Life with Lily by Suzanne Woods Fisher, Mary Ann Kinsinger Read Free Book Online Page B

was happy to be able to help you.”
    Mama thanked her again. After Helen Young drove away, they went into the house. So much had happened since this morning! Finally, finally, Lily had some nice thoughts to think about Harold Young. She still didn’t think he was a nice man, but he did have a nice wife.

8

Mama and Her Sister
    C lip clop, clip clop . Jim’s hooves pounded a steady beat on the hot asphalt. The storm front of the top buggy was open so Lily was able to lean over to braid Jim’s long tail as he trotted down the road. Mama held Dannie on her lap. Joseph stood between Mama and Lily, watching Jim’s feet. Lily felt hot and sticky. The trees were silent. No birds wanted to sing on this muggy July day. Even the leaves on the trees hung hot and listless. Only the dragonflies were out today, darting about with their big googly eyes and glassy wings.
    They were on their way to help Mama’s sister, Aunt Mary, in her bulk food store. Lily looked forward to playing with her cousins, Hannah and Levi, while Mama helped Aunt Mary measure out flour and sugar into little bags to sell.
    Hannah ran out of the house when she saw Mama drive Jim to the hitching rack. Lily jumped off the buggy. Hannah grabbed Lily’s hand and they ran to play with their dolls onthe porch swing. Joseph and Levi could find something to play with of their own. Little boys didn’t play dolls very well.
    Aunt Mary came out of the house to meet Mama and Dannie. Lily thought she looked wilted, like the leaves on the big maple tree next to the house. Lily decided this summer heat must make everything and everyone uncomfortable.
    All afternoon, Lily and Hannah played while Mama worked in the little store with Aunt Mary. Too soon, it was time to go home. Lily was sorry to leave Hannah. In the buggy, she chattered to Mama about her day and how much fun she had. Mama seemed extra quiet. Lily peeked around Mama’s big black bonnet and saw tears streaming down her cheeks.
    Despite the heat, Lily felt a shiver. “What’s wrong, Mama?”
    â€œMary is sick,” Mama said quietly. “She has cancer.”
    Cancer. Lily didn’t know what the word meant, but if it made Mama cry, it must be something very horrible.

    Lily and Joseph loved playing in the barn while Papa worked. Each evening, he would curry Jim or sweep the hay from the hallway. A new litter of kittens had been born recently. Lily thought there was nothing as cute and fun as baby kittens. Every evening she and Joseph would sit on the barn floor and hold the kittens in their lap, stroking them gently as they purred. Sometimes, the kittens were in a playful mood and didn’t want to be held very long. They would chase each other around the ladder and hay bales. Lily and Joseph would laugh and laugh, until their sides hurt. Even Papa would stop his work to watch the silly kittens play.

    One evening, the kittens ran into the barn where the buggies were kept. Lily and Joseph ran after them. Lily picked akitten up in her arms and noticed another one under a wooden pallet. Only its tail peeped from under the pallet. Lily tried to coax it out by stroking its big black tail. My, it had a big bushy tail. Bigger than the kittens’ tails. “Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.” The cat wouldn’t budge. Lily went to find Papa and ask him to help her.
    Papa took one glance at the cat’s tail that stuck out from the pallet and grabbed Joseph, hoisting him into his arms. “Follow me, Lily! Now!” Papa turned and ran from the barn. The tone in Papa’s voice was alarming. Lily ran after him.
    Once they were outside, Papa let out a big “Whew! That was close!” He looked at Lily, chuckling. “You are the only little girl I know of who has petted a skunk.”
    Lily’s mouth opened in a big O, but not a word came out. She was too shocked to speak. That tail did seem a little different from their other cats, but she had