Somewhere Over The Rainbow

It's A Twister!

Nevaeh and Rhianna were inside the house, helping Emily with the chores she wanted them to do. But then there work was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," Rhianna said. She went to the door, but when she opened it, she was met with an unpleasant surprise. "Miss Gulch? What are you doing here?"

     "I want to speak to your aunt right away about Dorothy," Miss Gulch told her before rudely pushing her aside to step inside the house.

     Nevaeh scowled when she saw the woman enter the house. She saw that Miss Gulch was holding a basket, and she already knew it wasn't for a picnic. She and Rhianna looked at each other with worry.

"Get Dorothy," Rhianna whispered to her.

Nevaeh nodded and went to Dorothy's room, and knocked on her door.

"Come in," Dorothy called out from inside her room.

Nevaeh opened the door and looked at Dorothy, who was sitting on her bed with Toto, worriedly. "Miss Gulch is here," she said.

Dorothy's eyes widened, and she picked up Toto and followed Nevaeh to the living room. Emily and Miss Gulch were sitting on chairs across from each other, and Rhianna and Henry were standing nearby, watching the conversation between Miss Gulch and Emily.

     "That dog's a menace to the community. I'm taking him to the sheriff to make sure he's destroyed," Miss Gulch said.

     "Destroyed?! Toto? Oh, you can't! You mustn't!" Dorothy protested. "Auntie Em!" She went up to Henry. "Uncle Henry! You won't let her, will you?"

     "Of course we won't," Henry replied. "Will we, Em?"

     Dorothy went back to her aunt. "Please, Aunt Em!" she pleaded. "Toto didn't mean to. He didn't know he was doing anything wrong. I'm the one that ought to be punished. I let him go in her garden. You can send me to bed without supper." She couldn't bear the thought of losing her best friend.

     "If you don't hand over that dog, I'll bring a damage suit that'll take your whole farm!" Miss Gulch threatened Emily. "There's a law protecting folks against dogs that bite!"

     "How would it be if she keeps him tied up?" Nevaeh suggested. "He's really gentle. With gentle people, that is." She gently scratched Toto's head.

     "Well, that's for the sheriff to decide," Miss Gulch responded. She took out a piece of paper and gave it to Emily. "Here is his order allowing me to take him. Unless you wanna go against the law."

     After reading the order, Emily gave it to Henry. Henry seemed a little saddened when he read it. Nevaeh and Rhianna looked at each other, knowing that this horrible woman was winning this fight.

     "We can't go against the law, Dorothy. I'm afraid poor Toto has to go," Emily said sadly.

     "Now you're seeing reason," Miss Gulch said. She picked up the basket and stood up. "Here's what I'm taking him in, so he can't attack me again." She opened the basket and held it out to Dorothy.

     "No, no! I won't let you take him!" Dorothy shouted, slapping the basket shut. "You go away or I'll bite you myself!" Her anger shocked everyone in the room.

     "Dorothy!" Emily stopped her.

     "You wicked old witch!" Dorothy snapped at Miss Gulch, and looked at her guardians. "Uncle Henry, Auntie Em, don't let her take Toto." She tried to stop Miss Gulch from grabbing Toto. "Don't let her take him! Please, stop her!"