Maisie
I rounded the corner to the next street on my way to the water pump and was surprised to see someone there.
I stopped in my tracks and stared in disbelief at what I was seeing.
That couldn't be her. She said she wasn't coming back. Then she turned around.
"Maisie!" My best friend yelled and ran toward me.
"April!" I yelled back and ran over to her. She pulled me into a huge hug and I still couldn't believe she was back.
"Am I seeing right? Are you really here?"
"Yes, I am," she said, laughing. "I'll be back for three months."
I finally pulled away from our hug. I had about one thousand questions.
"Did something happen? How was-"
I was cut off by April laughing.
"What's so funny?"I said but April had a contagious laughter and I found myself laughing with her. I was so excited she was back. Slowly our laughter subsided and we calmed down. She could always make me laugh, even when there was nothing funny. I looked up at her and we both burst out laughing again.
"Okay, okay. Now answer my questions," I say, trying to be serious.
"How about we talk over tea?" She suggests.
"Sure, how about tomorrow at 2?"
"That sounds great," she answer smiling. "Well, I must be going, mother expects me back by 10. I'll see you tomorrow!" I say cheerily, looking behind April at the clock. It's already 9:40. It takes me about 20 minutes to get to the pump and back and about 5 minutes to fill up my two buckets. And I've barely left the house. I'll be a few minutes late. But if I hurry...
And with that thought I ran to the water pump and try not to bump into anyone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had to walk back home so I didn't spill the water. Mother hates when I spill the water... but she also hates when I'm late. That's how I found out that she didn't like when I spilled the water. And I started fast walking. It's not a good combination. But I didn't think of that until I almost walked into a large mound of horse manure. I would have if it didn't have such a bad smell.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'm back!" I yelled, walking in the door of our house. I waited for a response but when I didn't receive one I felt a pang of worry wash over me.
Normally people would be all over the house. Always creating sound by running and yelling but everything was silent. I looked over at the clock. It was exactly 10:00. I was expected home by now.
Maybe they were pulling a prank on me and would jump out of the corner once I walked forward.
I took a step forward and looked around the corner.
No one was there.
Where was everyone?
"Is anyone home?" I yelled and hoped someone would answer. No one did.
