Page 15 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
The story continued as Dolly refused to settle and Mama had to scold them. Sasha did her best to get Dolly to be quiet. Finally, she read to the doll from the Bible story book her mama read to Sasha.
She opened the story book. “Jesus loves us.”
Dolly looked at the picture of Jesus with the little children. “Why?”
“Because he does. Mama says it’s in the Bible so it’s true.”
“But I’ve been bad tonight.”
“Jesus died on the cross to pay for the bad things we do.” Sasha turned the page where Jesus was on the cross.
“Why?”
“Because he loves us.”
“Even when we’re bad?”
Sasha showed Dolly the picture of Jesus talking to his friend, Peter.
“Peter wasn’t always good, but Jesus still loved him, so I know He loves us even when we do bad things.”
Dolly thought and thought. Sometimes Dolly had to think very hard to understand things.
“I like that.” She used her sleepy voice. Her eyes closed.
Sasha put her on the pillow and crawled under the covers next to Dolly.
“I like that too.” Her eyes wouldn’t stay open.
Neither Dolly nor Sasha heard Mama come in and whisper, “Good night.”
Bryn slowly closed the book, waiting for Susie to make the first move.
Susie turned her face up to Bryn. “Auntie, was I naughty?”
Bryn understood she referred to her mother’s death. It was a question the child had asked before. “No, you weren’t. Your mama loved you so much and now she’s loving you from heaven. God loves you even more and He’s watching over you. Every day no matter what.”
Susie nodded and pressed her cheek to Bryn’s shoulder. “I likes Uncle Flint.”
“Me too. I think God sent us to him so we could be happy.”
“Mama would like that, wouldn’t she?”
“She certainly would.”
Susie scrambled to her feet. “Can I puts my books in my new room?”
“That’s a great idea.”
They spent the next hour putting Susie’s things away. They were rearranged several times before Susie was satisfied with their placement.
“Do you want to play or help me with my things?”
“I play.” She already had her doll on the bed and proceeded to wrap her in her blanket. Her favorite book also lay beside her.
Bryn knew she would pretend to read the story to her doll. She slipped away quietly but paused at the door to watch her niece.Please God, help her continue to find joy in her life. Grant me wisdom in raising her.As she turned away, she added, almost shyly,Thank you for Flint.
She stood in the center of the other bedroom and studied it. The quilt on the bed was squares of muted earth tones. She doubted that Flint had made it. Had Adele? Or someone else he knew? Or had he paid someone to make it? She trailed her finger over its surface. Soft. It would be warm in the winter. No pictures hung on the walls. That could soon be remedied as she’dbrought several framed pictures from home. Or what used to be home.
