One morning when Marlee was finished with breakfast, Grandma B said, "Marlee, how would you like to go on a road trip with me?"
Marlee hurried to her bedroom to gather up her clothes so she could get ready to go. She loved to go on road trips with her "B". While Marlee was in the bedroom she noticed that there was a pretty little box sitting on top of her clothes. "Oh, Grandma B, there is something that is on top of my clothes, what is it?"
Sure enough, when Grandma B came into the bedroom there was a small box that was laying on top of Marlee's clothes. Grandma B chuckled and said, "Well open it Marlee. It might be a treasure for you."
Marlee quickly tore open the box and found a necklace! Oh, it was such a pretty necklace. Grandma B helped Marlee put on her clothes then she put Marlee's new necklace around her neck. Oh, it was so pretty. But wait, there was something very special about Marlee's new necklace. It had a switch on it. When "B" turned on the switch it lit up! Marlee's new necklace had lights on it. How fun is that.
Grandma B and Marlee like to stop for lunch on their road trips. Marlee loves to "People Watch" and listen to what people are saying. These are good things to do while you are waiting for lunch. Sometimes Marlee doesn't want people to know that she is listening to them so she acts very nonchalant about it.
Marlee's necklace lights up and so does her smile.
A long time ago when Marlee's great grandfather was a young man there was another young man that loved to write and play music. He also loved to eat ice cream. He lived far far away. Someone asked him to write a silly song that people of all ages would love to sing and dance to.
What a wonderful combination! Marlee loves music and she loves ice cream too.
Not long ago Marlee talked her way through all kinds of obstacles to get a job advertising a new ice cream shop. Her pay was free ice cream. Stashia's cut was free ice cream too. Friends share and share alike when it comes to ice cream.
If Marlee lived in a bigger town there might be an ice cream truck. Ice cream trucks have nice people that give out ice cream cones, ice cream bars, and even frozen popsicles. When an ice cream truck comes to neighborhoods where little kids live, they play music so that their mamas can have some coins ready to buy ice cream for their children.
Sometimes when Marlee's mama and daddy take her to the ice cream shop she orders chocolate ice cream. She just loves it!
When that young man wrote this silly song he called it the Hokey Pokey. There was lots of discussion about this song, but the only thing that is important is that it is a fun song to sing and dance to.
Marlee and Grandma B love to sing and dance. This is just one of the fun things they do it on some of Marlee's overnights at Grandma B's house.
"These have been the longest four weeks of my life, thought Marlee. All I have been doing is working. I have to eat a vegetable every day and feed Kit. I can live with those two rules, but picking up my toys is a job. Whew, it just wears me out. I'm almost too tired to play with some of my toys. Oh, well, tomorrow I get to go get my new Big Wheel. I just can't wait. It is so pretty. They only had two (2) left. I have to get there early in the morning to make sure that I get just the one I want. It is pink and purple with yellow pedals. It's been so long I can't even remember exactly all the colors on it."
The next morning Marlee was dancing around and could hardly sit still while her mama put her hair in pony tails. Her daddy had counted her money and she had just enough to cover her half of the new Big Wheel.
When they got to town they went directly to the store where her new Big Wheel was waiting. Marlee ran down the aisle ahead of her mama and daddy just in time to see another little girl ride HER Big Wheel down the sidewalk towards the parking lot where the cars were.
"No!!! yelled Marlee. That's my Big Wheel. I have been working for four weeks to earn some money to buy it." She ran to her daddy and told him to stop that little girl she had her Big Wheel. Her daddy talked to the store man. He told Marlee's daddy that he didn't know that Marlee wanted it. He just sold it to the first person that had money in their hand.
Marlee's daddy said, "I understand, do you have another one?" The store man shook his head sadly and said, "No, I don't. I will have to order one for you. I have some sad news for you. The price on our Big Wheels have gone up so it will cost more than the other one."
What did that mean for Marlee? Daddy explained to Marlee that she would have to work some more to earn more money for the different Big Wheel. But, to make sure that she would get it, he would give the man some money so nobody could buy it until Marlee had all of her money.
Marlee couldn't imagine having to work, work, work. When would she ever have time to play? Then she thought of Grandma B. Maybe when she was at "B's" house she wouldn't have to work. Then she remembered that she did have to work at Grandma B's house too. She vacuumed and dusted there and helped with chores outside and helped feed Stashia and Spaz.
"That's okay. I want my Big Wheel."
Two (2) weeks went by and the man at the store called and said that Marlee's new Big Wheel was at the store waiting for her. This time even Marlee's daddy was excited. They went to the store, paid for it, and Marlee got to ride it out to the parking lot. Marlee couldn't believe her eyes. There was her cousin Cute
Carlee standing by HER Big Wheel! No wait, it was the Big Wheel that Marlee wanted two (2) weeks ago. The little girl that bought it was her cousin. Furthermore, she was parked in her parking spot!
Marlee loved her convertible for work. When she was reporting the news around town and out at the Mini Farm, it was the perfect thing. But she really didn't have anything just to run around in. Grandma B's Ranger was fun. Grandma B or Daddy usually drove it. Marlee wanted something to "girl up" in. She wanted a Big Wheel. Marlee had seen the big wheeled vehicles in the stores when she went shopping with her mama. She liked the bright colors and the streamlined design for a faster and smoother ride. She decided to talk to her daddy about it. He was pretty good for giving advice on big expenditures When her daddy got home from work they were sitting around being silly and talking about their days and making silly faces. She thought since he was in a really good mood she might ask about the Big Wheel purchase. Being a little girl she still had the big girl beautiful eyes and smiles and decided that she might try using those to convince her daddy to get her a Big Wheel.
Marlee started talking and describing what color she wanted and "yes, she was old enough to ride and drive one." Finally Marlee's daddy said that they could go look at them. If Marlee's mama said it was okay they would get her one on one condition. The condition was that they could only get one if it was on sale. Marlee agreed.
The next day they found a Big Wheel just exactly like the one that she wanted. But the price was too high. Daddy explained to her that she would have to work around the house to earn an allowance to help pay for it. If she could pay for half, then her mama and he would pay for the other half.
Marlee was not happy about this state of affairs. She knew that both her mama and daddy worked at jobs. They were tired when they got home. Would she be tired after she got done working too? She needed to know just exactly what kind of work she had to do. Daddy said that she would have to pick up her toys, and help feed Kit. She also was told that she would have to eat one vegetable with her dinner every night.
Marlee thought and thought. She loved vegetables as long as they were carrots and asparagus. She supposed she could try other ones. But picking up her toys? "No way, I'm just a little kid. Oops, I guess that argument won't work. I'll have to go along with Daddy's rules."
Marlee asked how long she had to work to pay for her half of the Big Wheel. He told her that it would take four (4) weeks. In those four (4) weeks she had to hold up her end of the bargain.
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The next story will tell what happened to Marlee at the Big Wheel shop after four (4) weeks of working.
Alice in the famous fairy tale was bored with her sister's book that had no pictures. Marlee on the other hand is never bored. The world is her place to explore and find all kinds of exciting things to do. Marlee especially likes to go to her Grandma B's. Why? Because Grandma B has all kinds of exciting things to do and learn. Today's story is about Marlee's first Tea Party.
On one of her overnight stays at Grandma B's house, Marlee discovered a treasure that just happened to be there for her to play with; a tea set. The dishes and the teapot were pink. It had cups and saucers, small plates and a teapot. Tea sets need more than one person; one to pour and one to drink. It seems that at "B's" house Marlee could actually have tea by herself and still have fun! Alice in Wonderland fell down a rabbit hole and had to drink tea constantly. That wouldn't be any fun. Having tea with "B" was fun. Let's see what they did at their first tea party together.
First, Marlee set the table for two (2). Oh look, Marlee is serving little cakes. Oops, I see that there is a bite taken out of one. I'm sure that was to make sure that "B" had a good cake to eat at the party. Marlee had to make sure that the food was tasty.
Then, of course, the tea. It seems that this tea is all the rage, perhaps called Orange Pekoe in some of the better Tea Shoppes where the really rich people go. If you will notice Marlee's left hand. She is showing her place in society by forming the correct placement of her little pinkie finger along with the perfect nail polish that matches the color of her new tea set.
Marlee set her "tea table" with the best of her treasures. She knows her table manners well and realizes that presentation of food for her guests is very important. She is placing four (4) of her very special treasures for table enhancements. Treasures are an important addition to the table to emphasize the difference between tea cakes and marbles and coins. You see no stone has been left unturned.
The only thing that Marlee has yet to learn is that Southern attire may be fine while looking for treasures and doing chores, but at tea time? Really. Yes, really. Marlee looks cute in bare feet and shorts. (Note that her polish and shirt are pink also.)
Grandma B had said a word to a friend one day that Marlee didn't understand. She heard her say that Marlee is "such a Diva." Marlee kind of wondered about that word because when Grandma B said, "Diva" she laughed, but she also shook her head. Her friend also laughed and said, "I know!"
One day when her new friend Kit and she were playing. Kit meowed loudly and didn't like it when Marlee tried to dress her up in doll clothes. Kit ran away. Marlee looked and looked and couldn't find Kit. Marlee put her little hands on her hips and said, "Kit's a Diva."
Marlee's mama saw and heard what was going on. She couldn't help but chuckle to herself and, of course, she told Marlee's daddy what had happened. They had a good laugh together and decided to tell Grandma B what had happened with Kit. Grandma B needed to know about the "Diva Situation."
The next "overnight" at Grandma B's house was fun. They danced, and colored, and hunted for treasures. She loved to stay with Her B. That was the crux of the matter Marlee was soon to find out.
The next day Grandma B had company. Grandma B's company was a baby. Grandma B liked to hold that baby. Marlee thought that she was the only one that Grandma B liked to hold and play with. Once again, our Marlee put her hands on her hips and said, "My B." Grandma B explained that she loved the baby and Marlee and that they could both sit on her lap. Marlee wasn't having it! She crawled off B's lap and went to find her friend, Stashia. As she was leaving she heard Grandma B say, "What a little Diva!"
That did it. Marlee needed to find out about that "Diva" word.
"Stashia, Marlee whispered, what is a Diva? "B" called me a Diva and shook her head a laughed. I need to know what that is."
Stashia choked and spit and growled and made a lot of funny noises. You need to remember that Marlee wasn't the first short person that she had helped raise. They all thought that they were Divas! How was she going to explain this to her little friend. Finally she told Marlee to go out to the porch she needed to talk to her. When they were out on the porch by themselves, Stashia explained that a Diva was an opera singer. She shouldn't worry about being a Diva until she was older and then Grandma B would explain it to her. "Just be nice to the baby and everything will be ok."
Marlee had heard Grandma B sing so she wasn't mad about being called a Diva, She wanted to be just like "B" when she grew up.
Marlee's uncle had been visiting with Grandma B today. Uncle B is Grandma B's oldest son.
He was talking to "B" about opening up an ice cream shop. Grandma B was not sure that opening up an ice cream shop was a good idea. She told Uncle B that she knew it would have customers in the summer, but what about in the winter? Who would buy ice cream when it was cold outside?
Marlee was about to jump out of her skin. She wanted to yell and dance and scream, "I would, I would. I love ice cream anytime. I like any color ice cream. I don't care if it's hot or cold outside. I love ice cream!"
She was sitting on Uncle B's lap and could hear every word that her Grandma B and her Uncle were saying. Oh, she so wished that she was big enough to tell them that she would help with the ice cream shop. She needed to talk to her friend, Stashia. She hopped off her Uncle's lap and found her friend. She told Stashia about the ice cream shop idea. Well, Stashia not only liked the idea, she loved the idea. Ice cream was something that the Short Person and she agreed upon. It was good any time.
Well, like good friends do, they talked about the ice cream shop until Marlee finally got an idea that Stashia thought just might work.
Marlee said that she could be their advertising girl. She could have her pictures on a sign. People would know that the ice cream was good if little kids like her liked it. Being a good business dog, Stashia said that she would back up her idea if she got a cut of the free ice cream that Marlee would be working for. Marlee agreed.
One day unknowingly Grandma B helped out Marlee and Stashia by giving her a paint with water set. Guess what? Marlee painted a picture of her eating ice cream. Grandma B called Uncle B and told him she had an idea.
"Huh. her idea?" thought Marlee. It really didn't matter as long as she could "work" for free ice cream she decided.
Well Grandma B, Uncle B, and lots of other folks decided that an ice cream shop just might work any time of the year.
Marlee got her job and Stashia cashed in on occasional free ice cream. Everyone was a winner.
Marlee was out on Grandma B's porch playing with B's cat, Spaz. They didn't play together very often, but when they did they had a good time. Today they were playing ball. Spaz loves to play ball, but not with Marlee. Marlee likes to run and play with bubbles and play with Stashia. Stashia is a big dog and tolerates Spaz, but they are not friends. They tend to leave each other alone and that makes for peace on the porch! Grandma B is always very happy when there is peace on the porch.
All of a sudden Marlee grabbed the ball away from Spaz and said, "No, my ball", and wouldn't let Spaz play with it any more.
That got Stashia's attention. She couldn't figure out what Marlee was up to now. "That short person is always getting into trouble. I hope this is nothing, but I can feel the fur on my back standing up. Something bad is going to happen I just know it."
About the time that Stashia thought trouble was brewing, Spaz let out a loud "Meow" and swatted at the ball that Marlee had taken away from her. Marlee let out a loud yell, and then wouldn't you just know it, Grandma B came out to the porch to see what all the commotion was about.
"Oh, oh, I had better take charge of this, or else my friend, Short Person is going to be in trouble."
Stashia walked in front of Marlee so Grandma B couldn't see what Marlee was doing. Stashia had Marlee's back, however, Grandma B was not to be fooled. She had seen the whole escapade and knew that her little Marlee was being naughty. The picture is definitely worth a whole lot of words. She had actually bitten off chunks of Spaz's foam ball. Now, Spaz didn't have a toy and Marlee didn't either. Stashia had barely escaped trouble and Grandma B did not have a peaceful porch.
Why didn't Marlee have a toy? Hmm, I wonder if Grandma B had something to do with that....
Wonder Marlee was sitting on her favorite rock thinking. It was so pretty here. There were lots of trees with green leaves and a pretty little stream of cold water.
All she could hear were the birds singing their pretty songs, and the lapping of water that slipped over the rocks in the stream. Not very many people knew about this place. Wonder Marlee called it "Her Peaceful Place." She usually came here to think, and rest between rescues of people that had been in trouble. It seemed like lately she had had to rescue a lot of folks but her family was the worst! "Oh, that Marlee and Stashia, she thought. It seems like I can't even have a day off without them getting into trouble."
She put her fingers in the ice cold water and frowned. Frowning wasn't something that she did very often. She was tired. She was tired of being afraid for Marlee and all the other people that always seemed to be in trouble. Wonder Marlee looked very young, but she really was quite old. She even knew Grandma Lu when she had needed rescued years ago. She was always in trouble there for a few years. "I'm so glad she got old and settled down nowadays," she thought. She was a friend of Grandma B's. She could remember when Grandma B helped Grandma Lu when she was sick years ago. "Grandma B is a good friend", she thought.
"I have it! she said out loud. I am going to change my name. I think I am going to be Cute Carlee from now on. When people need rescuing they can just call somebody else. I am officially on vacation."
"Little did she know, but Grandma B and Marlee and her mama and daddy had decided to come to her secret place to go treasure hunting. Marlee was looking for an adventure. Oh, oh, things could go terribly wrong.
The new Cute Carlee woke up to the sound of screaming and splashing water. She instantly went into Wonder Marlee mode. She was ready to rescue someone without even being called. Her eyes opened up big. She couldn't believe her eyes, it was Marlee!! "I haven't been on vacation for an hour and there she is in trouble again! Wonder Marlee started to go help, but she was not needed. Yes, Marlee was in the water, but she wasn't alone. Her mama took Marlee's hand and helped her walk in the water.
"Whew, thought Wonder Marlee, that was a close one. I guess I don't have to worry all the time do I? That's why Marlee has her family. They will take care of her and protect her. I can go on vacation after all."
And away she went way up high into the clouds for some well needed rest and relaxation.
Green Springs is where Marlee and her family went to look for Marlee's treasures. It was a peaceful place indeed.
Marlee had decided that her 'vention was to go up high and look down from the sky. She had told Stashia that she wanted to see the horses and donkeys from way up high.
Stashia was a bit worried that the Short Person could get herself into trouble with her "vention" as she called it. From the looks of things, Short Person was just not listening to any of the Humans. They all took turns telling her to walk in the bubbles and step on them not step into a really big one and fly away. At one point Stashia decided not to worry because Marlee was not liking the bubbles in her nose or her hair.
Then it happened. Short Person was really in trouble. She made a bubble big enough to step into, not on. "Oh, no, now what do I do? I guess I am going to have to get in the bubble with that silly little girl. I wonder if I am heavy enough to keep the bubble from floating way up high into the sky." Stashia went quickly out to the porch where the trouble was brewing.
Without any thought to her own safety Stashia got in front of Marlee and stepped into the big bubble. Instead of keeping Marlee out of the bubble it actually opened a soapy doorway for Marlee to just walk right in behind her.
"Oh, oh, trouble with a capital T just walked into the Bubble and here we go!" Stashia growled, Marlee squealed with delight and yelled, "My 'vention is working!"
Grandma B, and Marlee's mama and daddy started running and yelling. It did not help. Stashia and Marlee were floating up high in the sky.
Well, like all good plans do sometimes, things don't work out quite right.
Cousin Wonder Marlee just happened to be flying by. It was her day off so she thought she would visit Grandma B. Wonder Marlee thought to herself, "No way, it cannot be Cousin Marlee and Stashia."
She got closer and realized that those two were in trouble. She quickly flew under the bubble and flew them down to the ground safely.
Grandma B and Marlee's mama and daddy ran as fast as they could. They hugged Marlee and Stashia and told them how much they loved them.
They all told Marlee and Stashia that from now on that they should play on the porch and not fly away.
Grandma B had a hunch and whispered in Stashia's ear, "I think you were trying to help your friend, weren't you? You are such a good dog. You are going to get a special treat tonight. I love you, Stashia. Thank you for being such a good friend to Marlee."
One day when Marlee was at Grandma B's house she heard Grandma B talking in the kitchen. She went out there to see who she was talking to. She didn't see anybody in the kitchen, but this is what she heard B say, "Someday I'm going to invent something that all I have to do is flip a switch and I will be at the beach."
Marlee didn't have a clue what a "vention" was and she didn't know what a beach was, but it sounded very interesting. She stayed out of sight and listened to B talk to herself.
"I just don't think it would be so hard to make something that I could use to get out of here and go swimming." Oh, Marlee didn't like the sound of that. She went to Grandma B and hugged her leg. She asked B what a 'vention was. It was hard for Grandma B to understand Marlee, but she finally got it. She gave Marlee a hug and said, "Oh, Marlee, I don't want to leave you. I just need a vacation for a few days; maybe this winter I will go."
" A beach is sandy place by a big big lake. It's called an ocean. Don't worry about it, I'm going to stay here and play with you today. How's that sound?"
Marlee was all happy again, but did talk to her friend Stashia about 'ventions.
Since Stashia was older she knew about inventions. She told Marlee that when humans have a special idea that nobody else has thought of they go to work and make something that everybody can use and like. Marlee thought about what Stashia said. "I wonder if I can make a 'vention. I want to go to a beautiful place in a great big huge bubble or cloud. I would be able to look down on all the trees and the lakes. I could even see Grandma B's horses and donkeys. Oh, I could even see her house. I would be high in the sky!"
The next day Grandma B showed Marlee a bubble machine that her friend had gotten Marlee. "Oh boy, the start of my 'vention", she thought. Stashia wandered around and around thinking, "Oh, dear, here she goes, she is going to do something that I won't like. I just know it!"
Sure enough, Marlee didn't pay any attention to what her daddy or mama or Grandma B said, she just waved her arms trying to get her 'vention to work so she could go high in the sky.
Do you think Marlee's 'vention got her high up in the sky?
Marlee and Stashia have become really good friends. Yes, they can actually talk to each other, but they also enjoy doing things together. Marlee and Stashia love Grandma B, but they seem to make fun of her every chance they get.
Stashia is kind of a grumpy old dog, but Marlee teases her and gets her happy. They tell each other secrets and of course, they eat each other's snacks. Once again, Grandma B does not want that and tells each of them not to eat each other's snacks.
Marlee and Stashia whisper to each other and giggle (Marlee does) and Stashia has a low sound in her throat when she's happy.
This story happened just the other day when Marlee had an "over night" with Grandma B. As Marlee said the other day. Grandma B and her mama and daddy keep telling her how big she is getting, but they keep making her play baby games. It happened again. Marlee had just finished her lunch and Grandma B handed her a wash cloth so she could wash her face. See, she is getting big and can wash her own face. Then it happened, Grandma B said, "Marlee play peek-a-boo with me." Marlee made a grumpy face and then Grandma B got sad." B wanted Marlee to play just like a baby. Stashia was sitting by Marlee's highchair waiting for Marlee to drop something on the floor. She saw what was happening. She loved Grandma B and didn't want her to be sad. So she told Marlee, "Hey, B loves you, you be nice and play her silly games. That's what we do when we dogs love humans too. I don't always want her to scratch my belly, but I roll over and let her do it just to make her happy. I really don't always want to play fetch, but it makes her happy and makes me tired. But I do it anyway just 'cause I love her."
Marlee thought about what Stashia said, "Okay, Stashia, I think you are right. When B is happy she hugs me and we go treasure hunting and all kinds of fun things. When my Grandma B is happy so am I."
So Marlee played peek-a-boo with Grandma B and they were both happy.
Grandma B was in trouble she just knew it and Mama was not getting me out to Grandma B's Mini Farm fast enough. Mama said that we were going there and then she stopped at the store. I just couldn't help it. I cried and cried, I had to get to Grandma B's house! I yelled at my mama, "B, B. B I want my B. Mama, she is in trouble I can just feel it. Stashia is in the house and I don't think that B is in the house. I think she is outside. She told me that she was going to go outside and look for treasures. I just know that she needs me." "My mama didn't pay any attention to me. For one thing she can't always understand me when I talk to her like Stashia and Kit can. I just have to get to the Mini Farm as fast as I can!"
There was only one thing to do. Call Wonder Marlee to the rescue. Wonder Marlee was Marlee's cousin. They looked a lot alike and sometimes Wonder Marlee was on the scene where and when people needed help. Folks thought it was just Marlee, that's how much that they looked alike. "Well, here goes nothing," thought Marlee and she closed her eyes really tight and pulled on her ear and there was Wonder Marlee just like that. Wonder Marlee was all dressed up in red and gold and blue, just like Super Girl on cartoons, but Marlee knew she was there to help. "What's up, cousin, do you need some help?" Marlee said, "No, it's B and I just know something is wrong. My mama won't get me to the farm fast enough. Of all times she had to stop at the store. Will you go check on my Grandma B for me?"
Wonder Marlee was gone in a flash. When Wonder Marlee got to the farm she saw Grandma B out in the field in her funny car listening to music on her phone. "What are you doing, Grandma B? Marlee is crying her head off and giving her mama a bad time. She thinks you are in trouble and here you are sitting in this silly looking car listening to music. What's the scoop?"
Grandma B gave Wonder Marlee a hug and said, "I found some treasures, but I think that Marlee would like them better than I will. I just decided to enjoy the sunshine and watch the horses and donkeys play while I wait for Marlee to get here."
"Oh, oh, gotta go, somebody needs me to rescue them. I hope they are ok. See you Grandma B. Love you!" and she was gone! When Marlee's mama got done shopping at the store, they did go to Grandma B's house. Grandma B had driven her silly looking car back to the house. She was just going to get out when Marlee and her mama got there. Grandma B said, "You guys want to go for a ride?" Marlee's mama said, "Yes, we sure do." And away they went. They had a fun ride and Marlee's mama gave her a great big kiss. Marlee just loves her mama.
One day when Marlee was at Grandma B's house for a fun "over night" Stashia came walking over to her and laid her head in her lap. Marlee and Stashia have been good friends for awhile now. Marlee decided that she would tell Stashia about Kit. She knew this was not going to be a fun conversation because her doggie friend, Stashia, did not like cats at all! Cats were right up there with squirrels in Stashia's mind. She loved to bark at them and chase them as fast as she could run. The only cat she tolerated was Spaz, Grandma B's cat. She stayed out of her way and slept in her basket most of the time; no fun to chase or bark at. Marlee started to pet Stashia and made a decision to tell her about her friendship with Kit. She took a deep breath and told Stashia how much she loved her. Stashia stretched and mumbled, "I know, keep on petting me, please." Marlee kept on petting Stashia gently and said, "I have something to tell you and please don't get mad at me."
Stashia raised her head and grumpily said, "Ok, you woke me up, and you quit petting me, this had better be important."
"I have another friend, Stashia. I have a cat whose name is Kit. I know that you don't like cats very much, but Kit can talk too. I don't come to Grandma B's house every day and I need somebody to talk to every day, not just once a week. Kit lives with Mama and Daddy and me so I can talk to her just like I talk to you, but you will always be my special friend, okay?"
Marlee heard a very low deep sound that came from Stashia's throat. She was clearing her throat before she said, "I'm a lot older than you are Short Person. Over the years I have had lots of friends. We need friends to tell secrets to, jokes to and to laugh and cry with. One friend just wouldn't be enough for either one of us. Don't you dare tell Kit secrets that I tell you not to tell anyone else. A friend always keeps secrets, but friends love to tell other people all the fun things they do together. That's what it's all about, Short Person. It's called growing up. See how many friends that Grandma B has? They leave me alone and go places all the time. That's when I get into trouble sometimes, but don't you tell!"
Marlee told her special friend she would never tell secrets to her other friends. Marlee and Stashia leaned into each other and made a secret pact to be friends forever. Marlee reminded Stashia to not tell Grandma B that she ate Cheese Puffs before supper the other day that's why she didn't eat her supper very well. Stashia agreed that was a secret that she wouldn't tell.
A while back, Marlee and Stashia, ( Grandma B's wrinkly dog) called a truce and became friends. Marlee needed a friend. She found a good one in Stashia. Today Stashia needed a friend.
Stashia walked around the porch with her head down. She walked really slow and looked sad. She always looked sad because of her wrinkles, but today was a really bad day.
Marlee came out to the porch and laid her head on Stashia's back. Marlee loved Stashia. Marlee asked Stashia why she looked so sad. The conversation went like this:
"Well little short person, it's like this. I have just had it!! Grandma B just doesn't love me any more. You will never believe what she did." Well Marlee was shocked to hear Stashia say that. She knew that Grandma B loved Stashia.
"Stashia, how can you say that? You know Grandma B loves you, just like she loves me."
"You have no idea what she has done, little short person. She hung a bird feeder in the tree right outside my window. You know, I can tolerate birds, but something terrible happened this morning. I just won't stand for it. I just have to run away from home."
Well, Marlee got upset. She didn't want Stashia to run away from Grandma B's house. Stashia was her friend. When Grandma B got strange ideas about her sitting on that ugly green chair, Stashia had listened to her and told her it would be alright. She was right. It was ok now.
"You just have to accept that Grandma B is getting up there and has some strange ideas sometimes, Stashia. Besides that, where would you go? You have no food to take with you, you have no bed that you could carry with you. You especially don't have any snacks to take with you. You would be hungry and tired. Oh, please don't run away. Tell me what happened and I will help you. That's what friends do, they help each other."
Stashia's face got more and more wrinkled. Finally she told Marlee what had happened.
"This morning after Grandma B hung up that bird feeder in the tree right outside my window a squirrel started eating the bird feed right out of the net that Grandma B put stuff in for the birds to eat. You know that I just have to chase squirrels. It's just something that I have no control over. I have to chase squirrels. Remember what happened the last time I saw a squirrel? Grandma B was gone and I saw a squirrel. Well, I admit I got a little carried away, but I just couldn't help it! The curtains got knocked down, and the curtain rod and the lamp. Stuff just happens sometimes when I can't go outside and chase those things. When I saw that squirrel this morning. I knew I had to chase it. But Grandma B said, "Now Stashia, don't you dare knock down my curtains again. If you do, you will have to go to your bed and think about what you did wrong."
"See, short person, I don't have a choice, I have to run away."
Well, Marlee started to cry and said, "No, no, no! If you run away who will I have to tell my secrets to? Who will I pet and hug when I feel like it. Oh, Stashia, just stay here. We will come up with a plan. Between the two of us we should figure out something to do." Marlee thought and thought. Finally she came up with a plan. She went to Grandma B and took her hand and kept saying, "Come, come!" Grandma B went with Marlee and Marlee pointed to the bird feeder and said, "No, no, no. Down, down," Finally Grandma B understood. She looked at Marlee and then she saw Stashia and understood. When Grandma B looked out the window she saw the reason Marlee was saying 'down'. There was a squirrel on the bird feeder and of course, Stashia hates squirrels. "You got it, Stashia; down it comes."
One day when Marlee's mama was at work, Marlee and her daddy were home alone. Marlee loved to play with her mama and daddy. Today she had something that she really wanted to tell her mama, but it was a secret. She had told Stashia a lot of secrets. Stashia was her friend and friends didn't tell. She wondered if daddies were friends. Marlee thought and thought and wondered if she told her daddy her secret if he would tell her mama. She didn't want her mama to know quite yet. Her secret was at Grandma B's house. Marlee played and played with her daddy. They played peek-a-a-boo. For some reason that always made her daddy laugh. Marlee thought it was a baby game, but she squealed and laughed just to make her daddy happy. Everybody always told her what a big girl she was getting to be so she really shouldn't be playing baby stuff. Her dad was pretty cool though, because he would watch videos with her. It seemed like he would laugh at the same fun things she did. Her dad was a good movie friend. Finally she decided to tell her daddy her secret if he promised not to tell her mama yet. She wanted to wait and tell her mama herself.
Stashia thought she was a silly little girl and was not at all interested in her secret. Grandma B understood though and she said that she wouldn't tell her mama about her finding fairies at Grandma B's house. She wanted to make sure that her daddy believed her. If her daddy believed that there were fairies in Grandma B's garden then she would tell her mama. She wanted to surprise her.
While Marlee was in the bedroom she noticed that there was a pretty little box sitting on top of her clothes. "Oh, Grandma B, there is something that is on top of my clothes, what is it?"
