Linda's Story

Little Friends

Five year old Linda O'Shea stood in the entry way of her grandmother's home. Her shiny black shoes were were pinching her toes, and her pristine white tights were itchy. Her small hands fisted in the skirt of her lavender dress.

"Now, Linda, remember what we said: don't get dirty," Marni warned. "You're going to Wendy's birthday dinner after this, and she would be very upset if you show up with dirt on your knees."

"Yes, Mama." Linda nodded: no dirt. She could do that.

"Be a good girl for your grandma. And be back in an hour and a half."

She nodded as Marni turned to walk out the door, "bye bye, Mama!"

Tony looked down at his daughter, who tilted her head back to see his face. "If you get dirty, you're gonna get spanked."

She nodded as she fisted her skirt in her hands again. She did not want to get spanked. She waved goodbye to Tony as Rosita came into the room.

"Oh, have they left?" She frowned at her granddaughter's nod. "I wanted to talk to them..."

"Nonna, can I play outside? I won't get dirty. I wanna swing!"

Rosita nodded, "stay in the backyard, va bene tesoro?"

"Si, Nonna." Linda was determined not to get dirty. She wouldn't- she would just sit on the swings. She trotted to the backyard where Rosita had a small swing set that had a slide.

Linda started out swinging for about half an hour before she jumped off. She didn't realize that had made a scuff on her shoe. She slid down the slide, slowly forgetting about her promise to stay clean.

"Hey!"

She stood up from the bottom of the slide and turned to the fence. She saw what she assumed was the neighbor's kid. "Hi!" She skipped to the fence, "Whatcha doin'?"

"Burying treasure!" He held up a small cookie tin. "Can I do it in your garden?"

She looked over her shoulder at Rosita's rose garden. There was space enough between the bushes for his treasure. "What's your name?"

"Elliot," he handed her the tin as he started to climb the wooden fence.

Linda produced his name phonetically, "Elliot."

"What's your name?"

"Linda."

He landed on his feet but lost his balance and fell to his knees. "Wups," he shrugged it off, not minding the grass stains on his khakis.

"How'd you do that?" Linda wondered, astonished.

"How'd you do that?"

"What?"

"Climb the fence!"

"Oh it's easy! Come on," he grabbed her hand and led her to the garden. He dropped to his knees, making Linda do the same. "Got any digging tools?"

"Um...." Linda thought for a minute. She knew the little shovels were kept in the garage, but she wasn't allowed in there. Maybe if she just went in and grabbed the spade as quick as she could, no one would be the wiser. She pushed herself up onto her feet, "I'll be back. Be quiet."

He nodded as she walked away. So far, he liked her.

Ever so quietly, Linda walked into the garage. The spades were on a shelf that she couldn't reach. That was no problem though- she was good at climbing. She needed to move the bucket of birdseed, but it was too heavy for herself. So she ran out and enlisted the assistance of her friend.