120. Outside Play

Oh you want to go jump on the tramp'line (clap clap).

You want to go sit on the blue swing (clap clap).

You could take a quick ride

On the little green slide.

Just as long as you laugh while you're playing (clap clap).

119. Sick

Sick sucks

Big bucks

118. Fact

The fact I can see it 

The only thing that would 

The only thing that could

The fact I have a great way to live

The fact I have a good life

The only that will

117. The Prince - With the Infirm

Bellamy's servant leaves with my message to Cairos the physician and I return to the party in the study. Ella is still fussing over the unconscious girl. A pile of discarded cloth sits beside her, growing as she peels off another layer of dress from her mistress. I really do not understand how women can carry so much dress. It must get so heavy. Alfred stands behind. I swear he hasn't moved an inch since the girl went down. And the other girl is still screaming. She certainly has good lungs. Bellamy is now on the floor with Ella, pressing a cloth to the girl's brow. 

Ella looks flushed. She seems torn between her two mistresses, her head whips from one to the other as she tries to calm the one and reinvigorate the other. 

I kneel at her side and ask what I can do to help her. 

"Do something for Muriel," she nods her head at the screaming girl as a tear runs down her cheek. "Please. I can't think with her like that. I don't know what's wrong. I don't know what to do."

I place my hand on hers to steady her.

"She'll be okay. Your physician will come."

I call to Alfred, but he doesn't respond. He just stares at the girl on the floor. I stand in front of his face and shake his shoulders a little. His eyes quiver and he finally focuses on me. "Huh?" He says, dazed. 

"Alfred, are you okay?" I'm this crisis I know I shouldn't find humor, but I can't help myself. Alfred can handle crowds of hundred of people. He can tell my father that he is wrong. He can wrestle a bear away from his friends. But put him in front of a sick girl and the man is useless.

He shakes himself a little and nods and I know my friend is back.

"What? What do I..." He doesn't finish his question, but closes his eyes, as if trying to collect himself. 

Poor Alfred. "Take Lady Muriel away. Find a housekeeper or a maid to care for her. Then find the Duke. Thank him for his services and let him know he has done well. He need not continue his search any longer."

His eyes snap open. "It's her?" 

I grin at him in spite of myself. "It's her."

Alfred let's out a cry of delight that startles everyone in the room. Even Lady Muriel stops screaming and looks at Alfred with horror.

He blushes scarlet and bows to Ella. "Miss Ella, I'm so glad to have met you," she nods a little uncertainly as a small smile creeps across her beautiful face. She is so lovely. 

Alfred takes the lady away and the room grows still. Bellamy excuses himself. "I must have some fresh linens should the physician require them," he says before disappearing with a wink at me. 

The only sound is the labored breathing of the girl on the floor.

"What do we do now?" I ask Ella. I am so glad to finally know her name.

"We wait," she replies. She looks at her mistress with such concern and care, I imagine they must be great friends.

I sit beside her on the floor and watch he stroke her mistress's hair. "You must love her a great deal," I say. "How long have you been in her service?" I want to know everything I can about her.

She doesn't answer right away, which surprises me. Her hand has stilled on the lady's hair. 

"I'm sorry," I say a bit confused. "I don't mean to pry. You don't have to answer."

"Since Sir Eccles disappeared," she whispers. 

I remember when that happened. Sir Eccles was one of the most learned men in the country. Suddenly her knowledge makes sense. He would have taught his servants to read and write. He believed in sharing knowledge. Perhaps his wife had shared his values and taught Ella when she joined the household.

"That was three years ago, wasn't it?" I ask.

"Nearly four." Her eyes are shining. Tears? Can she have met him before he disappeared? "Has the family heard what happened to him? I know my father sent a search party initially, but he could not spare his men for long." 

"No," she says simply. "We never heard anything."

I had been one of the party. We had searched for two weeks before being called back to defend against a southern invasion. It was my first time leading the guard and I'd felt like a failure when we returned to the estate to tell his wife we had been unsuccessful. She took the news well, but the little girl with her, I suppose now that must have been Lady Denise, had sobbed uncontrollably. I wanted to go right back out again and find him. I thought I couldn't be a good Prince to a country if I couldn't find one man. But Alfred's father, my second that day, had convinced me we must follow the king's orders and return to the palace.

"She must miss him terribly," I say at length, indicating her mistress. 

She scoffs and I am taken by surprise. "Hardly," she says. For the first time, I hear what I think may be anger in her voice. "She never cared about him. She never really got the chance. But I don't think Muriel or her mother would have allowed her to."

Not allowed her to? How could she not care for her own father? She can't have been that young when he disappeared. I try to figure this out in my head, but I just can't figure out what she means. 

"I don't understand," I finally admit. "Was she sent away to school? I spent most of my childhood visiting foreign courts, but I love my father deeply. I will miss him terribly when he's gone."

"When he's gone?" She looks up at me quickly and I know she heard the catch in my voice. 

I consider carrying on the pretense that most of the kingdom believes, but if she is to be my wife, and I so hope she will accept, than I cannot lie to her. "Within the year, we expect."

This time she places her hand in mine and I never want her to let go. It is the first time I've admitted out loud that my father is dying. Why it makes a difference I don't know but I suddenly feel the weight of the kingdom on my shoulders like I never have before. 

"I am so sorry," she says as if she could feel my loss. 

Her mistress stirred beneath her touch and Ella changed her warm cloth for a fresh, cool one. 

"I still have time," I say, pushing back the fears and sadness that had come up so suddenly. "But if you didn't start working at Sir Eccles' estate until after he disappeared, and she doesn't miss him, why does talking about him make you sad? Did your father work for him? I know he was a great scholar and you have admitted your love of learning to me. Did he teach you as a child?" She laughs a sad little laugh and I realize I have asked too many questions without letting her answer.

"I'm sorry," I laugh with her. "I ramble on and on when I'm nervous. I guess I'm a little worried I'll turn around and you'll be gone again." I laugh nervously at myself, hoping she doesn't think I'm a lunatic. 

"The physician comes!" The Viscount bounced through the door and Ella takes her hand away from me. I know she must tend to her mistress but I silently curse the awkward timing.

"Come," I wave the old man in and move aside to give him space. He pushes past me and feels the girl's cheeks.

"Fever," he mutters to himself. "Rapid pulse. Labored breathing. Infection. But where? She just fainted? Did she eat or drink anything? She has had any recent cuts, Ella?" 

She shakes her head. "Not that I've seen in the last few days. She seemed fine this morning. A little tired from dancing so late last night, but nothing out of the ordinary. When we arrived here she was quiet and pale and then she lost consciousness."

He pokes her throat and stomach and I begin to feel a little uncomfortable so I step away from the physician and take the Viscount's vacated seat by the lady's feet. 

Cairos continues drilling Ella for information. "When was the last time she ate? What did she have?"

"I suppose sometime last night at the ball. She may have had something after I left. I don't know. I wasn't supposed to be there, so when Muriel unmasked the prince..."

I start up, realization hitting me. "Muriel? It was Lady Muriel last night who chased you away. Lady Muriel..." I can't finish as I drop to my knees and pull on the lady's shoe. The leather is wet to the touch and I pull my hand away. Red. I rip at the lacing but my fingers are shaking with fear and rage. This is exactly why I didn't want anyone knowing I was connected with the glass slipper.

"Your Highness, what is it?" I hear the physician ask. 

"Her foot. How does contraption work?" I throw my hands in the air in frustration and Ella comes to my aid. 

"Let me," she says, gently taking the laces from my hands and unwinding the long strings. 

"Bellamy," I say, looking at the grim Viscount, "I think your study has been compromised." 

Ella's fingers stop and she looks up at me with understanding. "Oh no." She says simply. Her fingers fly and she rips the boot from her lady's foot. "Oh Denise. No." She pulls at the black stocking and I can hear the drip as the soaked garment is flung aside. 

Her foot is wrapped in a thin red bandage. It is not how a foot should look. I close my eyes against the grotesque sight in front of me and I gladly take the physcian's orders to fetch hot water and fresh bandages. As I leave the room I hear Ella whisper. "Oh, Madame. What have you done?"

116. The Cycle of Pride

From the days when we're good and we're faithful

To the days when we're really bad.

There's more to learn. We can give. We can burn,

If we follow every fad.

When we're good and we think we are better

Then others, we will fall in our sin. 

Then we must repent. The Lord's Spirit he'll send.

Then we can rise up once again.

It's the Cycle of Pride

And it moves us all

Through despair and hope

Through faith and love

Til we find our place

On the path continuous

In the Cycle

The Cycle of Pride

115. Stoplight

Green says Go

Red says No

And Yellow says Slow Down

114. Anniversary

One year ago today 

We saw a baseball game.

The Kiss Cam came.

We kissed. No shame,

One year ago today.

Two years ago today

We got a bite to eat.

The sounds of feet

Were gone complete

Two years ago today.

Three years ago today

We went to Old Salt Lake

We took a break.

We ate some cake 

Three years ago today.

Four years ago today

We sat in hottub steam.

The stars' bright gleam

Was like a dream

Four years ago today.

Five years ago today

I married my best friend.

The love we send

Will never end.

It grows more day to day.

113. Baby Talk

Curzy cots and diddle dums

And liffy lolly loos.

Muppin moks and piddle poks

And gesster geester goo.

Shlippy shlops and restim rops

And eckle icky arps.

But best of all is mamamoo

And buhjibuhjibuhboo.

112. Saurus Wars

Ankylosaurus, Brontosaurus, 

Stegosaurus drops.

Tyrannosaurus, Carnotaurus, 

Allosaurus hops.

Zephyrosaurus, Kentrosaurus

Spinosaurus pops.

Dilophosaurus, Centrosaurus

Hadrosaurus flops.

Styracosaurus, Seismosaurus,

Segisaurus stops.

Carythosaurus, Torvosaurus,

Supersaurus crops.

But the Dino that beats all of us:

The great Triceratops.

111. Siblings

Thomas had a sailboat.

Thomas had a train.

Thomas liked to sail the sailboat 

in the pouring rain.

Janey saw a lion.

Janey saw a lamb.

Janey heard the lion roar

and run across the land.

Thomas feared the darkness.

Janey had a light.

Janey helped her little brother

make it through the night.

110. Imagination

Could it be that just another arrow has fallen to the ground?

Could it be that golden drops of sun shine all around?

Could it be that dragons and fell fairies us surround?

Could it be that thunder laughs as we are tightly bound?

Nothing could be greater than a heart with pure love struck.

Nothing could be brighter than a morning filled with luck.

Nothing could be nobler than a saint who will not duck.

Nothing could be grander than hero come unstuck.

109. Off To War

Daddy went to war last year.

Daddy went to war.

They called him when the foe came up.

He went because we're poor.

Daddy went to war last year.

Daddy went to war.

We used to throw a ball around.

We had fun galore.

Daddy went to war last year.

Daddy went to war.

Mommy cried and waved goodbye

As he sailed from the shore.

Daddy went to war last year.

Daddy went to war.

He went to fight the Israelites.

He went to settle a score.

Daddy went to war last year.

Daddy went to war.

He was the champion of our men.

He gave them hope and more.

Daddy went to war last year.

Daddy went to war.

David hit him with a stone.

He knocked him to the floor.

Daddy went to war last year.

Daddy went to war.

But he won't come back home again.

I'll see him never more.

108. Alphabet Baby

A is for Apple Slices. I'll eat them all day.

B is for Boy. I just like to play.

C is for Cars I race on the floor.

D is for Doorstops: for more than the door.

E is for Elephant, my favorite animal.

F is for Fuzzy and Flavor and Full.

G is for Giggle, my dad is so funny.

H is for Hop. I can act like a bunny.

I is for Imagine. Let's play make believe.

J is for Jungle. You can't ever leave.

K is for Kite. It flies in the air.

L is for Lullabies while you brush my hair.

M is for Monsters that roar what they're saying.

N is for Nap so I can keep playing.

O is for Oodles and Oodles of fun.

P is for Playing. I'll never be done.

Q is for Quiet, which I try hard to be.

R is for Running when you finally set me free.

S is for Shy when you take me around strangers.

T is for Tantrums which put us in danger.

U is for Underwear I wear on my head.

V is for Vroom like the trucks on my bed.

W is for Wild. I can't be bound.

X is for Xylophone I bang to make sound.

Y is for Yawns. They're coming too fast.

Z is for Zzzs. Asleep at last.

107. Feeling Like A Princess

Feeling like a princess

Crown as pure as gold

Cape as red as raspberries

Keeps me from the cold

Feeling like a princess

Rich as rich can be

Ruling from my cushy throne

All are watching me

Feeling like a princess

The power is all mine

My kingdom is the world I rule 

In my home divine

106. Thunder Storm

Sleepy snuggles. Weepy cuddles.

Lying with my babes.

Rain and thunder. Lightning crash.

Moments I should save.

105. Pink and Me

Pink dresses

Pink tights

Pink pillows

Pink kites

Pink teddys

Pink hairs

Pink crayons

Pink chairs

Pink Barbies

Pink dolls

Pink tutus

Pink walls

Pink blankets

Pink pails

Pink shoes

Pink nails

Pink and me

We love each other

Mom feels bad 

For little brother 

104. Rain Baby

Rain baby, rain baby, please make it rain.

Let the droplets fall.

The sky is crying from sadness or joy.

The rain will wash away all.

Rain baby, rain baby, please make it rain

It can be hard or light 

My soul needs lifting, my burdens removed.

Rain makes everything right.

Rain baby, rain baby, please make it rain.

Release my every care.

Greet me with your gentle kiss,

Your sweetness fills the air.

Rain baby, rain baby, please make it rain.

I'll see you round the bend.

Your comfort brings me all I need.

You'll see me to the end.

103. The First Stepsister - A Scientific Study

What a grand house this is! The Viscount of Bellamy is surely very rich. I know he is a fool, but he must command power with  this kind of wealth. Perhaps he could be persuaded to fall in love with Denise. With the Viscount as our brother, my dear Edmond and I would be unstoppable! 

We are shown up to the Viscount's sitting room and he greets us with wide open arms and the silliest smile I've ever seen on a grown man. You would think we were his dearest relatives. He even bounces on his feet like a schoolboy. "My ladies, welcome to my home. I am Sir John Porpington, Viscount of Bellamy. I am so pleased that you are so willing to participate in my study. Please, for my records, what may I call you?"

Foolish or not, he is rich, and so I must treat him as if he were my superior. It falls me to do so to this childish man. "Your Grace, I am Lady Muriel Fawcett, this is my sister, Lady Denise Fawcett." He looks at me expectantly and I grit my teeth. What an insult to have to introduce that dirty rag of a girl. "And that is our maid, Cinderella." He leads us to a grouping of chairs, one lone and high-backed, facing three cushioned. He sits in the lone chair and indicates that we should take the others. How dare he expect me to sit with Cinderella! I am beginning to lose my patience with this fellow. "She can stand. Our maids do not sit with us, sir." I respond.

Without even looking at me he says "We are all equal in science. Please, Cinderella, have a seat."

The little runt smirks at me like she's better than the queen herself and sits down on the other side of Denise. If the Viscount weren't here I would slap that smile right off. For now I content myself with planning the punishment she'll receive when we return home. Perhaps Mother will finally turn her out of the house like she should have ages ago.

"Please, sir, my name is Ella." She  contradicts me. She hasn't done that in years. "I know it is probably irrelevant to your study, but my father always told me that you have to be as accurate as possible with science." Science? What does Ella the Cindermaid know about science? Or her father? He abandoned us ages ago.

"Your father was a man of science, was he?" the Viscount asks her. He seems to have completely forgotten that two ladies sit here in the room with him.

"Yes, sir."

"Very well, Miss Ella. Thank you." He writes something on a little notepad. I don't think he would do very well for Denise after all. He wouldn't appreciate the value of a wife of such high birth.

Our father was a baron before he died, after all. That is nothing to scoff at. We are no lowly commoners. 

What does this boring man have to do with Edmond? I had hoped to see him by now. As if summoned by my very thoughts, a young man appears before us . I hadn't realized there was another entrance to this room. He is not my Edmond, but he is mighty handsome. And so tall. I feel as if I recognize him, but I cannot say why.

"Sir," he presents himself very well. I wonder how it would feel if his strong ss were wrapped around my waist. I shiver at the thrilling thought. "Can I bring you anything, sir?" he asks. His voice is very heavenly.

"No, thank you," the Viscount answers. A pity. I could use someone pleasant to look at while I am kept from my dear Edmond. 

"Are you sure, sir? Nothing at all I can do for you?" he repeats. Surely he desires my company. I look so well today, what man could resist my pull? He flushes and I know his thoughts must mirror my own.

The Viscount sets down his stylus and looks the young man over. "Actually, I could use you." Blessed Viscount. "Yes. As a contrast to these ladies. Come and join us." He stands directly in front of me and I can feel my cheeks burn as the Viscount introduces us. "This is Lady Muriel, Lady Denise, and Ella." The young man bows to each of us in turn, even Ella. He is so well-mannered. I am glad to finally have a kindred spirit in this house.

"I see your blue-eyed theory is disrupted, sir," he says with a little flirtatious smile.   "Lady Muriel has some of the darkest eyes I've ever seen." I am sure my cheeks are scarlet. 

"Who is your friend?" I ask the Viscount in my most charming tone. I can be really quite alluring when I want.

He answered me himself. "I am Denning, Sir John's valet." A valet? How dare he flirt with me? What pretension. What falseness! I knew he was a scoundrel the minute he clumsily fell through that door. I will see to it that my dear Edmond heard of his audacity once we are wed. He will see to it my honor is not besmirched by this nobody.

Perhaps he has realized his place, for his attention is on little Cinders now. 

"Miss Ella. You look familiar." He says. Familiar? How could she be? She hasn't left our estate since that man abandoned us. And he's certainly never been to our home before.

Now she is fluttering all over Denise. My sister has no ambition in life. She does not understand the necessity to marry well. It will be her undoing some day.

What is the matter with her? She is probably still pouring about Mother helping her to get this far. I don't know what she is so unhappy about. She cut my foot, too. And yet I am here, ready to meet my prince.

Denise's eyelids flutter and she falls off her chair. She is unconscious. What will Edmond think? Denise will ruin us.

I scream.

102. I, Sariah

 As a mother of four teenage boys, I thought I was prepared for anything. My boys had very different personalities. The older two, Laman and Lemuel, were rowdy boys. My third, Sam, was shy. He preferred to stay in the home with me. He was always gentle and sweet. After him was Nephi. He took after his father in every way. Each morning they would sit down together and pray. Then they would study the words of our Fathers. My husband, Lehi, would go into the city and teach the people what he had learned. Lehi was always teaching. It was his passion and his calling. Nephi would often go with him to watch and to learn.

We had a good life. It was simple, but pleasant. We had no needs they we couldn't take care of. Laman, Lemuel, and Nephi were all apprenticed to good masters and Sam helped care for our animals.

That was our life until my husband had a strange dream. He felt convinced that we needed to leave our home, our city, and our country. We needed to leave our world behind, or we would be destroyed with. Unrest was growing in Jerusalem. Our people were ignoring the words of the Lord. Threats had been made to many of the teachers and prophets. 

I didn't know if the Lord sent Lehi the dream or if it came from his own suppressed fears, but I didn't argue when he said we should find a new home. I imagined he meant we should go to Sheersheba, Bethel, or Moab. I assumed we would stay at inns or as visitors with relatives. I didn't expect the desert.

Lehi was my husband. We were one. So I went with him. We gathered our family, or livestock, food, our tents. We took supplies for our journey and no more. 

It was difficult to hear Laman and Lemuel complain about the journey. They wanted to know where we were going and I had no answer. They wanted to know why they had to leave their friends and I had no answer. They wanted to know when they would return and I had no answer. I was their mother. I was supposed to have every answer. But I had no answers.

And still I followed Lehi.

For days we travelled further and further away from Jerusalem. And then Lehi had another dream. The boys had to go back. They had to go back for the records of our fathers. Nephi went without question. Sam -- steady Sam -- did what was asked of him. Laman quarreled. Why didn't we get the records before we left? Why couldn't Lehi see we would need them? I felt those questions burning in my heart, but I would not question Lehi in front of our sons. We were their parents. They should never see us divided. And so the boys left.

They were gone for too long. My boys had been killed. I knew it. I was angry and confused and heartbroken. My babies, the joys of my life, had been sent on a fool's errand. My husband was crazy. He didn't know where he was going any more than I did. He had let his fears lead us into the bitterest of trials, and now my boys were dead. Shame on me. What a fool I was for following him blindly. 

With my boys gone, I expressed my fear and my anger to Lehi. I wept and I cursed him. I told him he was a fool and he had sent our sons to their deaths. He let me speak evil of him. He let me scream til my throat burned with the agony of my anger. And then he held me and wept with me until I could cry no more.

When I was quiet again he stroked my hair and whispered to me: The Lord was with us. 

Our sons returned. All four of them were alive and well. They had the records of our fathers. With the Lord's guidance, they had retrieved the records and found their way back to us. They had followed the Lord's directions as Lehi had explained them, and they were back.

I prayed with thanks more fervently that day than I ever had before. Though I had not seen the visions that my husband had, though I had not heard the words or felt the urges that he did, I could see and feel the blessings of the Lord's hand. I knew that we were being led by the Lord.

I knew that He loved me.

101. Farm Sounds

Bark bark cluck cluck

Cockadoodle doo

Oink oink baa baa

Moo moo moo

Ribbit ribbit quack quack

Neigh neigh neigh

Woof woof eheheh

Bray bray bray

Snort snort squawk squawk 

Bow wow wow

Cheep cheep heehaw

Meow meow meow

100. The Prince - A Scientific Study

Ella. I finally had a name. It had to be her. I knew that voice. The gentle soft stir in the wind. It must be her. And if her father taught her about science, why not history, diplomacy, politics? It made so much sense. Could Alfred get her to say more? I had to know for sure before I revealed myself. 

One of them screamed and the Viscount called for a servant. I couldn't help myself any longer. I peered through the small crack between the door and the wall. Someone was on the floor. I could not simply stand by and watch if someone needed help.

I came around the door and joined Alfred's side. He stood like a statue, rooted to the spot, staring down at the commotion. Bellamy and the maid fussed over one of the sisters. The other was still screaming. I knelt by the maid and asked what I could do. My heart skipped a beat when she looked up at me. I knew those eyes. It had to be her.

Then she spoke. "She's hot. Too hot. We need to cool her down. I need water and clothes to wet her brow. And I need to loosen her clothes to help her breathe. Sir John, can you help me turn her?"

I remembered a basin and a pitcher in the side parlor. As I rose to fetch them she called, "Your Highness." I turned back to her. "Could you send someone for Cairos? He has a cottage by the river, near The Stag's Horn Inn." Cairos. The physician who had a cure to our plague. So it was her. "I will, Miss."

"Ella," she supplied.

"Ella." 

99. Alfred - A Scientific Study

"Three more girls are on their way, Ed," I said, folding up the Duke's note. "Did your lady ever mention having a sister?"

Edmond didn't look away from the fire when he answered. "She mentioned only her mother. I suppose she could have sisters. I didn't mention Kate or Mary. Part of the problem of keeping your identity hidden is not being able to ask any questions that can be turned around on you. Why was I so foolish?" 

Not for the first time I answered, "You didn't know." It was all I could say anymore. We'd had the conversation a hundred times, it seemed. I'd never seen Edmond so dejected. He was always hopeful. Now he just seemed lost. "We'll find her."

He nodded absently. "We'll find her."

The door opened and the Viscount of Bellamy bounced through. "Is it true? Three from one house? By golly, this makes things interesting indeed. I wonder what their parents' feet are like. I don't suppose we could send someone to fetch them as well? No, no, of course not. I know. I'll focus on your problem, today, not mine. But it is most intriguing. I'm so glad you've allowed me to be part of this. I never would have thought of studying women's feet before. You've opened up so many questions for me. Have you noticed that they've all had blue eyes so far? No? I'm sure it's just a coincidence, but I am eager to see whether these three will follow that pattern. I can't really see how feet and eyes are related, can you?"

He waited expectantly for my answer, as if I actually knew what he was talking about. People never gave Bellamy enough credit. He was eccentric, yes, but he was really quite clever. Who else would even think to compare the ladies' eye color when conducting a study on feet? I certainly hadn't. "No, sir," I answered. "I can't see the relation there."

"No matter. We'll see soon enough. And there's plenty of time to make a new study of it if need be. Ah, Your Highness, here they come. Would you like to take a look? I don't think they would be able to see you from down there. Oh they are lovely ladies."

"No, thank you," said Edmond, rising from his seat at last. "It wouldn't help. Time to go into hiding again." 

I nodded to the Viscount and followed Edmond once again into our little side room, leaving the door ajar. I didn't bother trying to fill the silence. Edmond was too involved in his own thoughts to pay attention to me. But I didn't mind. I knew it was rudeness to me. He just wanted to find his love.

The door to the outer room opened and I could hear the rustle of skirts before Bellamy began his interview. "My ladies, welcome to my home. I am Sir John Porpington, Viscount of Bellamy. I am so pleased that you are so willing to participate in my study. Please, for my records, what may I call you?"

An overly sweet voice answered "Your Grace, I am Lady Muriel Fawcett, this is my sister, Lady Denise Fawcett. And that is our maid, Cinderella." Bellamy must have motioned for them to sit down, because the voice continued, "She can stand. Our maids do not sit with us, sir."

I crossed Lady Muriel off of my mental list. There was no way this woman was the same girl that had helped a page pick up a tray of minced meats he had dropped. I looked to Edmond for confirmation and he shook his head.

Bellamy responded. "We are all equal in science. Please, Cinderella, have a seat."

"Please, sir, my name is Ella." Edmond stood abruptly as the girl continued. "I know it is probably irrelevant to your study, but my father always told me that you have to be as accurate as possible with science." 

"Your father was a man of science, was he?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well, Miss Ella. Thank you."

Edmond beckoned me to him and whispered in my ear. "Go out there. Talk to them. See if it's her. Go. Go. Go." He pushed me out the door before I could even respond.

"Uh, umm, sir," I stuttered, trying to come up with some excuse for my sudden arrival. I bowed, "Can I bring you anything, sir?" 

"No, thank you," Bellamy replied, confused.

"Are you sure, sir? Nothing at all I can do for you?" I tried to express my intent to join him without words and he seemed to catch my meaning.

"Actually, I could use you. Yes. As a contrast to these ladies. Come and join us." As I joined his side, he began the introductions. "This is Lady Muriel, Lady Denise, and Ella," he pointed them out as he said their names and I bowed to each in turn. 

"I see your blue-eyed theory is disrupted, sir," I tried to hide a smile at the Viscount's sudden turn of countenance. "Lady Muriel has some of the darkest eyes I've ever seen." She blushed and batted her eyes at me as if I had given her the greatest compliment in the world.

"Who is your friend?" She asked Bellamy coquettishly.

Not sure how he would answer, I introduced myself. "I am Denning, Sir John's valet." Her coy demeanor dropped instantly and she looked out the window. 

Her sister had the same dark and heavy features, though less haughtily carried. She looked about ready to faint. "A pleasure to meet you, Lady Denise," I waited politely for her to respond but she said nothing. She smiled a little but it looked more like a grimace than a greeting.

I turned my attention to the smallest of the three. It was she I had been sent out to assess, but she wasn't looking at me. She was focused entirely on her mistress. She was small and frail-looking. She had a similar build as Edmond's lady, but it was hard to be sure while she sat. And the dress she wore hung so loosely around her. I didn't know what answer to give Edmond when I returned to him. 

"Miss Ella. You look familiar. Have we..."

I started but was interrupted by her.

"Denise, are you alright? Do you feel well?" She put her hand to the lady's face. "You're burning up. Denise, can you hear me?" Lady Denise turned her face toward Ella, but before she could utter a word, her strength left her and she slipped to the floor, unconscious. 

Lady Muriel screamed. Ella dropped to the floor beside Lady Denise. The Viscount called for a servant. I just stood there.

98. Love Life

Giggles and goats

Bickers and boats

Knickers and notes

Kickers and coats

Achoos and chores

Abrupts and bores

Asures and snores

Gimmes and mores

Tykes and trikes

Boys and bikes

Loathes and likes

Hornets and hikes

Digs and disses

Bribes and blisses

Hugs and kisses

Mister and Missus

97. Ice Cream

Ice cream to eat

Ice cream so sweet

Ice cream for me

Ice cream for free

Cake is fluffy

Cake is puffy

Cake is hot

Ice cream's not 

96. Pickles

Pickles pickles everywhere

In my eyes and in my hair,

On my fingers, on my toes

In my mouth, and up my nose.

Pickles sticking out my ears,

I'm a mess, but have no fears.

Pickle juice is on my legs.

Tastes so good. Now I want eggs.

95. This Is The Morn

This is the morn 

We celebrate.

That day was bright

That day was great

This is the morn 

the Savior spoke

To Mary when 

He first awoke

This is the morn

Disciples ran

They cried his name

He rose again

This is the morn 

so long ago

He left the tomb 

Of that I know

This is the morn

Oh, come, adore

Remember Him

He lives once more

94. Alien

Although I am not from here

Loving still to me is dear

In all the worlds it's more than fear

Enough for any lukewarm seer

Nothing stops 

93. Shoes

Shod, the way we sit on you.

Safe, the way we protect you.

Sound, the way we muffle you.

Soft, the way we feel to you.

Sure, the way we comfort you.

Sad, the way we're without you.

92. Cinderbella and the Glass Boot

 Cinderbella lived on a little farm on the outskirts of a small town in Texas. She loved all the animals and they loved her. Every day she woke up early in the morning, cooked breakfast for her  Stepmother and two stepsisters, and take care of the farm. She fed the horses  and the sheep, collected the chickens' eggs, milked the cow, and made sure the pigs had fresh mud to play in. Then she went back inside and cleaned the farmhouse.

 Cinderbella's stepsisters were lazy girls. They didn't care about the farm. All day long, Cinderbella's stepsisters sat in front of the mirror brushing their eye and making themselves look pretty so the Cowboys in town would like them.

 Whenever Cinderbella had a little extra time, she would practice throwing her lasso. Cinderbella dreamed of being a world-class rodeo queen. She knew that if she ever got the chance, she'd be the best cowgirl in the county.

 One day Cinderbella's stepsisters came home from shopping in town and were very excited. The rodeo was coming to town and Charming Joe and the Royal Riders, the richest, most talented cowboys in Texas, were going to give out the awards!

 The stepsisters wanted to win a prize so they could meet Charming Joe. They set to work baking as many pies as they could in the hopes that Charming Jow would like one of them and want to marry them. 

 Cinderbella wanted to meet Charming Joe, too. With his help she could become the greatest cowgirl in the world.

 When the day of the rodeo came, Cinderbella but on her best clothes and joined her family at the wagon. "You can't go to the rodeo in that!" He stepsisters screamed in delight at her tattered shorts and grubby sandals. "What will Charming Joe think if we show up with you?" They pushed her away from the wagon and she fell into the middle of a puddle of mud.

 Her stepmother grabbed the horse's  reins and looked down at her. "Cinderbella, go back to the farmhouse where you belong. There is plenty of work for you to do while we are gone. You cannot go to the rodeo." Then she whipped the horse's reins and they rode away, laughing at Cinderbella's misfortune.

 Cinderbella ran to the hay loft, threw herself down in the hay, and wept. "I wish I could go to the rodeo," she cried.

"So why ain't ya goin'?" A voice said.

 Cinderbella looked up and saw the most beautiful cowgirl she had ever seen, glowing in the dark loft. "Who are you?" She asked.

 "Girl, I am your fairy godmother, of course? If you want to go to the rodeo, why are ya up here cryin' 'stead of goin' to that there rodeo?"

 Cinderella told her fairy godmother about her problems. "I have no way to get there. My stepmother and stepsisters took the wagon. I don't have anything to wear."

 The fairy godmother waved her wand a little in annoyance. "Cinderbella, are you a cowgirl or not? You got to show this county just how good you are. You have a horse down there in this barn. Ride him to the rodeo! As for what to wear, I can help you out." She waved her magic wand and Cinderbella's dirty rags turned into brand new, crisp jeans and a plaid blouse. On her head sat the finest ten gallon hat Cinderbella had ever seen. On her feet, her sandals were replaced by sparkling, glass cowboy boots. 

Cinderbella took a step. "They won't break when I dismount, will they?" She asked.

 "Nah," the fairy waved her off. "They're good and sturdy boots. But be home by midnight or your new clothes will disappear and you'll be back in those rags. And that would just be hard to explain. Now, go show them what ya got."

 Cinderbella thanked her fairy godmother, saddled her horse, and rode off to the rodeo.

 Cinderbella arrived at the rodeo just as the activities were starting. She ate fresh baked pies and raced horses and chased pigs and had a grand time. At 11:00, it was time for the calf-roping. Cinderbella lined up with all the other cowgirls and cowboys who were competing.  Charming Joe was sitting at the top of the area, waiting to give the prize to the fastest person. The line dwindled as each person roped as fast as they could. Finally, it was Cinderbella's turn. 

 Cinderbella and her horse entered the ring. The calf was let loose. And then she jumped. The horse ran. She threw her lasso high and far and caught her calf. She jumped from her horse and tied the calf's legs and threw her hands in the hair. The crowd erupted in cheers. She had the best time of the night. 

 Cinderbella beamed up at Charming Joe. He held her award high and held his hand out to her so she could claim it.

 Just then the clock began to strike the midnight chimes. Cinderbella bolted onto her horse so quickly that one of her glass boots slipped off her foot and fell to the ground. There was no time to waste. She left the boot and galloped toward the entrance. Her horse jumped over the barricade and they exited the arena. As they ran toward the exit gate, her ten gallon hat disappeared. She jumped over a hedge of bushes and disappeared from the road just as her jeans turned back into her tattered shorts and her blouse became her dingy, mud-covered shirt. As she made her way home, Cinderbella was sad she hadn't been able to meet Charming Joe, but she was happy knowing that she had ridden her best and that he had noticed.

 The next morning Cinderbella served her stepmother and stepsisters breakfast as usual. They talked of nothing but the rodeo and the girl with the glass boots.

 "Nobody knows who she was," said her stepmother.

 "We were too far back to see her face," said one stepsister.

 "You were too busy eating," said the other.

 "Whoever she is, Charming Joe wants to find her," her stepmother explained. "She was so good he wants her to join his tour and ride with him."

Cinderbella dropped a plate in surprise. Charming Joe wanted to ride with her. Nothing could make her happier. "How will he ride with her if no one knows who she is?" She asked.

Her stepsisters told her that he was going to take the glass boot around and try it on every girl in the county until he found the girl it fit.

Just as they finished breakfast, they heard the sound of a wagon approaching. It was Charming Joe and the Royal Riders with Charming Joe himself leading the way. The stepsisters squealed with excitement and ran to the door. Cinderbella's stepmother told her bring out as much lemonade as she could carry. 

Cinderbella handed out drinks to all the Royal Riders while her stepsisters tried on the boot. They pushed and they pulled and they punched and they prodded, but they just couldn't get their feet into the sparkling boot. 

 Cinderbella handed Charming Joe a tall glass of lemonade. He smiled his charming smile at her and asked her if he could try the boot on her foot.

 "Cinderbella wasn't at the rodeo!" Her stepsisters wailed. "Do you want some of our pies?"

 "I don't want pie," Charming Joe crooned. "I just want the best darned cattle roper in Texas riding at my side."

 Cinderbella slipped off her sandal and stepped into the glass boot. It was a perfect fit. "I knew it was you the moment I saw you. Will you ride with me Cinderbella? Will you be a Royal Rider?"

"Yeeeeeeeeeeehaw," hollered Cinderbella.

91. Fooled

I came home from school that day and wanted to pass out. The day had been so hot and my teachers had been extra thorough in the homework department. I knew I had lots to do, but I just wanted to take a nap. I went into my bedroom and shut the door before I laid down. I was only there for about five minutes before my older brother Patrick came to find me.

"I'm thinking about making some Ramen and a smoothie. Want some? We can play a card game before I go to work?"

As much as I wanted sleep, food sounded good. And Patrick had been working a lot lately, saving up for college in just a few months. I knew our time was limited, so I gave up the nap and joined him in the kitchen.

Patrick was a smoothie master. Give him a kitchen full of food and spices and he could whip up anything. Cinnamon strawberry delight. Carmel apple kiwi awesomeness. Yummy yogurt surprise. He even once made a meat smoothie, which didn't work so well as a drink but made for a delicious chip dip. Today he had peaches, raspberries, and a whole slew of spices. 

"Why don't you pick a game and set the table," he suggested. "I'll be done with the food in just a minute."

"Okay," I said and I opened the cupboards. I reached for the stack of plastic smoothie cups. It didn't register to me until it was too late that the cups were lip-up. We were a lip-down family. So I was caught totally off-guard when I tipped the cups down and a barrage of water accosted me. I gasped and dropped the cups. To the floor. My hair, face and shoulders were dripping. 

Patrick laughed at me. "April Fool's! Patrick 1: Suzy 0."

"Very funny," I said. I tried to sound annoyed but it was hard to be stern when I was laughing. "At least I'm not hot  anymore." I dried out the cups and set them in the table. 

I went back to the cupboard to get the Ramen bowls. It's amazing how much water can fit into one of those. I was now drenched head to foot. Patrick was in stitches.

"Patrick 2: Suzy 0," I conceded. "How many more?" I asked. Patrick opened all the cupboards and showed me that every dish that could hold water, including the plates, were filled. It says what kind of a family we are that I left them like that for our three other siblings and our parents to find.

Patrick dished the food while I changed into dry clothes. I came back and set the game out. 

We sat down with our Ramen and smoothies and began play. I waited for Patrick to take the first bite. My guard was up and I figured if he had done anything gross with the food, he wouldn't eat it. He took the bite. Nothing. He took a sip. Nothing. I was safe. The ramen was as tasty as I expected. Salty, warm, goodness in a bowl. I played my turn and then took a sip of the smoothie. It was  divine. A rich, yogurty blend of peaches, raspberries, cream, and honey. I was in heaven. 

And then I was in hell.

Or, rather, my mouth felt like it held the fires of hell. Masked in and simultaneously aggravated by the fruity yogurt, was cayenne pepper.

Patrick just smirked. "Patrick 3: Suzy 0."