Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
I’d thought it was the most beautiful tree ornament I had ever seen. One of the neighbors informed us it sounded like an out-of-tune fifth-grade band, but Lou and I loved it.
My mother had very little to say except the roll of her eyes.
I sighed as I remembered the fun of it. And how hanging in the tree gave the chimes room to ring freely.
I glanced to the kitchen where I had hung my other two banned wind chimes. Banned from outside the house.
But Jesse never said anything about the tree. They were small, and he probably wouldn’t even notice them. He was already used to the one by my bedroom window, and although he wouldn’t admit it, I think he liked it.
The tall extension ladder now hung on the side of the garage, Jesse deciding he would use it often in the summer. I could lean it against the tree, hang the wind chimes, and be back on the deck and reading by the time Jesse got home. I had at least three hours.
The added bonus was that he’d be distracted by the scent of the roast I was cooking. He’d be far more concerned about filling his plate than any sound he might hear. It was a perfect plan.
I sprang from my chair. I was so doing this.
The ladder was more cumbersome than I expected. Jesse made it look as if he was carrying nothing heavier than a blanket. It knocked me off-balance more than once, and I winced as I hit the heavy metal on my hip. I finally got it to the tree and lifted it, leaning it on the trunk. I pulled and pushed it into a spot, hoping it would stay in place. I picked up the wind chimes carefully, draping them over one arm. I stood, peering up into the branches, choosing the spots to hang them. Both had empty spaces under them so the wind chimes could swing freely and sing out.
I was excited as I climbed, feeling like a kid again. I stopped at one branch, hanging the smaller of the two chimes, untangling a few of the lines. As I reached to make sure it was in place, the ladder lurched a bit, and I grabbed at it, my heart racing. I chuckled, thinking it had simply sunk more into the trunk and I was overreacting. I gave the chimes a push, smiling as they twirled and tinkled. I wanted to clap in glee but decided that wasn’t the best idea on a ladder. Jesse would be angry if I didn’t practice safety.
Not that I planned to tell him I’d been up on a ladder. I was sure he wouldn’t notice the additions. The leaves were budding and filling in daily, and the chimes would be hidden from sight. He would think it was the one outside my bedroom window and complain.
I grinned, thinking of his curmudgeonly ways.
I climbed a few more steps, then spotted the perfect branch about six feet above me. I hadn’t extended the ladder, so I had two choices. Put the wind chimes where I’d first planned, or retreat to my childhood days and climb the last few feet. I’d always loved climbing trees—I was older now, but I decided it had to be like riding a bicycle. Once you knew how, you were set. It was all about balance. Lou had taught me, my mother yelling at us not to fall and that I shouldn’t be climbing trees. We ignored her and scaled many trees.
I clipped the wind chimes to my overalls and slipped them inside the bib to keep them safe. Then I crawled onto the branch closest to me, reaching for the one above to steady myself. I kicked off the ladder to help with my reach and pulled myself up. I found the next branch, swinging myself up, pleased and proud. I had forgotten how much fun it was.
I reached the branch I wanted and realized how far I would have to stretch to get the wind chimes on it. Taking a deep breath, I gave myself a pep talk.
“You can do this, Casey. Hold the branch above and balance on the lower one, clip the chimes on, and shimmy back. Easy. You got it.”
Using my hands like pulling a rope, I slid toward the middle of the branch. I heard a creak and froze. The wind felt stronger up here, and I shook my head at my overactive imagination. I carefully put one hand into my bib, pulling out the chimes. There was another creak, and my foot slipped. I cried out but managed to stay upright. I made a snap decision and hung the chimes where I was. I pushed them toward the end of the branch and decided that would do. In hindsight, I should have stuck to the lower branch, but it was too late and the task was almost done.