|
|
|
|
PAGE 2.....“So, Marie, how was work? Did you enjoy the waterpark today? I bet it’s a lot of fun to work there.” “Yeah, Mom, lots of fun,” Marie mumbled with a sneer. “Why do I think you are being sarcastic with me?” Marie’s Mom picked up on her tone. “Well, Mom, I AM WORKING. It’s hot in the stand with the grill going, and the people are all hot and wet and in a hurry to get their food. No one is very nice.” “Work isn’t meant to be nice, Marie. It’s time you grew up and realized what a dollar is worth.” Mom started preaching. “I know Mom, I know.” Marie also knew it wasn’t worth explaining or complaining to her Mom. She would just risk another lecture. “Did you make any new friends at work?” Mom was trying to be positive. “Yeah Mom, I work with a guy named Jerry and the Saturday girl is Ginny.” “Oh, do you know them from school or the neighborhood?” “No Mom, they aren’t from around here. Their folks have summer homes at the Lake. They live in the city.” “Oh, that’s nice,” Mom was now reading the paper and has obviously checked out of this conversation. Marie took it as a cue to escape to her room. Mom didn’t even notice she was gone. Marie was so tired and grease covered her t-shirt, so she took a shower before collapsing onto her bed for a rest. She rolled over and felt a lump under her shoulder. A pillow? No, a forgotten friend. Her rag doll, “Daisy,” lay face up, seemingly looking for recognition in Marie’s distracted teenage eyes.
 Followers of these
'Chronicles' know that Daisy was Marie’s
trusted friend throughout her childhood, bringing comfort and rescuing her from
all kinds of bad luck and tough situations. But Daisy was discarded. Marie
learned the lessons Daisy had to teach and looked on her as a crutch now. Marie
thought it was about time she made it on her own, “reinventing herself” as she
went along. So she ventured out of the house every day now without the tattered
buddy, hoping to be someone “new.”
Daisy’s limp string hair wrapped gently aroun Sunday was just as busy, but the crowd was different somehow. Marie went into work with a smile. She was determined to make better friends of Jerry and Ginny. She even practiced conversations with new “voices,” preparing friendly questions about their families and their interests. Here’s how it started out: |
d Marie’s
wrist now, and she knew they missed each other very much. Did Daisy hope to
attach herself so Marie wouldn’t leave her behind? We don’t know for sure, but
you all know that Daisy isn’t your run-of-the-mill rag doll.