Read Online The Divided Family by Wanda E. Brunstetter - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Wanda E. Brunstetter
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I was sorry for the hurt I caused when I broke up with her seven years ago.”
Aunt Verna took a sip of buttermilk. “Has it really been that long?”
“Yes, but that’s not the point.”
“What is the point?”
“I apologized, and she forgave me.”
“I’m glad to hear that. It’s always good when a person realizes they’ve wronged someone and tries to make amends.”
Smiling, Joel sagged in his chair with relief. Once Aunt Verna told Doris, Arlene, and Elsie what he’d done, he felt sure he would soon be opening the envelope Dad left for him.
He took another drink and cleared his throat. “So now that I’ve done my good deed, will you tell my sisters you approve and allow me to receive my inheritance?”
She pursed her lips, frowning deeply. “Apologizing to Anna was not a selfless act, Joel.”
Perplexed and feeling a bit miffed, Joel rapped his knuckles on the table. “Then tell me what specifically I need to do.”
“I can’t. It’s something you must find out for yourself.” Aunt Verna left her seat and stepped up to Joel, placing her hand on his heart. “It must come from within. It needs to be heartfelt, not something you do only in the hope of getting your share of my brother’s money.”
Joel’s hands curled into a fist as he inhaled a long breath. This was not going the way he’d planned.
“How is your spiritual life, Joel?” Aunt Verna spoke softly. “Have you prayed about this situation?”
He snorted. “I don’t pray about anything anymore.”
“Well, maybe it’s time you start.” She looked at him with squinted eyes.
Feeling uncomfortable, Joel pushed back his chair. “Sorry I bothered you, Aunt Verna. You obviously don’t understand.”
“I believe I do.” She pointed a bony finger at him. “It’s you who doesn’t understand. Your daed knew that, and he tried to—”
Joel whirled around, turning his back on her. “I don’t want to hear anything about my dad. He never treated me well after I left home, and the stupid thing he put in his will only proves he had no love for me!” Without waiting for his aunt’s response, he jerked open the back door and dashed outside into the frigid air. He was not going to knuckle under and do a selfless act simply because his dad wanted him to. He would figure out some other way to make his fortune!
C HAPTER 9
Farmerstown
I t was hard to believe Christmas was only two days away, but as Doris sat beside Brian at the back of the schoolhouse, the reality sank in. Four of her nephews and nieces took turns reciting their pieces. The story of Jesus’ birth had been acted out in a Nativity scene, with Doug and Scott both playing the parts of shepherds, while Martha and Lillian were angels.
Doris was glad she’d felt up to coming, for she wouldn’t have wanted to miss it. Her best friend was a talented teacher and had done a good job with the children in preparation for this evening’s program.
Glancing around the room, she noticed several hand-drawn pictures of winter scenes. In addition to those, the scholars had made cutout snowflakes of various sizes and shapes to decorate the walls. It brought back memories from when she was a girl. But seeing the scholars and listening to their recitations was bittersweet. It was a harsh reminder that she might never have any children of her own.
She clutched her shawl around her shoulders.
I wonder if my sisters know how fortunate they are to have been given the chance
to be mothers.
Her eyes watered, and she bit the inside of her cheek, hoping the tears wouldn’t fall.
There’s no point feeling sorry for myself. It won’t change a thing. I need to accept what’s happened to me and find a new purpose in life.
Doris glanced at Brian and offered him a brief smile when he clasped her hand. He always seemed to be aware when she needed some reassurance or comfort during times of despair.
I feel blessed,
she thought,
to have found a good husband who loves and cares for
Aunt Verna took a sip of buttermilk. “Has it really been that long?”
“Yes, but that’s not the point.”
“What is the point?”
“I apologized, and she forgave me.”
“I’m glad to hear that. It’s always good when a person realizes they’ve wronged someone and tries to make amends.”
Smiling, Joel sagged in his chair with relief. Once Aunt Verna told Doris, Arlene, and Elsie what he’d done, he felt sure he would soon be opening the envelope Dad left for him.
He took another drink and cleared his throat. “So now that I’ve done my good deed, will you tell my sisters you approve and allow me to receive my inheritance?”
She pursed her lips, frowning deeply. “Apologizing to Anna was not a selfless act, Joel.”
Perplexed and feeling a bit miffed, Joel rapped his knuckles on the table. “Then tell me what specifically I need to do.”
“I can’t. It’s something you must find out for yourself.” Aunt Verna left her seat and stepped up to Joel, placing her hand on his heart. “It must come from within. It needs to be heartfelt, not something you do only in the hope of getting your share of my brother’s money.”
Joel’s hands curled into a fist as he inhaled a long breath. This was not going the way he’d planned.
“How is your spiritual life, Joel?” Aunt Verna spoke softly. “Have you prayed about this situation?”
He snorted. “I don’t pray about anything anymore.”
“Well, maybe it’s time you start.” She looked at him with squinted eyes.
Feeling uncomfortable, Joel pushed back his chair. “Sorry I bothered you, Aunt Verna. You obviously don’t understand.”
“I believe I do.” She pointed a bony finger at him. “It’s you who doesn’t understand. Your daed knew that, and he tried to—”
Joel whirled around, turning his back on her. “I don’t want to hear anything about my dad. He never treated me well after I left home, and the stupid thing he put in his will only proves he had no love for me!” Without waiting for his aunt’s response, he jerked open the back door and dashed outside into the frigid air. He was not going to knuckle under and do a selfless act simply because his dad wanted him to. He would figure out some other way to make his fortune!
C HAPTER 9
Farmerstown
I t was hard to believe Christmas was only two days away, but as Doris sat beside Brian at the back of the schoolhouse, the reality sank in. Four of her nephews and nieces took turns reciting their pieces. The story of Jesus’ birth had been acted out in a Nativity scene, with Doug and Scott both playing the parts of shepherds, while Martha and Lillian were angels.
Doris was glad she’d felt up to coming, for she wouldn’t have wanted to miss it. Her best friend was a talented teacher and had done a good job with the children in preparation for this evening’s program.
Glancing around the room, she noticed several hand-drawn pictures of winter scenes. In addition to those, the scholars had made cutout snowflakes of various sizes and shapes to decorate the walls. It brought back memories from when she was a girl. But seeing the scholars and listening to their recitations was bittersweet. It was a harsh reminder that she might never have any children of her own.
She clutched her shawl around her shoulders.
I wonder if my sisters know how fortunate they are to have been given the chance
to be mothers.
Her eyes watered, and she bit the inside of her cheek, hoping the tears wouldn’t fall.
There’s no point feeling sorry for myself. It won’t change a thing. I need to accept what’s happened to me and find a new purpose in life.
Doris glanced at Brian and offered him a brief smile when he clasped her hand. He always seemed to be aware when she needed some reassurance or comfort during times of despair.
I feel blessed,
she thought,
to have found a good husband who loves and cares for
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