Raising the Girl Right, Part Iii
Later that night, Ike and the others arrived
for a gala they held every first of June.
To be filled with dancing, feasting, and fun
with a full band to play people tunes,
inviting every respectable person they knew.
But before the part, to Prent Ike came,
Saying,”Now brother, we must hide your shame.”
Prent raised an eyebrow, truly confused.
“Now what every can you mean brother”
Ike said,”You know full well what I mean.
That little girl with the savage mother.
We don’t want good folk to discover—”
But before he could say another word more
Prent knocked his brother flat onto the floor.
His siblings came running to see the fuss,
and stared on quite incredulously.
Prent said,”Now, it’s all coming back,
all the reasons I decided to leave.
I see what father would have made of me!
I came here worried about my daughter’s fate,
but bringing her here was my greatest mistake!”
Annabeth gasped, and began to argue,
but Prent shot her his best death glare.
“I’ve had enough disdain to last a lifetime,
so dear sister, you’d better not dare.”
He kept her pinned there with his stare.
“But of you gala, you need have no fear,
tomorrow we’re going far away from here.”
Sure enough they were back on a train,
he in skins and her in traveling clothes,
Prent took great pleasure in seeing Nell smile,
her little face still pressed to the window,
riding back west to their home, Colorado.
Knowing fully that this was the end,
he’d never see any of his family again.
III.
When the stage reached town Prent took Nell
down the road towards Sally’s Café.
He’d had a whole ride to think of the words
that he desperately wanted to say.
Course talking never was really his way.
How he’d ask her, he didn’t right know,
they walked in and Sally went pale as a ghost.
She turned quickly from all her customers
and scooped up sweet Nell in an embrace
The girl smiled and hugged her tight,
showering kisses on Sally’s face.
Prent knew then that this was his place.
He said,”Sally, I think you were in the know.
back when you told me of good women right close.”
CONCLUDES IN PART IV.
Copyright © David Welch | Year Posted 2017
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