Free Pages of the Past (Bellingwood Book 9) by Diane Greenwood Muir Page A

wide awake, turning and kicking, so she let Rebecca and Kayla touch her belly. Kayla was in awe and for quite some time, kept watching Jessie, hoping for more movement.
    Before they'd gotten through with their appetizers, Lydia placed her hand on Polly's shoulder, bent over and gave her a quick hug.
    "It was good to see you tonight," she said. "I hope you have fun with the rest of your evening." She smiled across the table. "It was nice to see you again, Jessie. Be sure to let me know if you need anything."
    Jessie nodded and smiled as Lydia left with her husband.
     
    ~~~
     
    "It's that one," Kayla said, leaning forward to point out the front window.
    Henry pulled into the driveway of an older model trailer.
    "Do you need any help?" Polly asked her, turning the overhead light on in the cab.
    "No, I can do it. I just need pajamas and a shirt for tomorrow."
    "Don't forget fresh undies and socks," Polly said.
    "I would have forgot that."
    "And your toothbrush and hairbrush."
    "Yeah. Okay."
    "And do you have your own shampoo?"
    "No, I use Steph's."
    "Then you can use Rebecca's. Do you need your own pillow or anything?"
    "I don't think so." Kayla sat back. "Maybe you should come in and make sure I don't forget anything. I've never done this before."
    "Can I come too?" Rebecca asked.
    Kayla was startled by the question and Polly understood right away. "Why don't you and Jessie keep Henry company. We won't be very long. I promise."
    The porch light wasn't turned on, so Kayla fumbled with the lock. Once inside, Polly wasn't surprised to see a very spare living room. They had an old sofa with worn spots that someone had attempted to cover with blankets. Two plastic TV trays sat in front of the couch and an old television sat on a rickety stand.
    The carpet was vacuumed and things were clean and neat, but the walls were dingy and the curtains hanging in the windows were thin.
    Kayla went into the kitchen and dug under the sink before coming up with a plastic grocery bag.
    "My room's back here," she said.
    Polly followed her and glanced into what had to be Stephanie's room. It contained just a bed with a few knitted blankets piled on top for warmth and crates stacked neatly that held her clothing. A lamp and clock rounded out her possessions.
    Kayla's room was just as spare. The blankets were bright and cheery and they'd found a set of sheets that were decorated with clouds and flowers. More crates stacked on their sides held the girl's possessions, from clothing and shoes to books, dolls and a few games and puzzles. A lamp sat on a card table in the corner and two chairs were pushed in neatly.
    "I didn't want Rebecca to see my room. Hers is pretty. She has so many nice things," Kayla said as she sat down on her bed.
    "Oh honey, Rebecca wouldn't mind. You should tell her about your room. I suspect she understands more than you realize."
    "Since you're an adult, you have to be nice. My friends aren't very nice when they know how poor I am. But Steph does the best she can and I think she's amazing."
    "She is amazing and you two have done very well here." Polly picked up a teddy bear from Kayla's pillow. "Who's this?"
    "That's Silver," she said.
    "Interesting name."
    "She listens to me when I'm upset. Steph told me to tell her everything, even things that I don't want anyone else to know."
    "Do you talk to Silver every night?"
    "You think it's weird, don't you?" Kayla was trying to decide between a couple of shirts she'd pulled out.
    "No. I was being serious. I think it's a great idea." Polly shrugged her right shoulder. "I tell my cats and dogs much more than I tell any of the people around me. Even my husband. When I'm mad at him, they get to hear about it first."
    "I'll take this one." She chose a pair of pajamas, then put a blue checked shirt into the bottom of the plastic bag, and pulled out a pair of socks and underwear. "Anything else?"
    "You're good with the pants you're wearing?"
    "Yeah. Sometimes I wear them a couple of days