The Adventures of Naomie 40
Pastor Barns was at church the next Sunday helping out with the sermon. Naomie had remembered to bring an after church snack.
That was easy. She brought one dozen Mrs. Potts soft molasses cookies. When she was in India she could not find molasses. Knowing someone might want the recipe she had a copy in her pocket.
Caroline Garfield was at church with her Grandma at her side. She was being so much more patient with her Grandma. One of her friends wanted her to go outside to play in a race. She said she had to be with Grandma until Grandpa took over.
“ I could take your place if your Grandpa does not mind. Go ask and tell him Naomie is not on duty and would be happy to help out.”
Grandma sat with Naomie and ate a few cookies.
“These taste like Irma Potts molasses cookies. Do you know Irma?” she asked Naomie.
“Yes I do. Do you remember her cookbook? The little girl on the cover was me. I used her recipe. I have it here in my pocket. I'll give it to you.” said Naomie.
Grandpa came in and sat with them after he kissed his wife on the cheek.
Seeing the recipe paper he asked:
“What'd you get there.”
She showed him then said it was a recipe.
“Do you remember Irma and Neville Potts in Alexandria? This is Naomie. She is their..umm . I forgot.“
Naomie quickly piped up and said: Niece. I am their long lost niece. I helped Aunt Irma with her cookbook.”
Naomie's eyes were now bigger than saucers.
“Excuse me, I need to go outside for a few minutes.” Out she went hoping the Good Lord did not fault her for the little white lies.
Cindy and her Mother-in-law caught up with her and followed her outside.
“Don't worry Dear. We heard you and the Good Lord will not strike you down for making Mrs Garfield happy. We now have her husband coming to meetings. He can bring her along. He sees he's not the only one with this problem with their spouse.”
“ I just felt so bad telling a fib in church. I will have to tell Neville I am now his niece. He will be coming to visit later this afternoon. My brother Ivan is also coming. They are going to stay overnight and leave on Wednesday morning. I told them I may have to work but they will not mind. There are plenty of things for them to do and see if I am busy.” said Naomie.
Ivan and Mr Potts called to say they were in town at the Slovenian Heritage Center on Martin Rd. Ivan was all excited because he had found two arrowheads on the ground. The curator of the museum said since they were found outdoors and Ivan was honest enough to tell him Ivan could keep them. This was pretty exciting for a ten year old boy.
Mr Potts saw a bargain at a roadside vegetable stand. Two dozen ears of super sweet corn for five dollars. When they arrived at Naomie's house they took the corn over to Cindy and Matthews house as their part of the barbq meal.
Naomie saw that Mr Garfield was there so she quickly told Mr Potts and Ivan about her little fib to Mrs Garfield about being Mr Potts niece. Ivan understood and so did Neville.
Mrs Garfield had forgotten the incident anyway.
Ivan and Caroline quickly became friends. They were both very close in age and had similar interests. He asked her if she would like one of his arrowheads and she answered yes. They asked Mr Garfield if they could exchange letters in the mail. A friendship was beginning.
Ivan had his harmonica in his pocket so he played tunes for the four little Bell children. They seemed to like Mary Had a Little Lamb and Jingle Bells the best.
He and Caroline kept the children busy until they went to Cindy and fell asleep on the outdoor chairs.
The big hit of the night was when Mr Garfield asked if he knew how to play When The Saints Go Marching In. The adults did not believe it when Ivan played the song with Mrs Garfield singing:
O when the saints go marching in
When the saints go marching in
O lord i want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
And when the sun refuse (begins) to shine
And when the sun refuse (begins) to shine
O lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
When the moon turns red with blood
When the moon turns red with blood
O lord i want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
On that hallelujah day
On that hallelujah day
O lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in
There was not a dry eye at the gathering that night.
She had a vivid imagination and would carry it on for the rest of her life.
©Julia A Knaake