Angela's Hope (Wildflowers) Read Online Free PDF Page A

to be jumping forward in huge leaps soon. Angela was grateful for less pain and better sleep at night. For anything else she was willing to wait and see. All she had to do was remember the pain of that one day jostling in a wagon after her accident to be thankful for healing even if it was slow.
    Edith and Angela made quick work of getting her dressed. It always warmed Angela’s heart to hear Edith humming softly under her breath as she did any work at all. It was so quiet and barely there. A shy song but it added a moment of joy to Angela’s morning, being so close to her and hearing her soft whispery humming. Just another thing to look forward to today, she thought. That and walking !
    “I want to get outside today. Seems a lovely summer’s day.” Angela’s voice was chipper as she ate her ham and eggs. Henry had slaughtered a pig just two days before and all enjoyed the fresh meat, the cafeteria would be sharing some of the fresh pork with the men today and everyone was buzzing about it around the small town. Venison was much more common, pork was luxury to the soldiers of the fort.
    “I could see us getting out for a bit today. After morning exercises the main courtyard would be ideal to try out a few steps. It’s open and flat and there is a pleasant breeze. I am sure you want to get out of this hot house. I have been meaning to put in a summer kitchen for Edith. Perhaps I should do that this year.” Henry said and grabbed one of the women’s fans that were on a nearby stand. He spent more time near the home while Angela was there. He could lift her better than Edith. “Edith, now that I know how hot your kitchen gets in the summer, even now in the cool morning it’s hot as hades in here.”
    Edith hushed him from talking about such places with a chuckle. “Well, a summer kitchen is something I do dream about, perhaps a nice place just in the back of the house with a nice awning. A small cook stove would work just fine. I even saw in one magazine how some women use a mesh screen around the place to keep out bugs. But a simple awning would be a delicious start.” Edith grabbed at any empty dishes on the table and was softly humming again. She plunked the dishes in the wash water and then wiped at a few with a wet rag.
    Henry left to check on his soldiers and keep them drilling. He had a new training officer and liked to keep an eye on how his new man did things.
    * * * * *
     
    A few hours later Angela was in the courtyard where the soldiers usually did their marching drills and morning exercises. The ground was even and the breeze was nicer out in the open instead of the hot kitchen. Henry and Edith were very supportive and as soon as they got her invalid chair in place Henry made her wait so he could get her a chair to lean on.
    “No need for you to fall when a chair could steady ya.” Henry said practically.
    Angela nodded and waited patiently for him to come back with a sturdy kitchen chair. He placed it next to the invalid chair and held out an arm. It was time. With a few wobbly movements trying to get out of the wiggly chair she was standing. Once she felt secure on her feet Henry brought the chair closer.  She used the chair back to balance and put her weight on the uninjured leg. One step down, she could feel the muscle weakness in her good leg even from just all the lying about. Soon she got brave and swung the other leg forward and put her full weight on it alone. The bruised muscle did protest but it was bearable. She let go of the chair leg and Henry took a few steps closer. She looked at Edith and was almost certain that her caretaker wasn’t breathing.
    “It’s okay, it hurts but it is manageable.” Angela said.
    With her arms free she stepped back to her stronger leg then before she lost her nerve she took five steps as normally as she could without thinking. She was surprised to hear the whole place erupt in cheers as the mess hall doors opened and the fort men made their presence