Escape by Night by Laurie Myers

Author:Laurie Myers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

Annie sat on the sofa fluffing out her dress, like she was the queen and Tommy was her subject.

“Pleeeease don’t tell,” Tommy pleaded.

“Tommy, you heard Father last night. We are on the verge of losing the war.”

“One Yankee is not going to matter,” Tommy said.

“I’m not so sure about that.”

Samson came in. Sensing the importance of the conversation, he sat erect between the adversaries and followed the conversation with his head.

“Just promise you won’t tell, at least until tomorrow.”

Annie refluffed her dress. “I cannot make such a promise.”

Tommy said, “Yes, you can. Open your mouth and say, ‘I pro—’”

“Tommy, stop it. You said you had a good deal. Now, let’s hear it.”

“I’ll let Samson sleep in your bed,” Tommy said.

Annie stopped fluffing. “For how many nights?”

“One week.”

“A week? Hmm.”

“Annie, Red has a two-year-old little boy, and he hasn’t seen him in a year.”

Annie’s brow wrinkled.

Mrs. McKnight came in. “I’m sorry to be late. More refugees came in today. And as if that weren’t enough, I was on the other side of the tracks and had to wait for a train to pass.” She removed her bonnet. “Your father has a meeting tonight, so he will not be here for reading. Annie, I believe it is your turn.”

“I don’t feel like reading,” Annie said, giving Tommy a sideways glance.

“You love to read,” Mrs. McKnight said. She eyed her children. “What is going on?”

Tommy held his breath. At any moment, Annie was going to tell everything. It would pour out, like rain running off the roof.

“Come on, Samson,” Tommy said. “Sit over here by Annie.”

Samson moved to Annie’s side and snuggled in close.

Annie brightened. “I changed my mind. I will read.”

Tommy heaved a sigh of relief.

Annie pranced across the room to the bookshelf. Tommy did not know what caused her to hold her tongue. Perhaps it was the silent prayer he’d said, or maybe just her love of dogs. Whatever the reason, at least now he had more time to think about what to do.

The next day was Sunday. Ever since First Presbyterian Church had been turned into a hospital, the congregation had met at the Baptist church a few blocks away. Tommy decided he would make his decision Sunday morning.

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