Read Online A Daughter's Dream by Shelley Shepard Gray - Free Book Online

haven’t.”
    Lilly looked at her. “Why not?” Her voice wasn’t sharp. Instead it was curious.
    And it made Rebecca reflect on things, too. “I’m not really sure,” she said with a shrug. “I don’t think I really have a reason. I just always felt that it wasn’t the right time.”
    â€œOh.” Lilly frowned and stared straight ahead again.
    There she’d gone again. Messing something up that she should have taken more care with. The last thing she’d wanted to do was embarrass the girl.
    Maybe it was time to switch topics. “So, how is your uncle doing?”
    â€œOnkle Jacob? He’s fine, I guess. Better than me.”
    â€œWhat’s bothering you?”
    â€œOther than the fact that both my parents died and I’m the new girl here? Not a thing.”
    â€œI’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.”
    The girl sighed. “You weren’t. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.”
    â€œWould you like to talk about things? I’m a good listener.”
    Pure frustration lit the girl’s features. “Miss Kinsinger, I don’t know why you decided to walk with me but I’m okay. I don’t need a new teacher friend.”
    Each word was harsh and laced with bitterness. But there was so much pain, too, that Rebecca realized she couldn’t be upset by Lilly’s rudeness. Instead, her heart went out to the girl. It was obvious that she was grieving.
    â€œI’m sorry. I should’ve remembered your background. I spoke without thinking.”
    Lilly, with her auburn hair and green eyes, stared at her in confusion. Then, to her surprise, she flushed as if she was embarrassed. “Listen, I’m sorry I’m being mean. I just get tired of talking about myself.”
    She flinched. “You don’t need to apologize. I . . . well, I just wanted you to know I cared.” They were now on Main Street. In just a few minutes, Lilly would be at the store and Rebecca would be at the mill.
    â€œWhy? What difference does it make? No matter what you might think or feel, it won’t change anything. No matter how sorry you are or how much I smile and try to get on, it won’t bring them back. They’re gone forever.”
    â€œI know.” Taking a ragged breath, she forced herself to push through the pain. “Lilly, I’m sorry about your parents. I know how you must feel.”
    â€œYeah, right.”
    â€œI do. Both of my parents are in Heaven, too.”
    But instead of looking like she was glad to meet someone who had experienced the same loss, she simply looked at her blankly. “Did your parents die suddenly in a car accident?”
    â€œWell, nee . My mother died years ago. But my daed —”
    â€œWere you forced to move out of your house and leave all of your friends during your last year of school?” Lilly interrupted.
    â€œ Nee , but—”
    â€œAnd are you an only child living with grandparents who are old and an uncle who knows less about kids than pretty much anyone?”
    â€œOf course not.”
    â€œThen you do not know how I’m feeling.”
    â€œYou’re right. I am sorry for trying to be your friend.”
    Lilly sighed impatiently. “Miss Kinsinger, like I said, I amsorry I’m being so rude. I appreciate you being nice, too. But the fact of the matter is that I would really rather not talk—”
    â€œThat’s enough, Lilly,” a deep voice called out.
    Startled, both Lilly and Rebecca turned around to discover that Jacob, Lilly’s uncle, was approaching.
    The teenager groaned. “Great. Just when I thought this day couldn’t get any worse . . . it did.”
    Rebecca was pretty sure she couldn’t agree more.

Chapter 7
    J acob’s face was thunderous. So thunderous, Lilly looked alarmed.
    And Rebecca had no idea how to make this whole fiasco of a conversation