Sarah's Orphans Read Online Free PDF

Although he didn’t show any symptoms of an eating disorder like she had, obviously he was struggling with their situation.
    Instead of running out after her brother, she remained where she was, sewing by the light of a gas lantern and praying for the restoration of her family.

CHAPTER 7
    T he next morning things went more smoothly. Henry ate early and then hurried off to work. Several of the Amish youth who worked at the restaurant in their small downtown area shared a ride. He had to be at the end of their lane by seven a.m.
    Sarah thought that Luke seemed better this morning. Though he didn’t apologize for his outburst the night before, he did thank her for his lunch, and he teased Isaac that at least he had managed to get them a ride to school in the buggy.
    â€œI’d rather walk and not be in trouble.” After he grabbed his lunch box, Isaac threw his arms around Sarah’s waist, giving her a tight hug goodbye.
    â€œTell Mamm goodbye,” she reminded him.
    He’d waved awkwardly at Deborah, who was busy staring at a sheet of paper. Andy was already walking through the snow to the buggy. Although they’d had no new accumulation, the temperature hadn’t risen above freezing for days. But this morning Sarah could see the snow in the road melting as the sun finally broke through the clouds. She was glad that Andy’s forecast had been wrong. She’d had quite enough snow to last her for a few weeks.
    Sarah cleaned up the breakfast dishes. She spent the next twenty minutes cutting up vegetables for a soup, grateful that she had ham to add to it and that they could have cornbread and fresh butter with the meal. Next, she fetched her sewing and spread it out on the kitchen table. Glancing up, she noticed that her mother had gone back into her bedroom and changed clothes. She was now wearing her Sunday dress. As Sarah watched in amazement, she carried the single suitcase they owned out of her bedroom and set it next to the front door.
    â€œ Mamm , what’s going on?”
    But instead of answering, Deborah continued to stare out the front window.
    Sarah’s stomach began to quiver, and she thought she might not be able to keep down the little she had eaten. She closed her eyes and focused on breathing deeply and calming her digestive system. Some days it worked. Other days she lost that fight, but she was determined to try. She would not be ruled by her illness as her father had been by his.
    Opening her eyes, she saw that her mother had donned her coat.
    â€œWhere are you going?”
    Deborah turned to look at her then, actually look at her for the first time in what seemed like months. Glancing back at the road, as if she was afraid she might miss something important, she walked quickly across the room and sat down next to Sarah.
    â€œI’m leaving.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œThe letter—it was from my cousin.”
    â€œYour cousin?”
    â€œYes, and she’s offered to let me come and stay awhile.”
    â€œWhat cousin?”
    Her mother waved away the question. “I only took enough money to pay for the bus fare.”
    â€œYou’re taking the bus?” Sarah’s mind was swirling. In fact, it felt as if the very room were tilting. She shook her head, aware that the situation was quickly spiraling out of control. “ Mamm , where are you going?”
    â€œTo my cousin’s, in Florida.”
    â€œBut what about us?”
    â€œYou don’t need me.”
    A shadow crossed Deborah’s face, and Sarah was certain that she was about to shut down again. She’d uttered more words in the last five minutes than she had in the previous month.
    â€œWe do need you. How can you say that? You’re our mother. You’re—”
    â€œStop! Just…stop.”
    Sarah’s heart skittered into a triple beat as a car vehicle pulled up in their driveway. She recognized Amelia Stark’s van. The woman often gave