Abby lay awake until the early hours of the morning.I’m free! Oh, how wonderful. But free to do what? How can I repay the Great Mystery for these astonishing gifts? I really do not know. I need a sign. Just one more revelation, one more communication. I’ll do all the good I can do! It’s just that I need you.
Her alarm rang at 7am. She’d only slept about three hours, but she awoke full of eager energy. It felt like she’d been away from the pre-school for weeks. She missed the children. In fact, she couldn’t wait to get to work. Her only problem was the mystery of Rose’s disappearance. Abby knew there was a secret issue there, and she was afraid it had to do with the family history she had learned from her mother. Rose’s grandmother took care of the children for the Georgi family. She had taken care of Wendy and Chi Chi’s mother! And Abby’s mother’s grandmother was the house manager and cook. And these two women were sisters, and had been an intimate part of the Georgi family! So, Abby and Rose were related, but no one ever spoke about it.
Why such a secret? Abby was afraid she knew a least one answer all too well. Wendy and Chi Chi’s mother had been attacked as a witch. The mob that burned Hidden Valley had been especially seeking this mysterious, powerful witch.
And these legends are kept alive and even grow more powerful, due to Wendy’s reputation… and… even my reputation. Abby found it hard to admit it to herself, even though it was obvious. Therefore, the pre-school could be accused of being a den of witches! thought Abby in astonishment. .Could Rose have been threatened by someone? And yet nothing has come of the whole thing.
Abby was still poring over this puzzle as she rode her bike to work. No one followed her. It was a beautiful day, clear and cool with a breeze. She followed Glenda’s blue truck into the driveway, and Glenda and Tiny stepped out. Abby called to them, kissed both on the cheek, and the three stood together. Tiny seemed a little dazed and glassy-eyed.
Glenda said, “Are you sure you’re feeling okay? Maybe we should both stay home today.”
“Mom! I’m going to school. I want to go to school.”
As they walked into the large playroom, Glenda said to Peter, “I’m not sure, but Tiny doesn’t seem like herself this morning. She woke up a little under the weather, and seems very tired. I’ll be home studying, so give me a call if she’s not having a good day.”
“She looks okay to me,” returned Peter. “But I’ll let you know.”
Tom Winkle arrived with Lucy. “It’s such a beautiful day! Let’s all make an outdoor quest today. We can find more baby maple trees, and give them away at the next church gathering. Let each child go home with a tree.”
It was obvious that Tom was going to stay. I guess Rose has not come back. It’s okay with me. Abby was relieved. Rob, Tom, and Abby made a good team, but still, Abby could tell they were understaffed, and it couldn’t go on indefinitely. Labor Day was only a week away. The public schools would be opening soon, and the pre-school would change, and expand. Some children would be graduating to kindergarten. In fact Lucy would begin first grade. New children would join.
Abby noticed that Tiny had nothing to say during circle time and didn’t seem to have much energy. She played with some blocks by herself, and suddenly she stretched out on the floor and laid her head on her arm. Abby walked over and got Tiny to lie on a mat.
“Are you okay?” she asked gently.
“I’m really not feeling too well.”
Abby put her hand on Tiny’s forehead. It felt warm, even hot. Abby glanced up to find Peter, and noticed that he was observing her with a questioning look. “Yes, I think so,” replied Abby.
“I’ll call Glenda,” Peter said, and walked to the phone in the other room.
Tiny just lay there until Glenda arrived. “I’ll keep her home tomorrow,” she told Peter, and bundled Tiny up in her coat and carried her out to the truck. Abby couldn’t get the look on Tiny’s face off her mind. She seemed so exhausted, and possibly in pain. She hung her head as if she couldn’t hold it up.
By the end of the morning session Abby had decided to ride her bike directly to Glenda’s house. It was a beautiful day, sunny with a cool breeze, but she could take no pleasure in it. She didn’t even feel like eating. Let me get this off my mind, she thought. Its probably nothing. And yet it was odd, no sign of coughing, no runny nose. Let me just check this out.
She knocked on the door and Glenda answered right away. At a glance Abby saw the worry and disquiet in her eyes. “She’s got 101 degrees,” Glenda said. “Fell asleep as soon as we got home. Yet she’s not comfortable. Moves and mutters but doesn’t wake.”
They walked to the bedroom. Tiny was sleeping. She had thrown off the covers and had her arms and legs stretched out wide. Her pajamas were damp with sweat. Abby put her hand on her forehead, and the heat she felt send a shiver through her body. Tiny opened her eyes.
“Hi Tiny… I’ve come to keep you company.”
“My head aches. My back hurts.”
“Let’s take your temperature.”
Glenda immediately slid the thermometer under Tiny’s tongue. “It’s a hundred and three,” whispered Glenda.
“Let’s give her a glass of cold water.” Tiny gulped it down, spilling onto her neck and chest. Then she lay back and closed her eyes.
Glenda motioned Abby to come and talk outside the room. “I never saw anything like it. Do you think we should take her to the hospital? Or call Dr. Bear?”
“Yes, call Dr. Bear,” Abby answered. “Good idea. Can’t hurt. Yes, let’s see if she’ll come.”
“Thank you so much for being here with us! Please stay.” Glenda hugged Abby, and picked up her phone. “I’ve already found the number. I knew I should call.”
Dr. Bear was seeing patients at the hospital and couldn’t come to the phone, but the secretary said she would have her call back soon. Hours went by. Glenda tried to do school work but kept getting up and pacing around. Tiny woke a few times and gulped down a glass of water, and fell asleep again. Dr. Bear phoned when the sunlight was fading and the room was in twilight. She promised to visit on her way back from work, and hung up immediately. Her voice had been full of stress.
Meanwhile Tiny’s temperature had gone up to 103 degrees. Glenda waited by the front door.
