A Long, Long Day

by Sadie Parker

Sixteen-year-old Mitch Carter flung a fishing line into the creek. Glancing over at his sister Andi’s face, he knew that fishing had been the perfect thing to do. The clear sky above them was the result of a dreadfully rainy day the day before. The bright sun hung high above them, bathing the sparkling, dewy grass with its gentle rays.

Mitch looked over at Peter Wilson and smiled. He had asked Peter to come over for the day to help him look after Andi while the rest of the family was in town, paying some fees for the ranch.

Andi grinned and splashed her feet in the water as she tugged on the line. “I got one! I got one!” Mitch helped her pull a small trout out of the clear, blue water and tie it to a small branch, which they were using to carry back the rest of the fish.

“I think that’s enough fish for lunch,” Mitch announced, eyeing the pile of glistening trout. He smiled at his little sister.

“Okay!” Andi set her fishing rod down beside her and ran to saddle up her dirty brown pony, Coco, for the ride back. Mitch and Peter collected the rods and the fish, and spread the bundle between them.

Once they were all mounted, they headed back to the Carter’s adobe ranch house. When they arrived back at the barn, Mitch took care of the horses while Peter happily led Andi inside to get ready for lunch

After the horses were groomed and put away, Mitch walked back into the house. “Hey, Andi!” he yelled up to his sister, “How does a picnic sound?”

Andi squealed. “Yay! I’ll be right down!”

I’ll take that as a ‘yes,’ Mitch smiled. He sat down at the table with Peter and prepared to clean the fish for frying.

Knock, knock, knock.

Mitch froze, wondering just who the unexpected visitor could be.

Knock, knock, knock.

He cautiously picked his way to the front door, and peeked through the window next to it. His heart rocketed into his throat and started thumping fast. No, no, NO! It can’t be! Not right now!

Frantically glancing around the house, Mitch instantly knew how desperate Mother was to clean their home when guests came. Old bridles needing repair were slung over Chad’s seat, the settee was covered with old blankets needing mending, and ranching supplies rested in the corners, among many other things.

Knock, Knock, KNOCK.

“I’m waiting!” A high sing-songy voice floated through the door and arrived, muffled, into Mitch’s ear. He winced. Sweeping his eyes around the room, he decided that the house would be as clean as a 16-year-old could get it on ‘such short notice,’ so he straightened out his wrinkled ranching clothes, pasted a fake smile on his face, and opened the door.

“Well, well, well!” A crisp, aged woman strutted through the door and set down her carpetbag, her ruffled lavender dress floating behind her gracefully and her mouth full of reproaches for Mitch. “Mitchell Carter. Hmph. And where is the rest of your lovely family?”

“Aunt Rebecca.” Mitch nodded politely and tipped his hat. “The family is away for the day on business. It’s only me, and-“

Just then, an overall-clad Andi tromped down the stairs.

“Andrea?” Aunt Rebecca daintily raised an eyebrow.

By then, Andi had made her way to Mitch’s side. “Aunt Rebecca? Why are you-”

“-Andrea, please go greet your aunt respectfully.”

Andi looked up pleadingly into Mitch’s face and then reluctantly curtsied, at least as well as she could while wearing overalls, to her prissy Aunt.

Aunt Rebecca sighed. “Andrea, go up to your room and change at once. As I have told you time and time again, overalls are not at all the suitable clothes for a six-year-old young lady.”

Andi silently implored Mitch to change Aunt Rebecca’s mind, but he just nodded and sighed. Andi was not happy. She stormed up the stairs and stomped into her room.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Girls these days.” Aunt Rebecca rolled her eyes. “Now Mitch, when did you say your family will get back? And where on earth do I sit? The settee is quite an unpleasant resting place, and I’m ashamed I ever sat on it before. And what are those on that chair over there?” She pointed to the bridles, “I’ve never seen such dusty, dirty ranch equipment! I should say, Elizabeth does need to do a better job of cleaning up around here. Now, escort me to my room?” With that, she held her arm out for Mitch to escort her.

Mitch held his jaw from dropping as he hastily picked up her carpetbag and hooked his arm around hers. He led her to the guest room, which was much cleaner than any other place in their house, and set her bag down just inside.

“I think I’ll take a rest now, Mitch, and for goodness sakes, change into something suitable!” With that, she closed the door. Mitch could hear irritated muttering coming from inside, and he sighed.

“Sorry, Peter,” Mitch groaned. “I had no idea Aunt Rebecca was coming, else I wouldn’t have invited you over!”

Peter, who had followed from a distance, grinned. “It’s not every day you have your aunt over, eh?” He raised an eyebrow, and Mitch rolled his eyes.

“Well, let’s just hope you’re not kicked out of the house by the time your family returns,” Peter teased.

Andi raced down the stairs, angrily smoothing out her Sunday best and combing her long hair with her fingers. “Why is Aunt Rebecca here?” She huffed.

Mitch grinned half-heartedly and patted Andi on the head. “I sure don’t know, little sis, but I am sure it’s going to be a long, long day.”