Black Lace Eggs

By Stella Barbaretta

Marley Gayle Kellerman is a headstrong and imaginative child raised on a Pennsylvania farm in the 1950s . She finds great adventure riding the rolling hills of her imaginative Old West , on her horse Lightening, which closely resembles an overused broom. Marley's imagination serves as an escape from the real pain that she experiences in the hands of her mother, but she can see that there is more reason for her mother's anger than Marley herself can provide. Marley strikes back through her imagination, and finds this retaliation a source of strength and satisfaction.
Not heeding her mother's warning to stay away from him, Marley befriends a black man who has moved into her neighbor's farm. She spends time with him and grows to love him, which makes her best friend feel unwanted and angry. Marley searches for an answer after her new friend disappears without a trace, leaving behind the few possessions he owned.
Marley finds herself a teen keeping a secret that could destroy, avenging a murder, and fighting for her own life.
The reader will find a little of themselves in Marley. They will say what she has said, they will do what she has done, or wish they had.


Stella Barbaretta

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483617343

Stella Barbaretta

Marley Gayle Kellerman is a headstrong and imaginative child raised on a Pennsylvania farm in the 1950s . She finds great adventure riding the rolling hills of her imaginative Old West , on her horse Lightening, which closely resembles an overused broom. Marley's imagination serves as an escape from the real pain that she experiences in the hands of her mother, but she can see that there is more reason for her mother's anger than Marley herself can provide. Marley strikes back through her imagination, and finds this retaliation a source of strength and satisfaction. Not heeding her mother's warning to stay away from him, Marley befriends a black man who has moved into her neighbor's farm. She spends time with him and grows to love him, which makes her best friend feel unwanted and angry. Marley searches for an answer after her new friend disappears without a trace, leaving behind the few possessions he owned. Marley finds herself a teen keeping a secret that could destroy, avenging a murder, and fighting for her own life. The reader will find a little of themselves in Marley. They will say what she has said, they will do what she has done, or wish they had. Stella Barbaretta

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Copyright © 2013 by Stella Barbaretta.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 4/22/2013

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CONTENTS

Part 1

The First Girl Sheriff

Fire and Brimstone

Lucas Middleton

The Disappearance

Part Two

Seven Years Later

Good-bye to the Farm

The Discovery

The Departing

The Abduction

The Beginning

Ode To The Discarded Appendix

For the Original GGG’s

To My Dear Friend Linda Lou

Glasses up to dancing to the oldies on your deck, and creating an undesirable

atmosphere for those around us. Here’s to picking up rocks in the yard!

You are my Angel

To CAF

for your loving encouragement

PART 1

THE FIRST GIRL SHERIFF

Christmas eve was unusually warm for December, and there was no snow on the ground. The Kellerman family had gone to church as usual, enjoyed their holiday eve hot chocolate, had applauded their second oldest daughter’s piano recital of Silent Nightand Joy to The World, and now the children were in bed. Mother and Daddy had put the finishing touches on the tree and laid the presents underneath. In this house in Liberty, Santa not only brought the presents, he trimmed the tree too.

Laraine Kellerman wrapped the fruitcake she had made that day, and cut two pieces of her prize-winning apple pie. She stared into the tree lights as the percolator finished its job. Her eyes lost their focus. Her gaze turned through the doorway to the living room where her husband sat with the newspaper in his face, feet crossed, leaning back in his green plaid overstuffed chair. She smiled, chuckling to herself as she thought of the women’s Sunday school class that she had taken her turn to teach last week. The book of James chapter one verses two through eight is where she had chosen her lesson. Laraine whispered to herself…

I consider it pure joy when I face a trial because it tests my faith, and develops perseverance! She suppressed laughter. Lucky me, she thought, smiling, as she turned from her view of the man in the overstuffed chair.

She looked into the aluminum spatula hanging on the wall rack in front of her and spied her reflection. She stared for a long moment remembering what little her mother had told her about marriage. Her mother was in no hurry to dish out the information that Laraine had had to learn on her own. Laraine found that it is easier to make him think he thought of a good thing when it does come after she carefully plans it. Her mother made this clear.

It is a wife’s duty to do what he says. It’s just easier. She said that on more than one occasion though. And you just have to do everything.

Laraine was used to that. She quit school after eighth grade to help raise nine siblings. Then on the morning of Laraine’s large by standards wedding, her mother came to her bedroom dressed in her green print midi slim fitting dress. The pattern was of tall trees with long dark leaves. She wore a black hat with ruching and a flower. She wore dark hose with her wide heel black shoes, and she carried a box with a bow. She had no idea how great she looked. She sat her daughter on the bed giving her a gift of a white floor length nightie with a tight lace up to the chin.

When he comes to bed naked, Laraine hadn’t really wanted to hear this part, and turned her head when Mother brought it up, imagine you are somewhere else… somewhere wonderful when those times come around. Imagine you are on a beach somewhere. You’ll be OK…

Is the coffee done? Laraine’s husband startled her when he asked now standing behind her managing a smile as he slid his hands around her shoulders. Yes, she smiled begrudgingly. I cut us a slice, too. She hurriedly set the forks and napkins on the table and they sat together. They began to sip as Laraine’s eyes lost their focus again. They wandered to the tree lights reflecting from the aluminum spatula hanging on the rack.

Best ever, Dave Kellerman pointed to his pie with his fork and sipped his coffee. Laraine’s gaze turned slowly to her husband…

It came from thin air; fast as a rocket knocking him off his chair, but he never saw the flying ball bat coming at this head! Laraine stirred her coffee, laid the spoon on the saucer, sipped, and placed the cup gently back in the saucer. She waited for her husband to pick himself up from the floor. He didn’t. She sipped again. Finally, Laraine pressed her palms to the table slowly lifting herself to her feet. She peeked over the table to see her husband lying on the floor motionless, his head open, and bleeding from the crack left by the flying bat! She slowly sat back in her chair. She placed her napkin in her lap, and enjoyed a taste of apple pie.

They should be asleep by now, he said cocking his head up the stairs, raising his eyebrows with a broader smile. Laraine snapped back to reality and after a second focusing knew what this meant. She guessed she couldn’t get out of it this time. It hadn’t happened in some time, and it was Christmas as if that mattered to her. They chatted as they finished their snack, and she cleared the table. She tried to drag out the dishwashing chore, but he put his arms around her waist and suggested she leave them till after breakfast.

OK, she thought to herself, let’s get this over with.

He came! He came! Shrieking six-year-old Marley Gayle put an abrupt end to the peaceful slumber of her parents and sisters. The others were down the stairs in seconds adding to the chaos instigated by the first one up. The four little girls giggled and rifled through the presents to see whose name was on what. Mother had laid down the law yesterday shaking a finger that no presents would be opened until the entire family gathered.

A droopy-eyed pair, Mother and Daddy came into the living room mayhem.

What time is it? Mother asked Daddy scratching her head with both hands. Eight-fifteen. Daddy answered wiping his glasses on a hanky. Most parents would have been happy to sleep until eight-fifteen on a Christmas morning. Mr. and Mrs. Kellerman would have been too, if Marley hadn’t kept the other children up whispering and giggling until she had to be threatened with a note left for Santa about her behavior tonight.

Mother found a place on the floor in front of the tree, plugged in the lights, and began handing out presents.

Here’s one for you, Marlena Gayle. Marley was handed a large box wrapped in white tissue with a huge shiny red bow. Marley was oblivious to the other girls and their presents.

I hope this is it! she thought to herself. She stared at the box, almost afraid to open it.

Well, Mother nodded, go ahead… open it!

Marley stuck the bow to her chest, and methodically opened the wrapping. She closed her eyes, and slowly lifted the lid.

Please, God, she whispered, ignoring her sisters’ excitement at their own gifts.

He remembered! She screamed. He remembered! Mother winced at the shriek, and closed her eyes. Her daily headache was beginning early. Marley took a cowgirl hat out of the tissue and put it on her head. A fringed skirt and vest were under the hat, and two six guns in a holster. She immediately stepped into the skirt and pulled it over her shortie nightshirt. The vest came next.

They fit! Marley jumped up and down, laughing, and squealing.

Oh man! The tyke pulled on a pair of fringed boots. She was totally satisfied. Now she was a cowgirl! Marley straightened the hat, which was a tad too big. She held her six-guns to her heart.

Mummy! she rolled her head dramatically.

He remembered, she whispered, a lump developing in her throat. Marley had told Santa Claus at the department store in the city with Mother, and Granny. They had taken a trolley through town to see him. She strapped her guns to her hips, and tossed the box to the floor.

Make sure that there’s nothing else in the box, Mother warned. Marley picked up the tissue paper, and shook it. Something fell into the box. Marley bent over, and picked up a sheriff’s badge.

I’m a sheriff! she yelled clipping the badge to her chest ignoring her sisters’ own excitement.

Look, Daddy! She shook her father’s arm. I’m a girl sheriff! She continued to shriek and squeal.

OK, that’s nice Marlena, Daddy said softly. I’ll get dressed and take your picture.

Here’s another one for you, Marlena, Mother called. Marley didn’t care if she didn’t get another thing. She was a girl sheriff, and that’s all she wanted in the world. However, she took the present and opened it.

A ukulele, Mummy! again, shrieking the house down. Just like Gene Autry!

Marley couldn’t believe this was really happening! Santa Claus had remembered. He had remembered her! She felt so special! She had asked him for all this stuff, but she thought he wasn’t paying much attention at the time. Now she knew he was really listening. He brought her all this stuff so she could be a real sheriff! Marley was completely overwhelmed. Mother looked at Daddy as her headache worsened.

"Mummy, can I go outside, plllease!" Laraine pleadingly looked at her husband.

Let her, she muttered. Mother squinted her eyes, holding her ears as Marley shrieked her way to the door. Daddy unlocked the door.

Get a jacket! Mother yelled. Marley grabbed her jacket from a hook beside the door and quickly put it on leaving the zipper open. Marley’s favorite fantasy was on her mind. The weatherman said it would be fifty-five degrees today, but the frost on the ground would stay a while.

Come on lightning! Marley had acquired this Palomino after Mother had purchased a new broom from the Stanley man on his last visit. Lightening was formerly known as Mother’s broom. She straddled the beloved steed and took off to ride the range with Pal, the family Beagle running beside them.

Mother watched from the window. Do you think she likes it? She and Daddy laughed.

Marley rode Lightning around the garage. She stopped, tied him to the door, and showed him her new outfit.

Look, Lightning, she buffed her badge with her fist. I have a badge now; I’m a real sheriff. So… she went on, that means that you are a sheriff’s horse! Marley held the skirt out and did a twirl. Now we’re the real thing, ya know. The new sheriff slapped her palm to the garage wall, and shivered in the chill.

This is the jail now. So when we catch the robbers, we can stuff ‘em in here! she explained.

Marley pretended to put her foot in the stirrup, and threw her leg over Lightning. The horse reared, and kicked his front hooves as Marley intercepted with her own horse noises. He took off with his rider slapping her thigh.

Whoa!… Whoa! Marley commanded. Lightning snorted, and neighed, coming to a stop at the hay wagon. Marley imaginatively tied her horse to the wagon.

I’m sorry I have to tie you up, Lightning. Marley was very sincere explaining things. If you weren’t so high strung and wanting to take off by yourself to catch bank robbers, I wouldn’t have to do this. She finished her loose knot and stepped back.

I left it loose for you in case you have to come rescue me, OK? She patted her horse and stepped up onto the hay wagon. They were a team. Marley intended to be the toughest sheriff in the west, and her horse wouldn’t be afraid of anybody either! And now that she had guns, well, they would tame this west, all right!

Marley hopped onto the hay wagon, and began to sing as though she had an audience; just like Gene Autry had.

What a Friend We Have in Jesus, she began. It calmed Lightning when she sang. He loved her more than anything in the world. He was a most loyal horse. Marley closed her eyes as she lifted her arms and her voice to the heavens.

In his arms, he’ll take and shield you, take it to the Lord in prayer!

Marley finished her hymn, she realized that she was cold, and also, everyone was having Christmas without her. She jumped off the wagon, and Lightning sped her back to the house; kicking billows of western dust from his shoes.

Daddy stood on a porch step smoking a cigarette, his camera at his foot. The beagle jumped onto the step beside him. He had to chuckle at seeing his second born speed up to him on her horse.

What are you laughing about, Daddy? she asked.

Nothin’… stand by the summer kitchen, and I’ll take your picture. Daddy stamped out his cigarette, and picked up the camera. Marley stood ever so proud for her picture as the first girl sheriff.

By dinnertime, the children were quietly sitting at the foot of the tree each with her own loot. Mother called everyone to the dinner table, and they seated themselves, ladylike as Mother always expected. They folded their hands, and bowed their heads. The girls squinted their eyes, peeking at each other. Daddy said the blessing.

Our Heavenly Father, he began. Aswecmforyoprsnc espillerblessuponus, he continued. This is where Marley and her sisters could no longer understand a word of the blessing as Daddy sped through it.

Dersplisidendophomoustoyouand, then suddenly he said clearly, to thy service, Amen!

After a quiet holiday dinner, Marley and Laura, her older sister, finished the dishes and joined the family in the living room. Mother sat on the couch reading a book that Santa had brought for Susan the toddler. She sat on Laraine’s lap chewing on a rubber teething ring, and Mary Agnes laid her head against Mother’s arm to see. Marley Gayle hopped onto the couch taking a seat next to Mother too.

Here, Marlena, why don’t you hold this book, and sit in front of me on the floor and we will read that next.

But I wanted to… Her voice trailed off as her eyes met Mother’s. Marley took the book to the floor waiting.

There, Laraine went back to the book. David Kellerman peered around his book at his wife. He stared for a long moment. Laraine felt his stare and ignored it.

Why don’t you help Laura with her puzzle, Marlena Gayle? Daddy suggested. David Kellerman’s heart broke as his second oldest moved away from his wife to help her sister with the puzzle. Marley looked back for a long moment at her younger sisters on the couch with Mother reading that Christmas book.

There was no rest for David Kellerman just because it was Christmas. He had to change the oil in his truck before he could expect it to take him to work tomorrow. He put on his heavy clothes and headed for the garage. He closed the door to the old shed and turned on the lights. He rested his palms on his workbench as his head sagged beneath his shoulders.

After Christmas, the snow came in buckets, and although she loved to sled, Marley couldn’t wait for spring. She wanted to wear the new cowgirl outfit to school, but Mother wouldn’t let her. Sledding and snowball fights were Marley’s main goal after school. Her sisters hated snow, so of course Marley would sneak up on them as often as possible and make them scream.

Spring came, and so did Marley’s birthday. Mother made her a cake in the shape of a doll’s head with a little hat made from frosting. Marley smiled and told Mother how nice it was. Marley felt bad that Mother didn’t know how to make a cake in the shape of a horse or a gun. Marley was sure that Mother had probably tried to make a horse cake, and someday she would be able to do that.

The farm was acres, and acres of beautiful fields, and woods. To Marley, it was a spread; just like they called it on the Gene Autry movies. She liked Roy Rogers, too, but he had Dale Evans. Marley planned to marry Gene someday, and they would ride the range together. In the meantime, she rode acres and acres of open field, grassy flowered wooded passes, and the open range every day chasing robbers and slapping them in jail! Since Marley was the first girl sheriff, she insisted that Freddie, her best friend and neighbor, be the deputy. Freddie expected to be the sheriff, but he couldn’t argue with Marley as she explained the way it would go. He listened intently and followed her instruction.

To Freddie, Marley was the only girl in the neighborhood who really knew how to play a real wild west character. She played longer and better than most of the boys he knew. Marley watched all the right cowboy shows on TV and she followed the stories intently. She carried guns, wore a hat, fringed boots, and vest, and ran as fast as a boy. He like playing with Marley all right, but Freddie would play whatever Marley wanted. He wanted to please her since the day he met her a year ago when his family moved here. Her shiny hair and blue eyes made Freddie’s knees weak, but the real effect she had on Freddie was in his heart. It beat like a drum when she was near him, like it would jump out of his chest. Most of the time, Freddie couldn’t remember walking home after a play day. His mother asked every time if he had fun, and the answer was always the same. Freddie intended to play cowboys with Marley eternally.

Marley dressed accordingly for the Gene Autry movie each week. After Gene’s movie Boots and Saddles, Marley rode off to catch more robbers. Today, they rode down the path and hid behind the house. They couldn’t outsmart Marley, and she had Lightning hidden in the Lilac bushes. She drew her gun as the robbers neared. Lightning was getting jumpy, but Marley held the reins tight, and patted his neck.

Quiet, boy, Marley held him back. They’re about to make their move, she whispered as she waited for the right moment.

HeeYaa! Marley screamed kicking Lightening to take off.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Laura’s scream from the bathroom window sent Marley and lightning tumbling.

You SCARED me! Marley bellowed picking up her hat.

You have a mental problem, you know that? Laura yelled.

Marley felt that a fight was in order. I was catching bank robbers!

Marley calmed her high-strung horse, Whoa lightning… and threw her leg over his back.