The Practicality of Imagination

The Practicality of Imagination

Faith E. Droessler

Copyright © 2024 Faith E. Droessler

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher.

Mount Louretta Publishing—Blue Mounds, WI

Paperback ISBN: 979-8-218-57431-4

eBook ISBN: 979-8-3481-4088-5

Library of Congress Control Number: 2024926682

Title: The Practicality of Imagination

Author: Faith E. Droessler

Digital distribution | 2024

Paperback | 2024

This is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, places, and dialogue are products of the author’s imagination, and are not to be construed as real.

Published in the United States by New Book Authors Publishing

Dedication

For Bernadette, Teresa, and Thérèse with all my love and gratitude!

And for Mary, you know this story belongs first and foremost to you.

Contents

The Practicality of Imagination

Dedication

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

Chapter XIX

About the Author

Chapter I

T

he fields slid past the car window. Captivated by the colors, Marie let her imagination fly free imagining a dark-haired girl in a light green tule, high-necked dress running through the corn. In this way, she often created her own imaginary friends. But they were more than that to her. She could see them in her mind’s eye clear as day. And she loved them.

The time passed and the ride’s long hours soon whittled away. Marie arrived, as the car turned a and slowed to a stop, at her home. The brick house topped a small hill and had lots of windows letting all the light from the July sun through the rooms of the house.

Alright, her mother said as she opened her door. Don’t forget to bring in your new boots. And your suitcase.

Don’t worry, I’ll get them, Marie responded.

Marie hauled her suitcase from the trunk, dragging it in behind her. She made her way to her bedroom and puffed as she laid the suitcase open on the floor.

Marie was not a plain girl. She was quite pretty in most respects, but of course she did not realize this.

Marie was in the exact middle of the summer holidays and had quite enjoyed herself previous week at camp, but it had made for quite a few dirty clothes to deal with.

But before committing herself to the laundry, she decided to take a brief stroll down the drive as she had often done to clear head.

How lovely! she thought as she gazed upon the trees’ branches far above her head. As if they were reaching right up for the Heavens!

Promptly, she heard the gentle call of a bird. Too-whoo. It was that of a red wing blackbird. This was Marie’s favorite, and as it seemed to be coming from lower down, she moved just off the path so as to possibly see it. Or if nothing else, to at least hear it again.

There it was again, too-whoo. Clearer this time. Marie stepped farther forward after the bird. Too-whoo, it called again. The bird seemed to be down in the brush. Strange it hasn’t flown away even as I’ve come closer, Marie thought.

Marie, come to dinner! It was her father calling from the porch. She didn’t wish to disobey, but she longed to see the bird. What lovely reddish-orange its wing stripe will be. Marie could picture its satin-like feathers already.

Snap! A very different noise than she expected caused her to give a small shriek.

Are you alright? Marie, come in for dinner. Now. Her father said again.

Marie spied a broken stick beneath her old and torn boots (which had been much nicer before camp).

So that’s what my fuss was about? I know I’ve stepped on many twigs before without giving such a start. How silly I’ve been! Marie said to herself. She listened another moment for the bird’s call, but heard not a peep. Well, it was about time I heeded my father anyway. I ought not to ignore him.

And she scurried back to the driveway, hurried up the gravel to her father, and into supper where her mother waited.

Chapter II

T

he next morning Marie took extra care as she laced her new brown boots. Marie gazed at them for just a second longer before swinging open her door. Halfway, it got caught on the top of her still-full suitcase which she had completely forgotten about the day before. After a sigh, she said, I guess I’ll have to deal with you today. But not just yet!

As she turned back towards the door, she managed to bump her knee hard on the door frame.

Ouch! Well! You two are in leagues now I see! This was aimed at bother the suitcase and the door now.

Marie had a nice breakfast, and preceded to head outside.

Oh wait! her mother called. Remember Lacey mentioned she would drop by today.

When did she say that? Marie’s face fell slightly as she paused in the middle of the doorway. Half inside and half outside.

Um…I believe it was sometime early last week.

Then how was I to know about it? Marie complained.

Her mother gave her the look that said to mind her manners as she spoke in a gentle, yet stern, manner, Lacey is a good friend even if she may be a bit trying at times. And you’ll wait for her before you get lost in those woods looking for squirrels or whatever it is you manage to get caught up in doing. Her mother then turned and walked back to the kitchen after a quick hug and kiss.

It turned out Marie did not have long to wait. Quite shortly after the exchange with her mother, a medium-sized, very practical, and very dull bicycle made its slow way up the twisting drive.

A tall girl with red hair and a splash of freckles on her face was the one riding the bike.

Lacey.

Marie had always wondered how a girl with such bright red hair could be about as practical and dull as her bicycle.

Wouldn’t it make more sense that if one has such bright, imaginative hair, the mind inside would be even more imaginative? Marie had often wondered (as she did now).

But alas, Lacey’s hair seemed to have taken up all the imaginative power, and left only practicalness for the mind inside.

Lacey rode all the way to the edge of the lawn. Stopped the bike. Put down the kick stand. She did all this in complete silence until she stood right in front of Marie.

You know the design on the sides of those boots aren’t practical. They’re going to get dirty, and then you won’t be able to see it anyway, Lacey said in complete seriousness almost bordering on concern.

Although Lacey had so disregarded her manners, Marie decided to keep hers. Even when they do get dirty it is enough for me to know they’re there. Marie had actually thought about the exact worry Lacey had mentioned when she picked them out at the store, but the little flowers designed in the leather on the heel had entranced her too much to resist.

How are you this morning? Marie continued. She often forgot to ask people this, but she said it now as if being so rude would never have occurred to her. Marie smiled extra widely, and falsely, to try and point out to Lacey how rude she had been. (Not realizing that she herself was not being all that kind either.)

Well, at least you like them. That’s something, I guess, Lacey responded, completely ignoring Marie’s comments and hints.

Now I didn’t buy them for you. And if I ever find myself purchasing boots for you, I shall know to get the plainest most boring ones there! she finished hotly. Marie remembered the act she was putting on right at the end of her little speech and plastered on a smile.

But thank you, she tacked on.

They stood in an awkward silence for a moment until Marie started, Shall we head to the woods? I was just on my way there until you rode up.

"I suppose so. There isn’t really anything better to do. And I suppose it will put us out of this dreadful sun. It is so hot today," Lacey reasoned.

Marie sighed in annoyance as they made their way back down the drive bearing a little to their right so as to meet a small path that led into the wood.

I suppose I could have just left my bike at the bottom of the hill rather than bike it up just to walk down again. Although I guess we may go back to the house later, and then it will be nice to have it closer.

Lacey went on and on like this, and Marie