Free All My Tomorrows by Al Lacy

heard of the Children’s Aid Society?”
    “We have, sir,” said Deena.
    Letitia took hold of the girls’ hands. “Would you like to come to the Society and stay with us so you’ll be warm and have plenty to eat until we can put you on an orphan train and send you out West?”
    The voices of Darold and his group were so loud, Donna said, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Brace, I could barely hear you. Did you say we could stay with you and be warm and full?”
    Letitia raised her voice. “Yes, dear. We will keep you at the Society’s headquarters until we can put you on an orphan train, and you’ll have the opportunity to be taken into a foster home out West. Would you want to do that?”
    The twins stared at each other in wonderment. “Oh yes!” blurted Deena. “We sure would, wouldn’t we, Donna?”
    “Very much so.”
    “Good!” said Letitia. “There are many nice families out West who are taking homeless children into their own homes. That sounds all right?”
    “Sounds like a little bit of heaven,” said Deena.
    Donna took a deep breath. “It sure does! Especially after what we have lived through the past few days.”
    “Let’s be on our way then,” said Charles. “Hop in the back seat, girls.”
    The girls did as they were told while Charles helped Letitiainto the front seat, then circled the wagon and climbed in beside her.
    Deena took hold of Donna’s hand. “Can you believe it, sis? It sounds almost too good to be true!”
    “It sure does,” said her twin, “but I just pinched myself, and I’m not dreaming!”
    The Braces laughed, and Charles put the buggy into motion with a snap of the reins. They drove away with Darold and his group shouting snide remarks at them.
    While driving along the street, Charles spoke over his shoulder to the twins. “I was just going over our train schedule in my mind. We’ll put you girls on an orphan train that is leaving Grand Central Station on March 30. Until that time, you will be in the girls’ dormitory at the Society’s headquarters. And as Mrs. Brace said, you will have a warm place to stay and plenty to eat. It looks like you may need some new clothes. We’ll take care of that.”
    Donna said, “We have some clothes in this bag we’re carrying, Mr. Brace, but they’re sort of worn out. It would be wonderful to have some new ones. And the food and warm place to stay sure sounds good!”
    “It does!” Deena said excitedly. “Thank you so much.”
    “One other thing,” said Brace. “Would you tell me your parents’ address? I want to go talk to them so they will know that we’re sending you out West.”
    Deena told him the address and apartment number and explained that with their father working two jobs, it would be hard to find him home. Charles said just talking to their mother would be enough.
    Soon they arrived at the Society’s headquarters. Deena and Donna were taken into Ivy Daniels’s office where Charles and Letitia sat down with them. Charles asked the girls to tell theirstory to Ivy, who made notes as the twins gave her the details.
    When they finished, Ivy set compassionate eyes on the girls. “I’m so sorry this has happened to you. But I’m glad Mr. and Mrs. Brace came along when they did.” She wrote their names in a notebook. “Well, you’re registered with us now, and you are officially scheduled to be on the train that leaves March 30. You’ll be staying in room number ten with two other girls.”
    Charles rose from his chair. “I’ll go see your mother right now girls.”
    Donna said, “Please tell her that we love her.”
    Deena nodded. “Yes. Please tell her, Mr. Brace.”
    “I’ll do that. Mrs. Brace will take you to your room.”
    Ivy told the twins how happy she was that they were going west to find a new home, and Letitia walked them down the hall to the girls’ dormitory. When they reached room ten, the door was open. The two girls who occupied the room were sitting on chairs talking as sunlight filtered