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<H1 style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">Below is my story for July
27. I hope the format is kept as I wrote it. If not, comment on as much or as
little of the content as you wish.</H1>
<DIV style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">Happy Writing,</DIV>
<DIV style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">Kate</DIV>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"> </H1>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><A
name=_Toc454006026><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext"><FONT
face="Calibri Light">#Grace, Martha, and The Sleep Shirt
Solution</FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: windowtext"><?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace sat near the open window
listening for car tires on her gravel driveway. She'd put on her favorite tee
shirt with the embroidered flowers around the neck. Her shorts were the same
pale blue of the bumpiest flowers. She carefully strung macaroni, bells and
buttons for a friendship necklace to give her cousin. The cousin she'd never
even met.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"How old is Martha, Mom?"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>she asked as a whiff of perfume whisked
past.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"You are three days younger than
Martha," her Mom said<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>placing the
vase of peonies on the dining room table. "My sister and I were pregnant at the
same time.” <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"If she is family,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace asked, jingling a little bell and
pausing her project just long enough to pat the sleeping puppy at her feet, "how
come we've never had parties with them?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Well, the Army keeps its people
on the move."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>her Mom answered.
"They are only here on a four week leave. Tonight they'll be with us. Other
nights they'll be with the rest of the family."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Why does...?" she began but
stopped as she heard a car on the gravel driveway. "They're
here!"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The grown-ups hugged and kissed
and cried. She felt their wet hugs and kisses but there weren't any child-size
hugs.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace felt the excited tug of
Goldie's leash. The 5 month old Golden Retriever saw Martha pretending to be
asleep in the car. Grace followed Goldie's tug and went over to the open car
door with her.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha laid very still thinking
Grace would never know the difference. Goldie could see her, though<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>and smothered her in wet puppy kisses
until she dissolved into giggles.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Hi,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>said Grace. "Are you
Martha?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Yuck!" Martha said. "My lips
touched dog lips!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>What's the dumb
dog's name?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Goldie,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace said. "We're raising her to be a
guide dog. She's the third one we've had. I'll get a real guide dog when I'm
16."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Cool," Martha said as she got out
of the car. She was soon covered with Grace's parents' hugs and kisses along
with Goldie's.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace and Martha sat at a special table
just for kids. It was noisy at the big table as their parents caught up on all
the family news.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was quiet at the kids table.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"If you can't see,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha blurted out,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"how can you eat?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Usually I can smell what I'm
eating, "Grace said, "and sometimes Mom will tell me what's on my plate; Like a
clock."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Oh," Martha said, swiping Grace's
pickle chips.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After dinner when everyone was
just sitting around, Martha suggested they play Charades. It was a game she and
her parents had played often. She was good at it, too.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Well," Martha's Mom said, "let's
do something that Grace can do."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"I like Charades," Grace said.
"Mom, can I get the game box?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"You sure can," her Mom said.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"If she can't see,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha said, "how can she guess at what
we are doing?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"As you act it out, we call out
our guesses,"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Mom answered,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Grace is very good at drawing
conclusions. She often beats us to the correct answer."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha did not call out her
guesses. She did not like being beaten at the game she had suggested. She
especially didn't like having to wear a macaroni necklace.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When it was time for bed, Grace
and Martha put Goldie in her wire crate in the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"If you're so sure you can't
see,"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha said, "then how can
you take care of a dog?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Mom always puts Goldie's food in
the same place. I use a cup to scoop the right amount," Grace said.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Why can't she sleep with
us?"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha wanted to
know.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"It's part of her training,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace said. "Mom says this is part of my
training, too."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Their folks came in to say good
night. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Are you two girls too big for a
bed-time story?" Grace's Mom asked. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Oh, Mom,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace said, "could<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha and I read it to
you?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Read?" Martha frowned. "How can
YOU read THEM a story if you can't see?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Look,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace said reaching over to the book
shelf near her bed. "You read one page in print, I'll read one page in
braille."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in">**<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When Martha thought everyone was
asleep, she got out of her cot and went to see Goldie. The puppy was awake and
wagging her tail at the sight of someone to play with.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Quietly she unlatched Goldie's
crate and took her out onto the porch. Goldie nibbled the macaroni necklace that
was still around Martha's neck. Martha took it off herself and put it on Goldie.
She had to wrap it around twice so it wouldn't fall off. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A sound in the back meadow caught
Goldie's attention. She took off at a run to check it out. Martha called to her
but she did not return. Martha was afraid to go off the porch in the
dark.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"The dumb dog will be back when
it's hungry," she muttered and went back to her cot. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace was the first one up in the
morning. She put a robe over her sleep-shirt and quietly went downstairs to feed
Goldie. She felt for the crate's latch. It was unhooked. She felt for the dog's
familiar soft fur and wet nose. Goldie wasn't in her crate. She wasn't in the
kitchen. Her leash was on its hook but Goldie didn't come when Grace called her.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A cool morning breeze came through
the kitchen screen door. She knew her Mom always closed and locked that
door.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Mom?"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>she softly called. "Is Goldie with
you?"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No one answered.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace felt the latch on the screen
door.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Hello,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>she said stepping out onto the porch.
The morning mist was wet on her cheeks.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Goldie,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>she called. "Goldie,
come."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Where's Goldie?"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha's voice made Grace
jump.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"I don't know," Grace said. "I
came down to feed her and she was already out but her leash is on its hook. Do
you see her?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"No,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha said. "It's too foggy to see
anything."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"I'm going to look for her,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace said.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Wait,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>said Martha. "If you can't see, how can
you find her?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"I've been all over the meadow
with my long, white cane," Grace said. "Are you coming?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"No,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha said. "The fog is too thick for
me to see anything."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Well, I can't see anything
either,"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace snapped. "Now are
you going to help me look for Goldie or not?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The girls stepped off the porch
hand in hand.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace swished her cane from left
to right and back again. After many steps she heard a clunk and the cane
stopped.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Here is the stone we use for
first base,"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace told Martha.
"Goldie, come."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"First base?"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha said in surprise. "How can blind
kids play baseball?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"We play kick baseball. Dad and I
use a ball with a beep in it."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Grace whispered. "Be quiet. Did you hear something?<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A little bell?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"No,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>a worried Martha said.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Swish, swish went Grace's cane
again as they moved farther away from the porch and its safety. An eerie light
came through the fog as the sun sneaked a peak over the meadow.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"It's creepy out here," Martha
said. "I'm going back."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She looked
behind her. She had no idea which way was back.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"If it looks creepy," Grace said,"
then don't look. Count steps with me until we get to the old quarry at the edge
of the meadow."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Swish, swish. Martha<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>held Grace's hand a bit tighter and
closed her eyes. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thunk.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Here is the ridge of rock at the
edge of the meadow,"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace said,
knowing very well she was not allowed to be this near the old quarry. "Goldie,
come."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Grace, this is stupid,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha said. "Your dumb dog is probably
home now. Let's go back..."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Sh, I heard something," Grace
said. "Listen. Goldie, come."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"I don't hear anything,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha said. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"It's a bell,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace said. "No, it's a whimper. Listen.
Goldie, come."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"I hear it, too,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha said. "Where's it coming
from?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"This way," and Grace tapped
carefully along the ridge of the old quarry. She kept to the grass line, picking
her steps carefully. Martha kept in step with her. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Goldie, come,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace said every few feet and then
listened for the whimpering and the bell.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They stopped.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Martha,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>she said, "what do you see?<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Do you see Goldie?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha was surprised to find she
still had her eyes closed!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She
blinked them open and said, "Oh, gosh, we're right at the edge of the quarry.
The fog isn't too bad here but I don't see Goldie."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Lay down on your belly and look
over the edge," Grace told her. "It sounds like we are right next to the sound.
Listen. Goldie, come."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"She's there,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha called from the ground. "She's on
a small ledge. There's blood on her. She sees me. Her tail is wagging like
crazy!" <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"I've heard the grown-ups talk
about trails in and out of the quarry,"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Grace said. "Do you see a way down to her?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"No,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha said. "No, wait. There is one
that stops just above her."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The girls held hands again and
slowly made their way down the old quarry path until<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>it stopped short of where the ledge
was.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Goldie, come,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace said. Goldie shook her head and
whimpered.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"What is wrapped around her nose,
Grace?"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha
asked.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"You're asking me?"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>she teased Martha<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"You're the one with the good eyeballs.
What is it?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"It's the macaroni necklace,"
Martha quietly said. "mine."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Goldie, come,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace Said again. "I hear her whimpering
and the necklace bells but why doesn't she come up here?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"She's sitting with her paw up,"
Martha said. "Her nose is bleeding and her paws too. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace laid on her belly and poked
her cane down onto the ledge.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"It is an arm's length more than
my cane,"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>she said. "I'm going down
next to her. I'll push her up to you."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Before Martha could say anything,
Grace had felt along the quarry wall and was next to her puppy. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace felt Goldie's wet muzzle.
She unwound the necklace and threw it into the quarry. Goldie's lips began to
bleed again but she showed her delight by sliming Grace with
kisses.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Goldie refused to put weight on
her one back paw and one front paw. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"She's too heavy for me to push up
to you,"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace said. "I have an
idea. Can you come down here with me?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"If you can do it, I can do it,
too," Martha said. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: center 3.25in">**<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The adults had come down for
breakfast and saw the girls were gone. They thought they were giving Goldie a
good run.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"I'll call the girls in for
breakfast," Grace's Mom said, placing a platter of scrambled eggs and crisp
bacon on the table.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When there was no answer to her
call she said, "It is not like Grace to go so far from the house that she can't
hear my call."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace's Dad decided he'd best look
for the girls before breakfast. He and Martha's Dad walked all over the yard,
not finding a sign of them.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"You don't suppose they've gone
exploring in the quarry, do you?" Grace's Dad said. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When they came near the edge of
the meadow where the rocks began to show, they stopped dead in their tracks.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The girls were just getting to the
top of the old trail, lugging a sack of something between them.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Goldie had been too heavy for
Grace to push up to Martha, so, they'd put her in Grace's over-sized sleep
shirt. Then, the girls were able to get a firm hold of the shirt and heft her up
the trail.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Goldie's tail had slipped out the
neck-hole and her back legs poked through the sleeves, but she hadn't fallen
out. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Dads stared in awe and
amusement. The girls refused their help. Goldie rode like a queen between her
two favorite subjects.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Once back in the kitchen, Grace's
Dad thoroughly checked over Goldie.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"She has only sprained her
paws,"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>he said. "I think she must
have landed on the ledge pretty hard. That's why her nose bled, too. She must
have cut her paws when she tried to scramble off the ledge. The string had cut
into her lips when she tried to work it off. I can't imagine how she got that
necklace."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"She liked it,"<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Martha said in a shaking voice. "so I
put it around her neck."<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Then, with
tears in her eyes, Martha told everyone what had happened. "I'm sorry, Grace, I
didn't mean to hurt Goldie."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace and Martha gently gave
Goldie a bath. She was soon fast asleep under a blanket of sun in front of the
window seat. One girl sat on each side of her petting her soft, tan fur. The
grown-ups looked over occasionally as they finished their coffee.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace remembered her box of
macaroni, bells and buttons. It<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>was
still on the window seat. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Martha," she said, "I'm sorry I
threw the other necklace into the quarry. Do you want another
one?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"And I'll make one for you,"
Martha said nodding her head. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The time for saying good-bye came
too quickly. Everyone hugged and kissed everyone. Grace felt child-sized arms
around her.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"I'll write to you ," Grace said,
hugging Martha.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"If you can't see," Martha asked,
"how can you ?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"I'll use my talking computer,
silly,"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace
laughed.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"Mom," Martha asked as they held
hands walking to the car, "can I learn braille so I can write to
Grace?"<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>"Mom,"<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grace said as she
heard the sound of the tires crunching on the gravel fade away. "I always knew I
had a cousin, but now I know I have a new friend, too."<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 12pt 0in 0pt 0.5in; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-hyphenate: none; tab-stops: -.5in"><SPAN
style="LETTER-SPACING: -0.15pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P></BODY></HTML>
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