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got a lot of questions. Sharon probably told me the answers, but whenever she started talking religion, I closed my ears.”
    “How about Bessie’s Corner Café tomorrow morning when you finish work? Around seven fifteen?”
    “Yep. See you there.” Dutch raised his hand, put the truck in gear, and turned right.
    Zeke smiled slightly as the truck disappeared around the corner.
    The sun was coming up. Zeke closed his eyes for a moment, trying not to think about the days ahead. Lord, just get me through this day. Wade with me through all this pain and help me climb up on the other side.

    Abra cried all afternoon. Daddy didn’t want her anymore because it was her fault Mommy had died. She had heard Daddy saying she made too much work for Mommy.
    Mrs. Matthews sat with her in Penny’s bedroom, stroking her back and telling her how much they loved her and how they hoped she’d learn to love them, too. Abra couldn’t keep her eyes open.
    She awakened when Penny came home and bounded up the stairs. Her father called her back down before she reached the door. Abra got up and sat in the window seat.
    The door opened a few minutes later, and the whole family came in. They came over to Abra, and Penny sat beside her. “Mommy and Daddy said you’re going to be my sister.” When tears poured down Abra’s cheeks, Penny looked uncertain. “Don’t you want to be my sister?”
    Abra’s lip trembled. “I want to be your friend.”
    Mrs. Matthews put a hand on each of their heads and smoothed their hair. “Now you can be both.”
    Penny hugged Abra. “I told Mommy I wanted you to be my sister. She said to pray about it, and I did. I prayed and prayed, and now I have exactly what I’ve always wanted.”
    Abra wondered what would happen when Penny changed her mind. Like Daddy.

    After dinner, One Man’s Family on the radio, and story time, Abra was tucked into bed with Penny. Mrs. Matthews kissed each of them, turned out the light, and closed the door. Penny chattered away until she fell asleep in midsentence.
    Wide-awake, Abra stared up at the lace canopy.
    Mommy said she would love her forever, and Mommy died. Mommy said God wouldn’t take her away, but He did. Daddy said he loved her, but then he said she couldn’t live with him anymore. She had to stay here and live with the Matthews family. He said Mr. and Mrs. Matthews wanted to be her daddy and mommy.
    Why didn’t it matter what Abra wanted?
    Rain pattered on the roof, a few drops that quickened to a steady drumming. Penny turned over, talking in her sleep. Pushing the covers off, Abra got up and sat in the window seat. Wrapping her arms around her legs, she rested her chin on her knees. The streetlights looked blurry in the rain. The front gate banged. The wind chimes jingled.
    A man came around the corner a block down and continued up the sidewalk. Daddy! Maybe he’d changed his mind and wanted her back!
    She rose to her knees, hands on the window.
    He glanced up once and slowed as he walked along the white picket fence.
    Had he seen her? She tapped on the window. The wind whippedthe branches of the three birch trees in the corner of the front yard. He stood below her at the gate. As she tapped again, harder, Abra’s heart thumped.
    He didn’t look up or come through the gate. He stood motionless, head bowed, the way he did whenever he prayed. When he did that, Mommy always said to wait because he was talking to God.
    Abra sat back on her heels, bowing her own head, hands clasped tightly. “Please, God, please, please, make my daddy take me home. Please. I’ll be good. I promise. I won’t make anybody too tired or sick.” She dashed tears away. “I wanna go home.”
    Full of hope, she rose and looked out the window.
    Daddy had walked to the end of the block. She stared as he disappeared around the corner.

    Peter and Priscilla talked in whispers. Sometimes they looked upset. Then they’d put bright smiles on their faces and pretend everything was fine.