Fade Into The End

Part 3

Claire was still asleep on her cot, I didn't want to wake her but I knew that I had to tell her about the baby. I knew that Momma didn't have it in her to tell Claire about the baby herself, she was still in the bathroom staring at the lifeless baby in her arms. I knew that Claire would be crushed; she was so excited about not being the youngest and to have a baby in family. How could this be even remotely fair? We didn't do anything to deserve this.

Momma needed food. Claire needed food. I needed food. The only thing in our pantry was a half loaf of bread and three apples. I was tired of having bread to eat, so I did the only thing I could think of, I decided that I was old enough to go out and find a job.

Momma didn't seem like she was going to look for a job anytime soon. What we have gone through in the past couple of days was heartbreaking, but I had to try to forget for the sake of Momma and Claire.

Right then and there, I chose to grow up. I walked into town to buy some bread for the house and start my search for a job. I went to the corner store. Mrs. Eden, the nice lady who owned the only grocery store for miles had given me the bread for half priced since her and Momma are good friends. I asked Mrs. Eden if she knew where someone like me could find a job, and after a while of thinking she turned to me with compassionate eyes and said:

"Ya know Annie, you look like a pretty strong young gal, I could use an extra set of hands to help me bring boxes in and restack the shelves of the store. I would need ya seven hours a day and I'd pay ya twelve dollars a week."

I didn't care about missing school, all I thought about was not having bread anymore, and if Daddy ever did come back that he would see that I had things under control. We didn't need him. Things finally looked like they could turn around for the better.