Sundancer (10 page)

7
THE NEW LOOK

I like two people; the one and the little one.

Bird and Julia came in from the barn flushed and happy, covered in mud and all wet from hosing down the squirmy ponies, and each other. As they were taking their shoes off at the door, Bird noticed her mother and Randy across the room.

Eva was sitting on Randy's lap in the armchair near the kitchen fireplace. Bird realized that this was the first time he'd really seen her. She gave Randy a level look and allowed him to study her. He seemed nervous — the way some people get around animals. I knew it, Bird thought. He's no different from all the others.

Hannah carried in giant old towels to wrap around the girls. “Randy, this is Bird,” she said as she passed a towel to Bird. “Bird, I'd like you to meet Randy.”

Randy nodded at Bird. “Hello.” He was definitely uncomfortable. He looked at Eva, then Hannah, unsure of what to do or say.

Bird smiled sweetly. She waited until Randy started to smile back, then made a sudden lurch toward him. Randy jumped out of his skin, causing Eva to leap off his lap. Bird laughed loudly. Julia snorted then covered her mouth.

“Bird! Behave yourself,” warned Hannah. Randy looked like he was going to speak then decided against it. He gathered his pride and resumed his seat with a loud sniff. Eva glared sulkily at Bird as she nestled herself again on Randy's lap.

Hector had waddled into the kitchen on the girls' heels, tracking in a line of muddy paw prints as he headed to his blanket.

“That smelly old dog has no place in a house,” sniffed Randy, grumpily. “Doesn't anybody groom him?”

Bird tensed. Nice. Taking out your frustrations on a poor dog, she thought.

Hector knew he was in trouble. His ears drooped and his eyes looked bewildered as he slunk to his bed.

Julia ran to the sink, grabbed the dishrag and began to follow Hector on her hands and knees, erasing his prints as fast as he made them. Bird stared at her sister, amazed. A minute ago, she had been carefree and happy. Now she was anxious and upset.

“Yes, we groom him, Randy,” said Hannah as she dried Bird's dripping hair with a towel. “He gets dewormed, defleaed, and all his yearly shots, but he's not fancy. He's a farm dog. We love him just the way he is.”

Eva smirked and rubbed Randy's neck. “How you show love to a dog is in how you care for him. That's what Randy says. Randy treats Bartholomew like a prince. He would never allow him to get like that.” She pointed at Hector. “All tufty.”

Bird sat down on the floor beside Hector.
You didn't do anything wrong, Hector
. She rubbed his ears as she glared at Eva and Randy.

Tell that to those two
.

They don't know anything
.

I'm so embarrassed, girl
.

They should be embarrassed, not you. I bet we can think of a way to make that happen
.

“You can rest easy. We take care of all our animals, including our dog,” said Hannah staring warily at Bird. She had long since learned to be extra sensitive with the animals that Bird loved. Eva and Randy weren't so aware. “But it's a little different on a farm with all the mud and burrs.” Hannah tried to get Bird's attention. “We take good care of Hector, don't we, Bird?”

“You should see Bart's wardrobe.” Eva ran her fingers through Randy's hair as she spoke. “He has a coat for all occasions. A winter coat, a rain coat, a light sweater …”

“Even a Burberry coat that matches mine,” Randy added. “For spring and fall. With a belt.”

You've just given me an idea, Burberry man, Bird thought.

“And his bed is tartan. Black Watch from Scotland. He's a Scottie dog, you know,” boasted Eva.

“Wonderful. Together you must be quite the sight.” Hannah changed the topic. “Did you girls have a good ride?”

Julia jumped up from the floor, dirty rag in hand. “It was terrific! I love Timmy! We went on the path along the cliff and through the woods. We even trotted and I can almost post now! We came back the other way and went in a pond to clean the ponies' feet and we rode past a whole lot of other people on horses. Big horses, too. Can we ride again tomorrow, Aunt Hannah?”

“Sure can,” she answered. “I'm so glad you had fun. You'll be a super rider by the time you leave. Now, both of you, get upstairs and shower and change, then come down to set the table.”

Bird was out of the room before Hannah had finished her sentence, glad to be away from her mother for even a while.

IN VERY LITTLE TIME, the girls came thundering down the stairs, ready for work in the kitchen. Julia's hair was clean and shiny, and she was wore one of Bird's shirts. She looked much happier than when she'd arrived. In honour of Julia's visit, Bird had decided to comb her freshly washed hair and wear a top that matched her pants.

“You both look beautiful,” Hannah remarked. “What gorgeous sisters! Now it's my turn to shower and change. Please set the table — and surprise me!”

An hour later, Eva and Randy descended the stairs as Hannah was lighting the fire in the old kitchen fireplace. The table was set in the best silver, on the old lace tablecloth that their great-grandmother had crocheted. The brightly coloured napkins were all different, folded artistically into the empty water glasses. In the center of the table was an enormous bouquet of summer flowers formerly planted in Hannah's garden. The effect was riotous and pleasing, warm and welcoming.

Bird and Julia watched expectantly for their mother's reaction. “Fabulous table, Hannah! You've outdone yourself!” she squealed.

“Bird and Julia did it all. Every bit,” Hannah said proudly.

“Not really? Julia, you're a little genius! Come give Mommy a hug.” Eva opened her arms to Julia, but the girl hung back.

“It was Bird, too, Mommy. Bird did most of it. All the ideas were hers, I only helped.”

Randy snorted. “How could Bird have ideas? She can't even talk.”

Hannah spoke up. “Bird has lots of ideas. And sometimes it's better not to talk than to say something stupid.”

Good one Hannah, thought Bird. But why did her mother say nothing in her defense?

While Randy tried to figure out if he'd been insulted, Bird noted his pale-blue jacket and open white shirt that showed off his deep tan. His black pants were made of shiny fabric, and his black boots added several inches to his height. Eva wore a long pink paisley dress with a low-cut, frilly bodice. Frills edged the slit that climbed up past her knee, and her heeled sandals were covered in the same pink paisley fabric as the dress. Bird guessed that there were smaller clothes for Julia.

“Julia, honey, come put on your dinner clothes.” Eva held out a miniature of the dress she was wearing, and smaller replica shoes.

Bird rolled her eyes. Right again.

“I like what I'm wearing, Mommy,” Julia replied. She didn't look at her mother. “I'm comfortable.”

“Now Julia, sugar pie, I had our dresses and shoes specially made. You know that. They can't go to waste.”

“Do us all a favour, Julia, and do what your mother says,” said Randy dryly.

Julia sagged. She took the dress and shoes from her mother and dragged her feet out of the room. Bird went with her.

By the time the steaming food was on the table, Bird and Julia had returned.

They made their entrance giggling, and waited for a reaction. Bird was wearing Julia's dress with her dirty sneakers. It was much too small for her, and looked ridiculous, especially with Julia's shirt on one arm and her pants on her head. Julia wore the pink paisley heels with Bird's oversized clothes falling around her knees.

Bird looked at her mother and was pleased to see that she was angry. She might have been turned to stone, except for her high colour.

“Well, Eva,” said Hannah, suppressing a smile. “At least the dress isn't going to waste.” Then she, too, broke out laughing, unable to stop herself.

Randy joined in, and when Eva realized that she was outnumbered, she smiled. Bird could tell it wasn't real.

“All right. Very funny. But, Julia, before you get dinner you have to wear your clothes properly.” Eva's smile was tight.

The laughter ceased. Bird had underestimated her mother. Eva wasn't about to let this go. She led her sister out of the room, glaring at Eva as she passed.

In a surprisingly short time they were back, each wearing their own clothes.

“Very pretty, Julia!” gushed Eva. She was the only happy person in the room. “Don't you think so, Randy?” She waited for his nod, then stood beside Julia, posing. “Don't we look like twins?” She looked at Randy, then at Hannah, waiting for a response.

What is her problem? wondered Bird. Could she not see that Julia was about to cry? Bird touched her sister's arm, trying to make her feel better.

“Yeah, doll,” muttered Randy. “Now can we eat?”

Dinner passed without incident, but everyone was on his or her best behaviour. Hannah chatted gaily about the horses, the local gossip, school starting soon — anything to get through the evening. Finally, the dinner dishes were cleared and dessert was on the table. Bird noticed that Hannah had begun to breathe easier.

“Bird needs a haircut before she goes to school,” said Eva.

Here we go, thought Bird.

“If she wants,” answered Hannah lightly, suddenly tense again. “Not if she wants. She needs a haircut.”

“What's it to you?” asked Randy, his mouth full of fresh berries. “She looks scruffy. Hannah should keep her looking pretty, that's all.” Eva looked longingly at the ice cream, then patted her flat tummy and set her jaw. “Also, her clothes are too loose and drab. They don't show her off to her full potential. She needs a new look.” Eva poured another cup of decaffeinated coffee and stirred in artificial sweetener. “More colour.”

A new look? More colour? A tiny smile crept over Bird's face.

“Bird, would you like more dessert?” Hannah asked.

You can't distract me, Hannah. Not this time, Bird thought.

“Bird?” Hannah tried to catch her niece's eye. “Would you like some more?”

Bird stood up and left the room, just as Julia spoke up in Bird's defense. “Mommy, I think Bird looks pretty. She has her own style, that's all.”

Eva harrumphed. “She sure does. Like that dog, what's his name?”

“Hector,” Julia answered. “And Bird's nothing at all like Hector.”

Randy laughed. “Actually you're right, Eva. They're both rather, shall we say, neglected?”

“I think you're both being mean,” the little girl said. She stood up and turned to leave.

Julia stopped in her tracks. Bird was back. It had only taken a few minutes but the effect was dramatic. Everyone in the room froze. Bird smiled broadly. Her thick mop of dark hair had been reduced to chunks of different lengths, leaving her scalp showing here and there. As if that wasn't enough, she'd splashed bright red, orange, yellow, green, and blue poster paint over her clothes. For good measure, she'd streaked her hair with it, too, then wiped her colourful hands on her face.

No one knew how to react.

“Bird got herself a haircut,” said Hannah to Eva.

“And her clothes definitely have more colour,” added Julia.

Bird stared at her mother defiantly, and Eva glared back, ready for a fight. She was turning purple.

Hannah stood up and put her arm around Bird. “Bird, you look very artistic.
Très chic
. You've got a new look, that's for sure.”

For the first time since his arrival, Randy did something that made sense. He put his hand on Eva's arm. “I think we'll go for a little walk. Thanks for a lovely meal, Hannah.” He stood, then began to pull Eva's chair out for her.

“I'll go when I'm good and ready, Randy. Alberta, I will not have you putting on a show like this! Go to your room immediately!”

“Eva,” Randy said, puzzled. “Let Bird's mother handle this.”

She is. You just don't know it, Bird thought.

“She's doing this to upset me! To ridicule me!”

“Eva, let's go. You're embarrassing yourself.”

“You don't understand, Randy. You don't understand one bit of it. Bird cut her hair and ruined her clothes to make a mockery of me.”

“You're right, Eva. I don't understand. Hannah thinks Bird looks fine.”

“What has Hannah got to do with anything?” Eva turned on Bird. “You … get … up … to … your … room! Now!”

Bird didn't move. This was exactly what she'd wanted. She would flush her mother out. Let everyone see what Eva was all about. No more walking on eggs.

Randy backed toward the door. “Eva! You don't yell at another person's child, even if she is your niece. Come with me now, or I'll keep on going, alone.”

Bird looked at Randy with new interest. He did have a backbone, and he was getting very angry. Maybe he wasn't as easy to push around as Eva thought.

“Don't go, Randy! I'm coming with you. You're right. I don't know what got into me. Sorry everyone!”

With the slam of the door, Eva and Randy were gone. Silence. Julia turned to Bird. “Randy thinks you're Mom's niece?” She began to giggle, then she fell on the floor in a spasm of laughter. Bird began to chuckle, then laughed so hard that she had to clutch her belly. Hannah hugged them both, caught up in the mischief. All three were a mess of laughter and poster paint.

This is what a family should be like, thought Bird. Fun and loving, not cruel and insensitive. If Eva couldn't understand this, it was her loss.

Bird and Julia helped Hannah clear the table and scrape and load dishes into the dishwasher. They scrubbed the pots and pans and swept the floor. In minutes the kitchen was clean.

“Thanks, girls,” said Hannah. “You're the best. Both of you. And Bird, I love your new look. It's completely original — it suits you.”

“I agree, Aunt Hannah,” said Julia, giggling again. “That's what I'd call an extreme make-over! And the best part is how Mom couldn't do anything! I wish I was as brave as you, Bird. Nothing scares you, not even Mom.”

Bird reached out and hugged her sister. Plenty of things scare me. I'm just good at hiding them.

“Is there anything you want to do until bedtime?” asked Hannah.

Bird took Julia's hand and led her to the kitchen door. She looked questioningly at Hannah.

“Sure. Go outside. I'll ring the cowbell at quarter to nine. That gives you an hour to play.”