The Hansen Girls Chapter 3

Chapter 3

            The following morning dawned like a normal day. Belle woke up early with the boys. The boys dressed and went to do the outside chores while Belle dressed and woke the girls. She braided Nadia’s hair without a word and left them to get changed. Belle headed downstairs to begin readying breakfast. Cassandra, Elsie, Faith, Hannah, and Jinger flooded down the stairway a few minutes later. Cassandra grabbed the plates, Elsie found the cups, Faith nabbed the pitcher, and Hannah and Jinger set the table. Danielle came down with the little girls and they took their place at the table. The girls offered their good mornings and Belle mumbled a reply back. Belle hadn’t slept at all last night; sick with worry of how the day would turn out. Cassandra rang out that breakfast was ready as Albert, Gideon, Isaac, and Kenny silently walked in and sat down. The girls slid into their seats and bowed their heads.

            Albert spoke up in a gruff voice. “Elsie, why don’t you pray?”

            Elsie nodded and bowed her head again. “Dear Lord in Heaven…bless this wonderful food to our bodies…strengthen us, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

            Breakfast was quiet. Elsie and Faith tried to lift a conversation but none of the boys spoke and Belle played with her food. Albert tossed the last bit of egg into his mouth and stood up.

            “I have an announcement to make. The boys and I are going up north for a while.”

            “How long?” Cassandra asked.

            “For a long time,” Albert responded.

            The girls showed sudden surprise. Questions were fired at Albert.

            “Why?”

            “Who will plow the fields?”

            “Why would you leave us?”

            “Don’t you love us anymore?”

            “This is stupid!”

            Albert kept his face as stone; refusing to move a muscle.

            “Don’t go!” Nadia wailed mournfully. She lurched out of her seat and locked onto Albert’s long leg.

             “Grab the bags, boys,” Albert said. He calmly peeled Nadia off his leg.

             The boys walked outside with the bags and fastened them to the mules. Albert shook hands with all the girls. Beginning with Nadia, he walked down the line shaking each had firmly. He got to Belle whose usually merry blue eyes shone, but this time, her eyes were a cold blue that glared into Albert’s eyes. He offered his hand but Belle turned and walked calmly into the kitchen. Albert was surprised that Belle would act so cold towards him. He left abruptly and told the boys to hurry.

            Gideon shook hands with his sisters quickly and didn’t even bother saying good-bye to Belle. Kenny waved his hand and ran out the door leaving Isaac alone. 

             He walked to Jinger, his twin, and gave her a quick hug which Jinger shyly returned. He said good-bye and walked slowly after his brothers.

            Once the boys had disappeared down the road, Belle called the girls together “Come, girls! Time to finish chores.” Belle and Cassandra went to the big sink to wash the dishes while Danielle dried. Elsie and Faith put away each dish. Lynn and Megan swept the floor while Hannah and Jinger followed with the scrub brushes. Nadia waltzed to the bedroom where she would make the beds.

            “What are we going to do?” Cassandra asked once the five older girls were alone in the kitchen.

            “I don’t have a clue!” said Elsie.                                                      

            Danielle looked up. “Don’t fret; we can take care of everything!”

            “How?” Faith asked doubtfully.

             “Simple! Belle and I can work the fields; Elsie and Faith can take care of the animals. Lynn and Megan can watch the cows and Cassandra and Nadia can stay inside and take care of the house along with Jinger and Hannah.”

            Cassandra, Elsie, and Faith thought on the idea.

            “It’s a great idea!” Elsie said. Elsie was always the cheerful sister and it was no surprise she was excited about this idea.

            Faith was soon won over but Cassandra and Belle were still doubtful.

            “I just don’t see how we can keep the farm running without the boys,” Cassandra said. She looked away and said under her breath, “We’re barely surviving as it is.”

            Cassandra’s last comment was missed as Faith questioned Belle.

            “What about you, Belle? What do you think?”

            “I don’t know...” Belle handed a dish to Danielle to dry.

            “C’mon Belle!” Danielle rolled her eyes. “I want to show the boys we can survive without them. Albert thinks that if he leaves, we’ll come begging for him to come back—under his circumstances.”  

Elsie joined Danielle. “He’s trying to bully us out of our rules!”

            Belle paused, her hands in mid-air. “You know, I think you girls are right.” Belle smiled as she dunked a dish into the soapy water. “Let’s show Albert that we don’t need his help!”

            Cassandra still wasn’t convinced but she reluctantly sided with her sisters. “Alright…”

~~~

            Late that night, around midnight, Belle woke. Automatically, she counted her sleeping sisters.

            “Nadia, Megan, Lynn, Jinger, Hannah, Faith, Elsie, Danielle…” Belle paused. Danielle’s bed was empty. Startled, Belle slid out of bed, grabbed her robe, and slipped out the door. She fumbled along the wall to find the shelf with the candles. A minute later, she had found a candle stub and lighted it. The light filled the hallway showing the three doors and a girl. Danielle was sitting on the floor, knees pulled up to her chin, beside the parent’s bedroom. Danielle’s eyes were fixed on the door. Belle watched her quizzically. Danielle felt Belle’s gaze and she turned to look at Belle. Her eyes had a dreamy, dazed look. Belle tried to discern what Danielle was staring at. Suddenly, she knew what it was and spun away from Danielle. Belle’s long, golden hair hung freely down below her waist; just like Alice used to wear hers at night. Every night, Alice would slip into the girl’s bedroom and check on all her girls. Gliding from bed to bed she would kiss them goodnight once more. Alice was always worried about her children. She loved them so much and she always wanted to be certain they were alright. Once, when she was a little girl, Danielle had called her mother an angel.

            Danielle’s low voice interrupted Belle’s thoughts. “I’m sorry Belle…I didn’t mean to stare. You just looked so much like…” 

            “Mama?” Belle finished.

            “Yes.” They both fell silent. Danielle knew Belle hated speaking of Alice. Her death hurt Belle so much.

            “Why aren’t you in bed?” Belle finally asked.

            “I woke up and I thought about getting a pair of Papa’s overalls for me to wear…” Danielle watched Belle’s face carefully.

            “You can go get some. I just won’t go with you.”

            “If you don’t want to go, Belle…that’s fine I won’t go either.”

“Danielle you can go.” Belle closed her eyes, “I’m just…I’m scared to go! The last time anyone was in there was when Mama died. Danielle, I don’t know if I can go back in there!”

            “It’s okay…I don’t have to go.” Danielle scrambled to her feet; feeling sorry that she had upset her sister. “Girls shouldn’t wear overalls anyway.”

            Belle looked at the forbidden door leading to Mama’s room. She had to go. She felt a voice inside of her, urging her to go. “We can go,” Belle said softly.

            Belle began walking towards the bedroom door. Surprised at Belle’s sudden change of mind, Danielle followed behind. Belle reached out a hand and placed it on the door knob. Twisting it, the door opened. The room was dark so Danielle found another candle and lit it. The room grew brighter and you could easily see. In front of the girls there was a large bed with faded white sheets and a pink blanket strewn on top. To the right were two large windows with a rocking chair beside the first. To the left was the dresser. Danielle stepped across the dusty, dirty floor and touched the wooden dresser. She pulled the bottom drawer open and glanced inside. Danielle found a pair of overalls and looked to see if they would fit her.

            Belle gently walked over to the top drawer and pulled it open. An envelope fluttered out. Belle gazed at the writing on the envelope.

            “‘To my dearest Belle,’” she read. She opened it and saw a long letter written in Alice’s cursive writing. Belle sat down in the rocker and began reading.

‘Dear Belle, I am writing this letter because I don’t think I will live long after my last baby is born. Something doesn’t feel right about this pregnancy. I hope you found this soon after I have gone to Heaven. Belle, I hope and have prayed that you and Albert will take care of my children. I can’t bear the thought of you all sitting in an old, dirty orphanage for the rest of your days until you are all spilt up. I believe you are following my wishes if you are reading this.

‘Belle, I know you will need some encouragement sooner or later. Firstly I know Cassandra— my Dreamer—may put up a fight every so often. Since you two are close in age, I assume there will be a few arguments. But you will need each other for strength and encouragement. Always be friends. Next, Danielle—my Darling—will defiantly insist to be called: ‘Danny’ rather than her real name. I personally leave the decision up to you…I cannot offer any advice. Just keep her busy and help mold my darling tomboy into a beautiful young woman. Elsie—my Sunlight—and Faith—my Rosie—are rather agreeable. Both are willing and you shouldn’t have any trouble. They do tend to keep their feelings inside of them though…offer comfort when needed. Hannah— my Dove—is strong headed…likes everything to go how she wants them to. Be patient. Jinger— my Lily—is quiet. Always has been…always wanting to please. Give her attention that is all she really wants. Lynn—my Pixie—wants to be the “helper” all the time. She always wants to help her older sisters. Don’t forget that and give her plenty of opportunities to help around the house. Megan—my Pearl—can be rambunctious like Danielle. Give her some free time daily but be persistent on chores. And Nadia—my Sweetheart—(if she is a girl) or Nicholas (if he is a boy) will need all the love you can give. I regret knowing that this child may grow up without parents. Please raise my baby for me. Raise the child just like I raised you.

            Belle, all I have to say is: 1. Daily read your Bible. God will give you answers. 2. Pray often. Pour out your heart to God. 3. Be patient and loving to everyone. Being a mother is a tough job but I know you can do it.

            Also, I know your Papa hated photography…but my father gave me his camera and all those tools. So of course I used them, as you may remember. I enclosed the few pictures I took in a separate envelope.

– Your Mama - Alice Hansen

             Belle brushed away tears as she finished reading. How she wished she hadn’t waited all those years to go into the bedroom. Belle needed this letter for encouragement

            Inside the envelope, as promised, was another envelope with the pictures in them. She smiled as she saw the picture of her sisters and brothers when they were young. She gazed at the picture of Mama and Papa together. She placed the pictures back inside and noticed another letter addressed to Albert. Belle frowned; she would have to wait to give him it.

            Danielle had concluded that the overalls fit her and was waiting patiently on the bed. “It will be morning in only a few more hours,” Danielle reminded.

            Belle nodded and stood. The two left the room quietly. Both girls then slipped into bed without uttering another word. 

~~~

            That following morning, very early, Cassandra was up and so was Belle. They dressed and left the room together. Cassandra took Belle downstairs where they could talk.

            “We need to talk.” She stood in the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.

            Belle walked alongside her and helped her. “What’s wrong?”

            “Belle, you know we can’t do this forever.”

            “Do what forever?” Belle pulled out the big skillet and searched for the eggs.

            “We can’t survive for long on our own. We have to face the facts.” Cassandra began pulling out the bacon.

            “We’ve survived fine for the past six years,” Belle replied with surprise.

            “No we haven’t. Do you remember when Albert supposedly sold Joseph?”

            Belle nodded that she had.

            “Well he didn’t. He shot him for the meat.” Cassandra stopped in the middle of her work and stared at her sister.  

            “We ate our carriage horse?” Belle clutched her stomach as if she were about to throw up.

            “Yes. We’ve barely survived the past few years. Now, I don’t want to go crawling back to Albert and begging him to come back. I don’t want to hold back the boys from a good life. But I was thinking maybe we should send the girls to town to stay with someone who can take better care of them.” Cassandra said everything carefully and slowly. She knew Belle wouldn’t like the idea but it was the only solution they had.

            “Split up the family? We can’t! I promised Mama I would watch over you girls. I can’t break that promise.” Belle slammed the skillet on the stove and began watching the eggs. Belle thought about the letter Alice had written her. Mama wanted us to stay together! I will not split us up.

            “Belle, please listen. This is about the girls having a better life.”

            “They have a better life here.” Belle said it firmly; trying to end the conversation.

            Cassandra wasn’t ready to end the conversation. “Mama didn’t know about all the hard times we would have to endure. She wouldn’t watch her daughters sit here and starve just because the eldest daughter was too prideful!”

            “Stop it!” Belle said swirling around to face her sister.

            “No, you must listen. This is for our sisters!” Cassandra was getting upset at Belle now. She stopped her work at cutting the bacon into small slices and spoke again. “Please understand—”

            “I said stop it!” Belle cried in frustration. “Mama said to keep us together!”

            Cassandra refused to give up. She took a step towards her sister, “Belle, they need a better life. They need—”

            “Stop!”

            Cassandra stopped trying to convince Belle. She knew that Belle had ended the conversation.

            Belle turned back to the stove. “I will not split up this family,” Belle said firmly.

CHAPTER FOUR