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    Three Shells for Nikki
    Three Shells for Nikki
    Three Shells for Nikki
    Ebook121 pages59 minutes

    Three Shells for Nikki

    By Philippa Norman and Marcia Adams Ho

    ()

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    About this ebook

    When Nikki arrives at Granda's house in the country for summer break, she's not sure what to expect. At first, Grandma seems a bit odd with her house full of remedies - piles of jars filled with old dried up leaves and twigs. Soon Nikki joins Grandma on the red dirt path, delivering remedies to the neighbors. Along the way she meets little Ava who needs a remedy for her cough. Nikki tries to help but her confidence plummets when she makes a terrible mistake that could have hurt Ava badly. With a horrific storm brewing, Ava is sicker than ever and Nikki is the only one who can help - but firs, she must face her fears.

    Join Nikki as she searches for Ava's remedy in the jagged darkness of the forest, where she discovers a surprising gift and connection to her past.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBookBaby
    Release dateMar 1, 2016
    ISBN9781892742049
    Three Shells for Nikki

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      Book preview

      Three Shells for Nikki - Philippa Norman

      CHAPTER 1

      The bus swerves onto a narrow road, and I grab my sketchbook just before it slides off my lap. I adjust myself in the rickety seat. I hope we get to Grandma’s house soon. Or maybe I don’t. Truth is, I haven’t seen my grandma in a long time. Since I was a baby, I think. I wonder what she’ll be like? Dad said I needed quality time with her, but I didn’t realize he was banishing me to a month in the middle of nowhere!

      I try to pass the time sketching. But it’s no use. Too bumpy. Instead, I lean back and look out the window. It’s so quiet I can hear only the drone of the bus, no traffic really. Flat open fields replace my familiar city skyline. Nothing much to see except the occasional cow. They are so still I wonder if they are plastic. And the sun is so hot, maybe they’d melt. I sure feel like I’m about to melt here in this hot bus.

      I know I should be happy to visit my grandma, but my head is busy thinking about next year. I’m starting ninth grade. New school. I don’t really know anyone there, or how I’ll fit in. If it wasn’t for this trip, at least I’d be able to hang out in my room and sketch. Go swimming. Oh why did I think about the pool!

      The bus begins to slow down, and I hear the crunch of gravel grinding under the wheels.

      Briar Road! The bus driver calls out, wiping his brow. He has come to a full stop. Across the road there’s a house that looks especially old and weathered, set back behind some scraggly trees. Maybe there’s a mistake. I remember the note Dad gave me. I pull it out of my backpack. Mrs. Mary Rose Williams, 14 Briar Road—I glance at the old photo and then back at the house.

      Miss? the driver says. You’re gettin’ off here, right?

      I’m not sure this is the right place…

      Who are you lookin’ for?

      Mrs. Mary Rose Williams.

      Oh yes, he says, nodding, that’s her place all right. He leans over and pushes the door handle. You know, her onion syrup was just the thing.

      Onion syrup? I never heard of it.

      A good spoonful every day and now, my little Rachel is feeling just fine—just fine. He smiles and tips his hat as I step off the bus. Well you take care now.

      Bye Mr. Albert! I wave as the bus pulls off, kicking up a cloud of dust.

      Onion syrup? What am I in for? I look across the road at the old house. The pale blue paint is peeling, and the screen door is rusty and warped. I step across the tar road quickly—it feels like I’m walking over hot coals. As I make my way through the weeds, I see a huge black kettle turned on its side—looks like some kind of cauldron. I could actually fit in it, if I wanted to.

      What could that be for? I don’t even want to know.

      Then I see an old tin bathtub—like the kind in old Western movies—sitting under a huge tree. I panic. Am I going to have to take a bath in the yard? Why else would there be a tub outside?

      Suddenly three chickens squawk and flap across the path in front of me. Then I know. There’s no way I can stay here for a day, much less a whole month. There’s still time—time to get out of here. I turn to run back through the tall weeds. I can make it to the road and catch the bus back to the city.

      But before I’ve gone very far, I hear a high-pitched voice.

      Who’s there!

      I freeze. It has to be Grandma. She’s probably watching me right now!

      "I say—who’s there!"

      I could run. But ditching your grandma is rude. Even if you don’t remember her at all. Even if there is a body-sized cauldron in the yard. Even if you might have to take a bath outside. So I turn back and try to see through the warped, rusty screen.

      Oh, hi…it’s me, Nikki.

      What’d you say? Is that you, Nicole?

      Yes…it’s me, Grandma!

      Well, come on in, let me see your face, Child!

      A hand with knobby fingers pushes the screen door open. In the other hand is a huge knife, glinting in the hot sun. I stiffen. What’s that for? Then I get a closer look at Grandma—she’s about my height. Her white hair is in a braid around the top of her head. She has a kitchen towel pinned around her waist, stained with something green. She’s wearing a plain cotton dress that comes down nearly to her ankles, and brown lace-up flat shoes. Her lips are tightly pressed together, stern but not quite angry. I can’t tell—is she happy to see me or not? She welcomed me in, right? She peers at me over her glasses,

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