Page 46 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Reason To Sing

Chapter Seven

Premonition

The nights are much cooler. The poplar trees are no longer
green. Their yellow and brown leaves have started to scatter.
Walking home from school today, I hear the crispy crunching
under my feet. When I inhale that distinct autumn scent, a
profound memory washes over me. I’m not quite sure what
it is. Six months have passed since our great escape from the
ranch. Six months of becoming a city girl and running away
from Daddy.
As soon as I get home, I open my mother’s bedroom door
to find her leaning over her small white suitcase. It is laid out
on the bed and, inside the shiny blue lining, her clothes are
neatly folded. She is packing.
“Hi, Mommy, do you have to go somewhere?”
“Hi, Honey. Yes, I do have to go away for a few days. You
girls are going to your aunt’s. You’ll have fun with Rhonda Lee.
I think there’s even a hike she wants to take you on.”
“Where are you going?” I ask cautiously.
“Denver. There’s a cattle sale there.”
“What about Billy?”
“Your brother’s going to stay here on his own.” Doesn’t
sound like she wants to talk very much.
My brother Billy is older. I guess he can take care of himself.
Going to my aunt’s would be so boring for him anyhow.
My parents have always done a lot of travelling for their
cattle business. Vian and I usually have to stay somewhere, or
someone stays with us. Since being here in the city, Mommy

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