ALL IN TIME

A scrawny ten year old trudged across an open farmyard dragging a bucket behind her. She was dressed in a loose flowery oversized gown that fell almost to her ankles. A brown untidy hat hid a mass of rich brown hair with tendrils escaping to frame an angelic face that needed a good scrubbing. Hiking up her dress to reveal worn out boots, she climbed a well and stood astride it to draw water. Her father couldn't afford a pulley — amongst other things.

She repeated the exercise until she filled up the animals’ drinking trough, then she let the animals out before picking up a broom to sweep. She clapped her hands when she was done and dusted her dress as she examined her work. Satisfied with her efforts, she sauntered back into the kitchen to eat some of the porridge she had prepared in her mother’s absence.

She was sitting at the table in the kitchen when the kitchen door flew wide open.

“‘elo gal!" A tall lean man, handsome with a well sculpted face and an arrogant jaw, in his thirties with curly brown hair and skin almost brown from the sun filled the doorway.

"Papa!” Lesley practically flew into his strong arms. She hadn't seen him in days. Burying her face in his shirt, she breathed in his scent and her eyes watered with gratitude for having him home in one piece.

Taylor McBride may not have had much money, but he was one hell of a bull when it came to caring for his family. In addition to the farm, he regularly joined other farmers to hunt and it took him away from home for days.

"Mm. . . What's that aroma?” He tickled Lesley as he put her down.

She giggled and went on to dish him a generous helping of the porridge she had prepared. “I made it myself from scratch.”

He shoved a spoonful into his mouth and chewed appreciatively, "Yum. . It tastes just like your mother's." Taylor gave her a high five and looked around. "Where is she anyway . . . and the boys?"

"She went down to the market to get some vegetables for supper.”

"It's just as well. Pa Anthony and I caught a wild boar twice your size. We might as well have some vegetables with the meat. "

Lesley gave a wild yelp and did a little food dance while her father laughed.

Sounds of running feet announced the arrival of her mother and brothers from the market. Lesley rushed outside to help her mother with her bags. She halted abruptly when she saw her mother’s hand and frowned-Her mother carried a single paper bag. Tears welled up in little Lesley's eyes and she dashed across the homestead to Jake's farm.

********************************************************************

Jake was feeding his father's pigs when she flew across the fence and fell at his feet weeping. Startled, Jake dropped his bucket of feed and some flew all over Lesley's head and dress which only made her howl louder. Jake crouched beside her and began dusting the feed off her. "Why are you crying Les?”

Lesley raised her tear streaked face to look up at him. "Mama broke her promise.”

"Oh Les.” He said and held her as she wailed.

At fourteen, Jake had the insight of a forty year old. Having lost his father at nine, Jake took over the household and made all the major decisions as his mother’s partner in running the farm and household. His father had left a small fortune behind but it was Jake's prudence and incredible skills that kept his family financially afloat. He borrowed books and home schooled so that his three younger sisters could attend the local primary school.

Being a first child herself, Lesley had always seen him as a pillar of strength though only four years older than she was.

Finally able to calm down, Lesley spoke amidst sniffs. "She promised . . . to . . . to . . . buy me a dress for the school dance . . . she didn’t! I have nothing to wear!" She erupted in a fresh bout of wails.

Jake fought hard to suppress a smile while he consoled her. Trying to reason with Lesley right now would be a waste of time. She was a good girl but sometimes she tended to lose sight of the more important things. Jake also knew how important the dance was to her. He cleared his throat and lifted her face to look at her as he wiped her tears with his sleeve. “Why don't I ask mama to sew a dress for you? I'll scout for a nice fabric and she can sew it for you. What do you say? "

The tears of pure joy and adoration that poured from Lesley's eyes as she looked at him were all the answer he needed.

* * *

"Why did you run off when you saw me, Les?” Her mother's eyes were on her. Vanessa McBride was a strong formidable woman. Being a co-runner of the farm and handling twin boys made her tough as nails. But she wasn't the only strong willed woman in the house. Lesley took after her mother in so many ways -willpower was one of them. So while other lesser people might have cowered under that searing gaze, Lesley lifted her chin defiantly to look at her mother.

"You didn't keep your word,” she grumbled, “You promised you'd buy me a dress for our school dance. "

Vanessa signed deeply. She loved her daughter. Lesley reminded her too much of herself when she was that age. She had thought she would marry a president and have the world at her feet. Many times she had lost sight of what was truly important. And she didn't want her daughter to make the series of mistakes she made before realizing the cold truth.

"Lesley.” She said in a low voice, trying to reason with her only daughter, “Would you rather have me buy your dress and starve our family?"

"But you promised!”

"Yes I did. But the recession has taken its toll on the market. I could barely buy enough food to last us a week. You can't go for the dance if you starve to death. "

Lesley sulked. "I can't go anyway.”

Vanessa touched her daughter's hand. "There'll be other dances.”

Lesley pouted and got up to put away the dishes. Her parents exchanged pained glances.