Emilys craft.

Annie went to the food pantry, on a normal and last Tuesday of the month.

This day was a little different, it was the day she made, an unexpected friend.

She manuvered her cart, from Table to table. Each one different than the last, yet the same in many respects. All were handing out free food.

At one such table, there were two kinda hippy-ish looking gals.

One was Sarah. The other was Emily.

Annie talked a little with both of them about crochet, and some of what she had made, handing them yarn and a crochet hook, teaching them each how to do a single chain.

Annie gave them her number, and talked a little bit more. Hoping they would stick with the hobby of crocheting.

Sarah and Emily both learned a little bit more from videos, and books. They both called and visited Annie, who was a single mother. "Raising a teenage girl on your own, must be tough" (Emily visited more often, and they became great friends.) Emily proclaimed. "It is" said Annie," yet it is the greatest job I could have."

Some time later Emily came to visit.

She exclaimed " Look Annie, Look what I have made!" It was a 5 inch high, crocheted bunny rabbit.

"I really wanted you to have this"

Annie said, in a peaceful voice " I don't think I can, you should always keep your first completed work, as a reminder of where and when you started your hobby."

Emily excitedly said, " but.... I did keep my first one. I actually made two!"

"One for me, and the other for you!"

The only person who took their time, and showed me not only how to hold the crochet hook, how to hold the yarn tight with my other hand, you also showed me the beginning stitches, and never gave up on me. That brought me to this final result. Two bunnies, one creator, two hearts."

Emily -"I love you my friend!"

Annie- "I am so proud of you for enduring, all the rough patches. The highs and the lows. The yarn twisting itself into knots..... for Emily I love you my friend also. And nothing says love more than a homemade gift. I will cherish this always, and I love you also.

Would you like some spiced chai tea? I just made some, anticipating your arrival.

Emily- " You know I love your tea. Not bitter, not too sweet. I shall get the cups." Emily moved to the hutch, in the efficiency apartment asking "Shall we use the good china, or the everyday china?

Annie -"The good stuff of course, we arent getting any younger, at least you arent.

Emily-"Very funny..., did you see Mr Thompson? He is looking good."

Annie- " if you like that kinda guy."

Emily- " well I do, and I see you checking him out, when he walks by your balcony."

Annie- " I was just curious, as to what he bought at the store. And I like his car."

Emily -hah

Annie- ( her mouth curves in an evil smile.) "Besides, I dont like the way he carries himself. Looks like he is carrying parts of bodies, under his shirt, at his back and shoulder"

Emily-" no its the yarn, I had him carry for me"

Annie-" whatever." (Annie, pours tea into the cups that Emily procured

And put a plate of cookies on the table.)

Emily-"what kind are they this time?"

Annie-"I snazzed it up a little, chocolate chip cookies with m&m morsels"

Emily- " oooo, I can't wait! I started a new project, but I don't know what these abbreviations mean."

Annie-"which ones?"

Emily-"hdc & dbc."

Annie- well dbc is a double crochet. Let me show you. ( picking up her yarn and crochet hook.)

You wrap the yarn over the hook once, go through the loop on the chain, bring up a loop, you now have three loops on the hook, pull another loop through two loops then pull another through the remaining 2 loops.

Emily-"oh i think i get it." It looks pretty neat!"

Annie- then a hdc is a half double crochet. Put yarn over hook, go in through loop in chain, you have three loops on hook. Then yarn over hook, pulling it through all three loops, and voila, there you go half double crochet and double crochet."

"What are you making?"

Emily- "A scarf, for Mr. Thompson"

Annie- (said teasingly)" I knew it, you like him."

Emily- "No, I don't. I was commissioned."

Annie-"by who?"

Emily- "His sister. She said she would pay me $20.00

Annie-" well thats great. "

Emily- "How is the blanket you are working on?"

Annie- "well its only taking me Three years."

Emily-" remind me not to start making any of those."

Annie-"Its only because, I am working on five other projects at the same time."

Emily - " what would that be"

Annie-"lets see.

1. Scarves and hats for the

homeless

2. Earrings for a neighbor girl

3. A beach bag for Jan

4. A floral vase with immitation

Flowers for Beth

5. And a plaque with a saying

For Debbie

Emily-"oh my, You are busy."

Annie- " No its 6 projects, I forgot I made a Ludwig scarf for Bob.

Emily- "The music writer?

Annie-" no, a fellow drummer."

Emilly-" how did that turn out?"

Annie- It turned out better than I thought it would. I still have it right here

Emily squeeled- what stitch is that?

Annie- it is called the waffle stitch.

Master the double stitch and I will show you. Walk before you crawl Emily."

Emily- ok. Some day i will be there."

These cookies are so tasty, flavorful one might say."

Annie-" One may not. My sister throws that term around, like she wins money everytime she says it"

Emily laughs

Emily- what makes these cookies taste so good?

Annie- I put cherry liquer in place of vanilla.

Emily- "so good."

", so far to go and all, I must be on my way. See you tomorrow?

" I wouldnt miss it, said Emily. Oh and when are the visiting hours again?"

Annie-" from 9am til 7pm

Can you say goodbye to my daughter before you leave?"

Emily- ( walked to a rocking chair in the corner of the room, knelt down looking at the 3 ft tall stuffed doll in the chair. Goodbye Emma, be good for your mom.

Annie giggled......you know Emily, she is just a prop I use, to see who will speak to a doll."

Emily said " I know."

And she walked out the door ..

Annie smiled a cat ate the canary kinda smile

As she heard Emilys shoes click down the hallway.

Ahh the rewards of getting older. Fooling the young folks .

Emily walked to the bext door in the hallway, put her key in the lock and entered.

What a great day we had.

The end

Antoinette Verde