Providence by Cocca Lisa Colozza

Author:Cocca, Lisa Colozza [Cocca, Lisa Colozza]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781440569289
Publisher: Merit Press
Published: 2014-02-18T00:00:00+00:00

I folded the paper in thirds and slipped it inside an envelope. I addressed the envelope and for the first time put Rosie’s address in the left corner. Tomorrow, I would walk to the post office and send it on its way.

CHAPTER 21

Rosie suggested we skip work and catch up on our rest the next day. The offer was mighty tempting, but with Thanksgiving only a few days away, there was too much work to be done. I convinced Rosie to stay home and let me work by telling her I was finishing the decorations for the store’s Christmas tree, and I wanted them to be a surprise for her.

The folks on Main Street had decided they were tired of waving the white flag in the battle to bring in shoppers. The time had come for them to give the malls a little competition for some holiday customers. On Wednesday, Pete and a couple of other guys would set a bare tree in front of each business on Main Street, and every shop would decorate their own tree. On the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving, customers could vote for their favorite tree. I didn’t know if it really would bring in more customers, but I was having fun making the decorations.

It worried me some when Rosie didn’t even put up a fight the next morning when I suggested she stay home again. I decided I would come home at lunch to check on her and make sure she ate something.

It was my birthday and I was expecting it to pass without notice, since I hadn’t told Rosie about it. When I walked onto the front porch at lunchtime, I was surprised to see a package waiting for me. I sat on a rocker and opened it right away. It was a book and a note. Happy birthday, Becky! Study hard and let me know when you’re ready for the exams. I’ll drive you there myself. —John

I looked at the cover of the book—Everything You Need to Know to Pass the High School Equivalency Exam. I was feeling so many different things all at once that I couldn’t see straight. I sat there for a minute, deciding whether to be angry at his interference or grateful for his concern.

Georgia tired of waiting for her lunch and leaned forward, smacking me hard on the knee with her new silver rattle. I rubbed my knee. “I can’t wait till you have your words to tell me what you want,” I said. She laughed and flung the rattle at my head. I caught it mid-air and stuck it in my bag. “I’ll have none of that, little lady. I knew you were too big for a rattle. We’ll just put this away in your keepsake box.”

I stuffed the book and note into my bag, too. I didn’t want to explain anything to Rosie at the moment. When we went in the house, Rosie was dozing in her chair. Georgia babbled our hellos and woke Rosie.

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