Entangled Hearts

Chapter 37

It was a perfect summer day. The hedges and lawns were so green, and beautiful flowers were in full bloom everywhere. Birds twittered joyfully, flitting from branch to branch in the shade trees along the sidewalks. Laura Gene held tightly to her mother's hand as they walked block after block from Colonial Heights until, at length, they reached the city library. Laura Mae liked to go there often. It was a place where she could think of Gene and of the day they visited the library together.

Little Laura Gene knew which was the children's department, for she had been there many times with her mother. Laura Mae always cautioned her little girl about crossing the street corners, so she held tightly to her mother's hand until they entered the front door of the beautiful building. There, Laura Gene would break loose and hurry ahead of her mother to greet the kind lady who was always ready to help them find the books with the best pictures and stories. After looking through several of them, they decided upon a much-used book of Fairy Tales.

When they left the library, Laura Mae led her little girl farther down the street until they came to Patricia Lane's Park. They entered it and went to look at the animals in the cages. The mother had visited the park many times alone, but now she thought that her baby was old enough to enjoy seeing the animals there.

"Oooh, Mony May, what's 'at?" The little eyes were wide with wonder.

"That is a full-grown coyote, dear; there used to be lots of them in the little town where I used to live."

"Where you live, Mony May?" The little child was in a mood for asking questions.

"I lived in Oakdale. Would you like to see a big bear now?"

"A weally bear?"

"Yes, darling, a real live bear." So, they went from cage to cage until they had looked at all the animals and birds. Laura Mae saw the pond and the rowboats, and when she closed her eyes for a second, she imagined that she and Gene were again drifting over the still water. When she opened her eyes again, she looked at her wristwatch and decided that it was time to go back home.

When they neared the house on Colonial Heights, Laura Gene asked if she might carry the precious book of Fairy Tales that would soon be read to her. Her mother gave her the book, and she skipped ahead and up the drive to the house. John came out to meet her.

"What have you there, Dimples?" he asked the pretty little girl.

"A good book," she said, smiling up at him, "It is of 'ittle fa-wees."

"Where did you get it?"

"Library," Laura Gene answered promptly. "Oh, John, we saw a big bear and a coyote in the park."

"What does she mean?" John turned and asked Laura Mae as she came smiling up the walk to where the man and little girl were talking.

"She means she saw a big bear and a coyote in the park," the mother laughed.

"Oh, I see. By the way, May, won't you please say that you will go to the Charity Ball with mother and me tomorrow evening?" he implored.

"I have not danced for so long, I am afraid I might be very awkward on the floor," she answered with a wistful smile.

"I am sure that your feet will not be able to go anywhere but perfect when you hear the music. The orchestra they have engaged is wonderful! Please, say that you will go with us. Mother will be very disappointed too if you do not," he pleaded.

"You can go, Mony May," the baby said when she saw her mother hesitate. "I like Celia to sing to me."

"Bless your little heart," Laura Mae said and took the little hand the baby offered her. "Alright, John, I will go to the ball with you and your mother."