Our instincts proved us right, just as we had foretold. The experience of spending a night in jail had no influence on Peggy and Donna's unwavering attitudes. To be completely honest, they had become even more unbearable, if that was even possible. With frustration clear on their faces, they stomped their feet and swore at them, placing the blame for their parent's incarceration squarely on their shoulders.
Peggy and Donna firmly believed that our family and friends caused their parents to be in jail, convinced that our actions were the cause. They refused to listen to what anyone had to say even more, so their grandmother, Peggy, had the nerve to slap their grandmother across the face and then spit in it, for even suggesting that their parents were in the wrong. They refused to help with anything when asked to help with chores that needed to be done. Instead, they would sit on the couch and stare angrily and whisper angrily in each other's ear. No doubt plotting revenge.
The situation had deteriorated so much that Lorain and Marry begged Pa to lock them in their room, desperate for peace and tranquility. They practically had to drag them down the hall, their feet scraping against the floor until he finally gave up and hoisted them over his shoulder, their screams echoing through the hallway. For almost two hours, all they could hear was the relentless pounding of fists on the bedroom door, followed by the shattering of glass as they watched them flee down the road.
Knowing that the journey back to town would be a grueling three-hour walk, especially difficult for those unaccustomed to walking barefoot, nobody bothered to pursue them this time. Even though they had treated their grandmother with cruelty, she still found it in her heart to show them pity, regardless of the verbal abuse and physical assault she had endured. She and Lizzy went after them once they figured they had gone far enough. We believed that the further they went, the better it would be. Going straight to hell wouldn't even be far enough; in fact, they would feel right at home among their own kind there.
By the time they came back, supper was on the table. With Peggy and Donna's larger-than-life egos, the house felt suffocatingly crowded, as if there was no room for anyone else. Given the chance, we would have let them eat and sleep in the barn with the rest of the animals, but our kindness prevailed over cruelty. The animals' welfare was our top priority, especially those in the girl's vicinity, to ensure they did not experience any unnecessary suffering. Setting aside our feelings, we gathered once more with friends and family, ready to share a meal together before they too had to return to their home. We did our best to ignore them when they stared back at us with heated and angry stares.
Thinking they were all crazy as loons, boys, and men insane wearing dresses they couldn't pronounce. A dress to them was a still a girl's dress. Men and boys simply didn't wear them. It could stop traffic a mile away. Just the mere sight could make you go blind. Peggy whispers to Donna, "At least it is better than seeing them naked." Peggy whispers, and Donna agrees. We need to get out of here; I want to go home."
Donna nods, looking at her hands and staring at the boys across the table. "I hate it here," Donna replies.
"Me, too," Peggy said. Well, lest we agree on something anyway," she said, then kicked her sister just for fun. Oh, that felt good…" until she kicked her back.
"Stop it," Donna replied
"You stop it," Peggy answered back Mary leaned over the two girls as they quickly stopped. After dinner and dessert, they waved goodbye to their new friends, telling them we'd see them soon at the annual picnic. EJ smiled and waved thanks to them again for the gift.
"It's a lot better than a sheet," he replied. He can't wait to spin around in it, just like his two brothers Robert and Will. That will have to wait until Ma can fashion some shorts for him to wear underneath. It could be drafty, and just thinking about it makes him blush a little, as he checks to make sure his waist is covered. Robert looked over at him, smiled, and noticed him checking the gown, pulling down tight over his knees. "EJ, you're fine. Besides, who's going to notice you accept us? The girls are on the other side of the table," Robert said.
EJ whispers, "I know, Robert. I just felt a draft when they opened the door," he said.
Robert laughed, "Oh, never thought of that."
"Alright, boys, go ahead. Finish your chores, then I want you to go straight to bed," Ma said.
"Yes, Ma."
"You too, girls. We all had a long couple of days, and we could use a good night's sleep," Ma said. Ma helped clear the table and do the dishes. Mary and Lizzy bring her back, sitting her back down on the couch next to EJ.
"Martha, we got it, dear."
Martha sighed picked up the sewing needle and thread and started working on the gowns. She shook her head and whispered, watching the three aunts do all the work running her house as she sat here feeling helpless.
Wayne leaned over to her, smiled, kissed her on the head, and whispered, "Do you know how much I love you, dear?"
She grinned, looked into his eyes, looked over at EJ reading one of his many books, and saw Danny and Sam falling asleep against each other. "Yes, dear," kisses him on the cheek.
"Then just relax. You have gowns to make, and I have two boys that need to be put to bed," he said, humming in her ear. Martha giggles like a schoolgirl, softly watching him move and pick up the boys in his arms one at a time, onto his shoulder, and carry them down the hall to where the boys all share the same room, placing them on a mattress on the floor.