The Lilac Tunnel: My Journey with Samantha

I ball up the skirt in my hands and whip it at Eddie, narrowly missing his head. He ducks out of the hedge and starts squawking, which brings Elsa running out the back door. After listening to Eddie’s side of the story, Elsa gives me a major scolding. She reminds me to keep my place. She says he might just be a boy, and sometimes a rude boy, but he’s Master Eddie to me. I will show him respect.

Respect? Doing the laundry this afternoon was tough. Respecting Eddie is going to be even tougher. Samantha leans against the oak tree while I get my scolding. She kicks at the ground with her toe, glancing at me with sad, apologetic eyes. When Elsa goes back into the house, Samantha is right there beside me again. She apologizes. She casts a nervous look back at the house and then reaches to lift another piece of clothing from the tub.