Afternoon thunderstorms converted the front ditch into a stream. Josh, Caroline, and Melissa rushed outside and jumped into their temporary pool. They flailed their arms and splashed water everywhere. They screamed and giggled. They stomped and muddied the water.
“Hey, let’s get our wagon and ford the river,” Josh yelled smiling.
“We’ll need supplies for our trip west. I’ll get some old towels and canned vegetables,” Caroline waved.
“Can I bring my Tears doll?” Melissa pleaded and tugged on her bathing suit.
“Sure. Don’t forget her baby bottle,” said Caroline.
Josh ran to the garage to get their red Radio Flyer wagon. Caroline dashed off to the house to get towels and food. She grabbed two raggedy towels used to dry off their Dachshund, Pepper. Then she went to the kitchen and pulled out canned green beans and baked beans.
“Wait a minute, young lady. Where are you going with that food?” Her mom frowned.
“Mom, we need it for our wagon trip.”
“Where are you going?” Her mom leaned forward.
“The ditch is flooded, so we’re pretending to ford a river and head out west.”
“Oh, I see. Well, you will need supplies. That’s going to be a long, hard trip. Be careful. Remember to bring back those beans when you’re finished.” Her mom smiled with raised eyebrows.
“I will. Thanks, Mom.”
Melissa skipped up to the front porch where her Tears doll sat in a toy stroller. She lifted out her doll. “You’re coming with me.” She tucked her doll under her left arm. Then she shook out the pink, cotton blanket. “Now, where’s your bottle?” The plastic bottle dislodged and rolled across the cement. “Stop, come back here.” She snatched the bottle up before it rolled down the steps.
Josh pulled their wagon across the front yard.
“Slow down, Josh. I need to put this stuff in the wagon.”
“Hurry up,” Josh’s face flushed. “The river is rising fast.”
Caroline bent over the wagon, and the items tumbled out of her arms.
“Wait for me and Tiny Tears,” whined Melissa. She tripped and fell to the ground. “Don’t cry, Tiny. You’re okay.”
Caroline rushed over to help her sister. “Are you all right?”
Melissa nodded. “Oh, no. Look at my doll.” Grass stained her doll’s onesie.
“Don’t worry. Mom can get it out.” That is an advantage of having a mom who is a history teacher and is young at heart. She never seems to mind extra loads of laundry and baths for the sake of her children’s historical re-enactments. “Come on, the wagon is about to leave.”
Caroline pushed the food cans to the front of the wagon. She spread out a towel. “Melissa, climb in and sit down.”
Melissa handed Tiny Tears and the baby bottle to Caroline. “Ooooo, this towel stinks.” She pinched her nose.
“Here take your doll and bottle.”
“Hold on tight. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.” Josh tugged the wagon handle. “Caroline, get behind the wagon and push.” They stopped at the edge of the ditch. “Are you ready to ford the river?” As he pulled the wagon into the ditch, water flowed over the sides.
“Josh, We’re getting wet.” Melissa held baby doll above her head.
“Melissa, hold on.” He jerked the wagon forward. Melissa fell backward into Caroline’s outstretched arms. Caroline pushed Melissa upright. Melissa held onto the wagon with her right hand and held Tiny Tears in her left hand.
The wagon progressed like a sloth, teetered, then the front wheels lodged in the mud.
“Caroline. Push harder.” Josh shouted.
“What do you think I’m doing?” Caroline scowled. Her feet slipped and she hit her chin on the back of the wagon. “Ouch!” She bit her lip. She tasted her salty blood and wiped her mouth with her wet hand.
“Josh, Caroline’s hurt. I want to get out. I want to get out now!” Melissa clutched her doll, scrambled out of the wagon, and fell into the water. Caroline grabbed her sister’s arm. They crawled up the side of the ditch and ran to the house.
Their mom, while washing dishes, saw the girls run across the yard. Melissa screamed, “Mom, Mom, Caroline’s hurt.”
Their mom rubbed her hands on a dish towel and met them at the door. “Oh, my. What happened?”
“I slipped and bit my lip.” Caroline rubbed her chin.
“Don’t move, stay right here. You’re sopping wet. I’ll get each of you a towel and Caroline a wash cloth with some ice. I’ll be right back.” She darted out of the kitchen.
Caroline and Melissa stood shivering in the air-conditioned kitchen. “Mom, hurry! We’re freezing.” Water pooled on the linoleum floor.
Their mom returned with two towels and a wash cloth. She placed an ice cube in the wash cloth. “Caroline, hold this up to your lip.”
Caroline flinched as she put the cloth to her sore lip.
“Girls, dry off, and then go change. Please put your bathing suits in the bathtub. I’ll get them later.
Josh bolted into the kitchen. “Josh, you stay put. I’ll grab another towel for you. Where’s the wagon?”
“I left it in the ditch.”
“Young man, go get that wagon and bring it up into the yard. Pioneers didn’t leave their wagons floating in the river. Hurry and get yours out. I suppose the food cans and towels are still in the wagon.”
“Mom, I can’t carry all that by myself.”
“I guess you’ll have to make more than one trip. Your sisters can’t help you right now. Besides, wasn’t this wagon trip your idea?” Mom gaped with her hands on her hips.
“Mom, we had to ford the river before the water rose any higher.”
“I see,” Mom rubbed her own chin and smiled.
