The Divided Family Read Online Free Page A

sisters. The rest of the time she’d rested in Brian’s recliner. Sitting around so much got on her nerves. Doris had always been a doer, and watching others do all the work she should have been doing herself made her feel even worse.
    Another thing that really bothered Doris was seeing Arlene’s baby, Samuel, laughing and rolling about in his playpen. It was wrong to be jealous, but she couldn’t help herself. She wanted nothing more than to have a child of her own and struggled with the thought that it might never happen.
    Elsie stepped in front of Doris’s chair. “Are you sure you don’t want one of us to stay until Brian gets home from work? I’d be happy to do that.”
    “No, you go ahead. I’ll stay right here in the recliner until he arrives, so don’t worry about me.”
    Both sisters hesitated but finally nodded. “We’ll be back tomorrow, so don’t try to do anything on your own,” Arlene said.
    She held up one hand. “I promise.”
    After Elsie and Arlene left, Doris leaned her head back and closed her eyes, feeling drowsy. She was almost to the point of dozing off, when a knock sounded on the door, jolting her upright. Needing to see who it was, she grabbed her crutches and stood. When she hobbled across the room and opened the door, she was surprised to see her friend Anna on the porch.
    “I’ve wanted to come by and see how you’re doing,” Anna said breathlessly, “but things have been busy at the schoolhouse with the Christmas program coming up soon, and I couldn’t get away.”
    “Well, you’re here now, and I’m glad to see you.” Doris gestured with her head toward the living room. “Come inside and we can sit and visit.”
    “Jah, we do need to sit, because you should get off your feet.” Anna removed her outer garments and draped them over a chair. “How are you feeling? Is your leg still painful?”
    “It hurts sometimes,” Doris admitted. “It feels better when I keep it propped up.” She took a seat in the recliner, and Anna seated herself on the couch across from her.
    “How are things at school? Do all the scholars know their parts for the program?”
    “Some do, but others are having a hard time remembering their recitations.” Anna smiled. “I’m sure everyone will do fine on the evening of the program, though.”
    “I remember when I was nine years old I was given a poem to recite. When I looked out and saw my parents that evening, I became
naerfich
and forgot what I was supposed to say.” Doris rubbed the bridge of her nose, as the embarrassment of the moment came back to her. She’d taken some teasing from Joel on the way home, and of course, he’d bragged about the fact that he’d done well with his part.
    “I felt nervous during some of my Christmas programs when I was a girl, too.” Anna sat quietly, as though pondering something. Then she looked at Doris and said, “I’m sorry you lost your boppli. I know how much you looked forward to becoming a
mamm
.”
    Tears welled in Doris’s eyes, but she tilted her head up and blinked to prevent them from falling onto her cheeks. “It’s hard to say this, but I guess it was not meant to be. Maybe Brian and I aren’t supposed to have any
kinner.
”
    “Is that what you really think, or is it your way of accepting what happened?”
    “I–I’m not sure. My desire to be a parent hasn’t left, but I need to accept whatever God’s will is for me and Brian.”
    Anna nodded slowly, as a flush of crimson color crept across her cheeks. “I understand. I’ve had to work through my feelings for Joel and accept the fact that he and I are not meant to be together. He’s engaged to marry someone else now, so there’s no hope of us ever being together.”
    “Actually, he’s not engaged anymore.” Feeling a sudden chill, Doris picked up the coverlet and placed it over her knees, appreciating the warmth it offered.
    “Really?” Anna’s eyes widened. “What happened?”
    “It’s not my place to give