Phenie! Its time to come home now, Phenie! These far away words drifted ever so softly to Phenies ancient ears as she struggled to remember a much earlier time when these same words, but shouted with much more fervor, had roused her from her girlish mind wanderins.

It seemed to Phenie that she had stretched out only moments before on the lush grass that still grew along the creek bank. Only within shouting distance of the Holmes family cabin, this was her private sanctuary and, as close as it was, no one ever seemed to discover Phenies magic place. Here she was on this fresh autumn morning, free of all burdens, free to let her spirit soar as she watched the puffy white clouds form pictures in their hurried march across the blue Arkansas sky. Alone in 1885, Phenie could dream of a time when she would be free from the constant care of her three younger sisters and brother, free to fashion a life of independence for herself.

Mama, Mary Elizabeth Scott Holmes, was large with carrying her sixth child, and Phenie being the oldest, was expected to help more than ever with her younger siblings. Phenie breathed in the chill October air and watched her reflection in the still pool next to Possum Creek. Looking back at Phenie was a slender, pale girl of thirteen, her clear blue eyes and upturned nose her only hope of womanly beauty. Phenie took a blessed minute to splash her face with the cool water, taking care not to soil her Sunday-go-to-meetin dress that she wore for church. Carefully brushing grass from the recently let down hem of her skirt, Phenie hurried back to the cabin to help Mama with the young ones.

Sarah Jennifer, called Jenny, and Anna were ten and eight respectively, and so were better able to care for themselves and to help with the simpler chores. Little Johnny, the only boy so far, was only five and still needed lots of help with shoe shining, and hair combing and such. Fanny, the baby, was only one and since Mama was getting close to her time with the next one, Phenie had become surrogate mother to this sweet child, whom she loved so dearly. Waiting for her was her mama. Small in stature, but a sturdy woman, Mary Elizabeths wispy blond hair blew from a bun around an angular face, and her faded blue eyes had seen more than their fair share of hardship. Her stubborn spirit refused to give into lifes trials. Phenie, where have you been? I been acallin you to come for some time now! Her mother gently scolded but could not begrudge Phenie a little alone time, as she was sorry that so much work and responsibility fell to her eldest. She was sorry too that she couldnt let Phenie return to school in September with the others, and with her finishing the eighth grade with top marks! Mama had hoped for a better life for her Phenie, but she still didnt know how shed manage without her.

With baby Fanny washed and sweet-smelling in a warm woolen dress that Mary Elizabeth had knit for her first born and had served all the Holmes babies, Phenie handed her to Jenny to mind while she went out back to see if Papa needed her help. Trying not to notice the oil lamps that needed cleaning, she walked across the pine plank floors that could do with another good sweeping, past a pile of wash fresh off the line that still needed sorting.