American Girl

Nebraska

The dirt road stretched toward the horizon. Kathleen Harper had stayed in town too long. The day was long and hot. Under the repressive heat, it took an eternity to complete the farmwork. When she finished her chores, Kathleen walked into town to meet her friend, Bessie Beamis. They walked around the town square and finally went into the Rexall. Unlike many other places in town and the surrounding farmhouses, the drugstore was air-conditioned. The girls bought Hollywood fan magazines and sat at the lunch counter. They giggled over photos of their favorite movie stars and drank Coca-Cola.

It was nearly six o'clock before Kathleen realized the time. She had frittered away the entire afternoon, forgetting her mother asked her to help with the baking. She said goodbye to Bessie and rushed out onto the sidewalk. Heavy clouds hung in the sky, cooling temperatures. A slight breeze blew. Kathleen felt glad about it. She could walk home without the oppressive heat baking her skin.

At first, Kathleen meandered along the road. She was already late coming home. A few moments more wouldn't make any difference. She left the small town of Willow Grove behind her. In the distance, her father's corn crop stood on both sides of the road. The stalks swayed gently in the breeze.

Kathleen sighed deeply, drawing the corny scent into her nostrils. At times, she loved the farm. The crops and barnyard animals made her feel earthy. Planting and gathering made her feel a part of something bigger than herself. On the other hand, she found farm chores grueling. The day-to-day sameness grew boring. She wished she lived in town like her friend Bessie.

Kathleen stood in the middle of the road. She decided life was good for her. She could divide her time between farm and town. After a moment, she walked onward. About halfway between town and the Harper homestead, she noticed a change in the clouds. Suddenly, the sky appeared heavy, and the air repressive. The sun disappeared altogether, leaving Kathleen in semi-darkness. Rain pattered down around her.

Lifting her long skirt, Kathleen ran along the road. As hard as she ran, the cornfield remained in the far distance. She knew she had to get home quickly. The sky grew more ominous. The heavy clouds almost seemed to touch the ground.

At home, her parents were busy getting the animals undercover. Father would herd the cows into the barn, and Mother would gather the chickens into their coop. Katheleen had lazed the day away when she should have remained at home to help. Her heart pitter-pattered in her chest as she gained speed. She had to get home.

"Keep your eye on the sky, Kathy," her father often instructed. "Never get caught out in the open when a storm is brewing, understand?"

Kathleen nodded vigorously at her father's stern voice. Yet, she found herself where she didn't belong because she lingered in town. Home and shelter were a long way away. She still had to run through the corn and across the barnyard.

Focusing on the clouds, Kathleen dashed along the road. Her skirts flapped around her ankles and twisted. Entangled, she fell and struggled to rise. Straightening herself, she continued toward the corn. Above her, the clouds turned purple. They seemed alive, stretching and wavering, reaching to touch the ground.

A long, ominous finger appeared and disappeared in the clouds. A moment later, it reached again. Kathleen was trapped out in the open. She stood stark still, frozen in place. She knew her mother would grow frantic if she didn't appear soon.

Kathleen focused her thoughts on the cellar doors. Her parents were already down there, and Shep the sheepdog was with them—safe. Kathleen felt like a fool. She knew better. The wind picked up, swirling her skirt. Plodding into it, she forced her billowing skirt down with firm hands. The angry sky reached its finger downward again. It held and then drew itself back into the clouds. It struggled to gain hold.