Hearing a ruckus outside, along with Rusty’s barking, Ellen and Heidi rushed out the front door. Ellen could hardly believe her eyes. Her normally timid daughter was on the ground in a scuffle with Kassidy, while Randy and Peggy Ann looked on as though in disbelief. From where she stood, it appeared that Marsha was crying.
Ellen’s fingers touched her parted lips. What in the world could have brought this on? I’ve never known my girl to provoke a fight, much less do battle with someone like this. Did Kassidy do something to hurt Becky?
Ellen dashed across the yard, with Heidi running along beside her. She saw Rusty down on his front paws barking at both of the girls. Denise shouted at Kassidy to stop, and as they drew closer to the area outside the chicken pen, Ellen did the same. But the hair pulling, slapping, and rolling about continued. Ellen was beside herself. Never had she been so stunned or humiliated by her daughter’s actions.
With a determined set of her jaw, Heidi clapped her hands and spoke in short, strong sentences. “Girls, you need to stop fighting right now. This is wrong, and it’s not the way to settle a disagreement.”
To Ellen’s amazement, Becky let go of Kassidy’s hair and Kassidy let go of hers. Then both red-faced girls stood up and moved to stand by their mothers.
“What is the meaning of this, Becky Blackburn?” Ellen struggled to keep from shouting. “I have never known you to do something like this.” She gestured to the other children, huddled nearby. “And what kind of an example are you setting?”
“I didn’t provoke it, Mom. She did.” Becky pointed to Kassidy.
“You’re the one who started it.” Kassidy, breathing hard, sneered at Becky.
“Did not. You were making fun of Randy’s chickens, and when I defended them, you grabbed hold of my hair.” Becky blinked rapidly, placing both hands against her flaming red cheeks, and Rusty started barking again.
“She ain’t lyin’.” Peggy Ann pointed at Kassidy. “What she said about Randy’s chickens made me so mad, I felt like punchin’ her in the nose.”
“Nobody should be punching or making fun of anyone.” Heidi leaned down and took hold of Rusty’s collar, which helped him settle down. “It was wrong for you two young ladies to become physical.”
“I tried to stop them,” Denise interjected. “But they wouldn’t listen.” She wiped her brow where perspiration had gathered, and looked at Ellen. “I apologize for my daughter’s behavior.”
Ellen had never seen the usual put-together woman look so distraught. She felt sorry for Denise. “It’s not your fault.” Ellen placed her hand on Denise’s arm. “It’s our girls who are at fault for not controlling their tempers.”
By this time, Kassidy and Becky were both sniffling. But neither would apologize. Ellen was ashamed of her daughter. Becky knew better than this.
“Debbie and Kevin aren’t here yet,” Heidi stated. “We all need to go inside so Becky and Kassidy can wash up before the other children arrive.” She picked Marsha up and gently patted her back. Fortunately, the little girl’s crying had subsided.
No one argued the point as they walked to the house. Ellen could only imagine how the rest of the day might go. If not for her wanting to spend time with Darren, she would have canceled her plans and taken Becky home as soon as the cooking class was over.
I wonder if Becky did this on purpose so I would decide not to go. One thing’s for certain—when Becky and I do go home, a lecture and some form of punishment will be forthcoming.
From where she knelt in Heidi’s garden, Velma had heard and seen what transpired between Kassidy and Becky. She was surprised her daughter hadn’t been in the middle of the scuffle, knowing the temper she had. Velma had been about to set her weed pulling aside and break up the fight, but seeing Heidi and Ellen come out of the house, she’d decided to let them handle it. Since the fuss didn’t involve her daughter, it really wasn’t her business anyway. Seeing the way Rusty had carried on, Velma wasn’t surprised when Heidi put the dog away in his kennel.
She remembered back to when she was a girl and had gotten into disagreements with some of her schoolmates. She was a scrapper and often ended up in a kicking or hair-pulling match. Seeing how Becky and Kassidy looked as they’d rolled about on the ground, caused Velma to feel shame for her childish and mean-tempered conduct all those years ago. It was her duty as Peggy Ann and Eddie’s mother to teach proper behavior, and by attending church, it would give them a stronger foundation in knowing right from wrong.
Gripping the shovel and digging it into the dirt, Velma made a decision. In addition to going to church on Sundays, she would look for the old Bible she’d inherited from her grandma and read a few passages every day.
Another car pulled in, and Velma watched as Debbie and Kevin got out of the vehicle. The same man who’d brought them here a few weeks ago followed them up to the house. She assumed he was their father. He paused once, and looked in Velma’s direction, then gave her a friendly wave. Goodness, he just missed seeing a bit of excitement.
“Step away from the window, Jeremy. They’ll think you’ve been watching them.” Darren gestured for his son to take a seat.
Jeremy’s mouth slackened as he moved back to the couch. “Can you believe Becky picked a fight with that Kassidy girl? I can’t wait to find out what she said to her. Never figured Ellen’s daughter could be so tough.”
Darren shook his head. “When they come into the house, you are not to say anything about what you saw.”
“How come?”
“Because it would be rude. I’m sure their mothers are embarrassed by what their daughters did. I would be if you’d ended up in a scuffle with one of the other kids here today.”
“So I can’t ask Becky what happened?”
“Not here, Son. If you feel you must ask her, then wait till we take Ellen and Becky to the Firemen’s Festival.”
Jeremy huffed and flopped onto the couch.
A few seconds later, Heidi stepped into the house, along with Ellen, Denise, and the children. Kevin and Debbie came in right behind them, along with a man Darren assumed was their father. The two older girls looked a mess—rumpled clothes smudged with dirt, hair sticking out at odd angles, and bright red faces. Darren had to admit he, too, was tempted to ask what had happened to cause the skirmish. But he bit his tongue. If Ellen or Becky wanted him to know, the topic would come up later. He hoped this little incident with Becky wouldn’t affect their plans for the afternoon.
Heidi clasped the edge of the table, praying for a sense of peace here in her kitchen. Ever since they’d come inside there had been a chill in the air, and it had nothing to do with the weather. Becky and Kassidy had both gotten cleaned up and sat silently at the table. Heidi was disappointed that neither of them would apologize for their part in the scuffle. She’d never seen two girls carry on like that—and over such a small matter. While it wasn’t right for Kassidy to make fun of Randy’s chickens, it was not a reason for Becky to lose her temper. There must be something more behind the girl’s aggression, Heidi thought. If I knew what it was, maybe I could help. Heidi could see that Ellen was embarrassed by her daughter’s outburst, as she kept her gaze downward. Denise appeared more subdued than usual. No doubt, she regretted Kassidy’s unpleasant behavior.
Since she couldn’t do anything about this problem, Heidi began her class. “Today we’ll be learning to make egg-salad sandwiches.”
“Egg salad?” Kassidy lips puckered. “I don’t like eggs all mashed up and spread on bread. I only eat fried or scrambled eggs at breakfast time. That’s when they’re supposed to be eaten.” Her lips pressed into a white slash.
“This egg salad is different than most,” Heidi explained. She refused to let Kassidy influence the other children. “It’s from an old family recipe, and—”
“I don’t want to make it.” Kassidy shook her head determinedly. “And no one’s gonna make me eat it!”
Heidi glanced at Denise, who stood behind her daughter, rubbing her forehead. Kassidy’s mother didn’t say anything for several seconds, then she stepped forward, placed both hands on Kassidy’s shoulders and said, “I will eat the sandwich, but you’re going to make it.”
Peggy Ann’s hand shot up. “I like egg salad. Mama said when the chickens we’re gonna get start layin’, we can make all sorts of things with them eggs. We’re even gonna sell some ’cause we need the money. Someday, Mama’s gonna buy another car.” The girl shook her head. “Course it won’t be a new one ’cause they cost too much.”
“I’ll never be poor, because my folks are rich.” Kassidy looked at Peggy Ann with a smirk. “We have three cars, and when I turn sixteen and learn how to drive, my dad’s gonna give me one.”
Heidi wasn’t sure how to respond, but Denise relieved her of that problem.
“Kassidy McGuire! If you don’t stop bragging—”
“What?” Kassidy’s tone grew louder. “Were you gonna say that you’d take me home? If so, then I’m glad, ’cause I wanna go home!”
“Oh, Kassidy, give me a break.” Denise left the room, apparently out of patience.
“Kassidy,” Heidi said in a firm voice. “I have a chair over there in the corner. Do you want to spend the entire class sitting in it, or are you going to be a good student?”
The girl squirmed and heaved a sigh. “Okay, whatever.”
Heidi held her hands behind her back, wondering how she could get through to Kassidy or Becky. And then there was the Kimball family. They needed help too. All I can do is pray for my students, but I don’t feel it’s enough.
Trent sat back and listened. He’d felt the tension as soon as he walked into the house. Except for Darren, the parents seemed on edge.
I should have stayed the last time I brought the kids. It’s strange, though, they never mentioned any problems going on within their class.
As Trent half-listened to what Heidi was instructing, he was glad everything seemed to have settled down. Denise had rejoined her daughter in the kitchen, and Ellen seemed more relaxed.
Once more, Trent’s thoughts turned to his wife. He missed the life he used to have with her and the children. Even their occasional squabbles seemed minor now. Trent would overlook them if given the chance to begin again with Miranda. It was like watching the wheel of time turn round and round as he remembered their first kiss, then their wedding day, and later the birth of their children.
My wife is a wonderful mother, and she’s the perfect wife. How could I have been so stupid as to get caught up in another woman’s charms? No wonder Miranda is afraid to trust me. But how can I prove myself to her and show that I’ve learned my lesson and will never do anything like that again? Would I trust her if she’d done it to me?