Anna's New Story Chap 2 part 1

Chapter Two

The drive was a long one, and Mary realized with a sigh that their journey was not yet over. The conversation lagged as eyelids slowly drooped to a close and sweet sleep fell on the weary travels. Mrs. Benison, Edmund, and even their grandmother drifted off into a deep sleep, but slumber could not find and relieve Mary, whose mind still flowed with unanswered and perhaps unanswerable questions.

She stared out the car window. Slowly, the city lights disappeared, and different scenery replaced the familiar sight of tall buildings and busy streets. Tall, leafy trees and mountainy terrain flashed by the car window, until slowly the forest seemed to melt away into long, slopping fields and meadows.

Finally, Mary’s grandmother awoke, rubbing her tired eyes and stretching.
“Sarah, Sarah,” she said, nudging her daughter awake. “We’re almost there.”
Mrs. Benison, yawning, looked around a little bewilderedly. “Oh, good. How much longer?” she asked, giving her mother a tired smile.
“Oh, only about fifteen minutes. We have beds set up in the guest rooms for tonight. I didn’t think you’d want to stay in the cottage without having a chance to settle into it a bit first, getting a look around, you know?”
“Oh, great, Mom. That’s perfect, thank you.”

With a feeling of uncertainty and apprehension, Mary stared through the car window as they pulled to a stop in front of a large wooden farmstead. It was two stories high and, to Mary's eyes, huge. There were lights on inside, and she wondered who could be there at this hour. She prayed silently that there were not a hundred aunts and uncles waiting to greet them.

Her grandfather dispelled her worry bewilderment by saying offhandedly, “Elijah’s staying with us right now, Sarah. H’s really looking forward to seeing you again.”
“Elijah? Oh wonderful! Do you remember him, Mary? You saw him last time Grandma and Grandpa visited for Christmas! He’s right around your age.”
Mary remembered vaguely a small, irritating boy with bright red hair and a passion for mischief. She had been eight and so had he, but that, she was sure, had been their only similarity.

As they dragged their tired bodies up the steps and through the front door, the noise of loud, earsplitting music reached their ears.
“That’s Elijah,” their grandma laughed, rolling her eyes. “He was supposed to clean his room – it was quite the pigsty this morning, let me tell you – but somehow I doubt that it got done.”

“Elijah! Elijah!” the shrill voice of their grandmother called, as she wearily settled down into the first chair they came to, a rickety, old stool in the kitchen. Pounding footsteps were heard on the stairs, and a tall boy hurtled into the kitchen.

Mary was right; he did have red hair, though it was now more auburn than bright orange, and on his face was an impish smile, though somehow it looked gallant and winning on his dark face. But he was tall, and had startling blue eyes and tanned, muscular arms. He grinned at the small assembly of people gathered in the kitchen, and flopped into a cushioned chair leaning against the wall.

“Hi all, remember me?” the blithesome individual laughed, his blue eyes twinkling.
“Elijah,” his grandmother scolded, “Sit up straight and act like a gentleman!”
“Sorry,” he said penitently, sending a big wink in Edmund’s direction. “Hello,” he said, crouching down in front of him, “My name’s Elijah. I doubt you remember me though, you were only three when I visited!”
“I think I remember you,” Edmund, who seemed to have taken an immediate liking to this cheery and jocular cousin of his, replied confidently. “You put a spider in Mary’s hair and hid her favorite doll in the azalea bushes.”
Laughing heartily, Elijah turned to Mary with a mischievous smile. “I did, didn’t I? And if I remember correctly, I never adequately apologized for the said transgressions. If you will allow me,” and he bowed gallantly, “I will make amend as I best I can for that incivility tomorrow.”
Almost against her will Mary found her self laughing. With a gracious curtsy, she accepted his offer.
“And now,” their grandmother smiled, I think you all really must go to bed and get some rest. You’re almost fainting from lack of sleep!”

Later, snuggly tucked under a light blanket in a small, pretty quest room on the second storey, Mary pondered the day’s events. Edmund and her mother were sharing the room next to hers, and for a few minutes she had heard Edmund’s happy chatter before he drifted off to sleep. She wondered if her mother was still awake.

She liked Elijah. He seemed friendly and nice. He’s my cousin, she thought happily. She liked the idea of having cousins. Maybe, she pondered, maybe I’m going to like it here. She couldn’t help but laugh a little at her fickleness. Only an hour ago I hated everything about moving here, and now…

She lay in silence for a few moments longer, thinking of her father. How she wished she could talk to him. She wanted so badly to hear his voice, to have him there to speak his words of wisdom to her, to understand her like no one else could. Her heart ached with a longing too great to bear. Tears filled up in her eyes. She angrily brushed them away. Why do I always have to be so weak? she thought angrily. Why can’t I be like Mother? She’s so brave… She doesn’t even miss him. A sob escaped Mary’s throat, and tears rolled down her cheeks. Doesn’t even miss him…