Chapter 2

"You have to believe in yourself." –Sun Tzu

"Oh Charles! This parlor finally looks proper." Said Caroline feeling the soft velvet couch. The parlor had two velvet couches with a matching chair, a lamp, a coffee table, a grandfather clock, and a vase with roses. "Now why don't we call Mr. and Mrs. Boast to come and see it?" Said Charles picking up the phone. "Sounds grand." Replied Caroline. The Ingalls were rich in Burr Oak. The Boasts were the Ingalls's best friends. There was who owned the store Charles worked Mrs. Boast worked with Caroline at the resturant. They had one daughter Albert's age and two others that were 10 and 18. "Hello , yes this is Charles. Well I wondered if you would want to come over to our residance for dinner tonight, yes the whole family, sounds fine goodbye." "What did she say Charles?" asked Caroline dusting the bookshelf that was also in the parlor. "5:30 sounds grand." Smiled Charles. "Oh Charles did you ever think we'd be here today? I mean it seems like just yesterdaly we were in Walnut Grove. And now here we are,Laura married and grown up. Mary is happy now with two daughters. Next it'll be Albert or James." Caroline sighed. "Caroline I never knew but wish I did that way id know how happy I am right now." Smiled Charles ashe kissed Caroline on the cheek. "Oh I almost forgot! A letter from Albert!" exlaimed Caroline. "Oh how wonderful! Read it!" answered Charles.

Dear Family,

The University is going well for Michelle and I. I still can't get over the fact that we will be graduating and soon we will come home! Michelle and I have been courting for just over 4 years that is also very hard to believe. I have asked her to be my wife and she accepted. We plan to have the wedding in 2 months that's just 1 month after graduating. We want to have a little time to plan the wedding. Etta Plum sends letters to Michelle. She does the same to her other students. Well she's married to Lance Reed. I remember Lance was 2 years older than Laura. He was the best baseball player in the school but Laura could still beat him. And you'd never guess that Etta has a daughter, Emily. Sorry this letter is short but I have to get back to class.

Love you all, Albert

Just then then children walked in. Carrie was 15 and had long brown hair that was in a ponytail and tied with a navy blue bow. Her dress was navy and had u shaped collar coated with lace, and around her waist was a large satin sash. Cassandra was 14 and had brown hair too but it was ligher and almost blonde and it was in one long braid with a red velvet bow. Her dress was arich red with velvet buttons. Grace was the youngest at 9. Her hair was blonde and shoulder length, too short for braids. And her dress was a golden calico from the store Charles worked at. James was 18 had his gray suit uniform on he didn't go to the university even though he was old enough but he did go to something new in the city called high school it was like a smaller university. "Hi Ma." Said all the kids. James rushed into the kitchen. Carrie pulled out Little Women and sat lady like on the couch. Cassandra rushed to her and Carrie's room. And Grace when up to her room. "Well darling's got to get back to the store. "He said kissing Caroline's cheek.

"An essay." Said Cassandra looking down at her paper. Cassandra hated homework and essays. She hated cleaning and cooking. And she was jealous of Carrie. Carrie was smart and all the boys liked her, she was neat and loved cooking. Even Carrie's bed was neat. Their room had a window seat that was filled with Carrie's books; even the shared dresser was neatly organized. There was a beautiful painted box for bows and another for jewelry. Ma and Pa seemed to be prouder of Carrie. "I hate Carrie!" said Cassandra chucking her homework at Carrie's picture. Then she realized that that was the worst thing to say. And she sobbed into her pillow.

"Carrie dear, help me with dinner." Said Caroline. "Yes Ma." Replied Carrie happily. Caroline rushed up the stairs and knocked on Cassandra and Carrie's door. "Cassandra help me with dinner, the Boasts are coming." Said Caroline to Cassandra. "Why? You know I hate cooking!" yelled Cassandra. "Cassandra, you will help and you will be polite." Said Caroline sternly. Cassandra threw open the door and walked down the stairs angrily. "Cassandra," started Caroline stopping Cassandra. "Did something happen at school today to put you in this… mood?" "It's just that Carrie is perfect in every way. She gets A's and gold stars, she's smart and even Russell Hitch likes her." Sobbed Cassandra. Russell Hitch was the boy Cassandra liked. "Oh Cassandra Ingalls, don't cry." Said Caroline hugging her tight. The two walked to the kitchen.

"Alright Carrie please get me some flour." Said Caroline. They were making pie, roast beef, potatoes, green beans, ice cream, and berries. It smelled delicious. Carrie got the flour like Caroline said to. In no time everything was almost ready. Then Caroline opened the cupboard and pulled out her special homemade bread. "Oh My! Your homemade bread, you haven't made it since Plum Creek!" cried Carrie. Caroline had bought bread since they came to Burr Oak and she hadn't made any. Caroline nodded and smiled. When the food was ready, Caroline set it all out on the table. "Girls, go put on a fresh dress, the Boasts will be here soon." Said Caroline. "Yes Ma!" said Carrie and Cassandra as they ran up the stairs. Carrie opened the door to the room. "What dress are you going to wear?" Carrie asked Cassandra. "I don't know. Maybe my pink one!" smiled Cassandra as she opened the drawer of the dresser. Cassandra realized that Carrie was a very nice sister and that she shouldn't hate Carrie. Cassandra slipped into her pink dress. It was very pretty, it had a high collar with lace and a sash with lace; there were little pearl like bead buttons all down the back. Then Cassandra coiled her braid around her head. Carrie chose a royal blue dress; it had matching velvet buttons and sash. Her hair was in a net and it had a head piece that was glass beaded. "Oh Carrie, I think you look lovely!" exclaimed Cassandra. "You too Cassandra! "Laughed Carrie.

"Thank you Caroline for supper." Said Mrs. Boast sitting on the couch next to Mr. Boast. "Oh you're welcome." Said Caroline sitting in the other couch. "Come on, let's go to my room!" smiled Cassandra. All the children, James, Carrie, Cassandra, Grace, and the Boast children, Bianca (19), Bella Rose (16), and Brenda (10), followed Cassandra. Bianca liked James very much but he didn't really talk to her much because he was busy with school and all. Bianca could have had many suitors from Adam West who was the son of a rich lawyer, to George Yeaston who was studying with the newspaper. They were both well off and very nice people. Bianca was beautiful and different from her sisters. Bella Rose had hazel eyes and light hair. Brenda had light blue eyes and blonde/light hair. But Bianca had greenish blue eyes and dark brown hair. The children got out a jigsaw puzzle and worked on it for a while and talked about Caroline's lovely dinner and other things like that.