid hesitated. "It will be a short visit. Tonight is another meeting, and it's important that I attend. Ralph Waldo Emerson will be the guest speaker."

  "I'll go to the meeting with you, too," Danny said quickly. "You promised that when Mr. Emerson came to speak you'd take me to hear him." He had no wish to spend any more time than necessary with Mr. Murphy.

  "I know I had promised," Alfrid said, "but tempers are high and I'm not sure it will be safe for you. The meeting hall is in a rough area, and ever since Kansas was granted statehood there have been more rabble-rousers than usual hanging about the streets. Lately they've been congregating on the street next to our meeting place, and they try to interrupt the speakers. Maybe it would be better if you stayed with your mother and I picked you up when the meeting is over."

  "I'd really like to hear Mr. Emerson speak. Miss Clark read us a poem Mr. Emerson wrote. I'm not afraid," Danny insisted. "I'll be with you."

  Alfrid nodded as he thought. "If there's any sign of trouble, I suppose we can leave quickly."

  "Then can I go?"

  "Yes," Alfrid finally agreed. "You may go. Just be sure you finish all your schoolwork."

  "I will!" Danny ran into the house, shouted a hello in Gussie's direction, and dashed into the dining room, flinging off his coat, hat, and scarf as he ran. He rum-

  maged in the drawer of the sideboard until he found paper
and ink, then seated himself at the table to write. "Things To Be Bought in Town," he headed the paper. Under this he made a list:

  Soda for Alfrid's indigestion, due to being made to eat too much heavy food.

  Stuff to make a poultice for boils, which come on from trying to digest too much heavy food.

  Headache powders for Alfrid, who gets terrible headaches every afternoon after being stuffed with all that heavy food at his noon dinner.

  Just to make the list look more official, he added "flour" and "salt." He folded the paper in thirds, wrote on the back, "Private. Do not read this," and took it to the kitchen, where Mrs. Pratka would be sure to see it. He knew her curiosity would get the best of her, and she'd read it. She was so sensitive about her cooking, this letter was bound to chase her away.

  "Whatcha got there?" Gussie asked him.

  "A shopping list," Danny said. He started to read. "Soda, flour, salt."

  "I think we got plenty of salt," Gussie s^id. "You could cross that out." She thought a moment. "How come you're puttin* together a shoppin' list?"

  "I want to be helpful," Danny said. He held out the paper so she could see the back. "Do you want to read it?"

  "Private?" Gussie snickered and rolled her eyes. "No, thanks. Fm not much for readin', and a private shoppin' list about flour and soda ain't that interestin"

  Satisfied, Danny laid the list on a shelf where it could easily be seen. "Leave it right here, then. Promise?"

  "Promise," Gussie said. "Here—take these plates and

  put them on the table when you go back to the dining room."

  Danny charged through his arithmetic problems and spelling words and wolfed down his supper. He was so impatient he could hardly stand it until he and Alfrid were in the buggy and off to St. Joseph.

  "What has Ma been doing while she's staying with Mrs. Banks?" Danny asked. "No one's told me."

  Alfrid's mouth turned down, and his words were almost bitter. "She's been cleaning Mrs. Banks' house and the house of the woman next door to earn money. She insists that what I sent her for train fare was merely a loan, and she's intent on returning to me every penny."