Read Blue Thunder for Free Online Page B

his arm. “What is it?”
    “I know about…about your brother’s, err,
problem.” He fidgeted, looking so awkward. I have a delicate
subject that I want to ask but I hope it won’t insult you. Um,
maybe I shouldn’t have bothered you.”
    “Please, Seth. We’re friends. What’s on your
mind?” she coaxed, smiling warmly.
    Seth swallowed audibly, looking sheepishly
at Daphne. “Well, ma’am… I---”
    “Call me Melissa,” she interrupted. “Ma’am,
make me feel so old. My mother was a ma’am and there isn’t much
difference in our ages.”
    He nodded nervously. “Melissa, I was just…
err, just wondering if it would be all right to spend some time
with your brother.”
    Melissa knew her surprise showed on her
face. She was so sure he was interested in her, the way he had
studied her before. But, Daphne? Somewhat relieved, her emotions
were coupled with uneasiness and she wasn’t sure what to make of
his request. Should she let her sister be with this young man?
Effie’s words filled her head.
    28
    Daphne needed to be away
from smothering surroundings. “I’ll think
about it,” she promised.
    Seth nodded. Thank you ma… err…
Melissa.”
     
    Seth walked back to the wagon whistling
recalling earlier. He thought Melissa was very beautiful but he
couldn’t take his eyes off her younger brother, David, for some
strange reason. He was small for a boy his age and his clothes were
big, baggy. When Melissa had removed the boy’s hat, his brown hair
was cropped short but curly. Seth marveled at how the shy lad
looked so much like his sister and was sure nature made a mistake.
David would have made a beautiful girl, he mused, but was instead a
sissy-looking boy.
    He hoped that the other boys here would
never see David up close lest they tease and torment the kid. He
couldn’t understand why he was drawn to the lad. Was it because he
was sorry for him? His mother explained earlier that the boy was a
mute but that didn’t mean the kid had to say cooped in the wagon
all day. All boys his age needed some fun. Maybe if he offered to
spend some time with the youth, David might come out of his shell.
It was worth a try.
    That night while preparing
Daphne for bed, Melissa talked about Seth’s offer. She wasn’t sure
if Daphne understood but she had seen her sister glance in the
boy’s direction a few times. When she
spoke his name again did she see a glimmer of light in those,
otherwise, lifeless eyes? Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to try.
    The next day clouds rumbled in drenching the
wagon train with a long, soaking downpour. Sam insisted she stay
covered while he drove but Melissa stuck her hands and face out of
the canvas, greeting the cool water with delight. After the soaking
rains relented, she walked ahead to the Adams wagon. Seth was also
walking and she joined him.
    “I think it would be all right,” she blurted
out before Seth had a chance to speak or for her to change her
mind. “I’m not too sure David will stay with you. You’re a stranger
but maybe we could walk together a few times and if, um, David gets
used to having you around, he might trust you. It’s worth a try and
I thank you for showing kindness to my sis… brother.”
    Melissa still had a hard time remembering
Daphne was suppose to be a boy. “Thank you,” the boy replied and
then he shook her hand quickly and awkwardly.
    29
    The next few weeks were a delight to
Melissa. She and Seth sat with Daphne every night before darkness
surrounded them. Seth brought a few books from home and loved to
read about the west. He informed her that he wanted to be a teacher
and hoped things would be better when they reached California. He
would like to go back to school, like he did before hard times
befell his family.
    Melissa didn’t know if the stories were
being heard by her sister but she did notice that Daphne’s
chocolate eyes looked a few times in Seth’s direction. She was sure
she saw a glint of awareness. After a while she left the