Chapter One

 “Savannah,” Mama called, holding open the creaky screen door. “It's your turn to wash the dishes.” She sulked all the way to the wash pan, and then slowly started scrubbing at a plate encrusted with egg remnants. “Mama?” Savannah hesitated, braking the silence.                                                   She motioned for her to speak. “My birthday is comin' up awful soon, and, well, I was thinking could I have a horse?” Mrs. Cooper looked up from her embroidery work. “A horse?” She smiled dreamily out the kitchen window. “Yeah, a white one like a unicorn. I'd brush her, put bows in her hair and ride her all day long.” “Hannah, a horse takes a lot of work to keep up.” Savannah pouted, her hope taking a nosedive like fall apples. “But Mama, Jane got hers when she was my age.” Mama looked at her solemnly. “You're an entirely different person than you're sister.”