Just a Walk in the Park

Melinda May stood waiting for the light to change. She'd had a rotten day that ended with a much needed trip to the grocer. She held a full bag in one hand with a second slung over the opposite shoulder. As her mind reviewed all of the things she could have done differently she did not miss the slight sensation of someone lifting her wallet from her side pocket.

She turned in a heartbeat snatching the skinny wrist, dropped both bags and faced the perp with fist drawn. The crowd moved forward when the light turned, absently kicking her oranges into traffic and trampling the loaf of French bread. Eggs slid across the hot pavement turning white with the summer heat.

May growled several curses under her breath and glared into the eyes of a grubby kid. From the cut of the hair to the hang of the clothing she could not determine the child's gender, but the kid couldn't have been more than eight or nine years old. She scanned the kid's hands then looked to the sidewalk, spying her wallet floating in the milk that was glugging out of the small jug she had just purchased. She let out an exasperated breath.

"Lemmee go!" The kid shrieked. Then turned and squawked to the crowd. "Help, somebody help. This lady's try-na kidnap me!" Yanking mightily the kid tried to pull free and smiled as an older woman stepped toward them.

"What's going on here?" The lady demanded.

May spun her hand around the kid's wrist and pulled her closer. "Nothing you need to be concerned with," she spoke in her sweetest voice. "Just a little spill and the kid thinks I'm angry. We're having a really bad day and now this." She spread her hand across the mess on the sidewalk. "I guess it'll be McDonald's for supper tonight." She smiled at the woman while squeezing the kid's hand as tightly as she could without snapping the little fingers she could feel in her palm.

The child took the hint and pressed her lips together although Melinda would always believe it was because of her vice-like grip leaving the kid speechless. The woman eyed both of them suspiciously and Melinda smiled again. Other passersby were starting to pay a bit more attention. She let out a frustrated breath and pulled the kid in front of her.

"Okay, okay…I was angry and shouldn't have yelled at the kid but it's been rough. Raising a kid alone and no day care and I had to drag the little one to work with me and today was just…" She let a fake tear roll over her cheek and a sob escape her throat. "It just got to me…and now all the groceries and…"

"Oh dear, I am so sorry," the woman started apologizing. "I know how hard it can be. I raised three of my own with a husband and it was so difficult on a fixed budget. I can't imagine doing it alone." She put a hand on Melinda's shoulder and patted gently. Some people began salvaging what they could and stuffing it back in the bags that lay on the sidewalk. A grumbling man stuffed a twenty dollar bill in Melinda's hand and the woman added ten more to that, apologizing that she didn't have more. Melinda protested but the crowd continued 'helping' while she kept a firm grip on the little trouble-maker's hand. It felt like hours but in a few minutes half of Melinda's groceries were back in the bag and she held a wad of cash in her hand. Waiting until she was sure all of the do-gooders were dispersed she let out a low growl and dragged the kid across the intersection.

Melinda stormed down the street yanking her little despot behind until she turned into a small park and slammed the urchin onto a bench. "What the hell is the matter with you kid? I should kick your ass all over this park and back to wherever the hell you came from." She had released the kid's hand and now paced back and forth in front of the bench. The child massaged the aching fingers then made to make a dash but Melinda was faster, grabbed the kid's collar and flung him or her back onto the bench. She poked a finger a few inches from the kid's nose. "Do not make me chase you." She commanded then stood back and exhaled loudly. She looked away and took several breaths, crossed her arms over her chest and tapped one foot.

The kid didn't cry or back down, simply backed into the bench and glared right back at the incensed woman. "I wasn't gonna keep it," a little growl shot up at Melinda. "I just wannit a look."

"A look?" She narrowed one eye. "A look? You tried to steal my wallet just to look at it? What kind of a stupid excuse is that? That's all you've got? Damn it, kid you are the worst thief I ever met!" If Melinda May laughed, this would have been one of the rare times but as it was she was way too angry.

"I ain't no damn thief!" The little voice spat, wrapping little knuckles around the edge of the seat. "I wanna na see yer name, that's all. I wooda gave it back, just told ya ya dropped it er suttin."

"What the hell, kid? Did you ever think of just asking? Is that too difficult?" May barked back, then stopped. "My name, huh? And my address, oh I have your number kid. All sweet and innocent and then your gang breaks in to my house and takes what they want." She nodded.

This time the kid stood with little fists clenched on both sides. "I said I ain't no damn thief and I don't not no damn gang and I don't give a big fat damn what you think!" The oversized baseball cap slid off the kid's head allowing the dark hair to spill down around her shoulders revealing for the first time that Melinda was dealing with a feisty little girl who stood jutting out her chest and breathing rapidly.

Melinda poked the kid's shoulder effectively knocking the skinny little thing back to the seat. "Do you know how much you cost me in groceries, not to mention time?"

The little girl looked at the bags on the ground next to the bench. "You got most of 'em back, cept the eggs and milk and the other stuff that spilt. 'Sides them people gave you enough money to buy twice more than ya dropped." She leaned forward and narrowed her eyes. "And I din't spill yer stuff, you did when ya tried to break my hand."

Melinda leaned forward as well, again poking the kid back against the seat. "If I wanted your hand broken you'd be picking your grubby little fingers up with my groceries." She spoke through her teeth and for the first time saw fear in the little girl's eyes. She stood back and let out a frustrated breath then stared into the distance.

After a few minutes of silence she looked back at the kid. "So whadya gonna do with me? Ya gonna hit me?" The kid demanded, unconcerned with the consequences.

"What? No…of course not. Hit you? What…why would I…Why would you even think I would hit you?" Melinda scrunched up her face thinking that the kid would even fathom she'd do such a thing.

The girl shrugged. "I dunno. Cuz that's what people do when they're all mad and yellin' at ya. They hit ya sometimes with just their hand but sometimes with a belt or a stick or wooden thing."

Melinda let out a long cleansing breath and looked into the dark almond shaped eyes. "Is someone hurting you kid?"

The little girl shook her head but avoided eye contact. "Not now," she mumbled as she swung her feet that did not quite reach the ground. "I got hit lotsa times but not now." The little girl said a little louder, avoiding further explanation.

Melinda shook her head. "In your home?"

Again a nonverbal head shake with no eye contact.

"You live on the street, kid?" Melinda asked quietly as she sat down next to the little girl who scooted away quickly.

Another head shake.

Melinda let out a breath. "Well, I can't just leave you here so either you tell me where you live or I call the police."

"No, no don't!" the little girl almost pleaded. "I'll get in so much trouble." She looked up at Melinda and shook her head rapidly. "It ain't far. I can go home myself. You don't hafta take me."

Melinda pursed her lips and shook her head. "I think I do. I need to make sure you're safe."

"It's real safe." The kid nodded.

"I'll be the judge of that." Melinda announced as she stood and stuffed one of the grocery bags into the other then hefted it on to her shoulder. She held out a hand and waited a few seconds for the child to take it. "I'll be gentle unless you give me reason not to be."

The child sighed, stood and took the offered hand then waited.

Melinda raised one brow. "Well?" She swiped the other hand out in front of them. "Lead the way."

xx

The child led Melinda through the park and down three blocks before turning on a side street and through a rather seedy alley. For a moment she thought the kid was leading her on a wild goose chase but they exited the court to a shady street that they crossed and moved around the corner. A very large church loomed in front of them and took up most of the block. The kid skirted around the large building through a narrow passage into a courtyard and around another large brick building. She pushed open an iron gate and turned down the block then up the stairs of the same building and pushed open the very large double door. A chime sounded as they stepped into the foyer and the kid flipped her dirty sneakers off into a pile of various sized shoes.

"Mary Sue," a tall woman in a dark skirt and plain blue blouse sighed with what sounded like relief. "Where have you been so long? You are never out this late and look at you." She shook her head. "You've missed supper."

The little girl hung her head and took a few breaths.

Melinda watched the exchange then spoke. She still held the child's hand. "She got a little turned around and ended up colliding with me. She helped pick up my groceries and we just lost track of time."

The little girl's eye brows went up and down very quickly as she looked up at May and then gave the other woman a quick nod.

The woman looked at Melinda with a genuine smile. "Why thank you, Miss?" She held out a hand in greeting.

"May," Melinda smiled back as she dropped the little hand and reached for the other. "Just May." The older woman took her hand and patted it gently then turned to the little girl.

"Well, you are a sight little one. Best you go upstairs and wash then see Sr. Michalene. She's kept something warm for you." The woman smiled.

The child took a few steps then stopped and looked back at Melinda. "Go kid, before you miss supper all together and don't think I won't be keeping an eye on you." She warned with a steely glare.

The child smiled, turned and ran up the stairs. Melinda could here her footsteps thumping down the hall above.

The slender woman clasped her hands together and turned back to Melinda. "I'm sorry. I'm Sr. Stephanie and I thank you for bringing our intrepid Mary Sue back to us."

Melinda looked around the large foyer and listened to the hum of children's voices coming from a room down the hall. "What is this place?" She wondered out loud.

"I'm so sorry dear, I thought you knew. This is St. Agnes' Orphanage." The woman smiled.

"Orphanage?" Melinda again spoke her thoughts. It didn't look like any orphanage she'd ever seen, well she hadn't see that many and most were in the rather third world countries of the world. As far as domestic foundling homes…well, she'd never had reason to be inside one. She just pictured a bunch of grubby kids in a dirty building mostly fending for themselves. This place was nothing like that. It was well kept, clean and smelled like something more than supper had been cooking. In fact it smelled a lot like chocolate chip cookies. The voices she heard were calm and there were hints of laughter mixed with it. The walls were plastered with kid art in real frames and this woman seemed genuine in her concern.

"Mary Sue didn't tell you." It was a statement, not a question and from the look on the woman's face it probably wasn't the first time. "She is quite a handful."

"She's an orphan?" Melinda asked as the woman held out a hand and invited her into a small parlor off the foyer.

"One of what we call our lifers." The sister sighed. "She's been to a few foster homes but it never seems to work." She paused and looked toward the stairs as if she was waiting for the child to appear there. "Sometimes I actually think she has herself sent back on purpose." She shook her head, sighed and looked back to Melinda who looked quite perplexed. "Oh, our Mary Sue has it in her head if she spends enough time on the street that her parents will recognize her and they will be reunited. She feels they lost her somehow and are searching the same streets she does."

May nodded, suddenly realizing why the kid wanted to see her name. "And is that how she came to be here?"

Sr. Stephanie frowned and shook her head. "Sadly, no. She was left in the Safe Haven crib inside our parish church. The outer doors are kept open at night. The sacristan found her in the morning when he came to prepare for early Mass. She must have been there all night. The hospital said she could not have been more than a few days old. It was about three months before she came back to us. She had some serious health issues that kept her hospitalized for quite some time." The woman explained.

Melinda nodded her understanding.

"I really hope she didn't caused too much trouble." The nun almost laughed. "It seems to follow her like a hungry puppy."

"No," Melinda smiled as she stood from the seat the nun had escorted her to when they entered the room.

"Well, thank you again for getting her back. We will try to keep her on campus but she doesn't usually venture very far and she is always home for supper…well, except for today."

Melinda nodded again as she headed for the door with the nun walking slowly behind. She put a hand in her pocket and felt the wad of cash she'd stuffed there. She pulled it out and stared at it for a moment. "I…I'd like to make a donation to the church or parish or even the kids." She held the cash out the nun.

"Why thank you, Miss May." Sr. Stephanie was surprised. "That is very generous." He smile faded into a frown as she let out a soft sigh. "I do wish you hadn't told Mary Sue you would be watching her. It will get her hopes up. She takes everyone at their word and ends up getting hurt so very often. I'm afraid that little one will expect you to keep your word."

Melinda pulled open the door and turned back to the nun. She looked over the woman's shoulder at the staircase where the little girl disappeared. "I always keep my word." She smiled as she stepped out and pulled the door closed.

xx

Mary Sue sat at the top of the concrete stairs in front of St. Agnes' occasionally rising and skipping down to the sidewalk to glance in both directions. Sr. Stephanie watched from her office and sighed at the fact the little girl was in for a big disappointment. Today was the first day in as long as the nun could remember that Mary Sue wasn't patrolling the neighborhood in search of her parents. She truly meant to sit the little girl down and have a long talk about that, but could not bring herself to shatter the child's hope that those people were out there looking for her just as she searched for them. Truth was that Mary Sue's parents were long gone in a dark car that squealed away from the curb swiping three other cars as it motored down the street. It was the noise that brought the sisters to the church that morning, afraid there had been a horrid accident. Outside the large wooden doors they found the tiny baby, barely alive, wrapped in a newspaper on the church steps. She was no more than a few hours old. Sr. Stephanie rode in the ambulance cradling the bluish infant, praying for a miracle.

Three days later the police found the car that tore away from the church, a burnt out shell left in a field miles from nowhere. That's were the trail ended. Fire burns away everything including every trace of anything that might have been in that vehicle. No human remains were found in or out of the car and in all the years Mary Sue had been at St. Agnes no one had ever inquired about her. That in itself would be devastating to the little girl who dreamed of a mother just as desperate as she was to be found.

Now she watched as Mary Sue sat on the steps with her chin in her hands and kicked at the gravel that had somehow collected there. She put down the files she held, stood and headed outside, stopped only when the ancient phone on her desk rang its old fashioned tone.

"St. Agnes," she answered, moving the light curtain aside to watch the little girl outside. She hoped it would be something easy to take care of, yes, quick and easy.

"Hello, Sr. Stephanie," Melinda May's voice came from the other end of the line. "I am sorry for calling so late but it's been a wild day. Is it possible to speak to Mary Sue?"

"Miss May," the nun could not help smiling. "I didn't…I wasn't expecting your call."

"Just May," Melinda reminded the Sister. "I told you I didn't make empty promises." There was a pause. "She's not out roaming the streets." It should have been a question, but Melinda May simply stated facts.

Sr. Stephanie laughed. "No, no May. She's here. Hold please, while I collect her." She turned as one of the children passed the door, placed a hand over the speaker end of the old telephone receiver and called to the girl. "Polly dear, would you please send Mary Sue to me? She's out on the front steps." She smiled at the girl who smiled back.

"Sure Sister, no problem…" the girl took a few steps away from the door and grumbled under her breath. "Of course, I will cuz I wasn't doing anything important and now I gotta go fetch Poops off the steps."

She marched to the large front door and yanked it open. "Hey, pooper scooper, what'd ya do now?" She sneered at the younger girl who did not turn around.

"Bug off, Polly." Mary Sue grumbled. "I'm busy."

Polly slid out the door and across the wide porch. She stood behind the little girl and knocked the back of Mary Sue's head with her knee. "Well yer in trouble for somethin cuz Sister Steff wants you right now." She knocked the girl's head twice again on the last two words.

"Knock it off," Mary Sue growled as she put one hand to her head and swung out with the other.

Polly jumped back and away with a laugh. "Ooooo, whatcha gonna do, Suzy Q?" The girl bounced from foot to foot and motioned with both hands for the little girl to step forward. "Come on, Mary Sue, show me what you can do?" She sung to the tune of that Peggy Sue¹ song that Mary hated because Polly always found some stupid thing to rhyme with her name and sing it to that same stupid tune.

Mary Sue stood up with both hands clenched into little fists. Polly put both her hands to her head and wagged them at the child, stuck out her tongue, turned and leapt over the porch rail. She turned as she bounced on the grass. "You better get to that office before them come lookin fer ya, Sue-poopy." Again she fell into a fit of laughter as she disappeared around the side of the building.

The little girl watched, breathing heavily as she clenched and unclenched her hands at her sides. One of these days she was going to sock that jerk. But not today, today she was going to keep her promise. She took one last long breath, let it out and turned toward the still opened door. Shutting it carefully, Mary Sue dragged herself to the office and stood in the doorway when she noticed Sr. Stephanie was on the telephone. She smiled at the little girl and motioned for her to come in and before Mary Sue could sit the nun shook her head.

"Here she is. I don't know what took so long." She smiled into the phone then held it out to the little girl.

Mary Sue just stared. She'd been called into this office for many things, some she was guilty of and some she just took the blame for because it was just easier than trying to convince anyone she didn't do it. But never, ever had she been handed the telephone.

Sr. Stephanie took the little girl's hand and pressed the receiver into it then lifted to her ear. "It's okay, sweetheart. It's for you."

"Me?" Mary Sue was still in disbelief, even though Sr. Stephanie was still smiling and nodding at her.

"Hey kid!" The voice on the phone caused the child to jump. She turned and looked at it as if it spoke on its own. "Kid, are you there?"

"Hello?" Mary Sue spoke softly into the heavy receiver cradling the mouth piece with one hand and gripping the heavy item with the other.

"Hey, kid." May's voice smiled. "Keeping yourself out of trouble?"

Mary Sue thought about the almost-incident with Polly. "Most of the time," she mumbled.

"Well, you're trying and that's a start." May assured her.

Mary Sue smiled and nodded her head.

"She can't hear you nod, darling. You have to talk." Sr. Stephanie whispered around a soft smile.

"I'm trying." Mary Sue said quickly.

"No wandering around town by yourself today?" May asked.

Mary Sue shook her head then added a quick, "No." She thought for a moment then added. "I waited for you."

May was quiet for a second. "You know I have to work, kid. I can't come by everyday but I will call whenever I can. That might not be everyday either, but you better believe I've got my eye on you."

The little girl smiled. No one ever said that to her before, not like that anyway. It wasn't a threat, it was just something the woman promised.

"So, you have any plans for Saturday?" May asked, just like that.

"Saturday?" Mary Sue repeated mentally counting the days til the weekend.

"Yep, Saturday. I thought, if was okay with Sr. Stephanie, we could spend some time together. You could help me do some grocery shopping." May continued.

Mary Sue felt the flush on her face. "I'm really sorry about your food. I got sixty-two cents in my band-aid box. You can have it."

"We'll talk," May told her. "How about you give the phone to Sr. Stephanie and I'll ask about Saturday? One condition, you have to stay out of trouble all week. Deal?"

"Deal!" Mary Sue nodded as she held the phone out to the nun who sat in a large chair next to her. "She wants to ask you something."

Sr. Stephanie nodded and took the phone, covering the mouthpiece again with one hand. "Maybe you should have a seat in the hallway until I'm finished." She watched as the grin fell from the little girl's face. "Don't worry, if May wants to speak with you again, I will let you know."

Mary Sue hung her head and managed a pout as she moved to the doorway. She stopped and looked back at the nun who smiled and waved her hand toward the hallway. "And close the door, sweetheart." The little girl's pout doubled as she pulled the door shut and dropped onto the bench outside the Sister's office.

Sr. Stephanie smiled at the child's dramatics then returned to the call. "Thank you so much for calling May. She has a lot of faith in you. I surely hope you do not break her heart."

"I have no intention of hurting her, Sister." May assured the nun. "I'd like to spend some time with her, maybe this Saturday, if that's possible. I can provide references and required clearances if you need them. Just give me your address and I will email them today."

Sr. Stephanie gave a small laugh. "Unfortunately we at St. Agnes have yet to join the technology generation. We do not seem to have the means and the Sisters are much too old to dabble in learning new ways. Pen and paper is still our way of keeping records."

"That is not a problem, Sister. I can drop them off tomorrow evening." May promised.

"I am not so sure it is a good idea, May." The Sister sounded doubtful. "What exactly are your intentions?"

"Intentions?" May was a tad confused. "I'm not quite sure what you mean. I have no intentions."

The nun let out a little breath before continuing. "Our mission is to find loving homes for the children in our care, May. Mary Sue is a difficult placement but I do pray that there is a family for her. She so needs to be wanted, to be loved."

May was taken back for a second. Was this nun suggesting she take this little imp on a permanent basis? She was only trying to keep the kid out of trouble, to convince her it was safer to stay off the streets. That didn't mean she was planning on some kind of road to motherhood. Sure she liked the kid. She had spunk. Truth was Mary Sue was a real spitfire, full of piss and vinegar and she reminded May so much of herself all those years ago. It wasn't only the girl's temperament, but that loss, that longing for companionship. Melinda May recognized that having lost her own mother at a very young age, not to some cruel accident or dreadful illness but to the woman's dedication to her career rather than her child. May told herself she forgave her mother, but deep somewhere in her well organized compartmentalized mind she knew she still resented it. Maybe that's what Mary Sue touched.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

But, she made a commitment, and Melinda May kept her word.

"I'm just trying to be her friend, Sr. Stephanie. Every kid needs a friend." May explained.

"Yes," the nun agreed, "every child needs other children to play with and learn to socialize and work their way through the world."

May sighed. "Okay, I used the wrong word…a mentor. Tell me Mary Sue doesn't need a mentor, someone to point her in the right direction."

The nun couldn't help smiling. "Well, I must admit she has behaved herself today…all day…and that in itself is a major accomplishment. I suppose if you can help her perhaps 'turn around' it might be easier to find placement for her."

"I'm not looking to change the kid." May retorted. "But maybe I can show her how to channel all that chutzpah."

Sister Stephanie couldn't help laughing. "Is that what you call it? Some of the Sisters have much less endearing terms for our Mary Sue's behavior."

"So, that's a yes." May stated.

"I still think it may not be a good idea, but because she is so excited already I cannot deny her." Sr. Stephanie sighed.

"Excellent," May replied. "I'll be there by eight. That's not too early, I hope."

"Not at all, the children are up by seven every morning." The nun assured her.

May frowned as a chime on her phone alerted her to incoming call. "I have to go, Sister, tell Mary Sue I will call to say goodnight by eight thirty." She didn't wait for a goodbye before disconnecting the call and taking the second.

Sr. Stephanie did say good bye then realized she was talking to air. She smiled at the receiver then laid it gently in the cradle of the old phone on her desk.

xx

"Mary Sue, I will not ask you again. It is well past time you should be in bed and lights out is less than five minutes away." A small, stout, elderly Sister scolded the little girl who sat on the step with her arms wrapped around the large post at the bottom of the railing. "And you've got Kitty here joining in your mischief as well. Now, both of you off to bed." She clapped her hands together several times and nodded toward the top of the stairs.

Mary Sue wrapped her fingers together on the other side of the pole and pressed her cheek against it. "You can go Kitty. Don't get in trouble." The little girl said without taking her eyes of the black phone that set on a small table across the large hallway.

The other little girl who was no more than a year or so older, shook her head and placed a hand on Mary Sue's shoulder. "I'm not afraid, Mary Sue. I said I'd stay with you." She looked up at the nun who now stood tapping one foot with her arms folded over her chest.

Kitty glanced quickly at the large grandfather clock in the corner of the foyer. Its loud ticking seemed in time with Sr. Margaret's tapping or maybe she just tapped to the clock's time. The clock issued a loud tock as the minute hand jumped ahead…eight twenty-seven. The older girl jumped slightly and looked up at the nun again. The woman scowled back.

"Kitty, go to your room. Mary Sue is once again pushing her limits and mine." Sr. Margaret spoke to Kitty but glared at the little girl set on staying put.

"She just wants to say good night, Sister." Kitty pleaded her friend's case. "She isn't trying to be bad. She just knows she can't leave yet."

The large clock tocked again…eight twenty-eight.

"Just one more minute, please Sister." Kitty begged. "I'll go, but let Mary Sue wait just one more minute."

"I am sorry, girls but rules are rules and both of you should be in bed right now. I cannot make exceptions. What if everyone asked to be up one more minute? It would take all night to get the lot of you to bed. Now unless you want punishments tomorrow, I suggest both of you get up those stairs right now." She pointed up the stairs. "I do not want to disturb Sr. Stephanie."

Kitty stood and pulled her pale pink robe around her. She tugged on her friend's arm. "Come on, Mary Sue we waited but sometimes people just don't mean it. Come on, you don't wanna be in trouble, do you?"

Mary Sue shook her head and blinked away a tear that threatened to fall. She hugged the post tighter and pulled away from Kitty, holding her breath as she watched the second hand spin the face of the clock and swallowed hard when it tocked away another minute.

Kitty stood, turned and took a step, paused and looked back once before slowly climbing four more. She turned to coax her friend one last time when the loud claxon of the phone's bell shattered the silence of the large building. Mary Sue shot away from the bottom step as if she'd been roughly pushed, almost tripping over her much too long faded robe. Sr. Margaret grabbed the little girl's arm preventing the fall and stopping her from reaching the ancient telephone first.

"Good evening…St. Agnes…how may I help you?" Sr. Margaret answered in her most professional tone, still holding tightly to the little girl who stood looking up at her. "I see, well it is rather late, ma'am and all of the children are…" she glared down at Mary Sue, "or should be in their beds. This is a highly unusual request and I cannot take a child from their rest."

Mary Sue struggled and threatened to let out a yell then remembered her promise to behave herself all week. It was difficult. She let out a little growl but remained quiet.

"I understand that promises are very important, ma'am, but so are rules and we do have rules here that everyone must follow." She gave the girl a little shake just to let her know that was meant for her, too. Sr. Margaret was quiet for a few moments, clearly listening to a long explanation. Her mouth dropped open just bit and she shook her head.

"She can't hear you if you don't speak into the phone." Mary Sue whispered with a little smile.

Sr. Margaret scowled her most fierce scowl and then gave the girl another shake. "No, no ma'am I don't think that is necessary. Sr. Stephanie is in meditation right now. I do not wish to disturb her. I am sure I can take care of this." She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes before holding the heavy black receiver out to the little girl, but pulled her close before she had a chance to take it. "Five minutes, missy, no more." She whispered her warning.

Mary Sue nodded and took the phone, shaking off the nun's grasp on her arm. "Hello," she spoke quietly, trying to calm her excitement but failing miserably.

"Hey, kid," May's voice smiled back. "Hope I didn't get you in trouble. Pretty busy here, I just got home."

Mary Sue looked to Sr. Margaret who stood just a foot away, with her arms over her chest, glaring back. She shook her head and smiled.

"Nope, it's okay. I knew you would call, but I can't talk for a long time. It's past light's out."

"Right," May agreed. "And time you were in bed, so I'll say good night, wǎn'ān." She smiled.

"Wan on," Mary Sue repeated. "Is that good night?"

"It is." May told her. "Now, get to bed and go to sleep. Tomorrow looks real busy, kid, so I might not talk to you until Thursday, but you keep yourself out of trouble. Got it?"

"Got it," Mary Sue nodded. "Good night, May." She smiled broadly.

"Sweet dreams, bao bao." May whispered at the click of the call disconnecting.

Mary Sue turned to Sr. Margaret as she hung up the phone. "Thank you, Sister." She smiled as she ran for the stairs. She gathered the bulky robe around her middle and raced halfway to the top before turning back with one hand on the railing.

"Wan on, Sr. Margaret!" She took three more steps. "That means good night!" She smiled before hopping to the landing and dashing up the second flight of stairs.

The little girl hurried down the hall to the last door and pushed it open. She flew across the room and jumped into her small bed, pulling the covers around her before realizing she hadn't shed her robe. She stood on the saggy mattress and wriggled out of it, dropped it to the floor and dove back under the blanket then bounced herself into a comfortable position.

"I knew she'd call." She whispered to the little girl in the next bed.

"I'm glad she did." Kitty yawned. "Good night, Mary Sue."

"Wan on," Mary Sue smiled. She continued smiling at the ceiling until she could no longer hold her eyes open.

xx

Mary Sue was up and dressed before Sr. Margaret had a chance to roust the little girl's from their beds. She pulled on her one size too big jeans and quickly tied her broken shoe lace back together before struggling to make a bow with the very short remainder. She skipped to the bathroom and washed her face then remembered to brush her hair and snap one small, pink plastic barrette over the strands that fell in her eyes and caused the Sisters to constantly remind her to brush it aside. She frowned at the stain on her faded blue and white t-shirt and wondered if coloring it with one of the markers in the art room might make it look better. She promised herself she'd try later. A few minutes later she slowly opened the bathroom door and peeked up and down the hall. She slipped out and hurried to the stairs, quickly and lightly scurrying down before the dreaded Polly crossed her path.

The little girl didn't even realize she'd been holding her breath until her foot hit the ground floor and she exhaled with a long sigh. The last thing she needed was that big jerk giving her a hard time. She only had two more days to behave and it would be Saturday. She came pretty close to socking putrid Polly yesterday and she wasn't sure she could do it again. Two weeks ago she sunk her teeth into the beast's forearm when she tried to put her in a headlock. It left a nasty bruise and Sr. Regina didn't think twice about using her paddle about ten times, but Mary Sue didn't cry. She wouldn't give dopey Polly the satisfaction. Sr. Stephanie took old Polly to the doctor and she came back all weepy because she had to have a tetanus shot. Mary Sue couldn't help laughing even though she had two days to sit alone in Sr. Regina's office writing punishment assignments.

The third day Polly stopped her just outside the bathroom and punched her in the tummy so hard that she threw up four times. Mary Sue was no snitch, she didn't say a word about the big bully even after vomiting all over the older girl's feet. Sr. Stephanie sat with her in the infirmary. She even gave her sips of cold ginger ale and those little white crackers only the Sister's got on their table. It was great because she wasn't really sick. Sister read her stories and played games with her, just her. Mary Sue liked Sr. Stephanie and she was pretty sure Sr. Stephanie liked her.

"Hey, Poops…"

Mary Sue froze halfway across the common room. She felt the hairs rise on the back of her neck. Pukey Polly was already up and waiting for her. She stopped but did not turn to face the older girl.

"Where ya goin' so early, Mary Suzy?" Polly sneered as she leaned against the wide doorway between the kids common area and the large foyer. "Off to pinch some extra goodies from Sr. Jeremy's kitchen. She says those cookies she made for the bake sale at the church have been disappearing every morning." The girl laughed as she bit and chewed loudly.

Mary Sue closed her eyes and pulled her hands into tight fists. She took quick little breaths through puffed cheeks.

"Maybe I'll just sound the alarm and let her know how I caught you red handed." The girl's voice got louder as she approached and circled the smaller child stopping directly in front of her. "Just look at the mess you made," she nodded toward the cookies she squashed with one foot into the carpet in front of Mary Sue then pushed a third cookie into the little girl's chest, twisting and turning it until it too crumbled leaving chocolate and crumbs ground into her shirt.

"I never touched them cookies!" Mary Sue could take no more.

Polly just smiled. "Oh, but Soupy Poop, you got 'em all over you." She remarked in a whiney sing-song.

"You did that, ya big jerk." The little girl barked back.

"And who do you think Sr. Regina is gonna believe, Poops?" Polly glared at the smaller girl.

Polly never got caught. She blamed everyone for everything she did. She was sneaky and then turned all innocent and sweet talked the nuns into believing all she said. They always believed her because 'why would she lie about such a thing?'

"I don't care!" Mary Sue shrieked.

Polly laughed a quiet mean laugh as she turned and took a few steps toward the kitchen. "A little birdie told me there's some dopey broad that wants to take you out for a day." She turned her eyes toward the ceiling and hummed a little tune pretending to think for moment. "And that same do-do told me you gotta be a good little pooper all week so you can go…" She poked the smaller girl in the chest hard enough to knock her off balance. "I'm not so sure about that plan…are you, suey poo poo?"

Mary Sue glared back, refusing to answer.

Polly's smile turned into a growl. "You think you're better than the rest of us, moo shoo poo?" She pushed the girl hard. "You think you should get some fun day in the park while the rest of us are stuck here with chores and boredom?" Another hard shove, "you think I'm gonna let that happen?" Polly's voice fell low and threatening. The final shove knocked Mary Sue to the floor with a crash as the table she tried to grab for support toppled as well dumping a tub of Legos in all directions.

"What in all that's holy is going on?" Sr. Regina stormed into the room then stopped in awe of the sight that met her. She looked at the rainbow colored cubes scattered across the floor and the two girls in the center.

"Sister!" Polly answered as if she were out of breath. "Sister I am so glad you heard. I tried to stop her but she yanked away and ran right into the table." She pointed at Mary Sue who sat on the floor staring up at the nun. "She…she was in the kitchen. I heard the scratching noise and thought it might be that big old rat but there she was with her hand in Sr. Jeremy's cookie tin. I tried to get them back but she dropped them and well…" She spread her hand out toward the crumbs across the carpet. "I don't know how many she ate before I stopped her."

Mary Sue jumped to her feet and started for the older girl stopped by Sr. Regina's grip on her wrist. "You big fat stupid liar! You took those damn cookies! I never even went in the dumb kitchen."

"Sister," Polly breathed with a hand on her chest. "When is this little imp every up this early? Why would she be roaming the building except to be into some kind of mischief? We all know she loves those cookies and always bargains for extra. Poor little kid, just needs attention I guess."

"Who's been in my kitchen!?" Another voice bellowed from the room behind them a few moments before a very stout nun waddled into the room wielding a wooden spoon. "Who left that mess…cookies all over the floor…" she mumble-grumbled as she shook the weapon at the other occupants of the room.

"I'm so sorry," Polly almost purred. "I tried to stop her, Sr. Jeremy but she's just too slippery for me. I'll help you tidy the kitchen." The girl held out a hand and stepped toward the nun. "I'll get the broom and get started. Do you need help replacing what was lost? I'll help with that as well. It must be so exasperating for you." She coddled.

"YOU!" Sr. Jeremy stepped closer to the girl struggling to free herself from the first nun's grip. "You stole from me?" She swung her spoon making contact with the little girl's hip with each word. "Have you no shame? What is wrong with you? We try to provide for you and this is how you thank us?" The spoon met its mark several more times before the nun let out a loud huff and folded her arms over her large bossom.

Mary Sue took several breaths through her teeth and bit back the tears she would not shed, not for anyone. "I didn't!" She screamed at the nuns as Polly stood in the doorway wearing a smug grin that the little girl ached to knock down her throat. "I didn't take your damn cookies. I didn't even know where the hell they were."

Sr. Jeremy shook the little girl hard and spun her around before landed a hard smack across her cheek. "You will not speak like that while in this house and you will show respect for the Sisters at all times." She spun her back toward the other nun who still stood like a fortress wagging her wooden weapon. "You apologize, immediately."

"I won't." Mary Sue growled. "I won't cuz I'm not sorry."

Sr. Jeremy shook her again. "How many sins will you commit in one morning, young lady? You've stolen and lied about it and now you defy me and show respect for no one."

Mary Sue yanked valiantly but was no match for the burly nun. "Lemme go!" She snarled, trying to pry the nun's fingers away from her arm.

"It is barely seven in the morning, Mary Sue and already you have upset the day. You can spend the rest of the day in my office after I once again teach you a lesson you shouldn't, but have so many times, forgotten." Sr. Jeremy admonished the child as she dragged her toward the door.

Mary Sue dug her feet into the rug and tugged in the opposite direction as the nun continued to move out of the room. Sr. Jeremy gave a pinch faced nod then turned to Polly who dropped her look of amused satisfaction and pulled a 'tsk-tsk' expression into the place as the nun stepped toward her.

"Let's go dear, we have plenty to do before breakfast." She edged around the girl who looked toward the opposite door and laughed silently.

xx

¹Peggy Sue, Buddy Holly, 1957, Coral Records, Clovis, New Mexico