Chapter 6:

The Mice
Upstairs

“…do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Philippians 4:6 (ESV)

“Elizabeth, wake up. Wake up, Elizabeth. I think I heard a mouse.” Dinky stood over Elizabeth in his blue and red superhero pajamas, carrying the old black top hat, waiting for her to open her eyes.

“Either a mouse or a burga-ler.”

“It’s just Mama going to the cellar house,” Elizabeth said as she rolled over and opened one eye.

“Whew! Thought it might a been an awful big mouse. I wanna see.” Dinky ran to the window that was on the right side of the old rock chimney that overlooked the side yard. “Yep, there she goes in the snow. Oh, boy! Snow!”

“Snow? Again?”

“Yep, it’s pourin’ it down. Will you teach me how to make a snowman, Elizabeth?” Ever since he had found the snowman fixins in the attic, it had been all he could think about.

“Can’t today. Thanksgiving is Thursday. Too much to do.”

“What do you have to do?”

“I need to help Mama clean the house. And besides, I have some schoolwork to do. I’ve been slacking off too much.”

“I hate schoolwork. It’s too hard.”

“You don’t have any schoolwork, silly!”

“Good, ’cause I wasn’t gonna do it, anyways.”

“Listen, Dink. Mama has lots on her plate right now. Let’s help her.”

“I know.”

“Then help out. Don’t whine. Family is coming for Thanksgiving.”

“Gwen coming, too?”

“Yes, I guess she is.”

“She’ll be mean to ya.”

“Maybe not this time.”

“She will. She’ll call you Queenie and laugh at ya.”

“Oh, Lord!” Elizabeth implored as she covered up her head with her blanket. “Please let Gwen be nice to me.”