Chapter Three: Miriam Capperdale
The next morning, Cloudy, and her siblings again headed to school. But this morning they had gotten up two hours before the bell in order to have enough time to invite lots of people to the Thanksgiving feast. Cloudy explained that Sniper and his brothers would invite those inside the school while Star and she would invite those outside.
Cloudy and her sister worked hard; in fact, Cloudy later swore that she had never worked so hard on a project as she did on this one! After an hour, they had successfully answered yes to thirty-three of forty invitations. So far, so good.
Star yawned and leaned against the bus stop sign. “Man, I’m tired. I wonder how many people the boys managed to invite?”
“Hopefully a lot more than us,” Cloudy asserted, worriedly surveying the sheet of paper pinned to her clipboard. On the paper were the names of those who were coming to the feast. “Thirty-three isn’t enough for a giant feast.”
“Ah, don’t sweat it,” Star replied in an unconcerned tone. “I’m sure a ton of people will show up.”
“I hope so,” Cloudy murmured. Then a thought came to mind. “Hey, Star?”
“Yeah?” Star stretched out her back, bracing herself against the sign by digging her claws into the ground.
“Did you—um, well—ever tell Mommy or Daddy about my, uh, fight with Wylanda yesterday?”
Star stopped stretching and stared at her sister. “No, of course not.”
Oh.” Cloudy was silent a moment, then continued, “Did anybody else tell?”
“No. We all agreed not to tell,” Star said.
Cloudy was surprised. “Why?”
“We decided it wasn’t your fault,” Star said. “We all said that Wylanda was being a butt to you and that she deserved to be attacked. Maybe that’ll be a lesson to her to be nicer from now on.” She stared at Cloudy, her blue eyes dark and thoughtful. “And also remember what I told you, Cloudy—us telling Mommy and Daddy anything that you’re dealing with won’t teach you to speak up for yourself.”
Cloudy smiled, but the smile was forced. She felt as though she’d been slapped. “Um, well, okay.”
Just then, a young, dark-skinned girl came out of a small white house next to the school. She wore a short brown dress and a gold filigree bracelet with tiny roses painted on it was around her wrist. She walked over to the bus stop, but halted when she saw Star slumped against the sign. “Um, can you please excuse me?” the girl timidly asked.
Star jumped a little and stared at the girl. “What? Oh, um, I mean, sure.” She moved a few feet away to make room.
“Thanks,” the girl shyly responded. She glanced curiously at the two sisters for a moment, her brown eyes filled with interest. Cloudy and Star eyes her just as intently. Then the girl asked, “Have we met?”
“No,” Star conveyed.
Cloudy shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Oh. Well, my name’s Miriam Capperdale,” the girl said. She pushed back a lock of her wavy hair. “I’m seven.”
“Well, my name is Star and this is my sister, Cloudy. She’s the prophesied Star Warrior who is to save Dreamland from disaster,” Star explained, opening her blue eyes wide.
Miriam’s eyes shone. She was clearly intrigued. “Really? Wow! Oh my gosh! I can’t believe it! At last, you’re here! We’ve all been waiting for a really long time!”
“Well, your waiting has paid off,” Star dramatically declared. “She has come!”
“Okay, okay,” Cloudy giggled. “Don’t overdo it, Star. But yes, I am the Prophesied One. It’s nice to meet you, Miriam.” She smiled as she glanced at Miriam’s bracelet. “And I especially love your bracelet.”
“Thanks,” Miriam replied, turning it on her wrist. “It was a gift from my grandmother before she died. She gave it to me to remind me to always be grateful for everything we have. I value it highly.”
A gust of wind suddenly blew past and Miriam’s dress twisted around her. “Oh, drat!” Miriam grumbled as she yanked at the dress to straighten it out.
For the first time, Cloudy noted that Miriam’s dress was worn and had patches in it. The thin cloth seemed to provide little to no protection against the chilliness of the gusts of wind. Miriam noticed Cloudy staring at her clothing, and Cloudy quickly looked away.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Miriam sighed. “Yes, my clothing is not the best. It came from the thrift store, in fact.”
“The thrift store?” Star repeated in disbelief. “Are you a hobo or something?”
“Star!” Cloudy hissed, mortified. She kicked her sister. “Be quiet! She’s not a hobo!”
“Of course I’m not,” said Miriam, sounding offended. “I live in a house, in case you haven’t noticed. That one.” She pointed to the white house she had come out of.
“Then why are you dressed like a poor person?” asked Star.
Miriam glared at Star. “Because I am poor. Obviously.” She crossed her arms and looked away.
“Oh,” was all Star could say. She felt like an idiot. First she had called Miriam a hobo and then asked a dumb question about Miriam being poor. She had made Miriam feel like a total loser and that wasn’t what she had meant to do at all.
Cloudy gave Miriam a sympathetic look. “Are you having any trouble in your family?” she asked. “Not trying to pry,” she hurriedly added. “I just want to help you, is all.”
Miriam nodded sadly and turned to face Cloudy. “We are having some problems. My dad’s in the hospital because he got into a terrible car accident last month. The doctors aren’t even sure he’s going to make it. And on top of that, Mom can’t pay our bills on the house. If she doesn’t pay them before the month is out, we’ll lose our house!”
“Oh, no!” Cloudy gasped. “That can’t happen! It just can’t!”
“We have to do something,” Star said. “Maybe we can ask our parents and our friends to donate some money to your mom. Or maybe we can sell something. Or maybe we can. . .”
Miriam held up a hand and smiled. “It’s nice of you to try to help me, but this is up to the Lord now. I trust He’ll do what is best.”
Star was astounded by the girl’s response. “Wait, are you a Christian?” she asked, astonished.
Miriam nodded. “My whole family is Christian.”
“Our whole family is Christian too,” Cloudy said. “Although Sniper doesn’t really act like he’s one.”
“Who’s Sniper?” Miriam asked.
“Our oldest brother,” Cloudy said.
“Oh.” Miriam pushed back a lock of her black hair and slung her satchel over her shoulder. “Is he mean?”
“Mean enough to save someone’s life,” Star piped in.
“Shh!” Cloudy scolded. “Pipe down, will you, Star?”
Miriam laughed. “Well, he certainly sounds unique. I’d like to meet your family sometime, Cloudy.”
“And I’d like to meet yours,” Cloudy said.
Star cleared her throat and asked in a friendly tone,” So, Miriam, where do you go to school?”
“The public school a few miles down the road,” Miriam answered. She looked up to the sky. “It’s not the best, but I do have some friends there.”
“Really?” Cloudy’s eyes glowed. “Perfect!”
Miriam blinked, startled. “Uh, pardon me?”
“Oh, I guess I didn’t tell you,” Cloudy said. “You see, I live in that house right across from here, and my parents are hosting a Thanksgiving feast there next Thursday. Lots of people will be there. You and your family and friends are invited.”
“Awesome,” Miriam said. “Wait, does it cost anything to get in?”
“Nope. It’s free of charge,” Star said.
“Cool. Then count me in,” Miriam said. “I’ll tell my mom after I get home from school.”
The big yellow school bus pulled up at that moment. “Oh, I’ve gotta go. See you guys later!” Miriam called, and hopped onto the bus. The doors slid shut and the bus pulled away into the cold afternoon, Miriam waving to them from the window. Cloudy and Star waved in return.
Star blew out her breath. “Well, that went well.”
Cloudy just gave her the death stare. “Hmph.”
“What?” demanded Star. “Why are you glaring at me like that?”
“Because you need to learn to shut your mouth,” Cloudy snapped. “You made poor Miriam feel like dirt!”
“Why, just because I asked if she was poor?” Star returned.
“No, because you basically insinuated she was a destitute, homeless outcast,” Cloudy growled. “That’s going too far.”
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it sound like that, but I’ve never seen a girl dressed so plainly as her.”
“So what if she wears rags and goes to the worst school on the planet?” Cloudy asked. “She’s a nice girl.”
“I know,” Star answered sheepishly.
“Hey, girls!” Sniper called, banging open the double doors and bounding toward them with his brothers in tow. “Guess what? We got fifty-three people to come!”
“Awesome!” Cloudy said happily. “Let’s see, thirty-four plus fifty-three equals. . .” She paused a second to do some mental math. “. . .equals eighty-seven!”
“Don’t forget these peoples’ families as well as Miriam and her friends,” Star reminded her.
“Oh, yeah.”
“Wait, you lost me,” Yodi said. “Who’s Miriam?”
“Miriam Capperdale. She’s a girl who lives next door to this school. She’s coming to the feast and bringing her friends,” Star said.
“Miriam Capperdale, eh? Never heard of her,” said Sharkell.
“Of course not. You haven’t met her,” Star said with a snort of contempt. “But she’s very kind and Christian like us.”
“Radical!” Pancake cheered. “I have to meet this girl!”
“Well, you’ll have your chance soon enough,” Star chuckled. “Thanksgiving’s right around the corner.”
Cloudy looked up to the sky and smiled softly. She was glad Miriam had taken such a liking to them, but was concerned for her family. Cloudy decided to talk to her parents that night to see what they could do to help Miriam.
Cloudy heard Star mention the words “Wylanda Coven” and instantly tuned back in to the conversation.
“Hey, you boys didn’t invite Wylanda Coven, did you?” Star asked suspiciously.
Sniper pretended to gag.
“Seriously?” Waffle said, raising an eyebrow. “I hope you’re joking. I’d throw myself into a pit full of poisonous scorpions before I’d invite Wylanda to our Thanksgiving feast.”
“I know. I just wanted to make sure,” Star said. She grinned. “Imagine if she did get invited!”
“She’s ruin the event before it even started!” Sniper declared.
“Yeah, I bet she’d gorge herself on the turkey,” Yodi giggled. “Or maybe she’d say she’s the Thanksgiving queen and make everyone do exactly as she says.”
“Gross,” Star muttered. “I’m just glad she’s not invited. It’s bad enough we have to be with her in school. Just for once I’d like to not see her anywhere near us.”
“I’d like it if she wasn’t anywhere near us at all, but that won’t happen unless she moves away or dies,” Sharkell said lightly.
Cloudy gasped in shock. “Sharkell! Are you wishing death to Wylanda?”
“No, of course not,” Sharkell said. “I’m just saying I wish she would stay away from us for good.”
Just then, the students began pouring in droves into the school. From where she stood, Cloudy could hear the faint ringing of the bell announcing the start of class. “Let’s go!” Sniper sang, dashing toward the front doors, his brothers and sisters right on his tail.
* * * * *
That night, Cloudy’s family sat around the dinner table eating a delicious supper of chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, and the leftovers of the cake that Cloudy had helped make yesterday.
“So, children, have a good day at school?” Springtime asked.
“Oh, yes,” Sniper mumbled, stuffing spaghetti and meatballs into his mouth. “It was so awesome! We had the best day ever!” He gulped his lemonade down, spilling most of it onto his chest. Then he set the glass down and licked the lemonade around his mouth, the sweet liquid dripping down his chin. Spaghetti sauce lathered his face and a noodle was draped over his nose. Cloudy and Star burst into giggles at his appearance and Yodi goggled while Sharkell, Pancake, and Waffle looked away in disgust, curling their lips in distaste.
Sniper sighed deeply and grinned, his teeth covered with sauce. “Boy, this is a good dinner, Mommy.”
“Eww! Sniper, that’s absolutely revolting!” Springtime exclaimed.
“What is?” wondered Sniper.
“Look in the wall mirror over there,” Showerstorm ordered.
Sniper did and gasped when he saw his reflection. “Oh, man! Is that really me?!”
“Yes,” Springtime answered dryly. Then she couldn’t contain herself. She burst into uncontrollable laughter, nearly falling off her chair. The puppies laughed too and so did Showerstorm, though he tried to pretend he wasn’t.
“Um, I’ll be right back,” Sniper said, jumping from his seat and racing to the bathroom. The puppies started laughing all over again.
“Okay, everyone, settle down,” Showerstorm chuckled.
Cloudy flashed a smile and took a bite of cake. She had confess that while Sniper was annoying, he was also a really good mealtime entertainer. Not to mention the class clown and the practical jokester and. . .
“Cloudy, did you hear what I asked you?” Springtime’s voice cut into Cloudy’s thoughts. Startled, Cloudy looked up at her mother.
“Um, I’m sorry, Mommy, I didn’t hear you. I was thinking about something else.”
“I asked, how many people did you kids invite today?” asked Springtime.
Cloudy couldn’t give her an exact number since she didn’t know how many people were actually coming. “Over a hundred,” was all she said.
“Awesome. Your father and I invited a few people too.”
“Who did you invite?” Star wondered.
“Your father invited a few of his coworkers down at the bank,” Springtime said. “I went down to the mall earlier today and invited a few kids and their families. Oh, and this woman named Scazzarda Stellarum is coming with her son. I also ran into Shannon Coven and invited her too, as well as . .”
“Shannon who?!” Cloudy exclaimed, her eyes full of shock.
Springtime turned her head and gave her a surprised look. “Shannon Coven, honey. You know the Covens; their daughter goes to your school, she told me.”
Sharkell slapped his forehead with his paw and groaned loudly.
“NOOOO!” Yodi yelled.
“What’s the matter?” Showerstorm asked.
“Oh, nothing,” Cloudy said quickly. She wasn’t ready to tell her parents that Wylanda was a bully. “We-We were just surprised that you invited the Covens. I mean, I assumed a wealthy family like them wouldn’t want to attend out meager feast.”
Springtime stared at Cloudy as if she were an alien from outer space. “Cloudy, what are you talking about? Why can’t I invite them just because our feast is meager? It’s not about the feast. It’s about friendship and love between stranger and friend. Don’t forget that.”
Cloudy ran a paw across the smooth mahogany tabletop. Why could she just never seem to explain to her mother a lot of the things on her mind?
“Oh, Mommy,” Star said, tugging at her mother’s leg. Springtime looked down at her, a mild expression of puzzlement crossing her face. “We met this Christian girl named Miriam Capperdale at the bus stop today, and she lives next door to our school. She said her mother was going to lose her house because the bills can’t be paid, and they have to be paid before the month is out.” She sat back in her seat. “Can’t we help them?”
Springtime’s eyes clouded. “I don’t know,” she said slowly. “I never met this family. I don’t even know if Miriam was telling the truth or not.”
“But she said. . .”
“People can say anything they want to, darling, but it doesn’t make it true,” Springtime returned, a little severely. “Don’t fall for everything you hear.”
“But Mommy!” Star burst out. “Her dress was old and patched and she goes to a public school! Aren’t public schools free?”
“Yes, but what does that have to do with. . .”
“If public schools are free,” Star broke in, “then maybe her mother sent her there because she was unable to pay for a proper school.”
“Or she doesn’t want to bother spending any money,” Springtime shot back.
“Okay, stop,” Showerstorm said firmly. “Star, we will check in with this family tomorrow. If they are everything you say they are, then we will try to help them. But if not, let this be a lesson to you children not to be gullible. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Daddy,” Star sighed, lowering her head.
Cloudy was worried. What if Miriam and her family were lying about who they really were?
* * * * *
The next afternoon, Cloudy walked in the front door with her siblings in tow. Ignoring them, she set the picnic basket down and walked into the kitchen. There she saw her parents by the stove, talking to one another in low voices. Their tones were a mixture of concern and excitement, but Cloudy was unable to hear a single sentence of what they were saying.
Springtime looked up at the moment and saw Cloudy. Instantly, she stopped talking and smiled cheerfully. “Hello, dear!” she said.
“What’s happening?” Cloudy asked, rushing up to them.
Showerstorm chuckled slightly. “I guess Star was right.”
“Huh?” Cloudy was puzzled.
“I should have known she was telling the truth,” he went on.
“Can you talk in English and please tell me what’s going on?” Cloudy begged. “Telling the truth about what?”
“Miriam, of course,” Springtime said. “Why, we went over to her house this afternoon while you were having your picnic in the park, and you should have seen her house. It was tiny as heck and the walls were dirty and the paint was chipped, and the back of the roof looked pretty bad too. The electricity doesn’t work right, either.”
“Not to mention we checked online today and found that indeed the bank is demanding heavy fines from Miriam’s mother,” Showerstorm sighed. “Star was right. I should have known.”
“Ohh, is there nothing we can do?!” Cloudy exclaimed in frustration, stamping her foot. “Miriam can’t live on the street and neither can her mother!”
“Calm down, my dear,” Springtime said gently. “We have an idea, but we’ll keep it secret for now. I don’t want to reveal it lest it doesn’t work, you know?”
Cloudy wasn’t sure she did know, but she said, “Yes, Mommy.”
Springtime hugged her daughter. “My dear, the Lord is with the Capperdales and He is with us. If He wills it, Miriam and her mother will not be kicked out of their house. He will reveal the answer in time. But we must trust Him because it is not in our hands—or maybe paws is the better term. Understand?”
Cloudy looked wonderingly at her mother, and she suddenly found herself beaming. “Yes, Mommy, I understand.” She did a little dance around the room. “Now I really can’t wait for Thanksgiving!”
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