The Lady (story)

Cindy sat on her front lawn as she watched the tennis court. Players ran back and forth chasing a bouncing green ball.

Such a silly game, she thought. And eight year old girls should know. It looked like the players were trying to smack the air.

Cindy giggled. The sun was warm on her cheek. She raised her hand to the sky and waved "Hi sun. Hi sky."

She blocked out the sun with her palm. "Bye sun." Now no more sore eyes. Her brown hair ruffled in the breeze.

Cindy needed a friend to share her presents. And tell stories to tell one another. She knew it would take time, since they had only moved here two weeks ago.

This morning began the same as each day this week. "Cindy," her mother had called. "Please go outside. You need to find a friend. There must be some children around. Come on. Get outside. Go...go."

Cindy repeated her daily routine. She got up, dressed, ate breakfast and went out. She wore a yellow-patterned summer dress with her favorite white shoes.

She also carried her special gift from Auntie Laura. It was a silver angel brooch, for her birthday last week.

The young girl sat on the grass on her front lawn, and wished for a friend. Today was Saturday and the first time she met the lady.

"Sun is warm
and I am me.
Happy, happy
I will be."

"What kind of song is that?" a voice asked.

The words seemed to come from everywhere. It was pleasant and friendly.

Cindy looked all around. She was confused at first. "It's my old skipping song," she answered. She checked one way, then another.

Suddenly, a beautiful lady stood before her. Her white gloves were the first things Cindy noticed.

"Why are you wearing such a wide hat?" Cindy asked. "But, it's "Tres Chic," she quickly added. She liked to practice her French lessons mom taught her.

The lady wore a pretty dress with flowers and a blue and purple pattern that almost looked like a garden. She sat down on the lawn beside Cindy, for a little chat.

Cindy told her mother later about her new friend. "That's nice," she said.

Cindy didn't think her mother was really listening to her so she repeated herself. "I have a lady friend." The little girl’s smile seemed to glow that evening during supper.

"But it's not the same dear. You should have a friend who's your own age."

"She likes me, mommy."

"How do you know dear?" her mother asked.

"She let me try on her hat."

The next day was the lady's turn to listen. Cindy had so many stories to tell. About her cat Boots, and her doll Susan. Even losing her ball at Victoria Park...and.

"Mommy, why does the lady always wear white gloves?" She asked her mother at bedtime.

"It's an old custom, dear. My grandmother used to do the same. She would wear her favorite dress and broad hat and go for a walk. Of course, she always wore her white gloves."

"Just like the lady, mommy."

"Yes, just like the lady, dear."

Cindy said her goodnight prayers. She prayed for her daddy who died last year. And she prayed for mommy. Now she added the lady to her list of special people.

When it rained the following day the lady didn't come. Oh well, her dress would get all wet anyway, Cindy thought. So she played around the house by herself.

She built card houses, and played Scrabble with her mother. Cindy even chased Boots around the living room.

The little girl daydreamed about the lady who had such a sunshiny smile. And about what she should talk about the next time they met. Suddenly she remembered that little mole on the lady’s left cheek. It looked just like her mother's.

"Hi honey."

Cindy jumped. "Oh mommy, you scared me."

"I'm sorry, dear."

"It's okay. I really love you mommy," and thin arms circled her mother's neck.

"What were you thinking about? Her mother asked. I came in because I thought you looked sad. You're not lonely are you?"

"No, mommy."

"Were you thinking about your new friend, the lady in white?"

"Yes mommy, I miss her."

"Cindy, would it be okay if I met her?"

"She might be too shy mommy. We only talk for a little while. When anyone comes down the sidewalk she goes away."

"What do you mean, honey?"

"When she wants to, she disappears." Cindy giggled.

"Disappears?"

"Yah, mommy. Like poof." Cindy giggled again.

"You silly goose," and her mother picked her up and kissed her neck. Then she stopped suddenly. "Why are you looking at me like that, dear?"

Cindy was staring at her mother. Her eyes were all scrunched up.

"You look just like her mommy. Your nose...your cheeks. And even this," her finger touched her mother's mole.

"What do you mean dear?" her mother asked quietly.

"Well, she sort of looks like you."

Bedtime came quickly this night as Cindy thought about her mother, and the lady. It was weird how they both looked alike.

On the way to school next day, Cindy heard her mother's words again. "I really want to meet this lady friend of yours."

Not just yet, the lady told Cindy later. "I’m so busy. One day, maybe soon. I'll visit with her."

"I really want my mommy to meet you. You'll like her, you'll see."

"Not for a while," the lady answered. "Is that alright?"

"But mommy is such a nice person," Cindy said.

"I know," the lady answered.

"You know her?" Cindy asked.

"Yes."

"You saw her before?"

"Cindy, just tell her I love her."

"That's good because I love mommy, too."

"Tell her that, often."

"I will. You love my mommy, too. That's neat."

When Cindy told her mother about this last visit, her mother stood very still. She smiled her own beautiful smile at her daughter. Then she gave her daughter a very special hug.

"What's the matter mommy?" Cindy asked.

"Do you believe in ghosts?"

That was a funny question. Cindy had to think of a good answer. "Only friendly ones," she giggled.

Her mother smiled again. She gave her daughter another great big hug. "I believe your lady friend is a very friendly ghost. And I love her too." she added.

Cindy smiled back. The lady did look like her mother.

Now isn't that strange, she wondered.

- 30 -

© Richard & Esther Provencher