Coda's Dowry

Coda's Dowry

fiction
edward w pritchard

A tribute to the extended family

Mother wept in bliss at the birth of her daughter and called the girl Coda, the last child. Susan taught her daughter to cook, clean sing and play the piano.

When Coda  was four her Dad took her to play soccer against the boys. Coda was very coachable and always stayed at her post at fullback and Coda kicked the ball very hard. No one got around Coda, the only way to get to the goal was to run Coda down and Zak who played the other fullback would run over to help when Coda was in trouble. No one ran over Zak.

Coda's family including Grandma Fae always went to watch Coda receive medals for good character and virtue at Private church school even though the awards were presented in the middle of services usually on a Tuesday or Wednesday night.

When Coda was twelve or so and wanted a horse her Mom helped her find a good one. Susan also showed Coda how to survey a field and raise a barn and taught her how to be a good biblical wife like Susan's parents Fae and Richard had taught  Coda's Mother Susan to be. Once when the horse Quicky had bit Coda hard on the arm I slapped the horse.

At home Coda listened as Uncle Joe and Ben talked very fast about reverse Computer engineering or her Brother Jeb explained to her how to read an obscure Medical text.

Coda was about the best student in the City later, but when she went to her Grandmother Fae's house for holidays Coda struggled to get a word in. What with all the Artists, Doctors, Lawyers, Professors and Architects that were Coda's Aunts and Uncles each one smarter than the next, sometimes all the intellect and opinions threatened to lift the roof off Fae's small house.

At Dad's side of the family at Aunt Debra's Coda watched Danny out slug at home run derby. At aunt Sue's Coda would ask Cousin Jenny if the final four was football, baseball or basketball. Danny always knew more about sports history than Uncle Greg or even Uncle Jim.

In high school Coda stood with Dad at the fence at track meets on cold snowy days. Coda would be the first girl to start stretching and warming up. Under Coda's quiet leadership the relay teams broke several records that year that still stand.

When Coda went to France as an exchange student her Mom flew over to be sure they had Vegan food there. Susan also went with Coda in the Choir to China and Italy. Later when Coda traveled for school Uncle Jim helped with the horse.

When Coda wanted a house her Mom helped her find a unique one and Susan taught coda about finances. Coda, her Mom and Coda's friends worked long to remodel. Coda's dad tamed the yard. Zak Ed, Danny and Coda strung fence in the back pasture in a cold driving rain. Coda was happy.

Now Coda looks after her niece Bella and Coda drives all over town to buy Bella the most unique and valuable presents, just like Coda's Aunt Kelly Koelker Wolfe did for her. Thanks Kelly.

No one gives Coda away but as Coda joins Danny in marriage, Coda Koelker Pritchard has a good character and an honorable name to bring to the Derrig family.