Waiting for Dusk by Nancy Pennick

and had Drew
laughing from the choices she made. Little did he know she just
borrowed a lot of those names. There was Buzz Lightyear, who looked
like she was wearing a space helmet, the twins Blossom and Bubbles,
the red hen she named Ariel, Miss America for the most beautiful
one, and the three tough chicks–Buffy, Super Girl and Wonder Woman.
The black chicken that always attacked her was named Darth Vader.
She knew she’d always have a battle with that one. “Where did you
come up with these names, with the exception of Miss America?” Drew
breathed more calmly now.
    “I’m just creative,” Katie shrugged. Then she
changed the subject. “Are you invited to the Hasting wedding?”
    “Yes, I am. When I saw the date I was
wondering how you could be in the wedding. You said you had to
return to Ohio for school.”
    “My parents are letting me come back for the
wedding. They’re letting me miss a few days of school.” Katie had
to think fast on her feet.
    “Then you’ll be coming by train?”
    “Yes...yes! I’ll be returning by train.”
Katie was thankful he helped out on that one.
    “Then I shall meet your train. Just let me
know the day and time and I will be there.”
    “Um...yes, sure, as soon as I know.” Katie
was a little nervous about trying to figure out how she could
arrive by train when she always woke up in the boardinghouse.
    “Let’s make the best of it until you leave.
When you return, I may have a surprise for you,” he whispered as he
grabbed her closer.
    Katie felt weak again. She could not fight
him. He kissed the top of her head, then her cheek, then her mouth.
She didn’t want to leave for school and come back. She wanted to
stay there.
    “Kathryn! Are you in the henhouse?” They
heard Anna’s voice calling. They sheepishly stepped out into the
late morning sun.
    Anna laughed. “Oh, Andrew Martin. You are a
cad, aren’t you?”
    Drew laughed and waved. “I hope to see you
later, Kate. I’m off to work.”
    Katie ran to the back door of the kitchen.
Anna stood, waiting. “I think you are smitten, Miss Kathryn.” She
shook her head, and they both went inside.
    * * * *
    Mr. Johansson waited in the Buick as they all
came out after work.
    “Are the dresses here? Did the tailors come
too?” Lucinda bounded out to the car.
    Mr. Johansson, a man of few words, nodded his
head. Lucinda clapped, and hugged him. “Then let’s get going!”
    As they pulled into the boardinghouse
driveway, there seemed to be a lot going on. People were going in
and out of the house carrying garment bags, hat boxes and various
other things.
    “Lucinda, you must have an army of people
here. What in the world are they all needed for?” Katie couldn’t
believe her eyes.
    “There’s the seamstress who worked on my
wedding dress, the seamstresses who did the bridesmaid dresses and
the tailors for the men’s suits. There are people to help us with
jewelry, shoes, undergarments, you name it!” Lucinda peered out the
window at all the commotion in the yard.
    Loretta came running out to greet them.
Lucinda looked at Katie and said, “Did you meet my older
sister?”
    “Yes, I already have. We met yesterday. She’s
a very sweet girl.”
    Lucinda looked at her with a sly smile.
“Until you get to know her!”
    Then she ran as Loretta chased after her.
Lucinda spun around, and grabbed Loretta at the waist. They twirled
and chanted, “Cindy and Rettie, Cindy and Rettie!”
    Katie enjoyed watching them. She could see
the love between the sisters. They had their own way of
communicating. It would be nice to have a sister, someone you could
count on. That’s what I get for being an only child, Katie
thought.
    They all went into the house. Mrs. Johansson
had been baking and it smelled like bread and cookies all rolled
into one. Katie popped into the kitchen.
    “Ooo, these look so good! Do you
mind...?”
    At that moment Lucinda grabbed her by the
arm. “Dresses first!”
    Katie went into her room. There