Skirting the Truth ~Part 2


Welcome to Fiction Friday! Today, Beth is hosting at her blog Laughing at the Days. Join us there for links to more fun fiction--whether you like reading fiction or writing it. We'd love to have you join us!

Okay, so this week for Fiction Friday I'm continuing my story 'Skirting the Truth' from last week. (this is one of my personal favorites!) I'll back up just a touch to refresh your memory, but if you missed the first installment, click here to read it.

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Skirting the Truth ~part 2
“Ooow!” Reggie jumped, swiping at his pant legs. “Git offa me!” Frantically he swatted and mindlessly ran. When he reached the wagon he was still hollering and swiping his pants.

“Haul his drawers down, he's got bees up his pants,” Earl called as he carefully rolled to his feet.

With a quick yank Martha had his pants part way down before Reggie jerked them back up.

All three stood in stunned silence.

“Yer a girl!”

Reggie's fingers clenched her waistband, her face flooding with color. Oh, no. In her panic she didn't even notice when a bee found its mark inside her pants.

Earl and Martha stood frozen, staring at each other until Martha's lips twitched and then tilted into a smile. She turned and looked at Reggie, seeing the long lashes and face of a girl.

“Well, I'll be,” Earl said softly, also looking at Reggie. “That sure does explain a lot.”

Martha put her arm around Reggie. “C'mon. Let's get you into the wagon so we can take care of those stings.”

“Hold on a minute.” Earl held out his hand to stop them.

Reggie flinched, bracing herself. Here it comes.

Earl's eyes narrowed and he slowly lowered his hand. “What's your real name?”

“Regina,” she whispered, her eyes wide, haunted.

“It's okay, Regina. You're safe here with us.” His gentle voice and eyes reassured her as much as his words. “You ladies go on and take care of them stings and I'll get us ready to roll.”

Regina's pants had been shaken out and the stingers scraped when Martha pulled a jar of salve from a small chest. “This here's the salve my granny used on me whenever I got stung; it should help take the bite out them.”

Martha's kindness and gentleness made tears well in Regina's eyes. I wish she were my ma. “I didn't mean to deceive you.”

Martha smiled sadly. “Didn't you, though?”

Regina dropped her chin, hiding her tears from Martha. “I'm sorry,” she whispered.

“We understand there was a reason for it but we need you to tell us the truth now, can you do that for us?”

“Yes'm, I can.”

“Good girl.” Martha wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze, dropping a light kiss on the top of her head. She ruffled the ragged ends of Regina's hair. “I'll trim these up later so it'll look nice as it grows out. How long was it before you cut it?”

“Down to my waist, but it's been kinda nice having it short.”

“I don't doubt it for a minute,” Martha chuckled. “You'll probably miss your pants, too.”

Regina grimaced. “I didn't bring my dress with me; I was afraid it'd be found.”

“Don't worry, we'll find one for you sooner or later.” Martha smiled. “Now let's get out there and help Earl. Noonin's bound to be over soon and I know he's anxious to hear your story.” Martha raised the wagon flap and carefully crawled out, Regina following right behind.

“Well, Martha, do you think Regina's as much a help as Reggie was?” Earl called out as Regina's feet landed outside the wagon.

Regina reached out and took her battered hat from his hand and slapped it on her head. “Of course I am.”

Working together they soon had the wagon rolling and were walking alongside the oxen, just as they often did.

“Are you running away?” Earl asked.

“No, sir,” Regina quickly replied. “Well, not really,” she amended.

Earl's eyebrows rose. “Why don't you tell it to us straight, and don't leave nothing out.” His voice was gentle but firm, the same as it had been many other times.

Please don't let them send me back.

...to be continued next week.
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Next week will be the last installment of Reggie's story. I'm working on some backstory for what I'm considering (really wanting) for my next full-length project, and my plan, at this point at least, is to post a little of that the following week. We'll see...

I hope you're enjoying Reggie.
Don't forget to join us at Laughing at the Days for more fiction links!

12 comments:

  1. So, is this part of your homeschool's required reading? (nothing like writing your own curriculum! *smile*)

    I can't wait to read more...love it!

    Vonnie

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  2. Great story, Peej! Love the characters already. I'm looking forward to reading more, too.

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  3. Really loving this story! Add my name to the list of looking forward to reading more. :*)

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  4. DEFINITELY looking forward to more of this delightful character. I LOVE her!

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  5. Ooh, a real serial!
    This one sounds good enough to be a "Serial killer!"

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  6. I don't know if I can wait until next week! I love Reggie and I'm anxious to hear her story. I hope you decide to turn this into a novel! (hint)

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  7. Oh this is sooooooooo unFAIR! That's too short a continuation! TOO short, I tell ya! lol. This was good, so glad to see the story continuing!

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  8. No!! You can't make us wait another week!! This is so good Peejie… I want to say "I couldn't put it down"… but since it's on my laptop rather than in bookform, I may have to revise that. I feel compassion for Regina… and I'm eager to find out why. Great writing, Peejie!

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  9. Definitely looking forward to more! Great story, Patty!

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  10. Anonymous11:28 AM

    very interesting. You've left off at an excellent spot. Can't wait until next week.

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  11. Anonymous11:28 AM

    very interesting. You've left off at an excellent spot. Can't wait until next week.

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  12. Ah, guaranteeing we have a reason to come back and read each week, eh? I'm looking forward to seeing where this will take us.

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