Odds and ends

Odds and Ends: Chapter Three

A few years passed. It was now 1927. Not much changed. The children grew older, three years to be exact. Annette was now seven years old, making Logan eight. They had become best friends. Practically siblings. Annette stayed with the Peters' family. She was practically adopted into it. Annette's family had forgotten about her, or at least stopped caring. Although not much news got to their tiny farm. It wasn't even a farm anymore. They had three milking cows. The rest had been sold to neighboring small farms.

"Mum." Annette called to the woman.

"Yes dear?" She smiled.

"May Logan and I play outside for a bit? It won't take long, I promise."

"Alright. But don't get hurt. Be back here in an hour to help with supper."

"Yes ma'am. Thank you," She smiled excitedly. Annette ran out to the small porch. Logan was sitting on a barrel, half off, giving her room to sit. She did, turning her head to look at him.

"We have an hour," she said, grinning.

He just grinned and nodded. Logan had become a shy boy, perfectly suiting his bestfriend's talkative behavior. They were a perfect match. A perfect bond. The two were inseperable.

It was summer. They both attended a small, one room school house, which was currently on a month-long break. "I'm so glad we're out of school," Logan finally broke the silence.

"I thought you loved school!" Annette replied, a bit confused.

"I do," he said, slightly smirking, "But I do NOT like our teacher, Miss Jensen. Or Jack Lubbock. Or Pete Morse. Or-"

Annette stopped him by covering his mouth with her hand.

"Okay, Logan, I heard you!" She giggled.

He grinned, forcing her hand off his mouth. "Alright. Alright."

Her reply was a grin.

Grabbing her hand, he stood. "Come on!" He said, dragging her towards a tree in the large backyard.

He stood, smoothing her dress with one hand. She ran towards the tree, faster than Logan. Once they reached it, both panting, Logan put his foot on a low branch, standing on it, and pulled himself up to another. He sat on it, his feet dangling.

"Come up!"

"Logan! I can't! I'll ruin my dress!"

"Oh come on, Annette. Stop being such a girl!"

She looked at him sternly. "I AM a girl!" She said through gritted teeth.

He rolled his eyes. "Come on. I'll help you. Give me your hands, I'll pull you up."

"But what if I tear my dress? And Mum wouldn't want us up here. We could be hurt."

"We won't be, I promise! Now come on." He smiled. "Your hands, madame."

She sighed at his cleverness, and gripped his hands.

He grinned, and pulled her up. Nervous of falling, she gripped the sleeve of his shirt.

"We're gonna fall!"

"No we won't. I won't let you fall."

They stayed in the tree, talking, laughing, arguing. Finally they heard a call from the porch.

"Annette! Logan! It's time to come in now! Come on!"

Logan looked at Annette. "Jump. I dare you."

"No!"

"I will!" He said. He slowly looked down, gripping the tree. They weren't very far off the ground, but from up there, to an eight year old boy, it looked like a million miles. He gulped, and had a final look at Annette. Then, with her nod of approval, he jumped, landing on his feet.

"YES!" He shouted triumphantly. He looked back up at Annette. "Come on. I'll catch you."

She shook her head. "I don't wanna die today."

"Oh come on! How else's are you gonna get down?!"

She sighed, knowing no other way. "A-alright! I'm c-coming down!"

He nodded, starring up at her. With another moments thought, she jumped off the tree limb. Landing in his arms, she knocked the two to the ground.

"OW!"

"Oof!"

They said. After a moment of silent starring, they both burst out laughing.

Mum stormed out of the house. "CHILDREN-" She said firmly. Then she spotted them, and couldn't help but smile. She walked time them. "Come on you two. Inside we go. Time to make supper."

Thy grinned at each other, and arose.