A Matter of Time and Patience

Prologue         

      “But Mom!” Rowan Scout whined to her mother who was driving. “I don’t even know these people! And I’m too old for playmates!”

                Rowan’s mother shook her head. “Just because you’re entering the seventh grade doesn’t mean you’re too old for playmates.” Seeing as she couldn’t deter her daughter’s frustration, Mrs. Scout sighed. “Call it ‘hanging out’ if it makes you feel better.”

                “No actually, it doesn’t.” Rowan grumbled, staring out the windshield. “Using the words ‘hanging out’ doesn’t make it any better.”

                “Rowan, please,” Mrs. Scout sighed again. “I don’t know them either. But Mr. Gandalf does. He thinks we’ll get along with themand I trust him. And you should too. He’s known you since you were a baby.”

                Rowan gave an exasperated sigh. She’s heard this story before. Gandalf Grey was an old family friend who lived a little ways in the country and sold fireworks. He was a nice old man who had bushy grey eyebrows, short grey hair, and a fondness for over exaggerated stories. Rowan liked himhonestly; he was kind and funny.

                “But it’ll be awkward!” Rowan complained, throwing out her last line of defense.

                “It’ll only be awkward if you make it that way.” Mrs. Scout said plaintively. “Besides, it’ll be good for Ash and Cedar. Mr.Gandalf had said that the family has two boys, one your age and one that’s only a year older than the twins. It’ll be fun.”     

                “Whatever…” Rowan huffed slumping back in her seat and glaring out the window again.

                They pulled up into the driveway of a large house. It was a decent, two-story house with a grey coat of paint, white and the door was a white rectangle with a circular window.

                Rowan’s little sister, Ash, leaned forward to talk to her mother. “Who are we meeting again?”

                “A family called Durninson.” Mrs. Scout explained. “Come on, don’t want to keep them waiting do we?”

                Ash and Cedar unbuckled quickly and got out, giggling and racing to the door while Rowan took a little longer. She seriously felt too old for this. Ash and Cedar, who were three years younger than her, could have all the fun they want, but she wouldn’t.

                “Welcome, welcome!” Mr. Gandalf greeted. “Come on in! They’re waiting in the dining room. Smile Rowan! This’ll be fun!They are egger to meet you.” He said upon seeing the oldest of the three siblings walking in. She couldn’t help it; Mr. Gandalf was such a kind man, Rowan smiled.

                Mrs. Scout led her kids into the room. There sitting at the table were three people, a woman and two boys. The woman was very pretty with dark hair bright blue eyes, and a kind smile. One of the boys, the youngest looked just like her but with mischievous bright brown eyes. While the oldest boy was blonde and had his mother’s blue eyes.

                “Dis! Meet my good friend, Mia Scout.” Mr. Gandalf introduced. “Mia, this is Dis Durinson.”

                Dis stood and smiled at Mia, hand outstretched. “Good afternoon Mrs. Scout. It’s good to finally meet you. Gandalf has often rambled on about you and your girls.”

                Mia laughed and shook the other woman’s hand. “Oh really? He has done the same about your family. It’s great to finally meet you.” She looked at the boys and smiled. “Are these your boys?”