Providence by Lisa Colozza Cocca Read Free Book Online

people to pass through the door of the Second Hand Rose that day. But I must admit I was feeling prouder than a peacock. Rosie’s kind words pushed my money worries aside and we all walked out of the store wearing big smiles. Baby Girl and I were going to the library before heading back to our temporary home. Rosie accompanied us down the two blocks to the big stone building.
    “I see there’s going to be a Fourth of July parade,” I said, pointing to the sign nailed to the lamppost.
    Rosie nodded. “Every year it comes right down Main Street.” She laughed. “Of course in this town, where else would it go?”
    “Is it a big one?” I asked.
    “In the old days, all the storefronts were decorated and the sidewalks were filled with people coming to hear the bands and wave to the marchers. But I’m afraid that’s history. Nowadays people are too busy to be bothered with all that.”
    “But there’s still a parade?” I stopped in the front of the library.
    Rosie nodded. “It’s not like it was years ago, but we have still one,” she said. She took a deep breath and smiled. “Listen to me carrying on about the size of a parade. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s to spend my time appreciating what is and not worrying about what isn’t. See you in the morning,” she said.

CHAPTER 7
    We slept on the porch every night that week. For me, it seemed more like catnaps. Baby Girl was waking me several times a night to be fed or changed. When I got her settled, I spent more time staring at the ceiling. Worrying about where we were going next kept my brain from ever shutting down and resting. I never seemed to sleep more than an hour or two at a time.
    Each morning, I took a new route to the store, keeping my eyes open for any more of those little Room to Let signs. I wasn’t used to surviving on so little sleep. Mama usually took care of the night feedings herself. When she did need my help, I would feed and change the little one and fall right back to sleep. It never interfered with me being able to start my day at six in the morning. I knew the lack of sleep must be showing in my face. But you would never know it, judging by Rosie. Every morning, she met us at the door. She smiled at me like I was a ray of sunshine pushing my way through the clouds.
    Every day, I straightened the merchandise, dusted, and set up displays. One day I talked Rosie into letting me throw some of the clothes in with my laundry down at the Super Suds. I used an iron from housewares, and before long I had some outfits looking like new. I was getting really good at displaying things to their best advantage.
    Rosie oohed and ahhed and kept slipping new baby clothes into the carriage.
    Each night at closing, Rosie walked us down to the library. It was a cool, comfortable place to stay while we waited for the night sky to make it safe to return to the porch. I found it curious that she never asked me where we were staying. I hoped it was because she knew there were plenty of places in town that I could call home. It was that idea that kept me scanning the papers looking for a room. I didn’t find any cheap housing, but I also didn’t find my own name in the paper. Of course, no matter how hard I tried to keep Rosie’s words in my head and appreciate what is instead of worrying about what isn’t, my feet still felt heavier each night as I pushed that carriage back to Cobbler Court. With each passing day, I found myself worrying more and more.
    On Saturday, I decided it was time to talk money. Rosie hadn’t brought the subject up and I couldn’t imagine where my pay was going to come from. There hadn’t been a single customer in all week.
    Rosie came walking up the street carrying a basket. “I brought us a little treat this morning,” she said.
    She poured us tall glasses of sweet tea to wash down the homemade crumb muffins. Every bite tasted like heaven—especially after days of peanut butter and crackers. By the time