My story chapter one, pt. one

Tansi sat by the old oak tree and yawned. She wondered what was taking him so long. She listened intently for the sound of wheels coming closer, but hearing none, she fumbled with her necklace.

As she heard the sound of a scooter rolling down the street, Tansi saw why her best friend was so late. Samson Martindale, riding his scooter, was dragging his little sister behind him. The little girl was holding onto her big brother’s belt loop, and smiled at Tansi as she stood up.

“Hi Tansi!” The little girl chirped. “Hello Shoelace, what are you doing here?” Tansi asked. Samson sighed and ruffled his sisters light brown hair. “Mama asked me to drop her off at the preschool on our way to School today.” Tansi stood and put her hand on her bag. “Let’s go then!” She said and they started down the street. The chilly TN breeze blew with them.

Shoelace stumbled on her untied shoes and looked up at Tansi. With Tansi’s long blond braids and her blue bucket hat, Tansi looked a bit, well, old fashioned, yet smart. A glitter of light caught Shoelaces eye, and she turned to see Tansi’s necklace shining in the early morning light. Shoelace reached out to touch it.

Tansi saw the movement and bent down to look Shoelace in the eyes. “Do you like it?” She questioned, holding out her necklace charm so the little girl could see it. The bronze peace sign seemed to glow as Shoelace leaned closer. “My father gave it to me before he… disappeared.” Tansi shuddered at the memory. Her father had gone to work almost two years ago and had not come back.Tansi saw the movement and bent down to look Shoelace in the eyes. “Do you like it?” She questioned, holding out her necklace charm so the little girl could see it. The bronze peace sign seemed to glow as Shoelace leaned closer. “My father gave it to me before he… disappeared.” Tansi shuddered at the memory. Her father had gone to work almost two years ago and had not come back.

“It must be great to be an only child,” Samson cut in, Changing from the awkward subject, “Like; I’m always being told ‘why can’t you be like your brothers?’ It’s so embarrassing!” Samson grimaced and Shoelace looked up at him, “Well, you don’t have to worry about that, do you bubby?” she asked, looking rather innocent. That’s right! Tansi thought to herself as the trio walked down the road. Samson's older brothers had gone off to follow their dreams. The oldest, Ted, was a teacher in Topeka, Kansas, Charles, the youngest, (besides Samson and Shoelace) was a soldier in the U.S. army, and the middle son, Miller, had just left for collage.

With his Father away in the Navy, Samson was pretty much the man of the house. With his mother as a part time nurse at the local Red Cross, Samson often had to take care of Shoelace, so walks like these had become an every day thing.

The sound of crutches and a voice interrupted Tansi’s thoughts. Tansi turned around and grinned. Coming up the road, was Tansi and Samson’s best friend, Ichigo Tarona, her dark red hair blowing softly in the wind.