Cousin's Challenge by Wanda E. Brunstetter Read Free Book Online

who looked to be about three years old played with some pots and pans on the floor near her feet. A wooden cradle sat nearby with a baby inside.
    â€œMary, this is Jolene Yoder.” Harvey motioned to Jolene. “She’s the one who’ll be teaching Irvin and Sylvia.”
    Mary smiled as she spoke to Jolene and signed, “I’m happy to meet you.” She turned to her husband then and said something. He nodded and left the room. When he returned, two young children were with him.
    â€œThis is Sylvia.” Harvey patted the brown-haired, blue-eyed girl on the head, and then he did the same to the boy with red hair and freckles. “This is our oldest child, Irvin.”
    Jolene signed to the children that she was happy to meet them and was anxious to begin teaching on Monday.
    The seconds ticked by as the children stared at her, making no effort to sign anything in return.
    â€œI think my kinner are kind of shy right now. I’m sure they’ll warm up to you once you begin teaching them,” Mary said.
    Jolene decided to try again. She got down on her knees, so she was eye-level with Sylvia. “How old are you?” she signed.
    Sylvia dropped her gaze and scuffed the toe of her sneaker on the floor. After a few seconds, she looked up and signed, “I’m seven.”
    Jolene looked over at Irvin. “How old are you?”
    The boy shrugged.
    Harvey nudged Irvin’s arm. “Your teacher asked you a question.”
    The boy gave no response.
    â€œDon’t be stubborn now,” Harvey signed. “Tell Jolene how old you are.”
    Irvin shook his head.
    Jolene had a hunch that the boy might be the defiant type. She’d seen it in a few of the older scholars when she’d taught school before the accident. If that was the case, he’d probably be difficult to teach.
    Oh, Lord, she silently prayed. What have I gotten myself into?

CHAPTER 7
    Jolene glanced around the small classroom she’d been given to teach her two students. It was upstairs in the small schoolhouse, set apart from the rest of the scholars, but it had been equipped with the supplies she would need—a blackboard, chalk, paper, pencils, and plenty of books. Being in the schoolhouse brought back a flood of memories from the days when she’d been downstairs sitting at the desk Fern Bontrager now occupied. It made Jolene realize how much she’d missed teaching.
    She took a seat at the desk that had been provided for her as she waited for Irvin and Sylvia to arrive. If the scholars in Fern’s class knew how to sign, I’d be able to teach them, not just the deaf children. She sighed. Guess I should be grateful for this opportunity to teach and stop wishing for the impossible.
    Jolene felt the floor vibrate, and she turned toward the door. Sylvia entered the room, wearing an eager expression. Irvin trailed behind her, head down and shoulders slumped.
    â€œGood morning,” Jolene signed. She pointed to the low-hung shelf across the room. “You can put your lunch pails over there.”
    Sylvia smiled and placed her lunch pail on the shelf, but Irvin scuffed the toe of his boot on the floor and stared up at Jolene like he had no idea what she’d signed.
    Twice more Jolene told the boy to put his lunch pail on the shelf, but he didn’t budge. It made no sense, because Irvin’s father had assured her that both of his children understood signing. She was sure the boy was just being stubborn and testing her patience.
    Finally, in exasperation, Jolene signed to Irvin, “If you don’t put your lunch pail on the shelf right now, you’ll have to stand in the corner.”
    No response.
    Jolene took hold of Irvin’s arm and led him to the corner. He stood like that while she showed Sylvia to her desk.
    It gave Jolene no pleasure to begin the day like this, but after having taught hearing students, she knew she must be firm without being mean. After ten