April Raintree Read Online Free PDF Page A

good feeling to see them like that. At least they were together. They had each other. As we passed them, I waved to them, excited that I was seeing them again, in such a short time. They both smiled and waved back to me.
    As we drove further and further away from them and I could no longer see them from the rear window, I became sad again. I just wanted to cry but I couldn’t, not in front of Mrs. Semple. I figured that if I did cry, she wouldn’t let me see them again. I answered ‘yes’ or ‘no’ whenever she asked me something because I knew my voice would give me away. When we got to the Dions, Mrs. Semple explained to Mrs. Dion that I would be moody for a while because of the family visit but not to coddle me or I would carry on like this after every family visit. I didn’t much like Mrs. Semple for saying that. How would she feel? I went off to my bedroom and was glad that Nicole wasn’t there. I felt the same as when I first came there.
    A little later, Mrs. Dion came into my room and asked me in a gentle, coddling voice, “April, do you want to come out for supper? It’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
    â€œI’m not hungry,” I said listlessly.
    â€œI know how you must feel. But if you eat something you’ll feel much better. How about if I brought a plate for you? Nicole can do her homework in the kitchen tonight.” Mrs. Dion patted me on the arm and left.
    I ate all the food on my plate that night, knowing it would make Mrs. Dion happy. When I finished, I took my plate and glass into the kitchen. The Dions were all sitting at the table, having their meal. They all looked at me. I felt shy and timid again. I wondered what had been said about me. I was an outsider and felt more than ever, that I didn’t belong to this family. They were being nice to me, that’s all. I had my own real family. I wondered again how long it would be before I could go home.
    â€œAre you feeling any better, April?” Mrs. Dion later came in to ask me.
    â€œYes,” I replied. I had been half lying and sitting so I sat up properly on the edge of the bed. Mrs. Dion sat next to me. I asked, “Mrs. Dion, why can’t I be with my Mom and Dad?”
    â€œYou poor angel. It must be so hard on you.” Mrs. Dion put her arm around my shoulders.
    â€œI want to be with my Mom and Dad. I want to be with Cheryl.” I tried hard not to cry but I felt so sorry for myself that the sobs and tears broke loose. Mrs. Dion hugged me to her and rocked me back and forth.
    She tried to explain, “Honey, sometimes we can’t have everything we want. Believe me, living here with us is what’s best for you right now. I know it’s hard to understand that. You just have to trust in God’s wisdom.”
    â€œMom and Dad say they’re sick. They say that when they’re better, then we can go home to them. But they used to take a lot of medicine before and it never made them any better. So, maybe they never will get better. Maybe they never will take us home with them, will they?”
    â€œHoney, that medicine that your Morn and Dad take does make them feel better but not for long and not in the right way. Someday you’ll understand that. For now, just keep loving them and praying for them. And try to be happy with us. We all care for you very much, April.”
    â€œI know. It’s just that… I belong to my Mom and Dad.”
    â€œThat’s true, April.” Mrs. Dion gave me a big hug and then stood up. “Come and join us for the Rosary now. Tonight, we’ll say it for your family.”
    I did feel a whole lot better but I wondered about the mysterious medicine.
    My first Christmas with the Dions was celebrated much differently than when I was with my family. We went to bed right after supper but of course we couldn’t sleep for a long time. Then when we did finally get to sleep, Mrs. Dion came to wake us up so we