If you haven't read the beginning of the book start with Chap. 1

Chapter 7

Copyright © Saved Girl. All rights reserved.

                Crystal watched in terror as the car barreled down at her.  She glanced around and realized that she couldn't get out of the way. On one side of her the car blocked her escape, on the other there was a wall.

                The car came closer and closer, its brakes screeching as the driver attempted to stop the car. The car finally managed to come to a halt, inches from Crystal.

                Crystal felt her legs weaken and she fell to the ground. She heard several car doors slam and slipped into unconsciousness.

                Crystal woke lying on a couch in her house. She groaned and sat up.

                "Well I am glad to see that you are awake," came Miss Fanny's concerned voice. "Are you sure you are alright?"

                "Yes," Crystal replied. "And I am not going to stay on this couch all day."

                Miss Fanny nodded, "Alright. Perhaps we cou-

                Mary cut her off. "Could we play a game?"

                "Sure," Crystal said grinning. "But not on the couch!"

                Mary and Miss Fanny laughed with her and sat down to play a game.

                Later when Miss Fanny and Crystal were preparing dinner, Mary came up to the former and said, "Miss Fanny, could you come listen to me read?"

                "Go ahead," Crystal said. "There isn't much left to do."

                Miss Fanny and Mary seated themselves on the couch and opened a small book.

                As Crystal heard Mary read the words haltingly she smiled. She walked over to the opening that led to the room the others were in.

                She studied the scene before her. Mary sat curled up next to Miss Fanny, her head leaning against the latter's shoulder. Miss Fanny had her arm around Mary's shoulder and was listening intently to her.

                Crystal felt her throat tighten and a muffled sob broke through her lips. Mary didn't notice and kept reading, but Miss Fanny glanced quickly up and gave Crystal a questioning look.

                Crystal whirled around as tears stung her eyes and choked back another sob. She worked feverishly at the meal.

                Once the food was in the oven she called out, "Everything is in the oven so let's finish that game."

                The rest of the evening Crystal noticed that Miss Fanny was looking at her strangely. Mary however prattled on happily.

                After Mary had gone to bed Miss Fanny and Crystal sat down and chatted.

                Suddenly Miss Fanny asked her, "What was the matter when Mary was reading?"

                Crystal sighed, "It just kind of took me back. Mama and I used to read together like that."

                Miss Fanny said, "Go on."

                "I would rather not. It is just too-," her voice trailed off.

                "Sometimes it helps to talk. Tell me about it."

                When I was about Mary's age Mama came to me and told me that we were going to start reading together in the mornings. So the next morning we sat down and began what has been my favorite book since then. It was Caddie Woodlawn. Of course she was a little to tom-boyish for my liking but I suppose I am getting off the subject.

                We would sit and dramatize it as we read. We loved to just pick a person and talk for that person as we thought that person would speak. We kept doing it with other books until-until," her eyes filled with tears and she turned away, unable to continue.

                "Why don't you do something like that with Mary," Miss Fanny suggested. "I am sure she would love it."

                Crystal wiped her tears and said, "Well Mary isn't exactly what you would call an avid reader."

                "It doesn't matter. She would be glad that you took the effort to do it with her. She really looks up to you and wants you to do things with her."

                Crystal laughed shakily, "How do you know things like that?"

                "You forget that I was once a youngest child, too."

                "Alright. I'll do it."

                "Come on, let's go to bed," Miss Fanny said yawning.

                Crystal ascended the stairs with a peaceful heart. Miss Fanny was there and everything was okay.