Three Stories by Elizabeth Dobis

Friends

Up and up the tall muddy brick walls climbed. The windows scattered every few feet made many eyes as they stared back at her. A young girl of slim build and auburn hair was standing in front of the massive stone building. To Tabby, the three stories of the brick school seemed to reach the stars. Right in front of her there were two doors that added a mouth of what she deemed a monster.

As she entered the doors, she stepped into an alien world. All around there were people and brightly colored signs. Everyone was speaking a language that she didn't understand. They were walking down the halls pointing and staring. She felt so alone. On the signs Tabby saw the words "School Dance Friday." "I wonder what that means," she thought. "What is a dance anyway?"

Having just moved in with her godparents in America, Tabby, who was originally from Germany, was having trouble adjusting to the English language. Tabby's parents had died in a fire and she had been brought to America, not knowing a single word of English. Her godparents were really kind. They were trying to help Tabby learn the English language. Her godmother had given her a slip that said "office." Tabby was supposed to go to the "office" place and recite the words her godmother had painstakingly taught her. Even though she was utterly terrified, Tabby opened the door to the "office." She stepped up to the plump secretary who was wearing a read and white polka-dot dress that clashed with her violet hair. Tabby mumbled in a quiet voice layered with a heavy German accent, "Hello. I am Tabby Behr. I'm new here."

The secretary told Tabby to, "Sit down over there," as she pointed to some chairs by the spackled cream wall. Then the secretary pushed herself out of the plush office chair. She turned adjusted her underwear, and started toward the back of the office.

As Tabby sat waiting, she looked around the office. Many of the objects that reached her sight were familiar, but she had no idea what the English words were for them. While Tabby was listing through the possibilities of what "alarm" could mean, the secretary came back into the area were Tabby was waiting. The secretary beckoned with a pudgy finger saying, "Come here and follow me." Tabby obediently followed the secretary down the darkening hall. At the end the secretary pushed open a door, letting a ray of light fall into the dusky hall. "Go in there," the secretary said motioning into the door.

The light blinded Tabby after the dark hallway. It took just a few moments for her eyes to adjust, but when they did, she beheld a medium weighted gentleman with a portly belly wearing a gray tweed suit, pink dress-shirt, and a sky blue tie. He pointed to the chair in front of his desk and said, "Sit." As Tabby sat there the man introduced himself. "I am Mr. Wimbledon, the principal of this school. What is your name?" "I am Tabby Behr. I am new here," Tabby replied in her heavily accented English. "Tabby," Mr. Wimbledon addressed her, "I will be placing you in a class, and since you evidently don't know much English, I suggest you get a tutor." Then he pressed a button and said, "Miss Bunches, please come and take our new student to her class."

In a few moments Miss Bunches was standing at the door beckoning Tabby and grumpily saying, "Follow me Miss Beer." Tabby thought this pronunciation of her name was very funny, but she was too afraid to say anything. As Tabby followed Miss Bunches down the halls, the secretary's heals clicked stonily on the tile floors and every now and then a pudgy arm would reach behind and adjust Miss Bunches's underwear. Finally they reached the classroom. Miss Bunches pushed Tabby into the room and said to the teacher, "Mr. Mango, here is a new student. Her name is Tabby Beer, and she is from Germany." As soon as this statement was completed, Miss Bunches turned and waddled back to the office down the abandoned hallways.

Standing alone in front of the class Tabby felt even more alone, awkward, and scared than she had felt before. Mr. Mango introduced her to the class and offhandedly commented, "Sit in the back there," while pointing to the only empty seat in the room.

A few minutes latter, the student next to Tabby leaned over towards her. "Hello," he said in whispered German. "Do you need some help with your English? I can help you after school if you want." "Thank you!" Tabby whispered as loudly as she could without the teacher noticing. "I would love that." At that moment Tabby didn't feel quite so alone. She had found a place in the strange and alien world.

Tears

She sat alone in the dusky room. She was resisting it, holding it back. It wouldn't be stopped. One drop. Another. They gently rolled down her silky smooth cheek. Faster. Faster they flowed streaming into a river that left her cheek and dropped onto the cold cement floor. They pooled there in a pitiful salty lake. As she looked at the faded picture in her hand, she sighed.

The Son

January 16, 1899
It was a cold day today, but our little family has enough love to warm all of us. I just found out that I am pregnant. My husband James and I are ecstatic. While I wait for the new addition to our family, I am going to sew, crochet, quilt, and decorate. James is busy making a cradle, rocking chair, and anything else he can think of for our child. He's even adding on to our house!

August 12, 1899
The long day came. Actually it wasn't just one day, it was more like two and felt like an eternity. The contractions started at 4:30 Thursday morning. They lasted all day and through the next night. I couldn't sleep for the pain and James couldn't because he was too anxious. Finally, after 40 hours of labor, my beautiful son Charles William was born. He had his father's beautiful sky blue eyes and a little, curly tuft of silky auburn hair on his head. It was a wonderful feeling.

May 21, 1900
Charlie said his first word today. It was at supper. His father was so proud. "Da, Da, Dada!" Charlie shouted in his baby voice. I could tell he was proud of his accomplishment. I know that I should be happy for James because Charlie said his name first, but I just can't help wishing his first word would have been "Mama."

September 6, 1900
It happened! I can't believe it! Charlie just took his first step. He walked straight from my arms to his father's. My little baby is growing up so quickly. Soon he'll start helping his father with the chores, and I will be deprived of my little ball of sunshine and joy.

September 13, 1905
Charlie started school today. I dressed him in his best outfit, and his father walked him to school. Charlie was so happy because he had a shinny new tin pail and new books. I hope he has a wonderful first day, but I feel so lonely. Now I only have James to comfort me and he is working in the fields all day. I guess I'll have more free time to catch up on my reading and crocheting.

December 16, 1910
Charlie broke his arm today. He was out sledding on the giant hill that leads to the pond. I told him never to sled there. Thank God Charlie wasn't seriously injured. His sled was torn to bits. There were little pieces of wood scattered all across the snow and ice. He will have to stay home with me for a couple of weeks because he can't do schoolwork with a broken arm.

May 5, 1916
Charlie graduated today. I can't believe it. My son is leaving me to go to college. He is going to Maine. I don't know what he will do there, but when Charlie told James that he didn't want to be a farmer there was a huge argument. They both stormed off to opposite sides of the house and didn't talk to each other for days!

April 12, 1917
Today. Today something horrible happened. Today the United States of America declared WAR on Germany and the Axis Powers. Charlie has been drafted. He's been DRAFTED! What's going to happen to him? What? I am so worried for what the future will bring. Charlie could be captured, wounded, or worse, killed. What am I going to do?

June 6, 1917
He left. He left me here and went to basic training. It was so hard to say goodbye. I have no other children, just my beloved husband. Nothing, NOTHING can happen to him. There will be an empty void in my heart that can NEVER be filled. My poor baby!

October 30, 1918
Lily wanted me to write this for her. When the telegram came a couple of days ago, she called me to the house. A man was waiting there to deliver it personally. His car said "United States Government" on it. It didn't seem like a very good sign to me. Lily invited him in for tea. He drank a cup and then left. Then she picked up the telegram and read it. I nearly wasn't quick enough to catch her when she fainted. This is the telegram:

To the parents of Charles William Brandon:

Your son died on October 3, 1918. He fought bravely during his time in the army. Just before his death Charles was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He led his troops well in this difficult battle. Thank you for the service of your beloved son.

Yours Truly,
General William Lawrence Clancy

Lily found this telegram heartbreaking. After her collapse and bout of shock, she began to cry. She cried so hard that her entire body was wracked in tears. I did all I could to comfort her, but she wouldn't be calmed. Eventually she dropped off to sleep.
~James

November 5, 1918
James is such a sweetheart. After the news of my baby's horrible death, I broke down. All the anxiety that I had been feeling broke loose. When I fainted, James caught me and carried me to our room. He sat down on the bed and rocked me until I started hiccupping. Then he got up and covered me with a warm quilt, He crawled underneath it to rub my back. James took care of me during my period of mourning. He cooked for me as well as doing his regular farm work.

November 6, 1918
James broke down this evening. We were sitting by the fire. He was reading a newspaper and I was knitting winter socks. All of a sudden, he started sobbing. I walked over to him and tried to comfort him. He loved Charlie as much as I did.

December 25, 1918
We have both gotten used to the death of our son, but he will never be forgotten. It is especially painful today, Christmas. Both James and I will get along using each other for support until we can join Charles again in heaven.