Read Online The Wooden Chair by Rayne E. Golay - Free Book Online

sorry, Mamma, so sorry. Please forgive me. Don’t be angry.” She asked for forgiveness although she didn’t understand what she’d done wrong. “Mamma, please. I love you. Do you love me, too?”
    “Leave me alone, girl.” Mamma shoved her away. “If you must know, no, I don’t love you.” Her voice was strangled, each word like a wheeze. “You’re a yoke I have to put up with.”
    Leini didn’t understand about yoke, but for the first time in her short life she didn’t plead or promise to be good. The sadness left her—something hard took its place. Deep in her chest she was cold, and her tears stopped flowing. With straight back, head held high, her eyes met Mamma’s.
    In a flash of insight Leini knew she didn’t like Mamma. Not as before.
    In bed that night, thinking of the walk with Mamma, Leini didn’t want to remember the slaps Mamma had dealt her, but couldn’t help remembering them. I only wanted to tell her she has beautiful eyes.
    * * *
    Loud voices and merry laughter woke Leini. Sitting in bed she cocked her head, listening. Glasses perched on her nose, she crept to the door and opened it without a sound. Grandma Britta’s soft giggle, then Grandpa’s deeper chuckle reached her—and a man’s voice, familiar, but one she couldn’t place. She tiptoed down a few stairs until, by squatting low, she could peer into the kitchen. Mamma sat on the bench, her back against the wall. Next to her sat a man…. Oh, yes, Karl!
    Before she could stop herself, she sneezed. They all turned their heads to stare at her in surprise. Grandma Britta rose and took Leini in her arms, crooning to her softly. “My little dove, did our laughter wake you?”
    Leini rubbed her eyes before burrowing her face in Grandma Britta’s neck.
    Grandpa kissed the back of her hand, then held it in his. “Look, Karl’s here. He came to see us off at the railway station. And he gave you a coloring book.”
    “That’s over a month ago. Maybe Leini doesn’t remember?” Karl voice was like a soft hum.
    “I remember.” She slid off Grandma Britta’s lap. By the stove she rummaged in the big wicker basket where she kept all her treasures, found the book and held it aloft for everybody to see. “This book.” Her lips pulled to a wide grin, so pleased with herself.
    Karl slid a packet in white paper across the table. “I have a special treat for you.” Coaxing, when she hesitated, “Don’t be shy. Open it.”
    As she was about to take the gift, Mamma grabbed her by the wrist. “I’ve told you a million times what to say when you receive something.”
    Leini’s wrist stung from Mamma’s tight grip. She glanced at Karl and muttered, “Thank you.”
    With an elbow, Karl poked Mamma in the side. “That’s all right, Mira.” He smiled at Leini. “See if you like it.”
    Inching onto the bench next to Grandpa, Leini tore open the paper to reveal a red box with gold letters and a red bow printed on top. After she lifted the lid, she stared at rows of brown balls and squares, each in its little case of brown paper cups. Puzzled, she leaned closer for a better look. She held the box in both hands, not daring to touch those round things.
    Karl made room for her next to him. “Come sit with me.” He held one of the round balls between thumb and forefinger. “Here, taste it.”
    She pressed her back against the wall, heart beating so fast she could feel it throb in her throat as she pressed chin against chest.
    “Come on, girl, don’t be silly.” Mamma’s voice was stern. “Open your mouth; it’s chocolate.”
    Leini took a small bite from the thing Karl held. She gulped air in surprise as the sweet taste exploded on her tongue, making her mouth very wet. It was good. Leini had never tasted anything so wonderful, so…so round and full.
    Karl popped the rest of the chocolate in her mouth. “Do you like it?”
    Sucking and munching, curls bouncing as she nodded.
    “This is yours,” Karl said as he slid the box