Fade Into The End

Part 4

      "Think you could be here at six-thirty on Monday morning?" Mrs. Eden said.

      "Yes ma'am! Thank you so much Mrs. Eden! I wont be late!" I said.

      "Alright Annie! You tell your Momma I said hello now you hear?" She handed me my bag and I

headed for home.

       I walked all the way home with my head held high, I couldn't tell whether or not Mrs. Eden really

needed me to work in her store or if she found me to be charming and wanted to help my momma

out. This job was life or death for my mother and my sister. I finally had good news to tell Claire and

Momma.

      I made dinner for Claire and Momma once I got home, which was easy; it consisted of bread and

potatoes. I would have made something else to go with it, but we have nothing else left in the pantry

but the new loaf of bread. I didn't want to waste it, so potatoes and the old bread will have to do. 

Momma didn't come, all she does now is stare at the wall in the bedroom. She hasn't let me give her

food in two days and I am starting to worry about her. She tells Claire and me that we are going to die

and that we are never going to get any food.

      Claire cried after I told her there wasn't any food left in the pantry. She cried over apples, she cried

because she was hungry and I couldn't blame her. I was hungry too, but I chose not to cry. When I felt

like she'd stopped, I went into the bedroom and saw that she was fast asleep on her cot with her

bunny tightly grasped and tears still fresh on her face. I looked at her frail body. All of her strength

began to fade.

"Hey Claire, wake up, I have something to tell you." I said gently.

She looked at me with tired eyes and hollow cheeks.

"I was out looking for a job today and I got a job working for Mrs. Eden at the corner store. Do you

know what this means Claire?"

She shook her head.

"It means that we are going to have money coming in, twelve dollars a week! We can buy bread and

things we need around the house! Maybe if we use the money wisely, we will have a little bit left over

for a couple of pieces of candy!"

       Claire's face lit up like a light bulb. She took her thumb out of her mouth and hugged me around

my neck. Momma just sat on the bed, no expression change, no "I'm so proud of you Annie!" nothing.

I felt abandoned, like what I felt when I realized that Daddy has left my family. It was the same exact

feeling, if not worse because I was reminded of that feeling every time I saw Momma sitting in the

bedroom. I wanted to forget everything.