Soilella
By Amber Scott
Once upon a time a handsome, widowed carpenter shopped in the farmer’s market with his beautiful, shy daughter. At the market, while he was picking out tomatoes, a flirty farmer charmed him and made him forget about his sorrow. This woman, who had two daughters of her own, was also widowed and needed help fixing up her home. The man eagerly offered to help the farmer.
After a few months of getting to know the woman and her two daughters, the carpenter married the farmer and moved into her home with his beautiful daughter. The carpenter’s daughter was happy to see her father in love, but her new step-mother and step-sisters treated her like a maid. The carpenter’s daughter cooked, cleaned, and tended to the tomato garden while her step-mother paraded around the farmer’s market like the Queen of Tomatoes. When the carpenter asked his daughter how she felt about the farmer, she did not want to discourage him and said, “I’m happy that she makes you happy!”
One Friday, the farmer and the carpenter decided to take a drive to the countryside but were surprised by a huge storm that swept their truck into a lake. It sank to the bottom with both of them inside. Since the elder step-sister had recently turned eighteen, she took on the responsibility of the farm and home, and she raised both sisters. Of course, remembering how harsh the farmer was to the carpenter’s daughter, the step-sisters continued to treat her poorly. They decided to call her Soilella because of how dirty her hands and knees would get from digging in the garden. However, Soilella continued to respect and obey her step-sisters because they were loved by her late father.
Soilella’s junior year in high school, a new, rich beau enrolled. His family owned a grocery chain: Prince Groceries. All of the restaurant and farmer teens were impressed by how charming and handsome he was. The students rushed home to tell their families, including Soilella’s step-sister who was in the same grade. “Sister! Sister!” the younger step-sister called when she entered their home. “There’s this cute new boy at school and he owns a grocery store! I’m going to be his best friend if I don’t marry him!”
The elder step-sister’s eyes widened. “You should bring him some tomatoes tomorrow for lunch! That’ll really get his attention.” As the step-sisters chatted about how handsome and rich he was, a Facebook invitation was received:
CALLING ALL FARMERS AND RESTAURANTEURS:
THIS SATURDAY THE PRINCE FAMILY WILL BE HOSTING A PARTY TO GET TO KNOW THE LOVELY PEOPLE WHO FEED THIS TOWN.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VENDING WITH PRINCE GROCERIES, PLEASE REGISTER ASAP WITH YOUR BUSINESS’ NAME, YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, AND BUSINESS ID.
PLEASE BRING YOUR BUSINESS CARDS.
OUR FAMILY WILL HAVE CATERING, BUT PLEASE FEEL FREE TO NOTE IN YOUR RSVP IF YOU’D LIKE TO BRING A DISH, DRINK, OR PRODUCE SO THAT WE MAY HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO TRY YOUR DELICIOUS FOOD!
ALL OTHER GUESTS MUST RSVP WITH A $50 COVER CHARGE.
DRESS CODE IS BUSINESS CASUAL.
The step-sisters squealed with excitement. “Oh my gosh! We have to go shopping. We have to be the best dressed there!” screamed the younger step-sister.
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“Oh, we will be!” shouted the elder sister. “And don’t even worry about bringin’ that tomato tomorrow. We’re gonna have Soilella pick the best tomatoes we have for the party.”
As she stood in the doorway, Soilella summed up the courage to ask, “Can I come shopping with you both for an outfit for the party?”
The step-sisters stopped parading in the living room and burst into teary and boisterous laughter. Arrogantly, the younger step-sister said, “Why would we let you go to the party? You’re usually so dirty from being in the tomatoes half the day. You should stay home while we handle business.”
Soilella held back her tears and nodded her head before she went upstairs to her bedroom. She cried in her pillowcase until it was time for her to make dinner.
All week, the step-sisters ordered Soilella around. They critiqued the tomatoes she picked and criticized her cooking. However, when it was time to ask Soilella if their outfits looked professional and posh, Soilella did her best to compliment them and even helped alter and hem their outfits where it was needed.
When the day of the party came, the elder sister uncovered the carpenter’s classic Cadillac, and the step-sisters drove away with the top down. “Make sure you finish your chores in the garden!” yelled the elder step-sister as she cackled and waved goodbye.
Soilella smiled as she waved back, but as soon as she kneeled in the garden the tears streamed down her cheeks and rained on the tomatoes. “Oh God! I pray that someone would help me! I pray that I could go to the party too! I know I can’t afford it without my sisters, but I wish I could go anyway just to feel beautiful and seen!”
As Soilla sobbed in the garden, a bee buzzed past her and catapulted into the wagon full of fertilizer. The loud thud shocked Soilella. When she turned her head she saw two tall, black patent leather pumps hanging from the wagon, attached to two bony legs.
“Well, don’t just sit there!” called the person. “Help me out of this smelly pile of soil!”
Soilella jumped up and dug into the soil for a hand. She pulled and pulled until they both flung back with dirt covering them.
“Aah! That’s so much better! Now I can smell the tomato flowers.” The woman brushed off her gold ruffle dress and shook more dirt from her teeny weeny afro.
“Wh-who are you?” Soilella asked as she gazed at the black-skinned woman in front of her …
