Chapter 2: A Friend

   Andrew awoke the next day to the smell of bacon frying, and the sun coming through his bedroom window.   

   He hurried into his clothes and pulled on a sweater since it was beginning to get chilly, and fall was already at the door. After breakfast Aunt Amelia told May to show Andrew around the yard.

   They were just going out the door, when May said, “What's it like to not have any Parents?” she took a large step off the porch and landed on a stepping-stone.

   “Well, it isn't very fun. I sure miss them you know.”  he followed her around to the side of the house where there was a shed.

   May opened the old door, and it creaked mysteriously. Andrew followed May through the dusty shed to the back where there was a sheet hung up over the back wall, separating an area behind it from the rest of the shed.

   May told Andrew that behind this sheet was her “office” where she spent her time doing whatever she needed to do away from the rest of the world.

   “Like a play room.” she explained. “Now you mustn't ever go in because it's only for me, and anyone in my club.”

   “Who else is in your club?” asked Andrew, eager to know what was behind the sheet.

   “Actually I'm the only one in my club as of now.” she smiled wryly. “But you could be my first mate!”

   “I'd like that.” he smiled back and they shook hands on it.

   “Now promise you won't breath a word to anyone about this place.” May grabbed the edge of the sheet and slipped around it.

   Andrew followed, assuring her that it was a secret he would never tell.

   Behind the sheet Andrew's jaw dropped and he was amazed at what he saw. Pictures were hanging on the wall, and newspaper clips were tacked up. There was a lit lantern on a small coffee table in one of the corners with two small stools around it and a slightly stained cloth over it.

   In another corner was a bookshelf with old books and encyclopedias on it. A small shelf hung near the curtain wall, and on it were various collectibles; there was also a pile of ancient quilts on the floor below it.

   But more mysterious to Andrew was an old weather beaten trunk at the back wall. It looked like one of the old treasure chests that pirates would have.

   “This is quite a collection.” he finally said, turning around and marveling.

   “Well, it took me along time to collect it, and get it snuck out here.” May beamed proudly at her success.     

   “But I did. And now I can share it with you!” she gestured for him to sit at the table, and opened some picture albums for him to see.

   After a few minutes they hurried out of the shed, and closed the door quietly behind them. “Mother can't know we've been out here, so we have to act like we've been looking around the yard and stuff.” she chuckled at her slyness. They looked around some more, but there really wasn't much to see in the back yard.

   “Who owns that old barn and field back there?” Andrew wondered.

   “Oh, I don't know. Somebody who used to live here.” May replied, starting back to the house.

   “Do you have any neighbors?”

   “Only grouchy old people.”

   “No kids?”

   “Nope.” May kicked a pebble away.

   “You must get pretty bored with nobody around to be your friend.” sighed Andrew.

   “That's why Mother and Papa sent for you. They thought we'd both need a companion. Since your Parents died, and I ain't got no brothers or sisters.”

   Andrew was about to bring up her brother, but decided that it might not be such a good idea. “How old are you?”

   May glanced up at him and replied, “I'm 10. Gonna be 11 next month.”

   “I'm 11.” said Andrew, picking at a weed.

   “I know, Mother told me all about you before you came.” she had a knowing look on her face.

   Just then Aunt Amelia called them in.

...to be continued next week. Stay tuned!