Of Windmills and War by Diane H Moody Read Free Book Online

in his room. It makes me feel close to him.
Now I understand why you and my brother were such good friends. You sound so very
much like him in many ways. I was wondering if you would like me to send the
letters back to you along with your picture?
    I don’t know what else to say so I’ll end this.
    Anya
     
    For some reason, the idea of Anya reading his letters
startled him. A lot. He glanced over at the picture of Hans and his family still
stuck in the frame of his mirror. He’d often thought she looked like a real
pill, but maybe that was more about the stories Hans had written about her and
all the trouble she used to give him. His mind wandered off, picturing his
friend’s feisty sister and the mischief that seemed to follow her every step.
He remembered the time Hans wrote about her getting kicked out of the Girl
Scouts. Danny had been shocked to hear Holland even
had Girl Scouts, but apparently the organization had roots in England which
had quickly spread throughout Europe . Mrs. Versteeg had insisted
her daughter join, much to Anya’s displeasure.
    Hans once wrote him that Anya got into a fight one day with
a girl named Tilly who happened to be the scoutmaster’s daughter. Tilly fancied
herself quite the beauty and loved to tease Anya in front of the other girls for
her rough and tumble behavior and unkempt appearance. On that particular day
Tilly made up some silly song about Anya’s stubby fingernails and freckles. As
all the other girls laughed and laughed, Anya ran headfirst into Tilly’s stomach,
tackling her in the dirt outside the windmill where their meetings were held.
By the time the two were separated, Tilly had the wind knocked out of her and
her uniform was covered with dirt. The scoutmaster immediately ended the
meeting and dragged Anya to her home where she told Reverend and Mrs. Versteeg
their daughter was no longer welcome in their club. Of course Anya was
delighted by the news and didn’t even mind when she was grounded for a month. Far
worse, her parents made her apologize to Tilly in front of the entire
congregation. Hans had found the whole incident hilarious, though he worried
about his little sister. “Will she never learn?” he’d written.
    Danny had smiled when he read about the scuffle, envisioning
Anya wrestling on the ground with that girl and the humiliation she must have
felt having to apologize in front of everyone. Now, as he looked back at the
letter he still held in his hand, he decided he was glad she’d written. It made
missing Hans a little easier somehow. It still felt odd to know she’d read all
his letters, but maybe that was okay too.
     
    Dear Anya,
    I’m glad you wrote. I was thinking about your family a lot
and wondering how you were doing. I’m sorry your mom is still having a hard
time. I can’t imagine what my mom would do if she lost me or my brother.
    There’s no need to return the letters. You can keep them or
just throw them out, whatever you want to do.
    Hans told me you’re just a year younger than he was, but real
smart. Do you like school? I can’t wait until I graduate. I want to go to
college and all, but sometimes I get tired of studying. He also said you liked
to draw. I’m lousy at art stuff.
    If you want, you can write me again. I’m kinda used to
getting letters from The Netherlands , so I
wouldn’t mind. You’re the only girl I ever wrote a letter to, but since you’re
Hans’ little sister, it’s okay.
    Danny
    p.s. I think it’s funny you decked that Tilly girl.
     
    Danny folded the letter, stuck it in an envelope, licked the
flap and dug around in his drawer to find a stamp. That’s when he remembered
the Cubs game and leaped across his bed to turn up the radio.
    ”Bottom of the first with the Cubs leading their opening
game against the Cardinals, one to nothing. We’ll be right back.”
    “Did ya hear that, Sophie? Cubs are ahead! I think this
could be the year we go all the way! C’mon, girl, let’s go tell Mom.”
    As