River's End (9781426761140) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Lauren.”
    â€œBut why didn’t you tell me she was here? Did you know that I cried myself to sleep on her birthday? How long has she been here, Mom?”
    â€œReally, Lauren, it doesn’t matter.” Anna was trying to guide Lauren out of the cabin now, wanting to give Sarah back herspace . . . the peace and quiet she so desperately seemed to need.
    â€œ
It doesn’t matter?
” Lauren planted her feet firmly in the doorway. “Sarah is my daughter. Don’t I have a right to see her? To find out where she’s been and—”
    â€œIf you love Sarah, you’ll want the best for her,” Anna said firmly. “For right now, she needs time.”
    â€œBut I want to talk to—”
    â€œCome on, Lauren.” Anna tightened her grip on her daughter’s arm. “We are leaving for now.”
    â€œBut Mom!”
    â€œNo buts, Lauren.” Anna locked eyes with her. “Trust me. This is for Sarah’s best.” Lauren was clearly angry, but she allowed Anna to escort her out of the cabin.
    â€œThis isn’t fair,” Lauren exploded as they walked through the open grassy area. “You’ve already spent time with her and I haven’t even—”
    â€œ
Come on
.” Anna continued pulling Lauren by the arm, tugging her toward the river. “Let’s go where we can talk in private.”
    Lauren continued to sputter and fume, questioning her mother’s sanity and judgment as they walked. “I really don’t like this, Mom. You hiding Sarah from me like this. It’s really not fair and—”
    â€œLauren.” Anna gave her a stern look as she pointed to the bench by the river. “If you keep talking like this, how can I explain?”
    â€œFine,” Lauren snapped as she sat down. “Go ahead. Explain.”
    Anna sat down next to her, slowly attempting to tell Sarah’s story, but even as she explained, she knew there were too many missing pieces and unanswered questions. Finally shesighed and held up her hands. “It’s just going to take time,” she said sadly, “and patience.”
    Lauren’s tears began to fall freely. “I’m sorry I got so mad at you,” she sobbed. “It’s just that I—I have so many emotions—running through me. I want to see my daughter—to hold her in my arms. And I want to shake her! I’m so angry! I want to demand to know why she left, why she stayed so long, why she never called.”
    â€œI know . . .” Anna nodded. “I have those same feelings.”
    â€œBut you’re so much more patient than I am,” Lauren confessed. “How do you do it, Mom?”
    Anna made a sad smile as she handed Lauren her handkerchief. “Years of practice, I suppose.”
    â€œWhen can I talk to her, Mom?”
    â€œSoon I hope. But I’m afraid to push her too hard. She’s so fragile . . . and I can tell she’s been hurt.”
    â€œShe seemed different.” Lauren’s brow creased.
    â€œShe has changed . . . but I think our sweet Sarah is still in there . . . somewhere.”
    â€œDoes she hate me?” Lauren asked in a small voice.
    â€œI think she’s just confused.”
    â€œShe has every right to hate me.”
    â€œHatred is like poison, Lauren. Hopefully Sarah doesn’t hate anyone.” But even as Anna said this, she knew that Sarah was full of bitterness. Perhaps with enough time and patience, she would be able to let it go.

4
    With Lauren temporarily pacified, Anna hurried back to the cabin to check on Sarah, but when she knocked on the door, calling out, Sarah didn’t answer. Quietly letting herself in, she found Sarah, now dressed in her long patchwork dress, which still hadn’t been laundered, and buckling up her sandals. “I have to go, Grandma.”
    â€œWhy?” Anna went over and