Chapter 7

The next day Maggie was nervous. It was a Saturday so she had no school and she was going to spend time with her peers for the first time ever. With Lovey's help she had planned a tea party. She was overwhelmed by the many things the cook could bake. She did know that she enjoyed the Chocolate Chip cookies and peppermint tea she had yesterday, so she chose that.

"Darling, I think you've made a wonderful choice", said Lovey.

"I did? Is this what they'd like?"

"Oh I'm sure they'll love it, Maggie! Don't you worry ,dear."

"May I show them my teddy bear?"

"Of course dear. Lovey was so thrilled to be helping Maggie put this together.

"Thank you, Mrs. Howell."

"You're welcome dear. I hope you have a wonderful time!"

"I'd like to, but I don't know what to do."

"I'm sure Madeline and Alexandra will teach you some games you can play. I think they're bringing dolls!"

"They'd let me play with their dolls. They must be very expensive!"

"Of course they will and I'll get you dolls just like they have!"

"Oh Mrs. Howell, you don't need to."

"I want to and don't tell me you don't deserve them. You do darling!"

A few minutes later Betty came to help Maggie host her first tea party.

"Hello, Maggie. Are you exited for your first tea party?"

"I don't think I'm excited."

"Maggie, do you want to have this party?"

"Mrs. Howell says they are nice, but why would rich girls want to be with me?"

"They want to meet a new friend."

"Me, someone's friend?"

"Yes, dear! Don't you want a friend?" Asked Lovey.

"Yes, but I don't think people would like to spend time with me. I don't ever play and I don't know anything that many girls know."

"They'll help you and teach you how to have fun!" Lovey exclaimed.

"Ok." Maggie hoped that was true.

A few minutes later, Charlotte's children arrived with their British nanny and their mother who was going to have tea with Lovey. They were eight year and nine years old. Alexandra was tall and blonde, the oldest. Her younger sister had light brown hair with brown eyes. She was in a wheelchair. She didn't have a lot of friends because most women in her mother's social circle weren't understanding or accepting of Madeline. Harshly and cruelly put, they didn't want their children spending time with a "cripple." Mrs. Howell was Madeline's favorite friend of her mother's. She acknowledged her abilities and not disabilities. She was kind but did not show Madeline pity.

"Hello I'm Alexandria."

"And I'm Madeline" She smiled at Maggie, hoping Maggie would become her friend.

"I'm Maggie. Do you like Chocolate Chip Cookies?"

"Oh yes, they are quite delicious", declared Madeline.

"The cook made some." Maggie explained.

"Oh, good! I love chocolate chip cookies too" exclaimed Alexandra.

Charlotte and Lovey smiled seeing the girls get along well.

"How is your advocacy work going Charlotte?" Lovey asked as they sat down to tea in the siting room.

"As well as can be expected, I suppose. Oh Lovey I wish there were more like you out there, who notice the abilities of those with dishabilles and understood how dreadful those institutions are too! I heard Mrs. Vanderplatz gossip about me again, said how unladylike my activist work was. I try to ignore them, but it still hurts."

"Oh I'm sure it does, dear! People can be so cruel! I wish they wouldn't be. How are the girls?"

"They are doing very well in school. Madeline's writhing is improving, with occupational thereby but the attitude of her classmates and teachers are not! I'm so glad Elizabeth is able to be her aid during school. She's the best nanny we've had yet. Alexandra is wonderfully protective and loving sisters. Those two are always together!"

"You have wonderful children! I'm a bit nervous how the other girls will treat Maggie."

"Well I'm sure she'll always have my girls as friends."

The girls were busy playing with their dolls and getting to know each other.

Maggie hesitantly asked Madeline why she was in the wheelchair.

"I was born early and something happened when I was born. I was born like this. My hands and arms don't work like I want them to. It's called Cerebral Palsy. Mother says I'm like the Little Engine that could. It's my favorite book!"

"Maybe I can read it someday."

"I can read it to you Maggie", said Betty. Betty got the book out. She had just bought it.

"I can read it!" Madeline volunteered.

"I can help you turn the pages." Alexandra volunteered.

A few minutes later Charlotte and Lovey smiled at the girls reading together.

"How's my little engine that could? It's time for physical therapy soon, honey." Charlotte gave Madeline a hug and kiss.

"I'm having so much fun Mother! Can we come have Maggie over tomorrow?"

"Yes, can we mother?" Alexandra asked.

"Yes, dear."

The girls left knowing that this was the beginning of a new friendship.