The Forsaken Children by Naomi Finley

Author:Naomi Finley [Finley, Naomi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: The British Home Children
Publisher: Huntson Press
Published: 2021-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

Missus’s threat to send me to the barn didn’t happen because Joey became ill, and she wanted me in the house at night to tend to him.

I had been with the Gagnons a month when I met the rest of the field lads. That evening the family gathered around the table, and the missus dumped an extra portion of mashed potatoes onto her plate.

I served the twins and Joey’s helpings, and as the meal commenced, the missus shoveled in mouthful after mouthful, moaning and carrying on like it was the first time she’d eaten that day. No one spoke, except for Joey, who chattered and gestured at his family. Mister smiled at him with affection, but the awkwardness of mealtime continued. The missus inhaled the third helping before pushing back and resting her hands on her stomach. She released a loud belch, causing us all to look at her.

I dropped my gaze, but not before she caught the lowering of my brow. “You got a problem?” she said.

“No, Missus.”

“You can’t fool me. I saw that look on your ugly face. You think you’re too good for my family?”

My pulse raced.

“Peggy, the girl—”

The missus’s fist slammed onto the table, making the silverware and dishes bounce, and we jerked back.

“Fetch me a clean plate.” She gestured at me.

I hurried to do her bidding and returned with the dish trembling in my hand.

She grabbed the plate, scooped a spoonful of potatoes onto it, and held it out to me. “Here, take it. You can take my seat.” A broad smile expanded across her face.

I eyed her with suspicion. I’d never been permitted to eat with the family, and only after my tasks were done, often long after they had retired for the evening, did I eat. By then I was too tired and hungry to care that the twins and Joey had played with their food. I didn’t have the option to be fussy.

I reached for the dish and she grinned, pulled it back, made a weird noise with her mouth, and spat into the food. “There, that should suit.” She shoved the dish at my chest. “Now sit and eat.”

Riddled with fear, I gripped the plate. She grabbed my shoulder and forced me into the chair with bone-jarring force. “Now eat.” Her crazed eyes gleamed.

I looked at Mister, but he kept his gaze downcast. I gritted my teeth and dipped my fingers into the potatoes. Do not cry. Don’t let her win. I took a mouthful and swallowed. She stood over me while I took a few more bites before she emptied the last of Joey’s tray on top. I glanced at his smiling, snot-nosed face and his fingers coated with food he’d happily squished moments before. My stomach turned, but determination fueled the next mouthful and the next. I forced back the need to gag. I would not let her see the depths of the humiliation her actions inflicted.

Mister threw his napkin on the table and exited the room. The twins hurried after him.

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