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

minutes went by, she turned Irvin toward her and signed, “Please put your lunch pail on the shelf.”
    She was relieved when he shuffled across the room and did as she’d asked. “Now, please take a seat,” she signed, and then she pointed to the desk next to Sylvia’s.
    Irvin glanced over at his sister, back at Jolene, and then ambled over to his desk and sat down.
    Jolene sent up a silent prayer. Thank You, Lord.
    Before starting their lessons, Jolene had the children stand and sign the Lord’s Prayer. Then she opened her Bible and signed as she read Proverbs 16:24 out loud:
    â€œ ‘Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.’” She decided that the verse was a timely reminder for her as well as the children.
    As they began their arithmetic lesson, Sylvia gave Jolene her full attention, but Irvin appeared disinterested, looking away whenever Jolene signed anything to him, and drawing silly pictures on his tablet instead of the numbers she’d written on the blackboard. Jolene knew she’d need to come up with some way to get through to the boy. She wished she could talk to Aunt Dorcas about this. With all the experience her aunt had teaching deaf children, she was sure to have some idea what Jolene could do. When she got home from school today she would ask Mom to call Aunt Dorcas and relay her concerns.
    ***
    Ella and her brother Larry had just taken a seat in the waiting room at the dentist’s office when Loraine entered the room.
    â€œWie geht’s?” Loraine asked, taking a seat on the other side of Ella.
    â€œI’m doing fine.” Ella motioned to Larry. “He’s had a toothache for the last few days, so he’s missing a few hours of school this morning to get it taken care of.”
    Larry grunted. “Rather be in school any old day than here right now.”
    Loraine offered him a sympathetic smile. “You’ll do fine. Dr. Hopkins is a good dentist.”
    â€œWhat are you here for?” Larry asked.
    â€œI’m just here for a cleaning and checkup.” Loraine turned to Ella. “I’m surprised your mamm didn’t bring Larry to the dentist. I figured you’d be working in your daed’s shop this morning. We heard about Lonnie’s injured hand.”
    Ella grimaced. “Mama’s not feeling well, so she asked me to bring Larry in. Besides, Papa can get along without me for a few hours. I’m just doing the books and helping string some of the chimes. He assured me that he and Charlene could manage fine while I’m gone.”
    â€œI’m sorry to hear your mamm’s not feeling well,” Loraine said. “She seems to be sick a lot, doesn’t she?”
    Ella nodded and glanced over at Larry. She didn’t want to express her concerns in front of the boy, but she was worried about her mother—had been ever since the van accident two years ago, when her brother Raymond had been killed. Ella figured it would be hard for any parent to lose a child, but she thought it was taking Mama much longer to come to grips with Raymond’s death than it should have. Unless Mama’s fatigue and shakiness were caused by something else. Maybe it wasn’t just grief over losing Raymond. Maybe there was something physically wrong with Mama. If she’d only agree to see the doctor and let him run a few tests. But no, Mama thought everything could be cured by taking a dose of castor oil or some concoction made with apple cider vinegar and honey. Not that those things would do her any harm, but they hadn’t kept Mama from feeling so tired, and they weren’t a substitute for seeing the doctor.
    â€œWe’re ready for you now,” the dental assistant said when she stepped up to Larry.
    He looked over at Ella, as if seeking her approval. When she nodded, he rose from his chair and followed the young woman into the other room, walking