Lucky Penny Chapter 2

I woke up to the cool, smooth touch of a bamboo mat beneath me. It was the kind my parents had talked about buying for two summers but never did. A luxury.

I remembered my mother’s words: “Your uncle married up. He might not have the pride, but he’s got the comfort. The gifts he brings you? Always the newest, most expensive things from town.”

The low murmur of an argument drifted from the other room. It wasn’t loud, but every word was a clear, sharp jab. The subject was me.

“What is wrong with your brother and his wife, Joe? They haven’t visited in years, and when they do, they can’t even look you in the eye. Now they just dump a child on our doorstep? If you let this stand, you’re a fool.”

“And we both know what’s going on. I saw her at Christmas, your sister-in-law. Her belly was getting big. She tried to tell me she was just gaining weight. Their pantry is so bare you couldn’t find a single can of beans in it.”

“She’s about to have that baby, I’m sure of it! And I heard the fine for a second child is thousands of dollars. They don’t want to pay it, so they just get rid of their first one? That’s what this is about, isn’t it?”

Uncle Joe’s voice was quiet. “Clara, keep your voice down. You’ll wake her.”

“I am keeping my voice down! You know I’m loud! This is me being quiet! I don’t care. First thing tomorrow morning, you are taking her back. I will not be tricked into raising someone else’s child.”

A wave of sadness washed over me. I wanted to go home, but the only home I could picture was a place filled with my father’s drunken rages and my mother’s constant, bitter complaints.

I snuggled into the cool bamboo mat. Just let me have this one peaceful night, I thought. Let this cool, sweet dream last until morning.