Rory's Promise Read Online Free

two-year-old Violet on one hip and a small satchel with their few clothes on the other. Those last days that Ma had been dying, she'd made Rory promise to go to Sister Anna. The burial arrangements were all made with their neighbor, Mrs. O'Malley. She had helped nurse Ma and she had kept Ma's things, “as payment,” she said. The only thing Rory had been able to salvage was Ma's necklace. Her hand went to the saint's medal hanging around her neck. The Virgin Mary. Ma's patron saint. Fat lot of good the saint had done for Ma , Rory thought. Immediately she felt guilty. Ma would be so angry at Rory for thinking such a thing, not to mention what Sister Anna would say.
    Relieved of her responsibilities for the moment, Rory didn't want to go to class. She made her way to the chapel, carefully avoiding any nuns who might ask where she was going or, more specifically, why she wasn't going where she was supposed to be. Funny how she hated having to go to chapel for services every day but it was her first choice whenever she wanted to be alone. Every room in the huge Foundling complex of buildings, schools, and hospitals wasplain and serviceable, except for the chapel. It was beautiful, not huge, each side of the square room perhaps sixty feet long. The decorations in the chapel were gifts from the powerful and wealthy donors who supported the Foundling.
    A large circular window over the entrance faced south and the afternoon sun streamed in. The domed ceiling made Rory feel as though she was in heaven. Best of all, the room was empty. Here she could think. But first she had to pay her respects to her favorite statue. The Virgin Mary, dressed all in blue and white with gold trim, stood in her own alcove.
    First she said her own Hail Mary. That was only proper. Then Rory settled in for a nice chat. “Hi, Lady Mary,” she said, craning her neck to see the beautiful face. “We've got a new baby. You should keep an eye on him. His name is Joseph—like your husband—so you won't forget. I know there are a lot of us to look after.” She described how Violet was still up to her old tricks in the middle of the night. And about the wet nurses in line with the babies. “Please, Lady Mary, take care of them, especially the babies.”
    Rory made the sign of the cross and turned away. The pulpit to one side of the white marble altar beckoned to her. Making sure she was unobserved, she climbed up to where Father Robert usually stood to deliver his homily. Rory put her shoulders back, took a deep breath, and pronounced, “And on the eighth day God decided that all the children get to go to the park and play.” The words rolled off her tongue and filled the corners of the chapel. Emboldened, Roryadded, “And they should have ice cream every night. And no more strengthening gruel. Ever. Amen.”
    “Rory!”
    Rory stepped back, startled. She fell off the pulpit platform and skinned her knee.
    Sister Anna glided down the aisle, her expression stern. “Rory Fitzpatrick! This is the house of Our Lord, not a theatrical stage!”
    Rory scrambled to her feet, trying not to wince at the sharp pain in her knee. “Sister, I was just … just wondering how Father Robert manages to be heard in every corner of the chapel.”
    Cheeks flaming with color, Sister Anna said, “The excellent acoustics in the chapel are no excuse for your disrespectful behavior. And I take offense at your suggestion that you aren't fed properly.”
    “I'm sorry, ma'am.” Rory bobbed a short curtsy and started to make her exit. That could have been worse , she thought.
    “Wait,” Sister Anna said.
    Rory stopped and slowly turned around. “Yes, Sister?”
    “I need to talk to you.” Sister Anna glanced around the ornate chapel. “But not here. In my office.” Without waiting for Rory's response, Sister Anna led the way out a side door.
    Rory reluctantly followed. No good news was ever delivered in Sister Anna's office.

CHAPTER Six
    “Y OU LIED TO M E !” T HE