Part 2: Good things do happen

Editor’s note: Luella Dow continues her story from last week of challenges faced in her youth.

Even at my age I understood they didn’t like me. I’d go home again. I managed to gather the armful of school supplies I had brought to school and started down the road.

I hadn’t gone 10 steps before I heard a blaring horn and a man’s voice, “Get off the road. You’re too little to be out here by yourself. I ain’t gonna be responsible for you.”

I ran to the other side of the road. The man raced his car past me and left me in sheets of dust. I heard another car coming and sighed. “Another one?”

This car stopped beside me. The driver looked pleasant. But, I remembered what my mother always said, “Don’t ever get in somebody’s car when you don’t know the people. Remember that, Luella.”

The driver rolled his window down and began to talk, “Hey there, would you like a ride to William’s Valley?” I wouldn’t look at him. I kept walking. The driver called again. “Hey, can you hear me? I’ll take you to William’s Valley.”

I was a bit shaky. “William’s Valley?“

“Yes, you know, it’s where you live and your daddy said—“

I interrupted him, “My mamma told me to never get in somebody’s car if I don’t know him.”

The man laughed. “Well, I’m a friend of your daddy and I know your mamma too.”

I shook my head. The man said, “My name is Joe and your daddy calls me Joey and your mamma calls me “Have a Cookie.” When you get home, tell them you saw me.” He drove slowly away toward William’s Valley. I began to laugh. Was it all right to laugh? People don’t call other people “Have a Cookie.” Then I remembered, my daddy did call somebody Joey. Was it this man?

After three weeks back at home again, I walked the long road to school. I was determined that those grownups, and those kids would not get the best of me. A week of shoulder pushing, whispering, and pointing at my clothes was tiresome. And all of a sudden I had a wonderful surprise! The good teacher, the one who was so kind to me, suddenly stood beside me. “Hi Luella. I’m so glad to see you.”

“Teacher“ I squeaked and threw myself at her. “Can you be my teacher?”

“Better than that, little lady. You and I are going to a different school. Not far from home, just far from this school.”

“Will I like it?” “Yes, you’ll like it a lot.”

“When are we going?” “Today! Your mamma says you can play the piano and sing and your daddy says, “Luella can milk a cow, and your big sister says” She makes good pie!” Imagine all that. “

I giggled. “Oh, I do lots of stuff at home.”

Teacher said, “Sit down, I have a lot to tell you. “Luella, I have a little place by my house where we can get together and practice music. My husband would like to work with both you and your sister on the violin. He says you pick it up quick. Your mother and your dad both want you to keep working on the things you do so well. And, I forget...There’s one more thing. I am a teacher. You know that, but my friends call me Julia. Please call me Julia, just like I call you Luella.” I know a little girl who wants to play the piano. You can help her. We’ll have lots of fun.”

Well, friends, that’s the end of my story for now. You’ll probably hear some more because I like to talk. Bye.

Luella Dow is a Cheney-area author. She can be reached at cfp@cheneyfreepress.com.