Chapter 26

Mother and Algernon must have devised a plan overnight because early the next morning, Mother roused me at daybreak and told me that we would be spending the whole day with Algernon and Cynthia. I groaned.

“Do we have to?”

Mother pursed her lips. “I think maybe we all just got off on the wrong foot. What we need is some family fun.”

Family. Algernon and Cynthia were going to be family. I pulled the covers back over my head, but Mother snatched them back.

“Really, Truly, don’t be so dramatic. We are going to go on a walk around town and have a picnic and then play games later. It will be a wonderful day.”

A walk around town? “But…my face!” I squeaked.

Mother smiled compassionately. “That is why I am getting you up early!” She sounded chipper, but in aa forced way. “I thought maybe I could help you get ready so you are—” she stopped short, then continued, “So you feel as confident as possible.”

I could see the pleading in Mother’s eyes. Without saying anything, she was begging me to have a good attitude, to give my new stepsister and stepfather a chance. Mother had done so much for me. One day wasn’t much to ask.

“You’ll help me get ready?”

Mother nodded eagerly in confirmation. “Yes, you will be beautiful, as you have always been.”

Memories of the last evening started bubbling to the surface of my mind, but I repressed them. I could grin and bear it for Mother’s sake.

“Well, I hope Algernon and Cynthia are good at Charades because Comfort and I are a difficult team to beat.”

Mother beamed. “That is my good girl.”

I selected one of my wigs, and Mother carefully applied the powders and creams to my face, turning my head from side to side and concentrating deeply as she worked.

“There. You look perfect!” Mother declared at long last. “Do you want to see?” Her eyes roamed over the still shattered mirror fragments that littered the floor. “I can find a hand mirror if you want.”

“That’s alright. I trust you.”

Mother beamed. I could see a glimmer of her former self shining through. No longer was she the sad, hollow person I had become accustomed to. She seemed younger now. It was a shadow of the Mother I knew when Father was alive, but it was there. I wanted her to be happy again.

“Mother?” I said humbly. “I am so sorry about what I said yesterday.”

Mother wrapped her arms around me. “Oh, sweetheart, don’t give it a second thought. We all sometimes say things we don’t mean.” She held me at arm’s length. “And I hope you know that goes for Cynthia too.”

I nodded, looking down at my slippered feet.

“She is a sweet girl. You will see.”

I forced a smile, determined to be positive. “Well, I have the whole day to find out, don’t I?”

Relief flooded Mother’s face. She hugged me again. “Thank you, Truly. You are a treasure.”

Then she nodded toward the mess on the floor. “Don’t cut your feet on the way out. I will let the housekeeper know to come and tidy up in here for you.”