Blessings Read Online Free PDF Page A

voice and called, “Mama? Can we talk?”
    Mama shoved the last tray into the dishwasher, closed the door, and flipped the switch. The roar of running water echoed throughout the kitchen. “At home, Trina. Let’s finish up here without delays, please.”
    Trina clamped her lips together and nodded. Might be better to wait until she was home and could talk to both parents at once, anyway. Even though Dad was strict, he was usually more reasonable than Mama. She headed to the dining room to refill the napkin dispensers.
    When Trina and her mother reached their home, the sky was fully dark. Dad sat in the living room in an overstuffed chair shaped like his bulky form, a newspaper in his hands. He set the paper aside when they entered. “Ah, you’re home.”
    Trina glanced at the ticking clock on the wall. With worship service in the morning, normally the family went to bed early on Saturday nights. Trina fully expected her mother to give her customary order—“Off to bed now. Service tomorrow.” But she surprised Trina by sinking onto the sofa and patting the seat beside her. “All right. What did you want to talk about?”
    Encouraged by her mother’s apparent openness, Trina scurried to the sofa and sat, turning her body slightly to face both parents. They looked at her expectantly, and Trina offered a quick, silent prayer. Let them say yes, Lord, please .. . .
    “Yesterday when I went out to Andrew’s to help with Regen—”
    “Oh, Trina,” Mama cut in, sighing, “if it’s about the horse, can it wait until tomorrow? I’m tired.”
    Trina released a little grunt of displeasure. “Mama, please, let me finish. It isn’t about the horse.”
    Mama’s eyebrows came together briefly, but she remained silent. Turning her gaze to her father, Trina continued. “When I was helping with Regen, Dr. Groening came out. He said I did a good job getting the horse stabilized. He said I have an innate ability with animal care, and”—she took a deep breath, her gaze flitting briefly to her mother’s stern face—“he offered me a job at his clinic.”
    Mama said, “You already have a job.” She started to rise.
    Dad leaned forward, putting out his hand. “Wait, Deborah.” He looked at his daughter. “What kind of job?”
    Trina faced Dad, ignoring Mama’s pursed lips. “He didn’t exactly say, but I would imagine I’d be helping with the animals—cleaning up after surgery and assisting during exams. Really learning how to help them when they’re hurt.”
    Dad frowned at her. “And you’d like that?”
    To her embarrassment, tears sprang into her eyes. The desire to follow her childhood dream of caring for animals welled up and filled her, and it was all she could do to keep from begging her parents for this chance. But she swallowed hard and nodded.
    Dad’s stern countenance softened with a gentle smile. “Ever since you were a little girl, you’ve brought home hurt animals and nursed them. I understand why you want to work with Dr. Groening.” He propped his elbow on the chair arm, cupping his chin. “But Lehigh is too far to walk, Trina, and you don’t drive.”
    “I could learn. Graham said he’d teach me.”
    Mama and Dad exchanged quick glances. “You’ve asked Graham to teach you to drive?” Mama’s voice was sharp.
    Trina felt heat rush to her cheeks. “I didn’t ask. He just offered.”
    “A kind gesture, but it isn’t his responsibility,” Dad said.
    Mama cut in. “I’ve never learned to drive, and I do just fine.”
    “But you work right here in town, Mama—just blocks from home. If I—”
    “I depend on you to help in the café.” Mama glared at Trina, daring her to contradict her.
    Trina clasped her hands together in her lap. “I know you depend on me to help in the café, Mama, but now that it’s summer, there are other girls who could work there. Some, like Kelly Dick, are finished with school now for good, so maybe they’d like an every-day job. Someone else