Lizabeth's Story by Thomas Kinkade Page B

produce in a mesh bag. Lizabeth thought, perfect, I’ll have plenty of time. Kat was busy with another chore—something about weeding.
    Lizabeth found the chopping block in the kitchen and sliced the cucumber. Then she squeezed the lemon into a small bowl. She took everything up to Kat’s room.
    She poured the lemon juice over her hair. She brushed it through and wrapped her hair in a towel. Lemon juice helped to keep it blond. Her hair used to be as light as Tracy’s, but it had darkened over the years. By Strawberry Queen night, her hair would be golden and shimmering. Lemon juice would be more effective in sunlight, but that would mean taking a terrible chance of darkening her complexion or even getting freckles! That was why she carried a parasol everywhere.
    Lizabeth sighed contentedly and lay down on the bed. She closed her eyes and covered them with cucumber slices. If she did this every day between now and the Strawberry Festival, there wouldn’t be the slightest hint of puffiness. The cool cucumber felt so good. In spite of the lumpy mattress, Lizabeth dozed off.
    The door creaked open. “Dinner will be ready soon and if you’re going to fix the salad—” Kat’s voice.
    Lizabeth sat up, startled. “Salad?”
    â€œLizabeth! What are you doing with that cucumber?”
    Lizabeth removed the slices and blinked. “It’s a beauty secret, Kat. To make your eyes—”
    â€œI don’t believe this. Ma was so pleased that you wanted to help out and make a salad. I thought I’d find you in the kitchen.”
    â€œ What salad?”
    â€œCucumber-and-lemon salad! Everyone assumed…What did you do with the lemon?”
    â€œIt’s in my hair. For blondness and shine.”
    Kat rolled her eyes.
    â€œWhat’s the matter now?” Lizabeth asked.
    â€œThat’s food , Lizabeth. We don’t use food for beauty secrets!” Kat shook her head and began to laugh. “Sometimes I think you’re from another universe. What are we going to tell Ma?”
    â€œI have to beat the competition for Strawberry Queen, don’t I?” Lizabeth said. “I found a wonderful book at the Pelican. Beauty Secrets of the Ages . Everyone knows about biting your lips and pinching your cheeks to make them rosy. I have to do extra .”
    â€œI think you’ve done enough extra!”
    â€œIs there any nightshade growing around Durham Point?” Lizabeth asked.
    â€œDeadly nightshade? No! I sure hope not,” Kat said.
    â€œI read that if you put some in your eyes, it dilates the pupils and makes them look ever so large and shiny.”
    â€œNightshade is poison!” Kat said.
    â€œI guess you’re supposed to use just the tiniest bit. Do you know the other name for nightshade? Belladonna. It means beautiful lady in Italian. That proves that it beautified a lot of ladies.” Lizabeth frowned. “I don’t know if you’re supposed to use the berries or the leaves. The book didn’t say.”
    â€œI think there’s some poison ivy in the back that we couldn’t get rid of,” Kat said. “Do you have a beauty secret for that?”
    â€œDon’t be silly!” Sometimes Kat was so immature!
    â€œLizabeth, this isn’t funny anymore. Nightshade is really poisonous.”
    â€œI wouldn’t eat it. I’m talking about just a bit in my eyes.”
    â€œI think you’d better stop reading that book.” Kat looked closely at Lizabeth. “You wouldn’t really use something dangerous, would you?”
    â€œI don’t know. You’re kind of scaring me.” Lizabethshrugged. “I don’t know exactly how to apply nightshade. But if I did, just for that one evening, for the Strawberry Festival….”
    â€œBeing Strawberry Queen can’t be that important to you,” Kat said.
    â€œAnybody would want to be Strawberry Queen.”
    â€œAll