What the Moon Said (9 page)

After a while, the farm wagons and cars she'd expected finally began to come. But not headed
toward
town—coming
from
town. And instead of families, most of them carried men and older boys. Many of them stopped and bought nuts from Esther. They were all in high spirits and laughing heartily.

“Did you see the look on his face when we gave it to him?” one man said, slapping his knee. “By Jove, that was a look I'll never forget.”

The other men—men Esther recognized by face if not by name—were loud in their agreement. What was going on? But she had no time to puzzle it out. She had to scamper to fill orders. Then a car stopped and Pa jumped out. By this time, Esther's curiosity was past controlling.

“What's going on, Pa? Where've you all been?”

Pa swooped Esther up and twirled her around. His whole face was a smile. “We did something good today,
Liebling.
We saved the Nielson farm.”

Esther gasped. “How?”

Pa set her down on the crate. “All the farmers from twenty miles around went to the auction. We got there very early. Before anyone else. We blocked all the roads leading to the farm so no one else could get through. When the auctioneer asked for bids, the only one he got was from us—five dollars!” Pa laughed. “Such a look he got on his face! But he had to take it. And then we gave the farm back to Nielson. So he will not be moving after all.”

Esther jumped up and down, clapping her hands. “You're heroes!”

Pa shook his head. “Not heroes, Esther. Just good neighbors.”

Esther felt very proud later when she handed Ma and Pa the cigar box of coins she'd earned. One dollar and fifty-five cents in all! The look on Pa's face was worth all her work and more. But Ma, what would Ma do? Esther trembled with anticipation.

Ma slowly reached out and touched Esther's cheek. Her hands were red and work worn, but her touch was soft. Esther felt as if her heart might fly right out of her body it was beating so fast.
“Nu,”
said Ma. “You did good work, Esther. Very good work.”

It had not been a hug, but it had been so nearly one that Esther was satisfied. Ma was proud of her. The hug that would prove she
loved
her was coming closer all the time.

For the rest of the day Esther thought about how Pa had helped to save the Nielsons' farm. He and the other men had come up with a daring plan. And it had worked. Now Wes and Thomas wouldn't have to move away.

“He is a hero,” she whispered to Margaret that night. “No matter what Pa says, he's a hero.” It had been a while since Esther had thought of Rin Tin Tin. But she thought of him now. She remembered thinking that Rin Tin Tin was a hero. But Rin Tin Tin only saved people from pretend disasters. Pa had saved people from a real one.

“I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO MAKE A COSTUME
out of these things,” Esther complained. She turned the flame of the kerosene lamp higher and surveyed the odds and ends on the table. There was an old, old shirt of Pa's, much tattered and torn. There was a pair of his overalls. There were two mismatched work gloves, each lacking a couple of fingertips. And there was a battered and stained straw hat. Esther groaned in despair. “A witch's cape would be
so
much easier.”

Violet looked up from her arithmetic homework. She glanced over her shoulder into the parlor. “Don't let Ma hear you,” she warned in a whisper. “You know what she said about you dressing like a witch.”

Esther sighed. Ma had been furious that Esther would even suggest such a thing. “You make fun of things you do not understand,” she had scolded. “That can be dangerous.”

There was that word again.
Dangerous.
First Bethany and now witch costumes were dangerous. But Esther had seen lots of children dress as witches in Chicago. Nothing bad had happened to them.

“Look at this shirt,” she grumbled. “It's got about a hundred holes in it! And the overalls are way too big. But I can't cut them 'cause Pa needs them back.”

“Scarecrows are supposed to be goofy looking,” Violet tried to comfort her.

But Esther only got more upset. “I don't want to look goofy. I want to look scary!” She jumped to her feet, bared her teeth, and waved claw-like hands in the air.

“R-r-r-r-r!”

On the porch, Mickey was startled into barking. Even Esther had to let go of her bad temper to laugh. She had frightened Mickey even without a costume. She supposed she really was making too much of things.

She probably didn't have a chance of winning the silver-dollar prize no matter what. Sarah Sanderson's mother was making her a princess costume with real sequins on the sleeves. Nothing would beat that. Still, it would have been nice to hand that silver dollar to Ma after the party. “More money toward the mortgage,” she would say. And wouldn't Ma be proud of her then!

Oh well, Esther thought. Maybe next year. She was going to the church Halloween party. That was the important thing. The party was less than a week away, so there was no time to waste.

If only Julia were there. Julia was a real seamstress, like Ma. She could do anything with a needle and thread. She would turn the pile of old clothes into a splendid costume, easy as pie. Even Violet might have been a help. But she was too busy with homework and her own costume.

So Esther was on her own, and she was all thumbs with a needle. She had to start somewhere, though. She frowned and set the gloves aside. They could be worn as they were. And, awful as the hat was, it, too, would do. After all, as Violet had pointed out, scarecrows weren't supposed to be stylish. That left her with the shirt and overalls. She looked from one to the other. Well, at least she knew what she had to do with the shirt. She set her jaw, laid the pants aside, and started stitching torn seams.

• • •

At school, everyone was talking about the coming party.

“They served ice cream last year,” Thomas reminded everyone daily.

“And caramel apples,” someone else would add.

“And popcorn balls,” another voice would chime in.

Esther's mouth watered just thinking about such treats.

“This week is going by so slow!” Bethany complained on Wednesday. “I feel like Friday's never going to come.”

“I just hope I can finish my costume in time,” Esther said. “The shirt's finally done, but I still don't know what to do about the overalls. Even with the legs rolled up and the straps as high as they'll go, they're way too long.”

“Why don't you ask your mother for help? Likely she'll have an idea,” Bethany suggested.

Esther didn't want to admit she was still sulking because Ma wouldn't let her be a witch. She just said, “We'll see.”

The next day, after school, she found a fat letter from Julia in the mailbox. Quickly Esther ripped open the envelope as Walter raced ahead to the house. Then, walking slowly, she read the letter aloud to Violet.

October 20, 1930

Dear Esther,

I loved your story about how the farmers saved your neighbors' land. I wish people in the city cared as much about one another. More and more families are being evicted from their homes because they've lost their jobs and can't pay the rent. Now that Howard's workdays have been cut, he and Kate are gladder than ever that I'm with them. The money I give them toward the rent and food is a real help.

Little Henry is thriving. Yes, he smiles quite a lot. He's a good baby and Kate is a wonderful mother. She can't wait to show him off when we visit you at Thanksgiving.

Good news! David found a job at last. It's hard work. He unloads trucks all day. But he's so glad to be earning money again, he doesn't mind his sore muscles.

Now for the real reason for this letter. I haven't forgotten that you asked for my advice about Bethany and Ma. I just wanted to understand some things better before I tried to explain them to you. So last week I visited Aunt Olga. She told me more about Ma's life in Russia.

You know that when Ma was eleven, her mother died. Because she was the oldest girl, Ma had to cook and clean while her father and older brother worked in the fields. And she had to take care of her little brothers and sisters. One of them was a little sister named Tatiana.

“Tatiana!” Violet exclaimed. “Isn't she the sister Aunt Olga said looked so much like you?”

Esther nodded impatiently. “Yes. But hush while I finish the letter.”

Ma loved all her brothers and sisters, but Tatiana was especially dear to her. Ma couldn't resist her smiles and playfulness. Instead of insisting that Tatiana obey, Ma often gave in to her, and she gave her lots of attention. One day—although she'd been told many times to stay away from it—Tatiana went wading in their stream, and she drowned. Ma was brokenhearted. She said she had angered the fairies by ignoring them and spoiling Tatiana. She insisted that what happened to Tatiana was her fault, her punishment. Aunt Olga says Ma was never the same after that. To protect the other children, she became more and more superstitious.

Esther had to stop reading. Her eyes were filled with tears. “Poor Ma,” she gulped. “She told me about Tatiana's accident, but she didn't tell me that she blamed herself for it.”

Violet sniffled. “And Ma was so young.”

Esther wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and lifted the letter again.

I'm sorry, Esther. I know none of this tells you how to change what Ma believes about Bethany. I don't know if there is a way to do that. But I'm hoping this story will help you to understand why superstitions have such a hold on Ma.

My goodness, this letter has gotten long! I have to stop or I'll be late for work.

Be sure to write and tell me all about the party.

Happy Halloween!

Heaps of Love,

Julia

Esther folded the letter carefully. Automatically she put it back in its envelope and tucked it into her reader. She was deep in thought. No wonder Ma believed in superstitions and signs. She had seen them come horribly true. Maybe all the wishing in the world could not change her.

That night, Esther swallowed her pride and asked Ma for help with her costume. Ma took one look at Esther in Pa's overalls and shook with laughter. But a moment later she darted out of the room. When she came back, she had Pa's belt in her hand. “Pull the pants up at your waist,” she instructed.

Esther pulled them up. Ma put the belt around Esther's middle and buckled it snugly. Next, she rolled up the bottoms of the long legs. Finally, she crisscrossed the straps three times in the back before pulling them over Esther's shoulders to fasten. “There,” she said. “Now put on the shirt and the hat and gloves. Let me see what kind of scarecrow you will make.”

Esther hurried into the pantry and pulled her dress over her head. Then she slipped her arms into the long sleeves of Pa's old, mended shirt. She was eager to show Ma what she looked like before Ma got involved with something else and forgot her interest in Esther and her costume.

Quickly, Esther buttoned the shirt and slapped the hat onto her head. She was stuffing the shirt into the overalls when she realized the shirt was buttoned crooked. Darn! Ma would notice that for sure and she would scold. Uneven buttoning was bad luck and the only thing to do about it was to unbutton the shirt, take it off, and shake all the bad luck out of it. Then and only then was it safe to put it on again and button it properly.

But Esther was in a hurry. With fumbling fingers she quickly unbuttoned the shirt, gave it a couple of flaps with her arms still in the sleeves—surely that was good enough—and speedily redid the buttons. A minute later she burst out of the pantry and ran to find Ma and Pa in the parlor.

“Ach!” Pa cried. “A scarecrow in the house. What will happen next!” But he was laughing.

Ma smiled and nodded. “You look good,” she told Esther.

“I couldn't have done it without you,” Esther said. “Thank you, Ma!” Impulsively, she threw her arms around Ma's neck. At once she felt Ma stiffen and pull back. Esther dropped her arms as if she'd been stung. She turned away so Ma wouldn't see the tears flooding her eyes.

“It is time for bed,” Ma said quickly, blowing out the flame in the parlor lamp. “Do not forget to leave your door open,” she added gently. “It gets cold these nights.”

Was Ma sorry that she had pulled away from Esther? Was that why her voice was so soft? Had Esther's hug just startled her? And if Esther had taken the shirt off and shaken out the bad luck before she buttoned it back up, would Ma have hugged her back? Now she would never know.

Violet was in their bedroom brushing her hair in front of the mirror. When she saw Esther, she exclaimed, “The overalls fit! How did you manage it?”

“Ma helped me,” Esther said. “Look.” She tugged up on the top part of the overalls to reveal the belt. “And . . .” She twisted around to show Violet her back. “The crisscrossing shortens the straps a lot.” Esther's excitement about the costume contest was quickly returning. Maybe she had a chance at the silver-dollar prize after all.

“Tomorrow night I'll put flour on my face. I'll have straw sticking out of my shirt and gloves and hat. I'll look just like a real scarecrow.” She glanced at Violet's colorful costume hanging on the back of the door. “You'll make a pretty gypsy,” she said. “But wouldn't you rather be scary?”

Violet shook her head. “Nope. I'd rather be beautiful and mysterious.” She fluttered her eyelashes. They had finally grown back. Violet was convinced they were longer and thicker than before. Esther was just as sure they were not, but she knew better than to say so. She twirled around happily.

“I can't wait 'til tomorrow!” she sang.

• • •

The next day at school seemed to last forever. Even recess was too long. But finally Mrs. Davies rang the bell. School was dismissed.

“Be sure to come early,” Bethany reminded Esther as they bounded down the school steps. “We don't want to miss any of the fun.”

“I'll be there as early as I can,” Esther promised. Walter was tossing his cap in the air. “Walter, put your hat on your head before it lands in a mud puddle,” she scolded. Then she waved one last time to her friend. “Bye, Bethany. See you at the party!”

Violet joined Esther and Walter and they started for home. Their steps were lighter and faster than usual. It wasn't long before they arrived at the old farmhouse. Ma had just finished making Walter's pirate costume. He was so excited, he had to try on the black vest and eye patch at once.

“You're perfect!” Esther said when he strutted around the kitchen, waving his cardboard sword.

“Can we go to the party now?” Walter asked Ma.

“No, not now. The party is not until after supper,” she explained.

“But can we go early?” Walter persisted. “Bethany told Esther to be sure an' go early so we don't miss any of the fun.”

Esther's heart stopped.

Ma stiffened. Then, slowly, slowly she turned to level a piercing look at Esther. “Bethany?” Ma repeated. “Why would Bethany say this to you when you are not friends with her anymore?”

Esther's heart exploded into a wild pounding. Her face was on fire. Her mouth was suddenly so dry, her tongue seemed stuck. How could she explain? Ma would never understand. Never! Esther could barely meet Ma's stern gaze. Her knees began to shake. “I-I—” she tried to speak.

But Walter was faster. “Esther and Bethany are so friends,” he told Ma. “Best friends, like me an' Lars. Right, Esther?” He turned to grin at her, but seeing Esther's face, his grin wobbled uncertainly.

“Walter, go to your room,” Ma said quietly. He fled. “Violet, go peel potatoes for supper.” Violet threw Esther a look of sympathy and vanished into the kitchen. For a long moment Ma just looked at Esther. She was angry. But there was something in her face besides anger. Something Esther had never seen there before. Disappointment, yes. But also pain. Esther had
hurt
Ma. Esther bit her lip, trying not to cry. Ma hated tears.