Not A Know It All
It was an early morning in Blue Breeze Valley. John had already had breakfast and headed out to the fields. Meanwhile, Lucille fixed Arabella her morning oatmeal and cup of tea. “Thank you mamma. I’ve got to be off to school now!” Arabella said as she grabbed her book bag and headed out the door. She road her bike straight through town to their little school house and hopped off her bike. “My goodness! You’re too fast on that bike,” Felicity said quite out of breath. “And you are almost late,” Arabella said as they both starting laughing but they got quite as soon as they entered the school house. An empty seat had been filled. “Who do you suppose He is?” Felicity asked in a whisper. “How should I know? I haven’t met Him yet,” Arabella replied taking a seat. And the kids who came in after did the same. “Glad to see everyone has taken their seats so quickly. I am sure some of you have noticed that we’ve have finally filled the empty class room chair and I couldn’t be more happy to announce our new student. So class, help me welcome Cedric Ashford on his first day here at this school. The kids shouted their welcome and then went back to whispering amongst themselves. “Cedric and his great Aunt have just moved here from off the Island in a town known as Charleston. Cedric is sixteen but hasn’t had as much teaching as you have so please, be kind. Welcome Cedric!” Miss Lindsay was a very caring teacher but she wouldn’t put up with bullies. Arabella glanced at the young man sitting to her right and caught his eye. He smiled kindly and then returned his attention to his studies. School was let out and the students had the rest of their day to do whatever. “Let’s go meet this new kid, Cedric,” Arabella said thinking it a wonderful idea. “Oh goodness…I’m not sure. We’re not friends with any of the guys,” Felicity replied in fear. “We’ll be fine,” Arabella said pulling Felicity behind her. “Hi, Cedric right?” Arabella asked politely. “Yes. Cedric Ashford, and you are?” He asked standing there waiting to shake their hands. “I am Arabella and this is my truest friend Felicity,” Arabella said as they both shook his hand. “Well it is good to meet you both, especially sense I’m new and don’t know anyone,” Cedric said smiling brightly. “Well we will be your friends,” Arabella said with a smile. The girls walked down broad creek road and did nothing but talk the whole way. “Cedric is quite a handsome man. I am honestly surprised the girls weren’t falling over him,” Arabella said with a laugh. “They are too busy falling for Quentin Burlington because he’s rich. They don’t even care about looks,” Felicity said shaking her head. “Well I think I would care more about any guy’s looks more than his money and I’d care about his heart more than both,” Arabella explained simply but truthfully. The week of school had went by swiftly and before they knew it Saturday had snuck up on them and it was time for the tea on the lawn that the church was hosting. “I am looking forward to meeting the newcomers in town,” Lucille admitted as she fixed her daughter’s hair. “I hear you and Felicity have befriended him,” Lucille added. “Yes we have. I don’t know him well but I mostly help him with his studies at school. He is seventeen but hasn’t had much schooling until now,” Arabella explained to her mother. Arabella was almost ready for the tea on the lawn. Her hair rested on her shoulders and she wore a light pink dress that had beautiful flowers printed on it. Though it was beautiful, it was still quite simple. Felicity came over to ride with Arabella in their carriage. Arabella and Felicity felt so grown up to be enjoying tea on the lawn but it was a church gathering, even kids were invited. It was quite a turn out, even people who didn’t attend church came to socialize. “Mother, Felicity and I are going to go find Cedric and his great Aunt and invite them to sit with us,” Arabella said as she grabbed Felicity’s hand and pulled her across the lawn. “You two behave yourselves!” Lucille shouted. Neither Arabella or Felicity were known for getting into trouble alone but when together, well that is another story. “There you are Cedric. We’ve looked everywhere for you,” Arabella explained out of breathe. “Hello Mrs Ashford,” Felicity said with a smile. “Hello girls. Aren’t you both just a sight for sore eyes. Beautiful is what you are!” Mrs Ashford said complimenting the girls. “I admit, I’m not really one for tea but we could play some of the games they have over there on the lawn,” Cedric suggested shyly. “What a great idea! Let’s go!” Arabella said thrillingly as they all raced to the games in the middle of the grass. The three of them played yard games for nearly an hour. Meanwhile Lucille had the pleasure of meeting Mrs Ashford and they talked for over an hour. The tea on the lawn was such a grand afternoon in the sun. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves delightfully. “I was able to introduce myself to Mrs Ashford, she was quite a pleasant woman to have a conversation with. I think I will invite Mrs Ashford and Cedric over tomorrow after church,” Lucille explained thinking it was best that they helped the Ashfords make some friends in this town.