Mary’s Son by Darryl Nyznyk Read Free Book Online Page A

into the room.
    “Jonathan. Nice of you to drop by.” Nicholas perked up, but the sad look on Stevens’ face made him drop his head. “I guess Sarah is still pretty upset.”
    Stevens nodded his head. “Yes, Sir, I’m afraid so.” He hesitated for a moment, not wanting to say what was coming. It was surprising to him that he had grown fond of Nicholas in such a short time. Stevens was deeply moved by the events at the mall. It was as if a breeze of pure happiness had suddenly blown into the Stone household, and despite his initial misgivings and his charge from Miss Grundick to have Nicholas out of the house, he knew that, given enough time, Nicholas could break through the angry shell Sarah erected around herself after her mother’s death. Yet he had entered Nicholas’s room for a reason, and with a sincere heaviness of heart he had to break the bad news to his new friend.
    “I’m so sorry to say this, but Miss Grundick has instructedme to tell you that you are to leave first thing in the morning.”
    “Does Mr. Stone know this?” asked Nicholas.
    “Yes, Sir…I believe so. Mr. Stone just came in. Miss Grundick told him how upset Miss Sarah was. I believe Mr. Stone made the decision.”
    Nicholas nodded slowly. “I understand,” he said.
    “I tried to speak up for you. You were quite impressive today at the mall. You were wonderful with the children.”
    “That was fun, wasn’t it?” Nicholas said wistfully.
    Stevens smiled sadly. “I’ll take you where you wish to go in the morning.”
    “Yes, I’ll be ready.”
    Stevens stood but hesitated before leaving the room. He was suddenly deep in thought.
    “Is there something else, Jonathan?” Nicholas asked.
    Stevens suddenly looked at Nicholas.
    “I think you should see Sarah,” he said conspiratorially. It struck him how very important it was for Nicholas to talk to Sarah before he left. He couldn’t explain his thoughts clearly, but he knew Nicholas could help the girl. He was sure the little man could bring some happiness into her life.
    Nicholas brightened as Stevens glanced back at the door and then whispered, “Wait one minute.”
    He opened the door, glanced down the hall, and turned back to Nicholas, putting a finger to his lips and waving forhim to follow. Nicholas grabbed the Nativity globe and followed Stevens out of the room on tiptoes. They moved cautiously down the hall, past the study, where Miss Grundick sat reading, and to the stairs. Only a few lights burned in the hall, but they were sufficient to cast long dark shadows on the wall opposite Miss Grundick, and the ever-vigilant woman looked up suddenly.
    “Stevens…is that you?” she asked.
    Stevens blanched and stopped short in his tracks. Nicholas, a step behind him, continued his pace and bumped into Stevens. Both men hushed each other and tried desperately to untangle themselves from each other. It took several excruciatingly long seconds for Stevens to compose himself and answer.
    “Ah…yes, Miss.”
    “Have you told him?”
    “Yes, Miss.”
    Miss Grundick frowned at the stilted responses and then waited for more from Stevens. When nothing further was offered, she stood and marched to the study’s entry. She could see Stevens in shadow, standing on the third step and seemingly staring directly at her. As her eyes adjusted slowly to the hall’s dim light, she could discern Stevens’ half-smile, which looked as if he knew he’d been caught doing something.
    “Is anything wrong, Mr. Stevens?” she asked.
    “Wrong?… No, Miss. Nothing is wrong.” His half-smile broadened slightly, and Miss Grundick’s usual frown turned down even more.
    “Well…where are you going with that ridiculous grin?”
    “Oh…just to make sure all’s well upstairs…with Miss Sarah.…”
    “Yes…well, make sure our guest is gone early in the morning—before she wakes.”
    “Yes, Miss…I will.”
    Miss Grundick stared hard at Stevens for another minute, finally shook her head, and