Mother's Helper

by Hannah and Jenny C. 

Photo #1 Andi in the Trough

          It was a hot summer day at Circle C, 13 year old Andi Carter was hot, very hot. She eyed Chad and Mitch who were talking over the barn, Andi decided to take the chance, she took a running leap and jumped right into the horse trough, she held her breath and stayed under the water for as long as she could,  if she got caught… Andi didn’t want to think about that.

Chad looked up, “Mitch? Did you hear a splash?”

 “Now that you mention that, I did.” Mitch looked around,

 “It sounded like it came from over there.” Chad pointed to the horse trough area.

 “You don’t think that’s Andi again…” Mitch said

 “I think it is! This is what, the fourth time she’s been in there this week?” Chad stormed over to the horse trough, sure enough, Andi was holding her breath under the water, Chad reached his hand in and yanked her out. ‘Andi! What’s the meaning of this? Again?”

 Andi looked up, “Hi,” she said with a quivering voice,

 “Andi! I asked you a question.” Chad said,

 Andi’s eyes wided,  she ducked under his arm which was blocking her escape, she took off and ran. Mitch broke out laughing and Chad glared at him so he stopped instantly, “Sorry, Chad, it’s just funny.” he said,

 “I know Mitch, Andi, well I’m done with her doing this. I’m gonna talk with Mother.” he marched inside, Mitch watched him go in, “Oh, yikes.” he said and followed. When he found Chad he was already talking with Mother and Justin,

 “Mother, Andi was in the horse trough again, this is the fourth time this week alone!”

 “Chad, she just did it again? Where is she now?” asked Mother

 “She did and she took off. I have no idea where she is. Andi has been into too much trouble lately. She needs to do something, I can’t have her in the horse trough all the time. When she did it when she was younger it was fine because she didn’t know she shouldn't do it, now though? She knows better.” Chad said, pacing the room.

 Mother sighed, “What do you suggest we do?” she asked,

 Chad sat down, “Send her somewhere.” he answered,

 “Where?” Mitch spoke up

 “A place where she can’t get into trouble.”

 “And where would that be?” asked Mother, “I don’t want to send it to Aunt Rebecca's. I don’t think that would help.”

 Chad sighed, “I don’t want to do this but what can we do?”

 Justin had been quiet the whole time but finally spoke up, “How about having her go to someone as a mother’s helper? I know there are many just outside Fresno,”

 Chad shot up, “We can do that! That way we would know how she is and where she is. Justin, can you find one before tomorrow morning?” Chad asked, “I know what you are thinking, I don’t want to have Andi away but it may be for the best.” he added seeing their looks.

 “Chad, for how long?” Mother asked,

 “Mother, I don’t know yet, let’s wait and see.” said Chad,

 “And to answer your question, Chad. I could. I think many are spanish speaking but Andi knows spanish so that’s not a big deal. There are a few families needing help, I’m sure I could find one. For now don’t say anything to Andi about this, okay?”

 “Okay, but are you sure?” Mitch asked, he didn’t want to let his little sister go, not even for a little while

 Chad softened, “Mitch, I know what you are thinking, but, yes, I’m sure.”

 Mother agreed, a bit sadly though. So did Justin.

Justin found a family needing help the next morning and he took Andi for a ride in the buggy, they drove for quite a while till they reached the families home. It was a rough and tumble shack but Justin figured it would do.

 He and Andi got out, Justin turned to Andi “Andi, this is your new home for next while, you are going to be a mother’s helper for a bit.” he said and thrusted a note in her hand.

 Andi froze, “What?!”

 “I said you will be here and be a mother’s helper for a while, I will be back soon to check in with you, we love you, very much. But this might help you and they need your help, see you soon, Andi.” Justin said as he climbed in the buggy and rode away. Justin saw Andi watch him go and sighed, “This may be for the better.” but he was having some doubts.

Andi was confused. Why was she here? Why did Justin leave so fast? Who lived in the shack? She remembered the note, she quickly read it,

 

My dearest Andrea,

 We will miss you greatly, don’t think we have forgotten you. We think this might help you learn a few lessons, (like jumping in the horse though) we don’t want to hurt you, Andrea . Try and be a good mother’s helper to the family.

Love, your family.  

          Andi was shocked, she was here because of her being in the horse trough! She frowned, she’d show them! She marched up to the door and tapped the door lightly, “Coming!” she heard someone call out so Andi waited and a young girl opened it, “Hi, are you the helper girl?” she asked in spanish

 Andi answered in Spanish as well, “Yes, I am, may I come in?” Andi asked

 “Oh, yes!’ she said and opened the door all the way. Andi walked in and took in the room, it was a single room home with dirt walls. There was a small stove in the corner and a towel rack there. It was very simple and plain. There was an old man in a wheelchair and a woman cooking something.

The girl ran over to the women and said “Ma, la chica esta aqui - Ma, the girl is here,”

 

The woman turned, “Why hello, nice to see you. I am grateful to have a mother’s helper, I've not had much time lately for cleaning and such. As you can see I am cooking, I’m making noodles and rice for lunch. My name is Marie,” she said in broken english

 Andi answered in Spanish, “I am Andrea Carter but you can call me Andi, I am supposed to help you?”

 “You speak Spanish! That’s good, it will make talking easier. Yes, you were sent to become a mother’s helper, I am badly needing help as you can see, I am grateful you came.” she said

 Andi nodded, “I see, would you like me to sweep and wash?”

 “That would be wonderful, thank you.” said Marie and she turned back to the stove,

 Andi picked up the broom and started to sweep, she noticed the man watching her, “Hi, I am Andi.”

 “Hello, I am (a long Spanish name Andi didn’t know) but you can call me Abuelo, (Grandfather).” he said,

 “Hello Abuelo,” Andi said and smiled and continued to sweep. As she swept she was thinking I don’t know what to think, I know I am needed here but why would my family send me here without saying anything? Was I really that bad? Andi wondered.

 She heard a baby crying and went to see what it was, there was a baby boy in a small bed of rags. Andi heart went out to him and she scooped him up, “Hush, hush,” she whispered, the girl spotted them and came over, “He is my hermano, (brother) he is a year old.” she said.

 “Okay, how old are you?” Andi asked

 She held up four fingers and ran outside.

About a week later Andi was tired, she never realized how much work it was to run a home. She loved talking with the grandfather, every evening he would tell her a fun interesting story and Marie and her children would listen.

Andi honestly wanted to stay a bit longer, she enjoyed hanging out with the family, even if it was hard work it was worth it! Andi would miss them terribly when she left, whenever that was.

When Justin came to pick her up a few days later Andi was a bit hesitant to go but she did want to go home, where her family was, she missed them! She saw him coming and turned to Marie, she had tears in her eyes and so did Andi, “Marie, I will miss you very much. I will try to come visit often. Even if it was working I still enjoyed it. And you too, Abuelo, I will miss you all, the children too!”

 “We will miss you too,” said Abuelo “And I will” added Marie

 Andi smiled, “Bye!” she called and left. She went and hopped into the buggy, “Hi Justin”

“Hey Andi! It’s good to see you again, we’ve missed you so much at the ranch!” exclaimed Justin, giving her a hug.

 Andi didn’t say anything, she just watched at the the shack slid out of view, Justin frowned, Andi was sure different than she was, “Everything okay Andi?” he asked,

 Andi still didn’t say anything but was quiet the whole way home even though Justin tried making small talk but it was no use. Justin noticed a big change in Andi and wasn’t sure if he liked it. When they got home Andi rushed to the barn to see Taffy, Justin watched her go, he had thought for sure Andi would go straight inside to see her family. Again, he was wrong.

“Taffy! I missed you so much!” Andi exclaimed, hugging her beloved horse, she got a brush and brushed Taffy till she shone. Andi had been thinking about her family, Justin had acted like everything was the same as before, Andi shook her head, nope, everything had changed, Andi wanted to help Marie and her family not just do nothing and her family had sent her away to become a mother’s helper, but, could she forgive them for doing that? Without saying goodbye?

Andi couldn't forget that right away even though she did forgive most of them, she knew it was Chad who had sent her to become a mother’s helper. Andi sighed and went inside where her family was waiting, “Hi Andi!” Mitch said excited to see his sister again, Andi hugged him and whispered, “I've missed you more than I can say, Mitch.”

 Chad came up and ruffled her hair, “Howdy Andi, it’s great to have you back!” he said

 Andi ignored him, she was still upset with him for sending her away, even though she enjoyed being away.

 Chad frowned, “Andi?”

 Andi didn’t pay attention, she just went and hugged her mother and said, "I'm very tired, I am going to bed early tonight.” she hugged Melinda as well and went upstairs and fell asleep.

“What’s the matter with Andi?” Chad demanded after Andi left

 “I don’t know! She won’t say much to me besides ‘hi’.” said Justin,

 Mitch spoke up quietly, “The note we wrote? I think she figured out it was you who told and you all agreed. Not that I didn’t but I’m just saying, Andi is a bit upset with you I’m guessing.” he said

 They sat in silence.

Early the next morning Andi was up before anyone else. “I’m not staying here right now, I need just a bit more time away from Chad and Justin, they can’t send me away with no more than a note, even if I did like it. I bet Marie needs help this morning. I’ll ride Taffy there.” Andi said to herself and did so. She wrote a quick note saying,

 

I need time to forgive

 Andi

            She hurried to the barn and  saddled up Taffy and loped to Marie’s home. “Marie! I’m back!” she called ahead

 “Andi!” exclaimed Marie, running out and hugging her, “I’m delighted to see you again, did I say that right?” before Andi left she had been teaching Marie some new English words while they cooked.

 “You sure did!” Andi said happily, she was back! Andi did miss her family but she did love being with Marie’s family.

 “Great! Want to help me make breakfast?”

 “I sure do!” said Andi, they marched into the shack and made breakfast. It was eggs and some bacon.

Mother went up to her youngest daughter's room that morning, “Andrea? Are you awake?” there was no answer but she went in anyway, her eyes scanned the room, no Andrea to be seen. She saw the note and read it, she sat down and wiped away her tears, “Oh Andrea, where are you?”

 Melinda heard her mother crying, “Mother? Are you okay?” her mother shook her head, she gave the note to Melinda.

 “Oh no.” Melinda said and rushed to find her brothers.

 “Chad! Mitch! Justin!” she yelled, they came running. “What is it, Melinda?” she gave them the note with a shaky hand.

 Chad froze, “Andi’s gone?” his voice barely above a whisper

 Melinda nodded.

It was a few days later and Andi was still at Marie's home. She loved being there, Abuelo still told his stories every evening and they had a good time. That afternoon Andi saw a familiar buggy ride in Marie’s drive. It was a Carter buggy.

“Marie, I have to go, I might be back but I don’t know, bye, I will miss you all!” she called and went outside, she hurried down the drive past the buggy. She turned left at the road, toward the woods.

“Andi!” Chad’s voice broke out, Andi was shocked! She never imagined Chad would come to get her! Andi turned toward him but didn’t say anything.

“Andi, I’m sorry,” Chad pleaded, “Please forgive me, please Andi! I never should have even had the idea to send you away to become a mothers helper! ”

 Andi gasped, she thought she would be in big trouble instead Chad was asking for forgiveness! “Chad?”

 “You heard me Andi, forgive me,” he said

 Andi thought things over, Chad was there, asking for forgiveness. She really did want to go home, she missed her family, but could she forgive them? And Chad, he had the idea to send her there, she knew. They had sent her here with really no explanation.

Chad watched his sister, his eyes pleading, she finally turned to him, “Chad, I forgive you,” she said softly, Chad’s heart leaped, he was forgiven! Andi came forward and hugged him, “Chad, I’ve missed you.”

Chad hugged her back, “I missed you more than I can say, Andi, and I will never send you away, so matter how many times you jump in the horse trough.” he gave a crooked grin.

 Andi laughed, “I learned my lesson! Well, if it’s a really hot day,” she tilted her head at him, “I might, just not when you are around and not at all that often!”

 Chad burst out laughing, “Oh, Andi!” he laughed, “Let’s go home.” so they did.