Read Online Lizabeth's Story by Thomas Kinkade - Free Book Online Page B

She’d take a chance on creeping down the stairs and out the back door.
    A night-light shone through the open doorway of Tracy’s room. How could she possibly leave without seeing her?
    She expected to find Tracy looking angelic in her sleep. But Tracy was thrashing in her bed, tangled in her sheets and whimpering. Tracy was suffering!
    Lizabeth felt something squeeze her heart. “Tracy?” she whispered. “Are you awake?”
    â€œWater,” Tracy murmured.
    Lizabeth sat down on the bed. In the dim light her little sister’s eyes looked sunken deep into their sockets.
    â€œLizabeth?”
    â€œI’m here,” Lizabeth whispered. She poured water into a glass from the carafe on the nightstand.
    Tracy was too weak to sit up. Lizabeth put her arm around her and propped her up while she took a fewsips. She was shocked by the heat coming off the small body.
    â€œOh, Trace!”
    Tracy pushed the glass away and sank back into the pillow. “I’m hot,” she whimpered.
    There was a folded washcloth on the nightstand. It looked like it had been used for cold compresses. Lizabeth dipped an end in water and gently wiped Tracy’s flushed face. It was drawn and very small.
    â€œIs that better?” Lizabeth asked.
    â€œI’m sorry, Lizabeth,” Tracy whispered.
    â€œYou’ll get well soon. I know you will.” Lizabeth stroked her hair. It was damp and sticky with sweat. “I’m so sorry you’re sick.”
    â€œIt’s punish…punishment,” Tracy said. “God is mad at me.”
    Lizabeth’s spine tingled in fear. Had Tracy become delirious?
    â€œI’m sorry,” Tracy whispered.
    â€œNo, Tracy, God isn’t mad at you. I promise.”
    â€œYour pink velvet ribbon. I took it. ’Cause it was so pretty. And…and I lied.”
    â€œOh, cupcake, I don’t care about the ribbon. I’m so sorry I yelled at you. I didn’t mean it.”
    â€œI’m sick ’cause I was bad.” Tracy moaned. “Lizabeth, I’m hot.”
    â€œNo, no, you’re a good girl.” Tears filled Lizabeth’s eyes. “You’re sick because…” She didn’t know what to give for a reason. It wasn’t fair! “Because…because the sickness was in Cape Light and you caught it. Lots of people did. You know Mabel, don’t you? She had the sickness and she’s all well now.”
    â€œMabel, the big girl? Was she bad, too?”
    â€œNo, Tracy. No one was bad. You were never bad.” Lizabeth held back a sob and dampened the towel again. “Please don’t think that.” She wiped Tracy’s face and neck. “I love you. We all love you. Mother and Father, Chris, Ada, Kat—”
    â€œI’m scared to go to sleep,” Tracy whispered.
    â€œDon’t be scared. God loves you. Do you want to pray with me?”
    Tracy nodded.
    â€œDear God, please help Tracy get well soon. Tracy and I ask that she has good dreams tonight, sweet dreams about pussycats and baby dolls and spring flowers. Please let her sleep tight in your loving arms and wake up bright-eyed in the morning. Amen.”
    Lizabeth was surprised by the sense of peace thatcame over her. She was the least religious of all her friends. Tracy’s face, too, looked peaceful now.
    â€œYou forgot God bless Mother, Father, Chris, our friends and neighbors…” Tracy’s eyes were barely open. “…and all the ships at sea.”
    â€œYou’re right.” Lizabeth’s voice broke. “God bless us all.”
    Tracy snuggled against the pillow clutching her teddy bear.
    Lizabeth straightened the sheet. “Do you think you can sleep now?”
    â€œUh-huh,” Tracy murmured faintly. Soon her eyelids were closed, lashes curving against her cheeks. She was breathing softly through partly open lips. It hurt Lizabeth to see how the fever had cracked and parched the