by Joy Redmond
As she looked at them, Jill said, “Your grandma sure is a good knitter.” She set the last baby doll back on the shelf and added, “Those big dolls are so beautiful! Did your grandma make their outfits, too?”
“She sure did! That’s why they’re so special. She made dresses and headgear according to each doll’s nationality.”
“That’s cool. Do you think she might make and outfit for one of my dolls? I only have regular baby dolls, but it would be great to have a pretty sweater and some booties for one of them.”
“I bet she would.” Tori picked up the only boy doll from the shelf. “This is Farmer Brown. Grammy made him some blue overalls and a red flannel shirt, then stuck a straw hat on him and put a blade of straw in his mouth.”
Jill took him from Tori and looked him over. “He sure looks like a farmer to me.” Then she placed him back in his spot and lovingly caressed the outfits of the girl dolls. “They’re all so beautiful! I sure would like to have dolls like these.”
“I bet Grammy could order you some from her catalog and make outfits for them. She says she sews every stitch with love,” Tori said.
“Oh, I’d be the happiest girl in the world if I had a doll collection like this!” As Jill gazed at the shelf, her face fell and eyes watered. “I had to leave my grandma in Texas, and I miss her so much.”
Tori reached, gently wiped away Jill’s tears with her palm, put her arms around her, and patted her back. “I’m sorry. It must hurt something awful. I think I’d die if I had to leave Grammy and Poppy. They’re the only grandparents I have. Daddy’s parents died by the time I was two, and I don’t remember them.” She paused a second, and then said, “You know what? I bet Grammy would be happy to be your grandma, too. She’d love to have two granddaughters, since I’m her only grandchild.”
“You really think so?” Jill exclaimed. “I only have one grandma and grandpa, too. My Daddy’s parents died before I was born, so I don’t remember them either. Where do your grandparents live?”
“Not far at all,” Tori said. “They live in the country on a big farm. It only takes about twenty minutes to get there. It’s beautiful, and Poppy has a horse named Henry. I’ve been riding Henry since I was big enough to sit up. He eats sugar cubes out of my hand.”
“I’ve never ridden a horse before – I’ve never even fed one. Do you think I could ride Henry?”
“Sure you can,” Tori said. “I spend every Saturday with Grammy and Poppy.”
“Oh, that would be great. I’ll ask my momma, but I’m sure she’ll say yes!”
“Tori!” Momma yelled from the bottom of the stairs. “You girls come on down. I’ve got chocolate chip cookies and milk waiting for you.”
As they held hands and bounded down the stairs, Tori said, “I think Grammy’s right. Our spirits are linked – whatever that means.”
“I think so, too – and I’m glad.”
“This Saturday we’ll go to the farm and you can meet your new grandma and grandpa. I call my grandpa, Poppy – he’s nice, too.”
Anna’s Note
September 3, 1963
Lord have mercy on anyone who tries to come between Tori and Jill. Not even death will part them. They’re kindred spirits and have been through many lifetimes together. Though I know Jill will be part of the danger Tori will one day have to face, I pray I can find a way to save my precious granddaughter.
Anna West-Morgan
Chapter Four
One Saturday morning Poppy led Tori and Jill out to the barnyard, picked them up, and set them on Henry’s back. Tori held the reins while Jill wrapped her arms around her waist.
Poppy slapped Henry gently on the rump. “Take them to the pond and then bring them back here.”
Henry immediately started toward the pond, and even though Tori tried to get him to take them into the woods, he circled the pond and took them straight back to the barn, just as Poppy had told him to do. Although it was frustrating for Tori and Jill, it was somewhat amazing at the same time.
When they arrived back in the barnyard, Poppy gave Henry a sugar cube, and when the horse lifted his top lip, exposing his huge teeth, and whinnied, Tori and Jill roared with laughter.
Poppy said, “That’s just Henry’s way of saying thank you.”
“I don’t know about that, Poppy,” Tori replied. “It sounds to me like he’s laughing.”
“You could be right. Sometimes I think he is trying to talk to me, too. He’s my old buddy.” Poppy rubbed Henry’s neck. Henry shook his head up and down as if he were agreeing.
The weekends were special. Most Saturday’s, Tori and Jill spent the night with Grammy and Poppy. Grammy always cooked a big Sunday dinner and Tori’s parents came to eat and visit. Sometimes Jill’s parents, Rose and Cliff Moss came, too. Grammy gladly claimed Jill as a granddaughter – and Jill was thrilled when Grammy fulfilled her wish for dolls and hand-sewn dresses.
* * * *
May 23rd, was the day for six-grade graduation. Tori ran up the driveway and rushed through the side door, knowing her mother was going to yell at her for being late and tell her to shake a leg and get ready. Graduation was no big deal to Tori, but it seemed to be important for her parents and grandparents.
Her mother was standing in the kitchen, staring out the window above the sink when Tori came inside. She eased up next to her and drew in a deep breath. “Umm, I love the smell of roses, Momma.”
“They are beautiful, aren’t they?” she said, putting her arm around Tori’s shoulders. “I’m so glad Poppy built that trellis so they’d grow up around the window.”
They stood in silence for a few minutes, and then her mother looked down at Tori. “My, my. Tonight you graduate from sixth grade. And in three weeks you’ll be twelve years old. Where does time go? It seems like yesterday–”
Tori rolled her eyes and finished the sentence. “It seems like only yesterday that I was born – blah, blah, blah.”
“Well, you just wait, Miss Smarty Pants. Someday you’ll be a mother and you’ll know how it feels – and I was going to say it seems like only yesterday you started first grade, so there!” Then she swatted Tori’s rear end playfully and said, “You better get upstairs and start getting ready.”
As Tori started up the stairs, her mother called after her, “And stay out of our bedroom!”
Tori mumbled, “Yes, yes. I’ve known not to go into your bedroom since I was old enough to understand English! Good grief, I don’t give a hoot about your bedroom, Momma!”
Tori ran upstairs, taking the steps two at a time. Momma always said that Tori went up the stairs like a loping mule. She wanted Tori to take them one at a time like a lady, but at nearly twelve, she didn’t feel the need to be ladylike quite yet.
Tori stood in front of her closet, and then reached for her blue gabardine dress with the boat-neck and A-line skirt. Then she searched the closet floor for a special shoebox, but couldn’t find it.
“Hum,” she said, standing up and walking over to her bed. Tori bent down and looked beneath the bed, and there it was. She dragged the box out, opened the lid, and admired the white patent leather low-heel pumps – her first pair of shoes with real heels, even if they were only an inch high.
She slipped her feet into them and felt so grownup. She couldn’t wait to be able to wear six-inch heels, but that wouldn’t be for a few more years. She wasn’t allowed to wear lipstick either, even though she felt old enough to wear light pink. Her mother wouldn’t hear of it.
She pulled her dress over her head, and then admired herself in the floor-length mirror on the back of the bedroom door. Her auburn hair was just below her shoulders. She brushed it a hundred strokes every day, wore it parted down the middle, and wouldn’t allow barrettes or bows in it. She thought she was too old for Momma to decorate her head like some kind of Christmas display.
“Tori, are you about ready?” Jill yelled as she started up the stairs.
Tori heard Jill trip twice, so she knew Jill was also wear
ing her new pumps. Jill walked into Tori’s room and flopped down on the bed, causing her full skirt to billow. “Boy, I’ll be glad when this night is over so I can get out of these pumps and this dress and back into my jeans. I hate dressing up!”
Looking in the mirror and pushing her hair behind her ears, Tori replied, “It isn’t important that we feel good – it’s important that we look good! Beauty can be painful, you know.” Then she blew a kiss at her reflection. “And I must say, I’m looking gorgeous!”
“Oh, so you love your beautiful self?” Jill said as she joined Tori and gave her a nudge with her elbow. “Scoot over!” She looked at her own reflection and smiled. “Mirror, mirror on the stand – ain’t I the fairest in all the land?” Then she lowered her voice and answered her question. “Of course, ‘tis you with eyes so blue – and your bright blond hair, no one else can compare.” Jill tickled Tori in the ribs. “Boys are crazy about blondes, you know.”
Tori shoved Jill’s hand away. “Nah, boys are crazy about redheads. We’re spitfires, you know. But I’m not a redhead. I’m really an auburn-head, and we’re a lot more fun than you boring, dumb blondes.” She returned the elbow nudge and added, “Let’s go before Momma has a cow. She wants to take a hundred pictures before we leave.”
They held hands and walked regally down the stairs.
Tori glided across the living room and turned in circles. “Well, how do I look?”
Momma sighed. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but it’s true. I can’t believe my daughter is graduating from sixth grade. It seems like it was only yesterday that you were born.”
“Git a grip, Momma. I’m tired of hearing it,” Tori said scanning the room. “Where’s daddy?” Don’t tell me he’s off with Cliff Moss. He does know this is my big night, doesn’t he?”
Jill giggled. “Tori you’re so dramatic. Do you really think our daddies would be off playing pool and forgetting about our special night? Good grief. You’re ridiculous!”
“Really!” Momma said. “Do you think your daddy would forget your big night? He’s cleaning out the car because you didn’t do it after our last trip to McDonald’s,” Momma said, looking at Tori with a scowling face.
Her daddy came into the living room, put his hand over his heart, and said in mock astonishment, “My goodness. Who are these two beautiful girls? They’re certainly heartbreakers!”
Tori’s dad stood six-four and weighed over two hundred pounds, but he was tenderhearted and Tori could see tears welling up. He quickly reached for the camera and took a picture of her mother standing between her and Jill, with her arms wrapped around their waists. Then her mother took one of her dad doing exactly the same thing.
After the picture taking, Daddy said, “Okay, everybody, let’s roll. We don’t want to be late for the big night.”
As they stepped out of the house, Rose and Cliff appeared on their back porch. Daddy called out, “Jill is riding with us, Okay? See you there.” He held the back car door open for the girls, as if they were princesses being driven to the ball.
When they arrived at the school, Jill’s dad pulled his car beside Tori’s parents’ car. Tori and Jill jumped out just as Grammy and Poppy pulled their pickup in on the other side.
Tori laughed. “Hey, they just made a car-and-pickup sandwich!” She grabbed Jill’s hand. “Hurry up! We’ve got to go in the side door and get in line before the principal starts yelling.”
As they started toward the school, Grammy called out to them, “What’s the big rush? Do you two have to primp before you make your grand entry?”
“Something like that,” Tori called over her shoulder. “We’ve got to hurry. We’ll see you inside.” She stopped for a minute, turned back toward Grammy, and added, “We’ve got our bags all packed. We’re going to stay with you and Poppy for a few days?”
“That’s fine,” Grammy replied. “See you later, alligator.”
“After while, crocodile,” Tori answered.
The commencement was short and simple. The principal gave a brief speech, and then called names as each student walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. When it was over, Tori hoped she could make it down the three steps from the stage to the gym floor without falling, since all the flashbulbs were blinding her. Tommy Hill was behind her, but she was determined not to let him get close enough to touch her.
After Tori had navigated the steps, she hurried to her parents and gave them each a kiss. Jill kissed her parents, and then she and Tori rushed toward Grammy and Poppy.
“Okay, we’re ready to go as soon as we get our bags out of the trunk,” Tori said, grabbing Jill’s hand and turning to head for the car.
Jill pulled her hand away. “Tori, ever since first grade you’ve been dragging me around by the hand as if I don’t have sense enough to know which way to go. Well, from now on I’ll have you know that I’m not blind – and I’m not some ragdoll you can just drag around!”
“Well, excuse me!” Tori said, her eyes widening and her brow furring. Jill had never pulled away. Then Tori crossed her arms across her chest and pouted.
“Oh, come on,” Jill said with a laugh. “Let’s get out of here!” She took Tori’s hand and this time Tori let Jill lead the way out to the car. Her dad opened the trunk, took out their suitcases, and hoisted them into the bed of the pickup. Tori and Jill kissed their parents again, and then stepped onto the bumper, heaved themselves over the tailgate, and sat in the truck bed. They kicked off their shoes and let their legs dangle over the side all the way to the farm.
A short time later, Poppy pulled the pickup into the long driveway. Tori loved the sight of their two-story white house with its concrete porch that went across the front, painted forest-green to match the shutters. There was no place on earth like the Morgan farm, and it always gave her a warm, fuzzy feeling. Winter or summer, it was a fun place to be.
* * * *
One day in mid August, Tori and Jill were sitting on the porch swing after gathering eggs. Grammy came out of the house with two glasses of lemonade and sat between them, drawing in a deep breath as if she were more tired than usual.
Then she gave each of them a sly look and said with a chuckle, “Well, my goodness. You two girls have done gone and sprouted ninnies.”
“Grammy!” Tori exclaimed. She and Jill had actually talked about it many times, but still, for her grandmother to say it... That was different.
“Well, you have, and there isn’t anything wrong with it. We all get them eventually, but I think you girls will want to start wearing bras before school starts in the fall. The boys will start gawking, like boys do, but I still think you girls will need to sack them up so your nipples won’t be sticking out like rosebuds.”
Grammy’s frank talk was a tad shocking, and Tori and Jill slapped their hands over our mouths, stifling their giggles.
“Girls, if you want me to, I’ll tell your mommas that you two need to start wearing braziers.”
Without thinking, Tori crossed her arms over her young buds. She was proud of her growing breasts, though they were sore and sensitive to the touch, and at times even pulling an undershirt on was painful.
Tori looked down, pulled at her shorts, and softly asked, “Grammy, you know we got our periods, don’t you? We started about two months ago – on the same day.”
“Yeah,” Jill added, “and I don’t know why it’s called a period. I think it should be called an explanation point. When that time comes around, we get kind of crazy – Tori especially. She’s like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I never know what to say, what to do, or if I should even breathe. She’s impossible!”
“Oh, like you don’t go crazy, too?” Tori said.
“That’s enough girls. We’re all a little nuts at that time,” said Grammy, looking at Tori with a sly smile. “But I think Tori is a little goofy all the time, since nobody knows what’s going to set her off.”
“Oh, Grammy!” Tori giggled, giving her a playful nudge.
Grammy dre
w in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “Maybe it’s time I talked to you girls about some other things, too – birds and bees kind of stuff. You know, a good old-fashion sex talk.”
Tori clamped her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing aloud. What did an old woman like Grammy know about sex? In fact, Tori couldn’t imagine her and Poppy having sex. It just seemed too weird. Besides, at Grammy’s age, she wouldn’t know how modern women had sex? Tori had heard stories from kids at school and she was sure Grammy had never done most of those things. Surely!
“Okay, Grammy,” Tori said, doing her best to stifle a giggle. “Go ahead. We’re listening.”
Grammy explained the act of sex, using all the proper terminology: penis, vagina, sperm, intercourse, and ejaculate. Tori and Jill were used to hearing the slang terms, so hearing everything called by its clinical name made the conversation seem even funnier.
Grammy also told them that young women should save themselves for marriage to avoid getting a bad reputation, and she made a face when she said it, as if a bad reputation was worse than some sort of disease.
By the time Grammy had finished her speech, Tori and Jill were fighting as hard as they could to keep a straight face. Then Grammy lifted herself up from the swing, using Tori’s leg for support, and said, “Well, girls, I’m going to get a bucket of green beans and you can snap them. You did a good job cleaning the eggs. I’ll be right back.”
As soon as they thought Grammy was out of earshot, they burst out laughing so hard that they could barely catch their breath.
“I can’t believe the words she used.” Tori lowered her voice like the bass singer in a vocal group, dragging out syllables. “In-ter-course.”
They were still laughing when Grammy came back out with the green beans, but they quickly struggled to regain their composure.
“Have fun girls,” Grammy said. “I’m going to take a quick nap while you work.”