By Holli B. age 16
“I’m glad to see you too!” Andi giggled. Since her Aunt’s unexpected arrival, Andi had been stuffed into itchy hot dresses and left to do her ungrateful bidding. Aunt Rebecca brought Dr. Wilcox and his Wife for a visit. Andi liked Mr. Wilcox. He came all the way to Fresno to help with the scarlet fever epidemic a few months ago.
Her Aunt came with no more than a sniffle; now she burned with fever. Andi thought Aunt
Rebecca’s tongue lashing couldn’t get worse, but an ailing aunt was far worse! Andi had spent the last weekend caring for her aunt. One moment she was cold and wanted a blanket; the next she wanted a cold rag. Andi was exhausted from the constant changes of her Aunt’s mood swings. Now it didn’t matter. Mother told her to take a break. Andi was more than happy to oblige.
As she led her golden filly out the barn, she was shocked head to toe.
“She recognized the rider-and that was what frightened her most.” Andi gaped at the form on top of Pal, one of the ranch’s calmest horses. He would have to be for what this rider was putting him through. The rider tugged, kicked, and squirmed, bouncing like a skipping stone across a creek. Her voice is what gave Andi the clue to who she was. She hollered,
“Yee-haw! I’ll catch you, Chase!-“
Wobbling back and forth she yanked on Pal’s reigns to steady herself, cackling as she went. Pal was fed up with this “loco” rider. He shied away sidestepping.
Andi was stunned. Her feet seemed to be in foot-deep mud. When she found her tongue it was too late.
“Aunt Rebecca!” Andi yelled over the yard. Pal whirled around; Aunt Rebecca went sailing through the air landing hard with a thud. Dropping Taffy’s reigns she dashed to her Aunt’s side. As Andi called for help, aunt Rebecca shook her head side to side moaning. Andi looked at her Aunt wearing Justin’s suit coat over her night gown that was halfway stuffed into a pair of Chad’s work pants and boots. Mitch’s hat finished the obscure look its string hung about her thin neck.
What had happened to her aunt? How had she gotten this getup on and reached Pal? It was unbelievable! Aunt Rebecca would scold Andi for doing most anything that seemed “unladylike.” This scene was so contradicting to her usual appearance.
Mother and Luisa came racing out of their stucco home. Mother gasped and flung her hand over her mouth. Her eyes glistened with tears.
“Sid! Help us get her inside!” Mother called to the Circle C Forman. Once indoors, Dr. Wilcox rushed to give Aunt Rebecca some horrid smelling medicine which plopped out onto a spoon like algae. Aunt Rebecca gagged when the spoon was stuffed into her mouth. After only ten minutes of tossing and turning, she drifted into a merciful sleep. Dr. Wilcox stepped out into the parlor. Andi listened from the stairs.
“Elizabeth, Rebecca may be worse off than we originally thought. Her temperature has spiked. She is aching and hallucinating.” He sighed, and walked farther into the parlor. “I’ve done all I can, I will leave you this medicine to give to her as needed. Come get me if there are any changes.” Mother thanked the Doctor and led him out the door.
Andi leaped up to her room and prayed that her Aunt would get better! Tears pooled then dripped down her cheeks. Though her Aunt had a sharp tongue and made most of her visits full of scolding and instruction, Andi would give anything to hear her Aunt scold her. What if this was her Aunt’s in last visit? Andi fell asleep with her hand in Aunt Rebecca’s.
Morning Light trickled in. Andi rubbed her groggy eyes. Aunt Rebecca had a slight frown and no color entered her unhealthy pale skin. Andi’s heart sank. She had to get better- she just had to! A tear slipped running down her clutched hand and onto her aunt’s. She could smell the potent perfume her Aunt always wore. Andi bowed her head to pray,
“Dear Lord, will you please heal Aunt Rebecca-“
She choked. A slight squeeze interrupted her prayer; Aunt Rebecca stirred and looked up at andi.
“Hmm, child, what are you doing smothering me to death!” She barked. Andi gasped. She hugged Aunt Rebecca, and would not let this opportunity pass by.
“I love you! We were worried that you might-“
“It will take more than an illness for me to not see that you turn into a proper lady!” Aunt Rebecca cut her off as the twinkle in her eyes returned. “Why are you standing there idle? Andrea, go fetch your mother!” She said while inching closer into her quilt.
That evening we all joined aunt Rebecca in her room for supper. In the middle of Chad’s ranch talk, Aunt Rebecca piped up and said,
“You know Mitch, I had a thrilling dream that I beat you and Chase in a race. Andrea, all your horse talk has even entered my slumber!” The table went silent. No one knew how to tell her that it wasn’t just a dream.
“Aunt Rebecca-“ Andi started Mother stopped her with a nod of her head.
“Yes, child?” Aunt Rebecca demanded. Andi flashed a gazed at Mother for guidance. Mother’s shoulders dropped as if giving up.
“Rebecca, you did some things when you were ill, they are not important now.” Mother said sweetly.
“That’s an understatement,” Chad snickered. The table burst into uncontrollable laughter.
“What did I do? Tell me now!” She requested.
Mother whispered in her ear the past events.
“I did what?”
The table broke out into more merriment. Even Aunt Rebecca chuckled with embarrassment. Andi would never forget her Aunt’s first horseback race!
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