On Sunday, we go to church, but we don’t go to Lickskillet Farm for Sunday dinner afterward. Instead, we’re going to a tea party at Miss Clarabelle’s! Lucy gets to come, too.
Miss Clarabelle sent us a fancy invitation and everything. The invitation had pink roses on it and smelled like roses, too. We had to R.S.V.P., which means telling her if we are coming or not.
On the way home from church, Lucy and I sit all the way in the back of the van so we can have a little chat. T.J. sits in the middle. Daddy and Momma sit in the front.
I ask Lucy, “Did you know kids can get rich?”
“I never thought about it much,” she says. “How do they do it?”
T.J. turns around and says, “They probably have to get a real job like me.”
“They were not mowing lawns,” I say. “They were selling stuff to drink at garage sales.”
I explain all about the water, Kool-Aid, lemonade, and sodas.
“So that’s how I figured out I need to start a business,” I tell Lucy.
“What kind of drinks are you going to sell?” she asks.
I shake my head. “I like to be different, so I don’t want to sell stuff to drink,” I explain.
Lucy raises an eyebrow. She says, “We have all afternoon to think of something.”
I know she’s right. Pa always says that two heads are better than one.
When we pull in to our driveway, Ugly Brother is sitting right in the middle of it waiting for us. I think he would like to go with us on Sundays, but Momma says dogs do not belong in church.
As we climb out of the van, Momma warns us, “You girls, don’t go gettin’ all dirty before your tea party.”
We say, “Yes, ma’am!”
We can hardly wait until two o’clock for teatime. But we have things to do before the party. First we all sit down at the kitchen table for some leftover fried chicken and potato salad for lunch.
When we’re done eating, I ask, “Is it time yet?”
Momma says, “No. Run along and play. I’ll call you when it’s time.”
Lucy, Ugly Brother, and I go upstairs so Lucy can pick out one of my stuffed animals to take home. I promised Pappy I would give her one, and I always keep my promises.
In my room, Lucy looks at dogs, bunnies, kittens, bears, an elephant, and a pink pony. She says, “I sure do like this pony, but you probably want to keep it.”
She keeps on looking. Finally she finds a cute little turtle. “Can I have this one?” she asks.
“Yup!” I say.
We play for a while. Then we hear Momma holler that it’s time for tea. We jump up, fluffing out the skirts of our church dresses. My dress is pink with white trim and fluffy sleeves. I’m going to wear my little white gloves, too. Lucy has on a polka-dot dress.
Downstairs, Ugly Brother also wants to go to the tea party, but he is not invited. Momma says bringing an extra guest is rude. Poor Ugly Brother! He has been stuck at home all day!
Lucy and I cross Miss Clarabelle’s yard, being extra careful not step on her pretty flowers.
On the porch, there is a fancy iron table set with a polka-dot tablecloth. On top of the table there’s a sparkly glass vase full of pink roses.
I say, “I bet those roses are from Miss Clarabelle’s garden.”
When we get closer, I can see the teapot with little pink flowers on it and the little teacups.
“Ooh la la!” Lucy whispers. “This is a fancy party.”
I ring the doorbell. Miss Clarabelle comes to the door carrying a silver tray.
“Well, good afternoon, young ladies,” she says. “I am so glad you could come for tea.”
“Good afternoon,” Lucy whispers.
I add, “Thank you for inviting us.”
Miss Clarabelle asks, “Can one of you hold the door, please?”
I swing the door open and Miss Clarabelle puts the tray on the table. We follow her. She says, “Please have a seat and I will be right back.”
The tray has teeny tiny cucumber and chicken salad tea sandwiches. Yum!
There is also a plate of juicy red strawberries and glistening green grapes.
Lucy says, “Everything looks so tasty.”
I agree, “Yup.”
Then we don’t talk much. And that’s weird for me and Lucy. Usually we’re talking all the time! That tells you this tea is real special.
When Miss Clarabelle joins us, she’s carrying a little silver stand with cookies shaped like teapots and tiny pink cupcakes. She notices my white gloves and says, “Kylie Jean, ladies remove their gloves for tea.”
I slip my gloves off as Miss Clarabelle sits down. Then I ask, “Ma’am, are there other rules for having tea?”
Miss Clarabelle says, “Oh my, yes! Would you like to learn about them?”
“Yes, ma’am!” we exclaim.
She tells us all about the tea rules.
Now that we know our tea manners, we are ready for tea.
First we put milk and sugar in our teacups. Miss Clarabelle pours the tea from her momma’s china teapot. She is careful not to fill our cups too full. Then she looks at me and says, “Please pass the tea sandwiches.”
The silver tray is heavy, but I do my best. She puts two tea sandwiches on her plate. Lucy and I do the same. Then we pass the sweets around.
I ask, “May I please have two cookies?”
Miss Clarabelle replies, “Yes, since you asked so nicely.”
Lucy asks, “Then may I please have two cookies, too?”
Miss Clarabelle smiles and agrees. We each add a cupcake to our plate and then it’s finally time to eat.
Lucy takes a big bite of her cookie and mumbles, “This cookie is scrumptious.”
I remind her, “Momma says don’t talk with your mouth full.”
Lucy swallows and says, “Sorry.” I smile at her so she won’t feel embarrassed.
We keep eating our delightful treats. My favorite things are the strawberry cream cupcakes. The frosting is so sweet and creamy. They are just delicious!
“It’s nice of you to come to tea,” Miss Clarabelle says. “Sometimes I get so lonely in this old house.”
We smile. “Thanks for inviting us,” I say. “Tea parties are fun!”
“What have you girls been doing lately?” Miss Clarabelle asks.
I explain all about my plan to start a business.
“What a wonderful idea!” Miss Clarabelle says. “It’s important for young women to learn about business.”
Lucy says, “Now she just has to think of something to sell.”
Just then, an idea hits me faster than buttercream frosting on red velvet cake! I’m going to sell cupcakes!