My New Family

Chapter Ten: War

    We walk home from school, but Pierre, Susanna, and Philomena aren't their normal jolly selves. I wonder if maybe they are worried about Mrs. Lory's ring that someone took last night. But when we get home, I know it isn't that. Mrs. Lory is pale. "Pierre, Philomena, Susanna. Up to my room immediately. You all, work on homework." We head to the school room, but my mind is reeling with thoughts. What happened? Are mother and father dead? Did we lose all our money? Suddenly, the door opens, and Mother, father, Pierre, Susanna, Philomena, and Mrs. Lory are there. I run up and hug Mother, as does every one of my real siblings, but of course none of my stepsiblings. Father and Pierre are whispering together, and I hear the words "Germany" and "men". "Mother," I ask her hesitantly and quietly, "what's wrong? Why did you come back so soon?" "We took the night train-as soon as we heard-" "What?" pesters John. "Well, you see-Germany has declared war on France." My heart almost stops beating. But mother hadn't finished telling us yet. "And-and-your father and Pierre are leaving for the army early tomorrow morning." What? PIERRE??? LEAVING??? I know I should miss Father more, because he is my stepparent now, but since he has only been that for a week, and since Pierre has been my "father" for as long as I can remember, he is the only one I can really think about right now. Now father begins to speak. "When I am gone with Pierre, you will all have jobs to do. Your mother will be busy enough worrying about everything. Susanna, Philomena, I expect you to take care of the kitchen and laundry. Evelyn, you may help everyone with anything you can do, because of your arm. Pauline, you will have charge of the four youngest. I expect them to be clean and well kept for school every day, and make sure they do their homework.  Joseph, you will take care of the house and lawn and garden. Anastasia and Catherine, you will take care of Silky and Pom-Pom. John, Anna, take care of Jade. Is that understood?" We all nod, feeling the enormity of the tasks before us. Susanna and Phil are already whispering together about what to make for dinner. And I feel like I've got the worst job of all. Trying to keep track of four mischief makers is NOT going to be easy. Especially Anastasia and Catherine, who I don't even know that well. But then I hear father telling Joseph to help me whenever he has time, and I feel a wee bit better. "Bye, Linnie!" Evelyn waves. I can tell she's planning on getting a hoot out of making dinner with the older girls. While I take care of the babies. "I'm off to the kitchen!" She leaves with Phil and Susanna. "Jon, Annie, Anastasia, Catherine!" I call. "Let's all go do a puzzle together in the library!" Catherine puckers her lip. "I want to go ride my bike!" "Me too!" "Meeeeee tooooo!" "Yes!" The rest chime in. "Okay, I guess. Whatever." I mutter as I follow them outside. This isn't going to be easy. But, then father calls me. "Pauline, Pauline?" "Yes, father?" "I also went you to help Evelyn with whatever you can. Your mother tells me you've learned some first aid. She's going to have a hard time in the days to come, until it's healed. Now, here's the real news. You, Evelyn, and Philomena will not be going to school this year any more. I've talked to your teacher, and she agrees that you won't be able to do homework with your new responsibilities. Now, you may go and do them." He smiles, a smile I will remember for months to come.

     "Jon, Anastasia, Catherine, Annie! Come into the house!" I lead my charges to the dining room, where the whole rest of the family is waiting. I swallow back my tears.  Pierre has his French uniform on, his hands at his side, and the smile I know so well on his face. I am so proud-and-and so sad! Who knows that I may ever see him again?

     I wake up around two o'clock and try to go back to sleep, but I feel Pierre's hand pass over my face again. "Paul. Wake up." I sit up, then the realization of what was happening hits me. I cover my face with the blanket, unable to stop the tears. "Paul, please." I get up and follow him the the front room. Evelyn and Philomena are there, and I can see Phil has been crying, too. But Evelyn's face is dry, and she looks like she despises me for crying. Oh, well. Stepfather  hugs Mama, and then kisses her. He hugs all of us who are awake, and Pierre does the same. But for me, he hugs me and presses a small piece of paper into my hand. "Goodbye, Sunflower." he whispers, calling me by my old nickname. I smile through my tears. Then they have to leave in the black car awaiting, which will take them to the train which has been painted black also so that it will not present a night bombing target for the Germans. We can't even let a speck of light show outside the house! They drive away and we all go back to bed. I look at the paper he gave me and see that it is a picture of him in his army uniform. I kiss it and put it in my desk drawer, then go to sleep.

     The next morning, I wake up the same as usual and resume my new duties. As Evelyn is still asleep (or pretending to be) I close the room door carefully, then head down to the little kids' rooms. I yell at John to get up and dressed, then invade the three girls. They're petting Silky and Pom-Pom. "Girls, get dressed!" I say, before I can think. "But we are dressed." Catherine says. "Oh, yes you are! Very good! Now grab your brushes and come here." I brush Anna's first, watching the silky red hair pass through the brush. I wish mine was like that. I do all their hair in braid buns, then make sure they have everything in their backpacks for school, and send them down to breakfast. Whew! I open John's door to see him trying to catch Jade, still in the cage, and the poor bird was squawking like crazy. "Leave the poor bird alone! Down to breakfast, now! And wash your face, too!" He grins and heads for the bathroom. I wait until he is finished, then chase him down the stairs to the dining room. I find them all eating honey buns, and eat mine slowly, relishing every bite. Of course, Evelyn eats hers very quickly, as if she still has to go to school. When we're finished eating, I walk the four youngest to school, then take the long way home. I'm wondering what its going to be like with no one home to talk to that I like except for Phil.