Posting this very short chapter to gauge interest. Let me know if you'd like me to continue.
Xx SW
The big plantation house was quite frequently busy but today the chaos was nearly uncontrolled. People rushed about nearly every room in the house, spilling over onto the wrap-around porch and into the backyard. This wedding had been on the calendar for several months and all of the preparations were quickly coming together. All except one.
"Aunt Angela, Jane Is going to ruin my wedding!" Sofia cried to her passing aunt. She had her hair in pins and make-up in place, with her slip falling below her knees. The wedding was starting very soon, and last time she had seen Jane, the girl had on raggedy looking shorts and an even more homely looking old t-shirt—certainly not ready for the ceremony she was supposed to be in.
Angela stopped her running around for a second to placate her younger niece. "Don't worry, honey. She'll be ready, and your wedding will be perfect, okay? I'll get Frankie to go get her. That boy can talk her into just about anything." She gave Sofia a pat on the arm and went off to find her son—and maybe a swig of her husband's whiskey. Sofia didn't look convinced, but she had other things to worry about and went in the opposite direction.
Angela found Frankie in the living room with the rest of the men and boys, huddled around small radio. She tapped him on the shoulder, "Frankie, can you please go get Janie and see if she's ready? Sofia is about to have a conniption fit, and my patience will all of it is wearing thin."
Frankie gave his mother an empathetic smile. "Sure, Ma. I'll try." Jane was a handful and a half to just about every person in her life—except Frankie. And, sometimes he couldn't even talk her into whatever it was she was being stubborn about, but he was certainly her favorite in terms of people. So, he took a few steps up the stair case and called out, "Janie? Come out now, please? There's no firin' squad waiting on ya."
After a few beats, Jane came around the corner and into view. She had on the pink monstrosity that Sophia had picked out but the rest of her was simply 'Jane'. Her knees had bandages covering her scrapes, her lacy socks were unkempt at two different heights. Her hair was wavy and wild, for once not in a pony tail but not any more tamed.
Angela came by the staircase at that moment. "Oh Jane, you look so nice in that honey!" By this time a small crowd had gathered, watching Jane make her way down. Jane just smiled tightly down at her Ma, not enjoying the looks and feeling uncomfortable in the get-up. She saw Tommy sidle up behind Frankie and make a face. She stared back at him but he wasn't intimidated.
"I see London, I see France, I see—" That was the last word Tommy got out before Jane skipped down the last of the stairs and tackled her youngest brother. A scuffle broke out of course, with Frankie and Angela trying to break the pair up.
"Take it back Tommy!" Jane growled. Frankie was doing all he could to hold her back. Tommy just laughed as his mother pulled him away and shooed him off in the other direction.
Sophia picked this moment to walk by. "See Angela I told you she was gonna ruin my wedding day!" She cried out while Angela just looked on exasperated and sighed heavily.
Meanwhile, Jane took off running out the back door. Frankie just looked at his mother. "I'll go get her," he said, while turning around to follow his sister.