. . . Little Redheaded White Girl Melani April 12, 2008 (1302) Chapter 5 Joe comes to Lena's house As Lena and Oma finished the kitchen chores, a knock sounded at the door. Her parents were in the parlor with their coffee, so Oma went to answer the door. When she opened it, there stood an unknown man. "Is Tom in?" asked the man on the other side of the screen door. "There is nobody named that here," Oma replied. "Whom are they looking for, Oma?" Lena asked as she dried her hands and came down the hall. "Well, hi Buttercup. Is this where you live? I'm looking for Tom Caldwell. Or maybe I should say he is looking for me," the Ellis man from the skating ring informed her. "Tom's grandparents live four houses down on this side. And why did you call me Buttercup," Lena asked shortly, her lips tight and her hands clasped together. "Because the first time I saw you, you were wearing a buttercup yellow dress and I said to myself, ‘That's the woman for me,'" the tall young man told her. His blue eyes flickered with determination. "You don't even know me," Lena said as Oma stood silently looking from her sister and then the tall man standing before them. "No, but I plan to fix that as soon as possible. Joseph Peck Ellis at your service, Miss," he said, grabbing his hat from his head and making a deep bow. "You're pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?" "About that, Miss, as sure as the sun is going to rise tomorrow." "Stop calling me Miss. My name is Lena and it just might rain tomorrow. Tom lives four houses down. You had better catch him, because he was going to leave for town early this morning," Lena hesitated, "Why is he looking for you?" "I'm a master carpenter, Lena. I am going to build him a house." With another deep bow, he turned and walked away from her for the second time. Lena remained as still as a statue as she watched the proud young man on his way boldly down the road. "Do you know him, Lena?" Oma asked as she touched her sister's arm. "Joseph Peck Ellis. I saw him but once at the skating rink," Lena said as she turned away from the doorway and went into the solitude of the parlor and sat down at the pump organ. The sound of ‘Blessed Assurance' drifted out the windows. Lena contemplated the meeting. "Buttercup" huh. Most men wouldn't remember what color of dress a woman was wearing." She could not help but take it as a compliment. "If he was a master carpenter, he must be very good at his work. He certainly dressed like a working man. He towered over me and his eyes held a knowing glint. How much older was Joseph Peck Ellis? Perhaps seven or eight years?" "It's time to start supper, Lena," her mother called from the doorway. "Oma has gone up to Nora's and it's all up to us. The ham needs to be fried and potatoes peeled." "I'll get started on the potatoes as soon as I wash up," Lena said as she shook the vision of Joe out of her mind and arose from the pump organ. Her family repeated the routine every evening. The boarders expected a big meal every night except Friday, when they returned home for the weekend. Her mother would serve one more large meal and then a lighter one, usually just pinto beans and cornbread. After the boarders ate, they went to the porch and had a last cup of coffee. Then the family went to the table. When Sally walked into the kitchen, the chores were completed. "Lena. Did you hear? That Ellis man is going to help build Tom's house," Sally called as she entered the kitchen. "Tom was so impressed that he hired him and his crew on the spot." "He came to our door by mistake this morning looking for Tom." Lena added. "He told my brother that he had to ask around. Somebody at the sawmill told him Tom was looking for a good carpenter. Next thing we knew, there he was." "Well, a lack of self confidence isn't one of his problems." Lena raised her brows and shook her head back and forth. Sally laughed, "Tom asked around today. Everybody says he is very good, as well as fast. He can't be too bad or somebody would know." "He remembered my dress and called me ‘Buttercup." Lena said, staring straight into her friend's eyes. "You're kidding. Your dress! I can't believe that." Sally lowered to a chair by the table. "No man remembers things like that. Women do, but never a man. What else did he say?" "He said I was the woman for him!" Lena covered her mouth with her hand and widened her brown eyes. "He did?" Sally leaned forward as if she would hear better. "What do you think about it? Is he coming back?" "I don't know what to think. I don't even know him." Lena also sunk into a chair and briefly closed her eyes. "I don't know if he is coming back, but I wouldn't be surprised." "I'll ask around at church and down at the store and see what I can find out about him. Can't have you hanging around with a horse thief or killer." The serious tone of her voice brought a laugh from Lena. "Sally, you're silly. You know he isn't, but it wouldn't hurt to find out more about him. That is, just in case he does come back. Daddy will ask my brothers when they come around and I sure don't want to have him coming here if there is anything bad going on with him." "Lena, you are interested." Sally stood and put her hands on her hips. "I don't know yet, but now he knows where I live. He might come back." Lena's embarrassed grin gave her away. "Not right away. Tom is going home day after tomorrow and the Ellis crew is going up and getting to work. They are going to fix the loft of the barn into a bunk house and they will be staying two weeks at a time so they can get a lot done before winter. "Lena, I have to get back home to visit with Maggie and the babies before they leave in a couple of days. I just had to run down and see if you knew. It seems as if I'm more excited about all of this than you are," Sally whispered touching Lena's arm. "Gotta go. I'll let you know what I find out." Lena didn't know what to think but at least she had two weeks time to think. Then someone knocked on the front door. She went through into the parlor and looked out the window. It was him again! "Well, there goes the two weeks' time." Mr. White answered the door. "Yes? Can I help you?" "Perhaps," Joe said, "I am Joseph Ellis and I wish to speak to your daughter, Lena." "Very well. Come and have a seat in the living room and I will call her." "Lena. Come into the living room, please. There is someone to see you." Lena took a deep breath, held it and slowly released it. She smoothed her hair and walked slowly to the living room. "Hello, Mr. Ellis, what can I do for you?" She kept standing and Joe arose to stand with her. "I would like the pleasure of your company. Would you go uptown with me to a singing at the city park?" " A singing? I didn't know they had that." "Well, they do. It will last about an hour and we can walk back home. I have a couple of friends that will be singing and playing the accordion. I'd like you to meet them." His face was tense and he twisted his hat around and around the rim. "I don't know what to say," Lena said as she stared at the floor. "Say yes, please. I will make sure you are safe and return promptly." "Do you mind if my sister accompanies me?" "I would not mind in the least. The more pretty girls, the better. Then you both will go?" "If you will have a seat and excuse me for a moment while I ask my parents and Oma." * * * It was only a few moments, but it felt much longer to Joe. For all of his easygoing words, he felt quite strongly about this young woman. He did not want to frighten her or make her uncomfortable. For some reason that even he didn't understand, she was important to him. * * * "Oma is delighted to accompany us and my parents are agreeable. What time may I expect you?" Lena asked as she reentered the room and stood beside the doorway looking him straight in eyes. "It begins at six, so I will call for you both at five. Be sure to dress warmly because it might get cold in the evening." "We'll do just that. At five we'll be ready." She wasn't comfortable but she was determined to discover what her true feelings were about this Mr. Ellis. * * * "Thank you, Lena. See you then." Joe smiled as he walked away. He paused to catch one more glimpse of the pretty redhead before she closed the door. He loved the way the sunlight made those tresses catch fire before she walked in. He sighed. She certainly was the girl for him and he couldn't even tell how he knew that so positively. He whistled as he walked along the railroad tracks wondering why he felt so at ease with Lena. She was younger, that was certain, but her age didn't bother him too much. She seemed to posses something that most young women didn't have. And she was stubborn, oh that was certain. But when he found something worth pursuing, he didn't give up. Lena, that stubborn little redhead, was definitely a worthy pursuit that he was unable to ignore. * * * Lena had twisted her hair into a loose bun and pushed it to create a fullness. Both young women were waiting in the parlor when Joe knocked at the door promptly at five. "Let's go, Oma. He's here." Lena jumped up quickly and started for the door. "Good evening, Mr. Ellis. Oma, may I present Joseph Ellis of Logan. Mr. Ellis this is my youngest sister, Oma." "I am pleased to meet you Miss Oma. What a beautiful smile. Thank you for accompanying us tonight," Joe said with a nod of his head to her. The three of them left the house and walked slowly up town getting acquainted. "Let me tell you a little about my family. My parents live on the hill behind Logan. My father, D. P. Ellis, and his father before him, Loyd Ellis, were carpenters, though my father is now with the police department. There are six boys and two girls in my family. Some of them have moved from this area. Only French and George are younger than I am," he said glancing at Lena to attempt to read her reaction. When she turned to face him, he added, "Those were the two you saw skating last week, Lena. As to age, I will be 24 years old in November. Did you think I was an old man?" "No. I didn't know anything about you. I am also the third from the youngest. We have that in common." Lena said with a smile, glancing at his face for a reaction. There was none. "My birthday is in December and I will turn 18,' "I'm the baby of the group," Oma added. "I was thirteen in August. I have a boyfriend now. I can't wait to be 18. I'm going to get married and leave by the time I'm that old." "Oma. Hush that talk. You must not wish your life away and you must not get married until you meet someone who can take care of you and make you happy," Lena scolded. When Lena took a quick glance at Joe, he was smiling at Oma. "Oh, she is so pretty that there'll be many young men for her to choose from, Lena," Joe said to soften Lena's firm words. "I expect so," Oma said with a big smile and rolled her eyes at Joe. "I don't doubt it a bit, a young lady," their escort laughed aloud. "Oma. Behave yourself. You must watch what you say," "The truth is the truth. It don't hurt nobody." She pursed her lips and lifted her head a little more. "Let's drop it, can we," Lena said sternly, then turned to Joe, "Didn't you say you were going to build a house for Tom Caldwell?" "Yes. I wanted to tell you that I'd be away for a couple of weeks. We're going to stay up there and work as much as we can before winter. Will you miss me?" "Of course, I will. I mean . . . I don't know," Lena said in confusion. She felt as if she had been tricked. She also contemplated. She might miss him. "Time will tell." When she stole a glance, his strong, white teeth were gleaming and his black brows lifted as if admitting delight. "I believe you will. I certainly will miss you." He looked deep into her eyes and she feared he might read her thoughts. Lena refused to look at him again but she felt the heat rise into her cheeks. They remained silent as Oma chattered until they reached the City Park. Musicians were gathering behind the stage. "Let's hurry over and meet my friends before it starts," Joe urged as his strong, calloused hand clasped and held firmly to her own. Her heart fluttered lightly as he drew her reluctantly over to be introduced to the skater she criticized at the skating rink. "There's George."

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