Title: The Promise Author: Allysen The Promise Christy Huddleston yawned and stretched, luxuriating in her comfortable bed, in her room in the mission house of Cutter Gap. She was thinking about the lessons she had planned for that day. "It's the first day of Spring!" Christy said aloud and thowing the covers over, bounced out of bed and proceeded to get dressed. She washed her face and undid her hair from the braid that she always put it into while she slept. While brushing her hair she opened the door and stepped out onto her balcony. Her view! The view she always looked at each morning since she had arrived in Cutter Gap. The view was spectacular, breathtaking. The Great Smokies. She couldn't get enough of looking at them. The thought came to her as it always did while standing at her special place each morning. If I hadn't come here, I would never have seen this wonderful place, she thought. She hugged herself at the wonder of the site. The air smelled fresh and clean and there was not a cloud in the sky. "It's going to be a beautiful day." She said aloud as she braided her hair and put it up into a bun at the back of her head. "Good morning, Miss Alice." Christy greeted the quaker woman as she entered the kitchen. "Where is Ruby Mae this morning?' Miss Alice smiled." And good morning to thee too, Christy. Did you sleep well? I decided to let Ruby Mae sleep awhile longer, besides I wanted to make breakfast myself this morning." Christy laughed. "And I'm glad you did!" She said knowingly. "It's smells wonderful" She helped herself to the food warming on the back of the stove and seated herself at the breakfast table. She glanced at the pile of books on the shelf by the door, wondering if she would have time to go through her notes before having to leave for school. Miss Alice noticed her glance and sitting down opposite Christy at the table, she sipped her tea, and asked. "How is school?" "Oh, Miss Alice," Christy started. "I don't know where to begin. I'm so proud of my children. Some are so smart, it makes me want to study even harder just to keep ahead of them." She smiled. "That Zady Spencer... She is a wonder at mathematics. And Rob Allen, his stories are so creative. Each child has their own special thing that they are good at. Personalities, sweetnesses...." She trailed off as she thought of Lundy Taylor, trying to think of his speciality, his personality, his... No, don't think about Lundy. Christy told herself sternly. "Thee has done a wonder of good for these children, Christy. I have seen the changes in them. I just can't get over what thee has done for Mountie O'Teale.. Her eyes just light up when she sees her teacher coming." Miss Alice remarked. "I know," Christy admitted. "I just love her to pieces. It's just so hard not to have favorites among the children" Christy stopped as David came into the kitchen. He was dressed in a suit, his shoes shined, his hair perfectly groomed, slicked back, even his face seemed extra shiney. "Why, David!" Christy blurted. "How nice you look." David's eyes widen slightly and a pleased smile lit up his solemn face. "Christy, you took the words right out of my mouth. I'm supposed to be saying that to you." He helped himself to the food on the stove and nodded to Miss Alice in appreciation. "You ladies both look very nice today." He seated himself at the table and began to eat. "I have a meeting with Deacon Phillips this morning in Lyleton." He paused with the fork halfway to his mouth. "We will be going over the my sermon plan for the rest of the year." He tugged on his lapels. " I need to look the part." He sighed. "This is one meeting I am not looking forward to." "I know Deacon Phillips." Miss Alice announced. "Thee will do fine, David. The Deacon is a very nice man. Please give him my regards when thee speaks with him." Miss Alice stood up. "I'd better go awaken Ruby Mae before she is late for school." Christy pushed back her chair, took a last drink from her cup, stood up from the table and walked her dishes to the sink and pumped water over them. "I need to go to." She told David. She patted him on the shoulder. "You'll do fine. Don't be nervous." Christy laughed at David's "That's easy for you to say", gathered up her school materials and closed the door behind her. ***** Christy looked up from her desk. "Hush, children." She told them. She had given them some time to study before the testing she had planned that morning. "Five more minutes". She told them as she bent over the blackboard, thinking of some questions to add to the quiz. The children were whispering behind her back, they had not settled down as usual this morning. Must be spring fever, she thought as she jotted down an especially hard question. That'll be for extra credit, she thought. Only the student that has really studied should get that answer. She turned back to the class. "Sam Houston." Miss Christy called. "Please stand and read the first question." Sam Houston, a straw haired, sweet angel faced child about 8 years old stood up and read the first question. He began to fidget, scratched his head mussing his hair. His blue eyes darting around the room, hoping to see something that would help him answer the question. Why did she have to call on me? he thought to himself. Out loud he said, "Um, Ah don't rightly know ma'am.", and then hoping to divert her attention he went on. "Did you know that the pussywillows are blooming down by the pond?" Teacher smiled at him, "Yes Sam Houston, I did notice them. But what has that got to do with today's testing?" Ruby Mae bounced out of her seat. "And did you notice the robins nest in the tree by the outhouse, they done got some baby birds in thar." A jumble of children's voices chimed in at once. "Did ya see the crocuses, and the daffydowndillies?" "I saw a fish this big in the stream." ,"The big apple tree is blooming and the bees are buzzing.", "Hit's too nice to stay couped up indoors, teacher.","Smells so nice outside.", "Can't we go out?" ,"Yes, can't we go?", "Just fer a little bit?", "Please teacher?" Miss Christy laughed. She knew exactly how they felt. She wanted to be outside at this time too. They need to run off some steam, she thought. Aloud she said. "All right children, settle down. Let's go outside shall we?" Teacher led them all out of the school house and down the steps "Let's run a race, let's run to the big apple tree and see who beats." She knew the bigger children would win, just because their legs were longer, so she let the smaller children get a head start. "Go!" she yelled at the older children and watched them run and enjoy themselves, then she just could not help herself and started after the children, trying to catch up. The children and teacher ran to the tree, around it and back to the school house. The children upon reaching the school house flung themselves on the ground and the steps of the school house, gasping, laughing and teasing each other about who came in last or at least behind them. They all stared in wonder at their beautiful teacher, lost hairpins and hair flying in the wind come up last with Little Vella Holt in her arms. She had picked up the little girl as she passed her. Vella just couldn't keep up. She set Vella down and with her hand on her hips and breathing hard asked. "Okay, who was first?" "I was!" John Spencer flexed his arm muscle. Choruses of "Yes ma'am.", "Hit were John.", "No, 'hit weren't.", "'Hit was me, teacher.", "Ah, you run like a girl.", "You weren't first.", " He's telling you a whopper, teacher.", "Teacher, you were last." hit her all at once. Christy chose to ignore that last remark. "All right, John." Teacher announced. "You were first. What do you want to do today?" "Anything, Teacher?" John laughed, a look of wonder on his thin face. Christy paused. "Well, within reason." She told the tall boy. "If I can grant it, I will, If I can't then you will have to choose something else." "Can we go fishing?" John's eager eyes shone with question. "Well...," Miss Christy started. She wanted to grant his wish but wanted to stay within the lessons. "I'll tell you what, during lunch, let's have a picnic, we can take our lunch to the stream, you boys will have to run home and get your fishing poles real fast. We can share the catch, we make a little fire and enjoy lunch together, but instead of coming back to the schoolhouse right after, lets take our chalk and slates and do some nature study while we are there." Again the chatter of children talking all at once. "Yes, that's a great idee.", "We're gonna have so much fun.", "We don't wanna study, teacher, just fish.", "I'm gonna get my lucky pole." , "I don't eat fish." ,"I'm gonna pick flowers instead." ,"I'm gonna get a big fish, for just teacher and me, see ifn' I don't?", "I can't believe it." ,"Good choice, John." Miss Christy shooed them back into the school house, "Okay children, Let's see how well you do on the test." Groans met her annoucement and she turned back towards the children. "Come on, try your best, and then we can enjoy ourselves this afternoon." The children all filed back into the schoolroom looking forward to the afternoon's delight. ***** Some of the boys and girls were already fishing. Christy gathered the other children around her. "We all need to share in this picnic, you all need to contribute something. If you have your dinnerpails with you, you may share it with the rest of us. If you don't, I'm interested in seeing what you can find to add to our picnic." The children that had their lunchpails proudly lined them up beside the fire Miss Christy was making, her lunchpail beside her. She had brought her sketchbook along and hoped to find time to draw. Some children ran off into the nearby woods to see what they could scavenge for their share of the feast, while others went to the meadow to sing and dance before they ate. The fire was made, just waiting for the children to catch the fish. Christy sat and leaned her back upon the trunk of a nearby tree and propped her book on her knee and glanced around hoping to catch a scene to draw and was soon oblivious to her surroundings. She soon had several sketches laid about her. Rob Allen sitting under a shady tree reading, Zack Holt fishing barefoot with his straw hat on, Becky O'Teale and her sister, Mountie sitting side by side weaving little plates out of dried grasses, and Becky Holt jumping rope. Christy glanced around her and felt that something or someone was missing. ***** The fish had been caught and was now cooking above the fire on branched sticks. "See that biggun' there?" said Creed, proudly to anyone who was listening. "You all stay away from that one ya hear, that one's mine and teachers', I got it specially for her." Dicky Holt gave Creed a elbow in the ribs and Creed pushed him back. Teacher looked at the fish. She liked fish, but knew she couldn't eat half of it. "That's a mighty fine fish there, Mr. Creed." Christy told him. "and I thank you for "getting" it for me, but I think sharing is mighty fine, too. I think there is enough of that fish for 3 or 4 other people." Creed lowered his head, "Yes ma'am." He said softly. Christy gave Creed's arm a squeeze and the boy was all sunshine and spunk once more. "Time to eat!" Teacher called and kids came running to partake of their share of the unexpected feast. Christy enjoyed the haphazard meal, shooing flys away, eating with her fingers, (since they forgot to take utensils,) making sure that everyone had a fair share. When there was no food left, the children all went to the stream to drink their fill of the cool, clear water. "Okay children, gather around." Miss Christy called. When the children were all seated around her, she continued. "I think today, we will have a nature class, in order for us to stay outdoors we still need to be learning. So I will give you all 15 minutes to find something in the woods, here around the stream to talk or write about. I want 5 facts about this thing you choose. It can be an animal, a plant, anything that can be found around here. Ready, get set, go!" Christy laughed to see the children scrabble up and run off in different directions. As she sat quietly in the shade of the tree, she felt again a longing for someone or something that wasn't there. She could hear the childish laughter and squacks of surprise. Snatches of conversation reached her while she sat under her tree and continue drawing, "I don't know what ta search for?", "Go thataway, I spied some mushrooms", "Look a flower!", "Hey, looky what I found" ,"Oh, let me see!" ,"Is this good, do ya think?" there was a smile on Christy's face as she spied Creed Allen leaning over the stream in search of frog eggs. She quickly turned her book to a fresh page and with neat, quick strokes, imprinted the scene to eternity. ***** "Who's first?" Teacher asked as they all sat around her after finding their special projects. Most of the hands shot up into the air at once. Shouts of "Me first, teacher." ,"No, me!" ,"I wanna go first." ,"I'll go second.", "No, girls first!" greeted her. Christy looked at the glowing faces of all her children and smiled. Mountie did not have her hand up. She was watching all the other pupils shouting and making noises. "Mountie, would you like to go first?" Miss Christy asked gently. Mountie nodded shyly and got to her feet. She was holding a crocus nervously. "This here is a crocus" she said quietly. "'Hit's purple and yellow. It were growin' in a shady spot sproutin' through some snow, over yonder." she pointed in a easterly direction. "The bees were liking the sweet smell of 'hit, and this one here's for Miss Christy." The little girl, glad that her part of the report was over, ran to give her teacher the beautiful flower. Little Burl Allen stood up. "I found a worm, teacher." He said proudly as he held up the wiggly creature. "Hit's all green with red spots on it. That's to chase away the birds. The birds like to eat little fellas like him. But the bird's think this here worm is all eyes and they don't want nothin' to do with eyes looking at them all over" Here teacher had to choke down a giggle knowing if she laughed that would be disastrous. "Did you know Little Burl?" Teacher interruped him. "That this worm will go though a change of form called metamorphosis?" "What's 'met uh more fuh sis'?" Little Burl prounounced the word rather jerkily unsure of it's meaning, then his big brother, Rob bent down to whisper in his ear. "You're right, teacher." Burl smiled. "This here little fella is going to be a beautiful butterfly someday. I guess that's what you mean by 'met a more for sis' " He was proud that he remembered how to say that longfangled word. Christy nodded her head, "Yes, Little Burl, or he might even become a moth. Who's next?" Several children showed their treasures, displaying not so much learning but just a knowing about the plants and animals and where and how they live. Christy was pleased with how the lesson was turning out. The youngest children were benefitting most from this lesson, learning from big brothers and sisters. "This here is a river stone." Sam Houston displayed a fist sized rock. "Ah found 'hit in the river. It feels all smooth and silky on this side." He ran his thumb down one side where there was a little dip in it. He turned it over. "This side is all chopped and prickly." He showed them. "and when the sun sets on it just so, it's all sparkly and shiny." He manipulated the stone until little drops of sunshine dappled all over the children. Gasps of wonder escaped the children as they stared at the sight. Shouts of "Let me see." ,"Let me try." ,"Can I feel 'hit, too?", "That sure is pretty." Sam Houston let the rock be examined by the children. "It changes color when I put it in the water, too." Christy put her hand up and motioned to the children to sit back down, stopping them from jumping up and running to the stream to see for theirselves. "Later, later children, after everyone has taken his or her turn." The children all settled back on the grass. "Zack Holt, your turn." "I found me a cricket, Miss Christy." Zack began, "Did you know that it is the boy crickets that chirp? And that he does it to meet a lady gal friend? He makes the sound by rubbing the front wings together, not the legs like everyone thinks." Zack sat down hastily showing that he was though with his report. Then he leaned over and threw his cricket at Mountie. She needed some livening up, he thought, but was disappointed when she just turned her head to look at him like he was an interesting bug himself. "Very good, Zack." Teacher said, apparently not seeing his last action. "I didn't know that about crickets, I thought they all chirpped. That was very interesting." Christy checked her assignment book. "Orter Ball O'Teale, you're next." Christy nodded at the young man as he began his report. He reached into his shirt pocket and carefully brought out a ladybug. "This is a lady bug." He showed the class, and with his hands he held the little insect, hoping it would not fly away. "It is also called a lady bird." Christy nodded approvingly. She had not known that he would know that. "'Hit's a good bug, I seen it eatin' the bad bugs in the garden. 'Hit's a carnivore, which means it eats other bugs and insects. 'Hit's usually orange in color, with little black speckles on it's back." Creed Allen stood up and looked at the ladybug in Orter Ball's hand. "Them's speckles? They look just like Ruby Mae's freckles." The sun certainly had brought out the freckles on Ruby Mae's face, but that was a sore spot in Ruby Mae's heart. She jumped up and took off after the small blond headed boy to 'make him take it back.' Lizette Holcomb stood up, "Come on, we gotta holp her." She ran off after Ruby Mae as the other children laughed and scrabbled to catch up, whether to help Ruby Mae or help Creed was unclear but they were soon in one laughing pile, harmlessly pummeling each other. Christy let them go, they would have to start back to the school house soon. She put the fire out and began cleaning up the picnic spot, until one by one the children wandered back to help carry lunchpails and school work back to the school house. The children gathered around teacher as they started back to school. Mountie put her arms around teacher's waist. "Thank you, teacher." Sam Houston grabbed teacher's arm. "I surely had the best time, teacher..." Creed Allen came to the other side of teacher, "Can we do it again tomorry, teacher?..." Zady Spencer placed a small wedge of apple pie in Miss Christy's hand "Here, I was savin' this for you, teacher." Christy bit into the delicious pastry and was contented to walk along the meadow with her children beside her. Running off, back and forth, coming back to tell her snips of conversations, to share their findings, to admire treasures. Holding hands, sharing smiles and laughter, no one wanted this day to end. Christy felt the pang of missing someone or something that should have been there, but wasn't. She couldn't explain her feeling. She felt lonely even among all of her schoolchildren. She glanced around making sure all the children were there and safe. Rob Spencer made his way to Ruby Mae's side. Rob looked sideways at her. "Ruby Mae, I just wanted you to know that I..." Rob trailed off. Ruby Mae stopped and looked at him, making him to stop too. "What Rob? What do you want to tell me? Rob took Ruby Mae's hand and started following the other children back to school. Ruby Mae was forced to keep up. "I like your freckles." he told her frankly. Ruby Mae smiled, a warm feeling coming over her. Maybe I'm not so mad at Creed after all. She said to herself. ***** It was Saturday, a glorious, beautiful day and Christy was in her room checking school papers. She grabbed one paper, started reading and pushed it aside. Grabbed for another and pushed that one away as well. Oh, why can't I concentrate?, she thought for the tenth time. She threw down her pencil, pushed her chair back, and looked longingly out the window. I've got to go outside, It's beckoning to me. I can't stand being in here another minute. She jumped up and grabbed her hat and ran down the stairs, two at a time. "Where are you off to?" David Grantland looked up from where he was standing by the bookcase with a book in his hand. "Oh David, you scared me." Christy exclaimed. "I'm going for a walk, care to come?" David slid the book back into it's place, and walked with Christy to the door. "Yes, I would love to take a walk with you, I haven't seen you since I got back from Lyleton." "Oh David, I'm so sorry," Christy apologized. "How did everything go?" she took his arm as they walked. "It went splendidly, Christy." David patted her arm. "It couldn't have gone more right. You were right, I shouldn't have been so nervous. Deacon Phillips approved of my everything, he didn't change a thing." "I'm so glad." Christy said as she looked around them. Smelling the fresh air, listening to nature's children, something in her snapped. She grabbed David's hand and shouted "Let's run, David. I've got to run. Come on." She took off down the path by herself when David didn't respond to her enthusiam. "Christy, wait..." David called. "Wait for me." He smiled as Christy's hat blew off and went running to scoop it up and to chase after her. He caught up to her, plopped down by the side of the path, breathing hard, trying to catch her breath. Her face red and her hair which had escaped from her braids was haloing her face with a sunny glow. David laughed pleasantly and dropped down beside her laying on his back to catch his breath. He handed Christy's hat into her lap with a "Here, you lost this, young lady." "David, David..." Christy breathed, "I can't believe how beautiful it is here. Look at the view." She pointed her arm in the direction of the Smokey Mountains, and let it fall helplessly. "I am looking." David replied. Christy blushed as she turned to see him looking intently at her. Christy jumped up. "Come on, David, I've got to walk." She laughed and continued up the path. David got reluctently to his feet. "Why can't you sit still for five minutes, Christy?" He shouted. "You've got more energy than the children. Christy..." "I can't help it." Christy let him catch up while she picked some early flowers, some she tucked in her belt at her waist and some she twined in her hair. David looked appreciatingly at her, "Christy, you are so beautiful..." Christy looked back at David's dark sparkling eyes, "Yes, David," she answered. "With my windblown hair, and mud on my shoes, grass on my skirt..." She put her hand to her hair, trying to gather it together, wiped her shoes on the grass and straighted her skirt. Then turned back, "Come on, let's walk." David suppressed a sigh and fell in with her stride as they continued walking. "Jessie Holcombe's place is up ahead, isn't it?" David asked as they rounded a bend. "I really need to speak with Jessie. Christy, would you mind stopping here for awhile?" Christy glanced at the sagging steps, litter strewn yard, "I'd rather not, but you go ahead David." David paused, "I don't want you wandering around by yourself, Christy, wait for me, okay?" Christy hesistated, "I won't go far, David, I'll meet you back at the mission house." Christy continued on down the path while David climbed the stairs to the Holcombe's cabin. Christy continued until she heard the sound of water. She left the path and climbed to the edge of the stream. She cupped her hands in the water, and brought them to her lips, she drank deeply and then splashed water on her red and hot face. She sat in the shade, fanning herself with her hat while shadows dappled over her. Christy was feeling sleepy and peaceful when she heard the faint sound of a gentleman's voice. She couldn't hear the words, just the sounds, lilting and rhythmic. She smiled in appreciation and went searching for the person making those sounds. Christy came out of the forest to a small seclued cove, Doctor MacNeill was flyfishing and singing. Christy settled down on the bank to watch Neil's flyfishing ability and to listen. She didn't want to disturb him or the tranquil peace of the forest. She watched as he played out his line, teasing the fish to accept the tidbit he offered. She was yanked out her daydreaming by a fish flapping in the sand beside her. Water and sand flicking on her while the fish flopped helplessly away from it's true environment. "Would ya lend me a hand, Miss Huddleston?" Neil MacNeill called as he pointed at the fish with his fishingpole. Christy looked from him to the fish and gingerly picked up the fish by the line it was attached to. She hated touching fish, and she hated removing hooks. "Or are ya scared of a wee fish on a line?" He taunted her. "No, Doctor." Christy defended herself. "I'm not scared!" She gritted her teeth, grabbed the fish with one hand and deftly removed the hook with the other and held it up for him to see. She threw the line with the hook still attached in Neil's direction and stood up to wash her hands in the stream. "Careful, lass," Neil came forward to take the fish out of her hand. "That's ma supper you're playin' with there and that's one fish that's not gettin' away." He smiled down at Christy while she wiped her wet hands on the hem of her skirt, and tucked the fish away in his fishing basket. "Ma thanks to you for your assistance, madam." Neil saluted the young lady standing in front of him. "Would ya care for a drink?" "Yes, Doctor." Christy replied feeling unsure of herself. "That would be very welcome." Doctor MacNeill turned back towards the stream, but turned to Christy with a mischievious smile. "And could ya handle ma front name, lass?" Christy looked at him questioningly. He raised one eyebrow "Ma name is Neil, why don't you use it?" He said teasingly. Christy looked at the Doctor uncertainly. "Thank you, Neil." she said and went on more firmly. "I would like a drink." Neil smiled. "There that didn't hurt ya a bit now did it, Christy." He said gently. He pulled a stone jug from the stream, pulled the cork and held it out for Christy to take. Christy looked at the earthenware jug that Neil offered her. "No, thank you, Doctor MacNeill," Christy replied indignantly. "I do not drink moonshine, how dare you offer it to me." She turned angrily and picked up her skirt in preparation of leaving the doctor in a huff. "Whoa there, lassie." Neil MacNeill grabbed her by the arm and offered the jug again. "It's lemonade, girl. I just use the jug, nothing beats it for keepin' things crisp and cold." He put the jug into Christy's hands. "Take a drink." Christy eyed Neil suspiciously and brought the jug hesitantly to her lips, and took a quick sip. "It is lemonade!" She said in a surprised tone, then she laughed and took a longer drink. She lowered the jug, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and handed the jug back to him. Neil took the jug, tucked it under one arm and with the other hand pulled a flower from Christy's hair, presented her with it and motioned her to take her seat again. He lowered the jug into the stream after taking a pull from it himself. He walked back to where Christy had seated herself on the rock and lowered himself to sit beside her on the bank, leaning on his arm with his legs stretched out before him. "So now that ye've found ma secret spot, promise not to tell anyone?" Christy smiled at him, feeling at peace with his company. "I promise Doc...um Neil." she stammered. Neil looked up into Christy's face, "Promise ye'll come often?" Neil said hesitatingly, not sure of Christy's reaction. He reached up and tucked a stray curl behind her ear and brushed his hand against her cheek. Christy thrilled to his touch. His finger dropped to her hand. He touched the small slender fingers and rubbed his thumb against her fingernail. She opened her hand and gave Neil the flower she held and he gently placed it into his front shirt pocket. Christy released the breath she wasn't aware that she had been holding into a small sigh of satifaction. She felt contented and very happy. Now she knew what that feeling was that had been bothering her. It was Neil. She had been missing Neil! "I promise." she said quietly. THE END