Millie’s memories continue…
The following week I looked for
Robbie at school. Since I’d never seen
him there I had no idea what halls he used between classes. On Wednesday, Mrs. Boyd asked me to take the attendance
report to the office, and as I passed a classroom I noticed Robbie with his
head down in a book.
I hurried back to my class, but as
soon as the bell rang at the end of the period, I raced toward his classroom. As students started coming out the door, I
pretended I was checking through my papers, and looked up just as Robbie came
out.
“Hi, Robbie,” I said with a big
smile.
“Well, you look a lot better than
you did a week ago!”
“I’m feeling lots better. I must have been in pretty sad shape when you
saw me.” There was something about him
that I liked. “Your mother is so
nice. I want to do something to thank
her. I’d like to buy her something. What would she like?”
“Momma doesn’t expect
anything. She likes helping people.”
“But I’d rather find something that
I know she’d like.” I babysat for 25
cents an hour so it took a long time to earn enough to make a nice purchase. I wanted to spend my money well.
When Robbie saw I was serious he
thought for a minute and said, “She irons for people and her hands get real
dry. Some hand lotion would be
nice.” The bell rang then and we both
ran in opposite directions to our next class.
Friday night I babysat. With that money and some I had saved, I’d
have enough to get some nice hand lotion.
Saturday morning I went to the Five and Dime Store and found a bottle of
Jergens Hand Cream in a gift box.
“Well, Millie, that sure is a nice
bottle of lotion. Are you getting this
for your Mother?” Nothing is done
anonymously in a town the size of New
Castle.
Everyone knows everyone else’s business.
“No, Mrs. Conover. I’m buying it for a friend,” It wasn’t any of her business! At home I wrapped it up with a blue bow and
attached a note,
Thank you, Mrs. Robbins,
for being
so nice to me when I wrecked my bike.
I am much better now.
Millie
Dad was home for the weekend, but
he usually slept on Saturday afternoons.
Mother had paid Mr. Moz to fix my bike, so I was ready to set off.
“Where are you going, Millie?”
Mother asked as I headed out the door.
“For a ride.” I didn’t want to give any details in case Dad
asked. Mom and Dad had enough
arguments—often over me. I didn’t want
to add one more to their already exhausting list.
I arrived at the Robbins’ home and
knocked. I heard noise at the back of
the house and then, “Well, hi, Millie! You’re
sure lookin’ better!” Mrs. Robbins had
such a beautiful smile—actually it looked just like Robbie’s.
She invited me in and I gave her
the gift. At 13, I hadn’t often bought a
gift for adults other than my parents or grandparents, so I was pretty
nervous. When Mrs. Robbins opened the
package and read the card, tears came to her eyes. “You are so thoughtful, Millie! Goodness gracious, I didn’t expect
anything.” When I saw her happiness it
gave me a good feeling inside.
She served us lemonade and we
chatted for a little while. She talked
about ironing for people. “Some would
say that ironing for others is beneath them, but I love to see pretty clothes
all neat and tidy. And my customers are
happy when they look nice and I know I’ve helped with that.”
I left in about a half hour.
Robbie hadn’t been home and I felt disappointed.
To Be Continued...
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