Second Installment

I am very proud to present the second installment of:

DELIVERING SUPPLIES TO UNION SOLDIERS OR WHEN 10 YEAR OLD AMY FANCIED HERSELF AN IMPORTANT WRITER

Part Deux

Read part one if you missed it!

Here

We

Go

Remember I'm adding my commentary in italics.


"I've decided...that y'all can go. But only if yous write to me as soon as y'all get to your Pa's campsite and promise you will be real real care-"

Her words were cut short by Billy and Jack whooping and dancing around.

"ful." Ma finished looking a bit angry.

Ma led the two excited boys to the backyard. The family lived in a nice little town called Nashville. So there's a note at the bottom of this page written in handwriting that reads: "Tennessee...for the North or South?" Heck. Yes. Clearly I hadn't gotten around to checking yet and changing the hometown of my characters to have them live somewhere like, oh...I don't know...Ohio. New York maybe? The Ardens lived in a sturdy red brick house lined with red, yellow and white daisies. Vines overtook the little white picket fence that enclosed their yard. Off in the corner was a barn which stabled their cow, Daisy, their horse Big Rred, two sheep and a goat named Harry. The family also had few chickens running around, but their numbers decreased every so often. The Ardens = non vegetarians, apparently. Ma took out Big Red and hooked him up to the family wagon. She loaded the wagon with food, medicine, blankets, and Ma's homemade sweaters. Plot hole: Where the heck did they get these supplies?? Do they have a store in their basement for situations like this?? Ma gestured the boys onto the old wagon. Ma cleared her throat to speak.
"You pa sent a map. Just follow like it says here. Take you 'bout 2 weeks to get there."
"How far is it?" Asked Billy.
"Down in Dickson." Said ma.
"Dickson?" Complained Jack.
"Hey, y'all were the ones who begged me to do this." Ma pointed out.
"She be right." Billy put in. SHE BE RIGHT??? What was I on when I wrote this dialogue??
"Don't you worry now, we'll be just fine." Said Billy
"Billy, you 'member what I says to ya 'bout driving this here cart." They exchanged their goodbyes and the boys were off. Tears tickled ma's eyes as she watched the cart disappear down the road.
"You promises me you wouldn't get involved in the war...now the whole family's involved." Ma said to Pa even though she knew he couldn't hear. DRAMATIC TENSION! MARTIAL PROBLEMS BETWEEN MA AND PA!! OH NO!

Ma had covered the floor of the wagon with straw, so the boys would be at least a little comfortable. Billy maneuvered the cart, while Jack sat quietly reading Pa's letter. Everything was quiet until Jack spoke up from his corner. "Do y'all think we'll see pa at the campsite?" He said this without looking up from the letter.
"Sure why wouldn't we?"
"Well, ya know he might be..." Replied Jack not even able to finish the sentence.
"Don't even think that." Said Billy and that was the end of that.

~~~

STAY TUNED FOR INSTALLMENT 3!