The Secret in the Attic

 By Selah

 

Twelve-year-old Andrea Carter sighed. Mother had agreed Andi could go riding after church if the weather was nice. But when they got home it had been raining buckets. To pass the time, Andi had groomed Taffy until her mare shone a bright golden color. Andi had also finished Mitch's last dime novel. She sighed again. 

     "What's the matter, Andrea?" asked Mother.

     "There's nothing to do," Andi sighed yet again. 

     "Hmm," Justin thought. "You should look around the attic. There has to be something that interests you up there." 

     "I agree," Mother replied. "The attic is full of odds and ends." 

     "Yeah," Chad broke in with a teasing grin, "nobody has cleaned the attic in awhile either."

     "Hmm, maybe I will look around up there." Andi replied, ignoring Chad. 

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     Andi found a lantern and matches. She also made sure her lamp had oil. She hurried up the wide main staircase, and then to the end of the hallway. She looked up at the ceiling. A 3'x3' trap door led to the attic.  

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     A few minutes later, Andi was in the attic looking around at pieces of furniture, trunks, and shelves of old books. There were also old baby clothes neatly folded on the shelves. Andi picked up a faded flowery baby gown, then neatly folded it back up and put it away. 

Andi walked toward a lovely blue silk gown. As she fingered the lace on the cuff of the sleeve she wondered if Mother had worn this. She studied the navy blue silk, the full skirt, and white lace on the collar and cuffs of the sleeves along with lace on the hem. It was truly beautiful! 

Andi carefully studied it for several more minutes. She turned a full circle to check her surroundings. Her eyes fell on something blanket covered. "A saddle maybe?" Andi thought. She hurried over setting her lantern on an over turned crate. Then she tore away the blanket. It wasn't a saddle, but a cradle!  "What is this beautiful cradle doing hidden in the attic?" she wondered. It wasn't just a plain cradle. It had daisies and roses, vines, and leaves painted and carved on it. Andi never played with dolls or cradles, but she thought it was beautiful. The name Cora was handwritten on the side. 

"Hmm, I wonder who Cora is?" she thought. The clock bonged six times. "Oh no! It's supper time!" Andi pulled herself quickly away from the lovely cradle. She hurried down the ladder to the hallway, then rushed to the dining room. She sat down quickly. Justin smiled at her and she smiled back. Justin prayed over the food. When he finished, they dished up their supper. Fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, raspberry jam, and peach cobbler. 

     "What did you find in the attic, Honey?" Justin asked.

     "Not much, just some broken furniture, some old clothes, trunks, and... oh, Mother? Who's Cora?" Everyone stopped eating.

     "What?" asked Mother.  

     Andi could tell that her Mother was trying to keep her voice calm, but was close to failing.

     "I," Andi paused studying her Mother's face, she she took a deep breath. "I found a cradle with the name Cora on it," she explained, "and I was wondering who Cora was, or is."

     "Oh, I need to go do something." Mother stood up and walked out of the room. Andi looked around  the table everyone staring at their food. 

     "Justin?" 

     "Yeah, Andi?" 

     "Can you tell me whats going on?"

     "I'm sorry, Andi. It's not my place." 

     "But--" 

     "No, Andi, I can't. Mother will tell you when she's ready for you to know." Andi was startled at Justin's sad irritated voice. 

     "Hmm. Okay." It was not okay. Did Andi have another sister? Andi had just got over her cough from a bad cold she had after her surprise sister Katherine arrived for a short stay at the ranch. Andi wondered. Mother walked into the dining room. 

     "Andrea, I..." She took a deep breath. "I'd like to talk with you in the library." 

     "Yes, Mother." Andi stood up and followed her Mother to the library. 

     "Andrea, I'm going to tell you a story."

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     "Justin do you want to go riding?" asked Cora. 

     "Oh, yes!"

     "All right! Chad do you want to go?"

     "Sure!"

     "Kathrine?"

     "No. It's very unladylike to ride without a proper side saddle," Kate scoffed. "Tsk, tsk."

      Cora glanced at Chad and rolled her eyes. "Of course, Kate."

     "Mother?"

     "Yes, Cora?"

     "Can, Melinda and Andi, come."

     "May they come." Mother corrected 

     "May they?"

     "Yes, they may." Mother smiled, Cora smiled back.

     "Can I come?"

     "Oh, I'm sorry. Yes of course, Mitch."

     "Thanks!"

     "Yeah!" Cora ran and picked up baby Andi. They all ran to the barn. Cora saddled her mare, Buttercup. Cora put Andi in the saddle and climbed up behind her.

     "Horsey!" Andi shouted, Cora smiled.

     "Let's move out!" Chad hollered

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     "Look there's the creek!" Melinda shouted.

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     "What was that, Cora?" Melinda asked. 

      Cora looked up from splashing with Chad in the creek. She glanced at Andi making sure she was alright. Andi was happily splashing with Mitch. "What?" Cora responded.

     "I heard something."

     "I--"

     "There it is again!"

     "What?"

     "The noise!"

     "I know, but what did it sound like?"

     "It sounded like a....Cora look!" Melinda yelled. 

     Cora turned and saw 20 cattle stampeding their way!

     Mitch picked up Andi and jumped on Chase. Everyone ran for their horses. Buttercup shied away. The mare rapped the reins out of Cora's hands.

     "No! Cora!" Justin shouted.

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     "Cora never came home."  Mother sniffed

     "So I had another sister?"

     "Yes."