Daughters by Florence Osmund Page B

“You look so pretty today.” She patted her on the head. “And different somehow. How was your trip to Kansas?”
    “Pretty nifty. Marie has the coolest apartment.”
    “Nifty?”
    “It’s a whole other language,” Marie explained.
    Claire put her hands on her hips. “Well, Rachael. I’m glad you had such a kick. Now tell me what else is buzzin’, cousin.”
    “Mrs. Brooks!”
    “Well, tell me what’s new.”
    “My birthday is today.”
    “No kidding. That’s just crazy!”
    The roar of laughter brought Ben into the kitchen. “Rachael, are you behaving yourself?”
    “Yes, Daddio.”
    Ben squinted and frowned. “Rachael…”
    “Just kidding,” she said back in a sing-songy voice.
    “Why don’t you come into the living room with Brenda and Denise?”
    Marie was certain Rachael would have rather spent her time with the grownups, but she followed her father’s orders anyway. “Okay,” she groaned.
    “Ben,” Claire called to him before he left the kitchen. She lowered her voice to no more than a whisper. “She’s so bubbly. I’ve never seen her like this.”
    Ben glanced at Marie, then back at Claire. “She hasn’t stopped talking about her trip to Atchison since she got back. I hate to say it, but I think I’m going to have to loosen the reins on her a little. It seems to have done a lot of good, thanks to Marie.” He gave Marie a heartfelt smile.
    “Hey, it was my pleasure. She can be a handful, but she has such a good heart. I thoroughly enjoyed being with her.” She gave Ben a wink. “I think I had just as much fun as she did. I wanted to…”
    “So when can I go back there, Dad?” Rachael’s voice swept into the room from somewhere around the corner.
    Ben glanced at everyone and heaved a big sigh. “She’s a handful, alright.”

    Claire made her traditional lasagna for Christmas Eve dinner. Everyone groaned afterward before they retreated to the living room for a glass of port. It appeared everyone had enjoyed Claire’s cooking a little too much.
    After everyone had settled down in the living room, Marie shot a glance at Claire, who then went into the kitchen. She came back with a cupcake that had a candle in it. Everyone sang “Happy Birthday,” while Rachael beamed. Marie waited for her to blow out the candle before saying anything.
    “Well, you’re officially a teenager now, Rachael. How does it feel?”
    Rachael smiled a sweet smile. “It’s cool.”
    Marie handed her a small gift box. “Happy birthday.”
    Rachael tore open the box, grinning from ear to ear. Inside were two gold heart-shaped earrings. But her smile soon faded to disappointment. “They’re for pierced ears,” she said softly.
    Marie tried hard not to smile. “I know.”
    Rachael stared at Marie for a confused moment, and then her face lit up. “Get out of here. Pierced ears?!”
    Marie nodded. “Read the note.”
    She read it out loud.
    I hope you like the earrings
I may just have to borrow
Both your ears, they will be pierced
The day after tomorrow!
Love, Marie
    “What?!” Tears filled Rachael’s eyes. She ran over to Marie to give her a big hug but then quickly pulled away from her, eyes wide, mouth open. She clutched Marie by the shoulders with a tight grip. “Wait! Does Dad know about this?”
    Her question was enough to make everyone roar with laughter. “Yes, of course your dad knows.” She put her hands on her hips. “I had to ask him first, you knucklehead.”
    “The day after Christmas?”
    “Mm-hmm.”
    “Man, that’s fantabulous!”
    “Okay…is that good?” her father asked.
    “Really, Dad. Yes, that’s good.”
    “Oh, okay.”
    After the commotion set off by Rachael settled down, Claire and Jonathan talked about the next morning, how they would open gifts and then attend the ten o’clock church service.

    Marie woke up on Christmas morning to the sweet smell of Claire’s cinnamon rolls. She and Karen dressed quickly and joined the others at the fireplace for the