The Greatest Gift by Michael John Sullivan Read Free Book Online Page B

did so, she noticed a tiny robe, bringing back sorrowful memories. She picked it up and held it against her heart. Why, my God, must there be so much pain in our world? Will it ever end? Why did my daughter have to be taken from me?
    Leah rocked back and forth with the robe, humming a song. She felt a wiggle in her stomach and stopped singing. She listened and rubbed her belly, caressing it from side to side. “What are you trying to tell me?” she asked in a whisper. “I am listening. Mommy is here for you. Tell me what you need.”
    She took a deep sigh and closed her eyes, rocking again back and forth, holding the robe in one hand and stroking her belly with the other. She cuddled the robe tightly to her face and breathed in until Aharon’s voice startled her.
    She tucked it back inside the drawer quickly as Aharon walked into the bedroom. Leah turned to see he was wiping his hair with a cloth.
    “What are you doing?” he asked.
    Leah took a deep breath and swallowed. “Cleaning the room,” she said in a faint voice.
    “I do not believe you.”
    She turned her back. “Why do you say that?”
    He stuck his head around her shoulder and kissed her cheek. “Your face is wet. Why were you crying?” He noticed the open drawer and the tiny robe. “Oh, my love.”
    “I am fine.” She laid her head against his shoulder.
    “You must think of what we have now and not what has been.”
    “What will we do if our child becomes ill?”
    “Children become sick. We will be sure our child stays healthy. I cannot change what happened to you and Yochanan many sunsets ago. I will protect our child from any illness.” He gripped her shoulders. “I will.”
    Leah looked away.
    “Are there more troubles?” asked Aharon.
    “Yochanan spoke those words when our daughter was born.” Leah dropped her head. Aharon put his arms around her. He kissed her forehead. “We will make sure our child lives.”
    He kissed her again. “I must go. My brother called upon me while I was cleaning. He told me to join him now. Do not be sad, my love. I will be back before the sun sets.”
    I am sad. I cannot tell him of my dreams of losing another child. When will I sleep again? When can my body rest? My mind will not allow me to rest without fear. I am a prisoner. Nowhere to go but inside these walls.

Chapter 11

Modern-Day Long Island

    Hewitt helped Susan and Connie to the car. Susan leaned on the front passenger door as Connie ducked into the back. “Are you coming, Sue?”
    “Yupsters.” She pushed Connie over, the tip of her head hitting the ceiling. “Ouch.”
    “Are you ladies okay back there?” asked Hewitt.
    “Tip top here,” said Susan.
    “More like tipsy,” Connie said.
    The heat whooshed from the dashboard, soothing the chill of the spacious Cadillac. Connie and Susan leaned against the windows, hands folded like good Christian girls waiting for a Sunday service to begin. Susan’s eyes shut a few minutes later.
    “Aren’t you lucky I stumbled upon you ladies? It could have been costly and dangerous for both of you to be out there in this condition.”
    Annoyed that the window was cold against her face, Susan edged over and leaned against Connie, who frowned. Susan backed away as Connie jostled her shoulder.
    “Where are we?” Susan asked.
    “You’re in the car with Special Agent Hewitt Paul, Susan. Do you not remember getting in the car with us?”
    Susan didn’t answer.
    “I’ll be taking you home.”
    Connie laughed out loud.
    Susan’s brows knit together.
    Connie giggled, slurring her words as she spoke to Hewitt. “Hey, cowboy, where are we going riding tonight?”
    “What was that?” he asked.
    “You and me?”
    Susan mouthed, “What are you doing?”
    Connie laughed and hugged Susan as Hewitt’s gaze followed them in the rearview mirror. She watched his eyes focus on her.
    “I’ll drop Susan off first. Where can I take you?” he asked.
    “Make a right here. I’m up the road somewhere,” Susan