My New Family

Chapter Twelve: Casualties of War

Dear readers, so this is the beginning of the second part of my book! Please comment if you can!

       ~Song

      A few years later, in February, 1917, I peer out my window at the whirling snowstorm before going to see my young charges. John is now eight; Anastasia is ten; Anna is eleven; and Catherine is twelve. I catch them getting into their uniforms. "Don't get into your uniforms." I advise. "It's too stormy." They change into everyday cloths, and I head downstairs to see about breakfast. I find the dining room freezing cold-there isn't even a fire lit in the fireplace! No one's in the kitchen, either. I sigh and roll up my sleeves. No use waking up the girls-they'll only say its too cold. I light a fire and begin buttering slices of bread for toast. John comes downstairs and begins jumping up and down. "Whew hop hop its too cold ouch help save me!" "Quiet!" I say crossly. "You're waking everyone up!" But I was too late, because soon every one comes pouring down the stairs like melted chocolate. I serve them all their first slices of toast, then Phil takes over and spins me all around like Pierre used to do, and makes a big pot of porridge. I sit down at the table with my toast at the same time there is a knock on the door. I answer it. It's a telegraph boy, telling me he only has news for Mum. I go back and get her, then sit down. We all look wonderingly at each other over our toast. Mum comes in, tears streaming down her face. Mrs. Lory takes one look and escorts her to her room. I feel scared. What news is bad enough to make mother cry, except about Pierre and father?

     Later, Mrs. Lory comes downstairs to make an announcement. We all hold our breaths, anxious yet afraid to know the  news. "Children, your father has been reported missing. And" she swallows,

    "Pierre is- is gone to-" She begins crying just as mother was, Evelyn told me later. I didn't witness it myself, but I woke up later in my bed where Joseph had carried me. I wonder why I am there at supper time, and then I remember. Pierre is gone! Pierre! I will never see him again, except in Heaven! I cry as I have never cried before, not even trying to hold the tears back. Then I go down to supper to see how everyone else is doing.

     They are all sitting down staring at their bowls of stew, but no one has the heart to eat except the terrible four. They are eating everyone's else's stew too so that it doesn't get wasted and because everyone skipped dinner earlier and they are ravenously hungry. "Hello, Pauline." Evelyn says. "Why'd you go to sleep so soon? I had to do your job!" I glare at her, but don't say anything. It is NOT funny, at ALL. But then mother hands her and me a piece of paper. "These, girls, are your new jobs. Evelyn, you will take care of the four youngest. Pauline, you will do the laundry, start the fire in the morning, and help the girls with making school dinners. Evelyn, you will be starting school again with the others next school year. However, Pauline and Philomena will continue to stay home. You get it?" We nod our heads. Yep. But then Mum calls Philomena, Anna, Evelyn and I aside and hands us each a letter. I gasp. Mine's from-Pierre! I open it quickly and carefully.

"Dear sister of mine, Pauline,

We are fighting very hard, but are getting pushed back. I still don't know how I am still alive; shots have been flying past most of the day. I'm writing this with Dad. He says for you to tell Mum hello. I really miss you all, and I hope the war ends soon so I can come home. Thanks for the picture you drew, of Silky and Pompom.

     Make sure you are praying hard for us and all the French who've had to leave their homes to fight these Germans. Speaking of Germans, I met an old friend of mine today. I won't say more in the mail. Hoping to see you soon,

Pierre, your big brother."

I almost choke, trying not to cry in front of everyone.