Mail Order Mother by Kirsten Osbourne

Author:Kirsten Osbourne [Osbourne, Kirsten]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Unlimited Dreams Publishing
Published: 2019-03-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Monday was an exercise in patience for Caroline. She was up before everyone as usual and had breakfast made before anyone else joined her in the kitchen. As everyone ate their scrambled eggs and toast, she told the girls she needed all dirty clothes downstairs immediately after breakfast.

Amy nodded, but Victoria ignored her.

After Andrew was gone for the day, Caroline washed the dishes, and after bringing down the dirty clothes, Amy wiped them for her. “Where’s Victoria?” Caroline asked.

“She said she hates laundry, and she’s not going to help.”

Caroline nodded. “I’ll talk with her once we’re finished here.”

Amy nodded. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to get Dad’s dirty clothes.”

“No, I’ll do that. Are you going to help me do the wash today?”

“Yes. Mom never thought I was old enough to help, but I always wanted to.”

“You like cleaning, don’t you?”

Amy grinned. “It was always my favorite thing to do. I know it’s silly, but why not do it when I enjoy it?”

“I never did any housework growing up. We always had a maid. But then I started working at the orphanage, and I discovered that I love to cook and clean. I am doing just the right thing by being in an area where I have to do things for myself.” Caroline washed the last dish and handed it to Amy. “I’m going to set the two of you up with schoolwork as soon as I have the laundry on the line.”

“I want to help hang it on the line!”

Caroline grinned. “You know, if I didn’t know better, I would think you were just trying to avoid schoolwork.”

Amy shrugged. “I like to read. I’m not a fan of arithmetic.”

“We’ll make you a fan of arithmetic, too! Why don’t you put a huge pot of water on to boil while I go upstairs and talk to your sister and gather laundry?”

Amy nodded, jumping to do as she was told.

Caroline dreaded the conversation she was going to have to have with Victoria, but there was no helping it. She couldn’t allow the girl to keep disrespecting her the way she was. She knocked on her door before opening it. “Victoria, I need your dirty clothes, so I can do the laundry. Would you carry them downstairs please?”

“No, I don’t think I will.”

“That’s fine. But remember if you don’t help bring clothes down, you won’t have any clean clothes to wear.” Caroline turned away to go to Andrew’s room—well their room now—to get his dirty clothes and sheets.

Victoria followed her out into the hallway. “Are you telling me that you won’t do my laundry if I don’t help?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. I’m not the housekeeper. I’m the new stepmother. I’m willing to work beside you, but I won’t work while you sit in your room and stare at the walls. If you like to have clean clothing, you’ll help make them clean.” Caroline didn’t pause as she went into the master bedroom to gather the dirty laundry from it.

After hearing Victoria’s door slam, she shook her head but continued with her work.

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