Free Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers

culpable, which would only distress Elise even further. Her sister would hide away and help Mama sew fine seams and hems. As time passed, Elise would become more withdrawn, more frightened of the outside world, more dependent. Walls would give Elise the illusion of safety, just as Mama’s arms had seemed to. Papa might allow it to happen just to make things easy on himself. After all, two women working day and night and neither asking for nor expecting anything would be to his benefit!
    Marta pressed fists against her eyes and prayed. Lord, You say blessed are the meek. Please bless my sister. You say blessed are those who are gentle and pure in heart. Please bless Mama. Lord, You say blessed are the peacemakers. Please bless Rosie. I ask nothing for myself because I’m a sinner. You know me better than I know myself. You knit me in my mother’s womb. You know how I burn. My head pounds. My hands sweat for vengeance. Oh, God, had I strength and means, I would send Herr Meyer and his son to the depths of hell for what they did to my sister, and Papa right after them for letting it happen!
    Turning away from Rosie, Marta covered her head with the blanket and wept silently.
    She got up early the next morning and thanked the Gilgans for their kind hospitality. Rosie walked with her down the hill. “Are you going to see your family before you leave?”
    “No. And I’m not coming back.”
    Her mother had already given her permission to fly.

6
    Marta received a letter from Rosie ten days later.
I saw your mother and father in church. Hermann came, too. Elise didn’t. Most people think she went back to Thun. Of course, she hasn’t. I asked your mother if I might come to call on Elise. She asked how much you had told me and I said everything. She seemed upset about that, but I reassured her. She said Elise isn’t ready to see anyone. I’ll try again next week. . . .
    Mama wrote a week later.
Rosie said you told her and no one else. Rosie is a good girl who can keep a confidence. She is kind. Papa went to Thun. The Meyers had closed up the house and gone back to Zurich. A man asked if he had come to look at the house. The Meyers plan to sell.
    Marta sent a brief letter in reply.
Perhaps now that the Meyers have fled, you will help Elise come out of exile. Rosie wants to be a friend to her, Mama. Please encourage Elise to allow it.
    Mama wrote back.
Elise is doing better. She helps me in the shop. Papa agrees the best place for her is here with me. She cries so easily.
    Marta tried to put it all from her mind, but she couldn’t. She dreamed about Elise at night. She dreamed of burning the Meyers’ house down with them inside.
    “Go out for a walk.” Warner brushed her aside. “If you knead the dough any more, we’ll have bricks instead of loaves!”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “You haven’t been yourself since you came back from Steffisburg. You helped your sister, ja ? It’s been a month. Are you ready to tell me what happened?”
    “No.” She made a decision in that split second. “I’m done here. I’m going to Montreux.”
    Warner’s head jerked up. “Just because I won’t let you knead dough?”
    “The dough has nothing to do with anything.”
    “Then why?”
    “I have to get away!” She burst into tears.
    The only sound in the kitchen was the burbling soup. Everyone stared at her. “Get back to work!” Warner shouted. He pushed Marta into the cold room off the kitchen. “Are you leaving or running away?”
    She sat on the edge of the bed, head in hands. “What does it matter?” She wiped her face. She thought of Elise staying in the same place, remaining a child for the rest of her life. “I know what I want in life, and I’m going after it. I’m not going to let things happen to me. I’m going to make things happen!”
    Warner sat beside her. “Why are you in such a hurry? You’re only sixteen. You have time.”
    “You don’t understand, Warner.” Sometimes she didn’t understand. One