Lavinia's Window

by Michelle Weisen

  Mint -“Wisdom”

  Chapter 9

  Lavinia sat in her window seat knitting, enjoying the breeze from the open window casements. Bubbles snored gently on her bed. She felt restless after her trip to Philadelphia, but she couldn’t pinpoint why. Perhaps she missed Kevin and Timothy; the house seemed empty without their presence. She hoped that they would come home soon. She set aside her knitting, and went to sit next to Bubbles.

  A movement at the window caught her eye. Lavinia turned in astonishment. A barefoot young girl crawled through the window and stood in the middle of the room. Her curly black hair stuck out like lightning. It sprang back from her urchin face and tumbled in tangled masses down her back. Her pale face was covered in freckles and her green eyes flashed with defiance. She was very thin, and her plain blue frock hung about her like sack cloth. She rubbed the scratches on her arm.

  “That trellis has a lot o’ thornies,” she complained.

  Bubbles began barking at the stranger.

  “Is that your dog?”

  “Yes.”

  “I ain’t never had no dog. Always wanted one though,” the girl said mournfully.

  “Come and pet him,” said Lavinia. “He really is quite friendly when he isn’t acting so brave.”

  The girl crossed over and began patting Bubbles on the head. “He’s a cute little mite, he is,” she grinned.

  “Who are you?” asked Lavinia.

  “I’m Annie, and I am ten years old.”

  “Annie?”

  “Kevin’s sister,” she replied.

  “I see. You live in New York.”

  “I don’t no more,” said Annie. “Who is that?” she asked, pointing at the portrait.

  “That is my mama. She died when I was born.”

  “My ma died too,” sobbed Annie. Lavinia put her arms around Annie, and they both cried for their mamas. Bubbles licked the faces of both girls, trying to offer them consolation in their sorrow. After a time, Lavinia took out her handkerchief and wiped Annie’s face and then her own.

  “Do you often climb through windows, Annie?”

  “I have done many times.”

  “I think Grandmama would prefer that you come in by the door next time.”

  “My manners is in a bad way, I know. Uncle Timothy says that I am to become a young lady now. I don’t think I’ll like it.”

  “Why ever do you say that?”

  “I likes my freedom. I come and go as I please.”

  “That sounds rather dangerous,” said Lavinia doubtfully. “What if you get hurt?”

  “I can take care of myself.”

  At that moment, Constance entered the room. “Annie, we have been looking for you,” she said gently. “Where are your shoes, child?”

  “I left them outside,” said Annie.

  “Have you?” responded Constance. “Well, I see that you have already met Lavinia and our dear little Bubbles. Lavinia, Nancy has prepared a bath for Annie. Why don’t you take her down the hall to get cleaned up. I have laid out several things in the guest room. Can you get Annie situated?”

  “Oh yes, I would like to very much. Come with me.” Lavinia took Annie’s hand and led her down the hall.

  “I don’t want no bath.”

  “Of course you do, it feels heavenly. Nancy will wash your hair and scrub your hands and those dirty feet — my goodness, I’ve never seen such a thing,” giggled Lavinia.

  Annie looked at her grimy feet and giggled also. “I still don’t want to.”

  “You will feel much better and we’ll tend to those scratches. Come along.”

  Nancy was waiting in the wash room with a tub of water.

  “I don’t know her,” pouted Annie.

  “’Course you don’t,” replied Nancy. “You just got here.”

  “I ain’t ‘zactly used to getting nekkid when I meet people.”

  “That’s good to know,” said Nancy.

  “I’ll stay with you,” offered Lavinia.

  “I don’t know.”

  It took some persuading between Nancy and Lavinia, but Annie soon found herself in a warm tub filled with bubbles having her hair washed by Lavinia and her feet scrubbed by Nancy.

  “Child, you are dirtier than the General’s dogs after hunting on a rainy day!” exclaimed Nancy.

  “That is part o’ my freedom,” sulked Annie.

  Lavinia leaned over to kiss Annie’s cheek, “Believe me, you can be clean and free.”

  “Time for a rinse off. Stand up child,” said Nancy.

  Both Nancy and Lavinia noted that little Annie was barely skin and bones. They fussed over her cuts and scratches. Mrs. Lawson came in with more warm water and noted the little girl’s thin frame. She soon returned with a plate of bread, butter, and jam and a glass of milk. As soon as Annie was wrapped in a towel, Mrs. Lawson insisted she eat.

  Annie took large bites of her sandwich and gulped her milk. “Slow down, child,” soothed Mrs. Lawson. “You’ll never go hungry here.”

  Nancy towel-dried Annie’s thick hair and attempted to pass a comb through the matted curls. “I am afraid that I am going to have to cut her hair,” she told Mrs. Lawson.

  “I’ll bring a scissors. ‘Tis best done quickly,” Mrs. Lawson replied.

  Nancy cut Annie’s hair chin length while Annie ate another sandwich. Constance brought in clean underthings and a dress, and supervised Annie’s toilette. Nancy tied Annie’s hair back with a ribbon and Mrs. Lawson brought in Annie’s shoes. The transformation of the street urchin into a freshly scrubbed girl was amazing.

  “You must come and see yourself Annie,” said Constance as she led Annie into her bedroom and stood her before the oval floor mirror.

  Annie stared at herself in amazement, “Is that me?”

  “You’re a little bit of a thing, but regular meals will fix that,” said Mrs. Lawson. Lavinia clapped her hands.

  “You’re beautiful!” Annie burst into tears and the women rushed to comfort her.

  “What is the matter, dear?” asked Constance.

  “I am a bad girl,” snuffled Annie.

  “Who told you so?” asked Lavinia.

  “Everyone said so. I am a dirty orphan with no one to love me.”

  Mrs. Lawson knelt and held little Annie to her bosom. “If ever anyone says anything of the kind, you just come and let me know. I’ve got ways of dealing with that sort o’ folks!”

  Annie laid her head on Mrs. Lawson’s shoulder. Mrs. Lawson picked her up and took her to the guest room, where Annie promptly fell asleep.

  Constance, Lavinia, Nancy, and Mrs. Lawson met in the kitchen. “What do you think, Mrs. Lawson?” asked Constance. “That child has been neglected. We’ll need to be patient. She’s a feisty little thing, but I never saw anyone needing love more.”

  “I agree. Apparently one of the neighbors took Annie in, but there were many children to care for and Annie got into mischief. Lavinia, Annie will be sharing your tutors. I want her to remain in the guest room for now until we decide what to do.”

  “What do you mean, Grandmama?” asked Lavinia.

  “Timothy is thinking of sending Annie back to Ireland to stay with relatives.”

  “He can’t, Grandmama. Annie needs to stay here with us. I can help her, I know I can,” insisted Lavinia.

  “I know you can, dear, but Timothy is Annie’s guardian, and the decision rests with him.”

  “But surely Kevin doesn’t want to see his sister go away again.”

  “I am sure that Kevin wants what is best for Annie,” said Constance.

  Lavinia put on her mantelet and went outside. She looked for Timothy and Kevin in the barn and the stables. She finally found them in the field with the horses.

  “Timothy! Kevin!” she shouted and waved.

  “Little lassie, what are you doin’ in the fields?” asked Kevin.

  “I want to talk about Annie.”

  “’Tis a serious matter,” said Timothy.

  “Yes, it
is,” agreed Lavinia. “I believe that Annie should stay here with us. She can share my tutors and wear my clothes. We can take care of her.”

  “Our little Annie is a high-spirited lass,” said Timothy. “When my sister was in the workhouse, she was looked after by a neighbor, but Annie pretty much came and went as she pleased. She’s stubborn and willful.”

  “Annie was trying to survive without her family, Timothy. People were cruel to her, and she doesn’t trust anyone. If we send her away, we are just as bad as they are. God will help us take care of Annie.”

  “More like the devil himself, lassie. Annie doesn’t abide by any rules, and I don’t think she ever will.”

  “You must at least let us try!” begged Lavinia.

  “I’ll speak to Mrs. Constance and see what she thinks,” said Timothy.

  “Thank you. I missed both of you while you were away. I am glad you are finally home,” said Lavinia.

  Kevin and Timothy watched Lavinia walk toward the house. “This is a sad business, son,” said Timothy.

  “I know, Uncle. I wish Annie had come with me.”

  “Your ma wouldna’ part with her. I should have gone to New York when the letters stopped but I thought all was well. I hope little Lavinia is right. Annie deserves goodness in her life.”

  “Mrs. Constance is a good woman. If anyone can turn Annie around, she will.”

  “True. Let’s finish up here,” said Timothy.

  Later that day, Constance and Timothy discussed Annie’s situation in the kitchen. Lavinia stood outside the doorway and listened.

  “I believe that Annie will present a challenge, but we will do our best to make her feel loved and secure,” said Constance.

  “’Tis a challenge, true, and I’m grateful, but Lavinia is a sheltered lass and I don’t know as you want her mixing company with the likes o’ that little hellion, ‘scuse me for saying so.”

  “Lavinia is a sensible girl, and I believe she will set a fine example for Annie,” smiled Constance.

  “Mrs. Constance, Annie has lived without rules for a long time. She wandered the streets on her own. There are things in this world such as people should never see. It twists them around, and they can’t live like other folks.”

  At that moment, the General strolled through the kitchen with George and Martha. He was holding a live chicken. “Constance, where is Mrs. Lawson? Ellinor May is coming to supper tomorrow, and I want her to cook this chicken.”

  “She’s in the garden, Edward. Why don’t you take the chicken out there and talk to her about it.”

  “So I shall,” said the General and went out the back door.

  “You were saying, Timothy?”

  Timothy laughed. “The General is different. The war destroyed his leg and made his life difficult, but it did not change his make-up. He is a fine man, courageous and honorable.” Timothy became serious. “Mrs. Constance, there is another sort o’ war on the streets – a dark way a livin’ that is evil and cruel. ‘Tis no place for a child.”

  “Annie may have seen things that she should not have, but you did tell me that the neighbor was a kind-hearted woman who did the best she could.”

  “’Tis true, but Annie is a stubborn little girl, and lacks discipline, Mrs. Constance. I just want you to think clear about what you are takin’ on, here.”

  “You saved Edward’s life, Timothy, and you brought him home. You have been a godsend to this family. believe that God has sent Annie to us for a reason, and I intend to do everything in my power to see that she gets the best chance possible to live a decent life.”

  “You are a fine woman, ma’am. Kevin and I will help you in any way we can.”

  “Pray for us, Timothy. I believe we shall need it.”

  “I’ve already started,” Timothy replied. “I’ll look in on how the General is makin’ out with Mrs. Lawson.”

  Constance sat alone at the kitchen table. Lavinia came in behind her and put her arms around her. “I love you Grandmama.”

  “How much did you hear, Lavinia?”

  “Most.”

  “It’s unlike you to be secretive.”

  “I’m sorry. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Annie.”

  Constance turned and placed her hand on Lavinia’s cheek. “Annie will do many things that we will not understand. You must remember who you are, and where you come from, Lavinia. Your good qualities will benefit Annie a great deal and you, more than any of us, will have the most influence.”

  “I will do my best. I knew that you would let Annie stay, Grandmama.”

  “You did? How did you know that?”

  “Because you rescue lost girls. You rescued me.”

  Constance stood and drew Lavinia into her arms. “It was you, sweetheart, that rescued me.”

  “We rescued each other, then.”

  “So we did.”

  Mrs. Lawson rushed into the kitchen. “Just when I think I’ve seen it all! The General let a chicken loose in the garden and those hounds went wild! It looks like a tornado hit the place and, oh, oh.” She burst into tears and buried her head in her apron.

  “Oh dear,” said Constance. “Lavinia, please make sure that Timothy and Kevin are getting everything under control.”

  Constance went into the drawing room and poured a small tumbler of whiskey and brought it in to Mrs. Lawson. “I don’t condone spirits Mrs. Lawson, but I think you need this for medicinal purposes.”

  “I don’t hold with animals anywhere in the kitchen or the garden,” sobbed Mrs. Lawson as she gulped the whiskey. “It will take me a week to make everything right.”

  “I’ll make sure you get all the help you need, Mrs. Lawson. If anyone can get through this kind of crisis, I know you can,” soothed Constance, who felt more than a little responsible for the incident.

  Later that night, Lavinia wrote in her journal:

  Timothy and Kevin brought Annie home today. She is the strangest girl I have ever met. Why, she climbed through my window! I wanted her to live with us, but Timothy thought Annie should go back to Ireland. When I heard Grandmama and Timothy talking in the kitchen, I felt scared, but I knew Grandmama would do the right thing. She always does. Today I learned that wisdom is more than just knowing things, it’s also about knowing what to do, and when to do it. I believe with all my heart that Grandmama is the wisest person I know, but I also think she is wise because she is also calm and gentle. Grandmama says that virtues are values that I can achieve if I work hard. I want to be wise, and I am going to pay more attention to the way Grandmama solves problems. I love Annie already, and I shall need a great deal of wisdom if I am to help Annie feel happy and safe in her new home. LSR

  As time passed, Annie had good days and bad days. She threw terrible temper tantrums, and took items that did not belong to her. She also had a tendency to wander about, and left her shoes in odd places. Constance dealt with each incident with love and firmness, and began to instill discipline and stability into Annie’s previously chaotic life. Under her watchful eye, Annie improved her manners and her speech, and developed better ways to express herself when she was upset. As Mrs. Lawson predicted, regular meals filled out the small frame and Annie lost her waifish appearance. The General loved the spirited little girl, and spoiled her terribly. Kevin and Annie became closer than ever, and Timothy ensured that Annie again had a sense of family she could depend on.

  Just as Constance had foreseen, Lavinia proved crucial to Annie’s successful transition to her new life in the country. For all of Annie’s bravado, she was terrified of being left alone, and often experienced dreadful nightmares. Within days, Annie moved out of the guest room, and in with Lavinia. The two became thick as thieves, and Constance noted the friendship transformed both girls. Annie was less rebellious and angry, and Lavinia became more outgoing and sure of herself.

  White Chrysanthemum -“Truth”

  Chapter 10

  It was the end of summer, and Lavinia and Annie were enjoying the day at Mil
lstone Pond. Kevin was in the old rowboat fishing, keeping an eye on the two girls. Lavinia had set up her easel to work on her landscape. Annie had her pad in her hand and was sketching Bubbles, who was sleeping on the blanket.

  “Do you like my picture?” asked Annie, holding up her sketch. It was a stick figure of a blue dog which she had titled “Bubellz.”

  “Goodness, why is Bubbles blue?” questioned Lavinia. “Well, blue is my favorite color and Bubbles is my favorite dog,” replied Annie.

  “That makes sense to me. I like it very much.”

  Satisfied, Annie began another sketch. Five minutes later she asked, “Do you like this picture?” It was a stick figure of a blue girl.

  “Let me guess,” said Lavinia. “That’s me.”

  “It is! How did you know?”

  “Because blue is your favorite color and I am your favorite girl.”

  Annie nodded. “True.” She lay down on the blanket next to Bubbles, who rolled on his side. Annie tickled his belly. She sat up, took off her shoes and stockings, and wiggled her toes. She and Bubbles wandered over to the edge of the pond where Annie sat down and put her feet in the water. She giggled as the little fishes nibbled at her toes. Bubbles waded in, snapping at the water.

  Kevin whistled. “Annie, you be careful and keep an eye on Bubbles!”

  Annie waved, “I will.”

  Millstone Pond was calm and clear. Dragonflies flitted about the water and an occasional fish leaped into the air, creating a circular ripple of waves. The weeping willows, heavy with foliage, dipped into the water, brushing the cattails that sprang from the water’s edge. Sweet woodruff, tiger lilies, sunflowers, and goldenrod bloomed among the dogwoods and oaks. Butterflies fluttered among the flowers.

  “This is a fine place,” observed Annie.

  “It is. I come here as often as I can.”

  “Kevin likes it too.”

  “Oh my, yes. He certainly enjoys fishing,” replied Lavinia.

  “I like to fish too,” said Annie.

  “I know you do. Do you want to fish with Kevin?”

  “Can Bubbles come?”

  “Of course.”

  The girls waved Kevin over.