Governor's Daughter (A Mush Meyers Love Story)

Chapter 9: Wrong but Right

The next morning, I snuck out of the newsboys lounge and ran all the way home. I knew there was a lecture waiting for me when I walked in the door. I stood on the front steps longer than I should have. I took a deep breath and opened the door. As I predicted, my father was up reading a newspaper. He looked over it when I shut the door behind me. He stood up, red faced and walked over to me.

                “Young lady,” he said, “Where have you been? You can’t just walk off into your room and then disappear.”

                “I’m sorry, Daddy,” I said, “I’ll never do it again. I just went to Grace’s house and stayed there.”

                “All the same, you embarrassed yourself in front of our guest.”

                “Oh, Daddy, it was only Buck. Next week, he’ll be dining at some other girl’s house trying to impress her parents. He’s rather short minded.”

                Just then, Jane came down the stairs in her robe. I rolled my eyes. Now she was going to yell at me. Great. Just what I needed. My big sister to act like my mom.

                “You can go and handle your business, Daddy,” Jane said, “I got it from here.”

                Daddy looked at Jane and nodded his head. He gave me a disapproving look before disappearing into his office. Jane waited until he was gone to talk.

                “Where did you go?” Jane demanded.

                “I went to Grace’s house,” I lied.

                “You can lie to daddy, but you can’t lie to me. I called Grace’s house and you weren’t there. So tell me where you went?”

                I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t tell her where I had really gone. If I did, she was sure to tell Daddy. “It doesn’t matter where I went. I’m back and that’s the end of it. You’re the one who made me leave in the first place. You just had to open your big mouth.”

                “I wouldn’t have to open my mouth if you didn’t do stupid things.”

                “Why can’t you just be my sister and help me? You always have to act like my mom.”

                “Well, I’m the oldest and you need to be treated like a child because you keep acting like one.”

                “I’m not your child. I’m your sister so treat me like that. I didn’t tell Daddy that you and the Bateman boy have been kissing behind the school, did I? No because I’m your sister. Now leave me alone!”

                I ran up the stairs and into my room. Jane followed me, but I slammed the door in her face. I knew she was still standing outside of the door. She knocked on it, but I didn’t open it. I sat down in the window seat.

                “Anna, please open the door,” Jane said, “I’m sorry for being so motherly. I won’t do it anymore. Just open the door.”

                I rolled my eyes and looked out the window. It was a nice day. As the sun rose, the warmth came through the window. The sky was clear only full of puffy white clouds. I went to the door and opened it. Jane had her hands folded in front of her. I walked past her.

                “I said I was sorry,” Jane said, “Now can you please tell me where you went last night?”

                “It doesn’t matter where I went last night,” I said.

                “Well it matters to me. You know Daddy is going to ask you the same question when he calms down and you’re going to have to give him an answer.”

                “I’ll tell him I went to Grace’s house. He’ll believe me unlike you.” I walked down the stairs and made my way to the backyard. Jane was still following me. I went into the stables where we kept our horses. My horse was a brown purebred with a white muzzle. His name was Brittle and Daddy had bought him for me when I was 5. I started to saddle him up.

                “So instead of talking to me, you’re going to ignore me and ride a horse?” Jane scoffed.

                “Yes, I think we are quite done with our conversation.”

                “I’m worried about you, Anna. I don’t want you hanging around the wrong sort of people.”

                “Well, you won’t have to worry about me doing that.”

                I pulled Brittle out of the stable and into the vast yard with jumping bars. I got on the horse. Jane scowled up at me.

                “I’m only looking out for you, Anna. You’re my sister and I want what’s best for you.”

                “Have you ever considered that what might be best for you isn’t best for me? Well I have and I’m starting to think I know what’s better for me.”

                “You are a stubborn child.”

                “It runs in the family.”

                Despite herself, Jane smiled at me. I smiled back at her and took off on the track with Brittle. I rode around for a while; jumping over bars and making Brittle go faster. I loved feeling the wind in my hair as I rode my horse. Jane disappeared inside the house after a while. I brought Brittle to a light trot as I praised him for doing such a good job. As I was trotting along, I heard someone whisper my name. I looked at the fence that surrounded our house. Leaning against it was Mush. I brought Brittle over there and slid off of him.

                “Nice horse ya got there,” Mush said.

                “Mush what are you doing here?” I said, “You can’t come to my house. You know if someone sees you…”

                “I know, but you weren’t there when I woke up dis mornin’. I figured ya came back home.”

                “My father wasn’t happy about me leaving. He yelled and went to his office and then my sister yelled at me some more. It was awful, but I am glad to see you.”

                “How about ya come wit me? I got enough dough to pay for a picture show.”

                “A picture show? Really? But, Mush, that’s in public. What if someone I know saw us?”

                “We’ll sit in the way back so no one will see us.”

                “I’m not sure my father would let me out of the house after what happened yesterday.”

                “Den hop the fence. He’ll be so busy with work; he won’t know you were gone.”

                I looked back at my house. It was silent and still like nobody lived there. I smiled at Mush and nodded. He helped me over the fence. Brittle made and noise and I grabbed his muzzle and petted him.

                “Shush now,” I said, “You’re going to make someone come out here. I’ll be back, I promise.”

                I kissed his muzzle. Mush grabbed my hand and we took off towards town. I knew what I was doing was wrong. This constant sneaking out and dating a newsie. But it felt exciting and fun. Even though I was wrong, it felt right.