Free Shattered Moments by Irina Shapiro Page A

threw Mrs. Mallory an apologetic look as he led Diana into the kitchen, introducing her all around.  Abbie jumped from her seat, sweeping Diana into a huge hug before noticing the boy, but she wasn’t really seeing him as she focused on his mother. 
    “Oh, Diana, I can’t begin to express my gratitude.  You helped save my life.  If it weren’t for you, Finn and Sam would have never been able to rescue me,” she gush ed, still holding on to Diana’s hand.  “We even named our daughter after you.  There she is,” Abbie announced proudly, drawing Diana’s attention to her namesake. Diana smiled at the child, her face alight with pleasure at being so warmly received. 
    “Please, sit down, let me get you something to eat,” Mrs. Mallory offered, setting out a plate for Diana.  “Finn, maybe you can run along and fetch Sam.  He’ll be so glad to see Diana and her son.”  Finn just nodded, unsure of how to proceed.  Nathaniel was staring at the floor, and hiding behind his mother’s voluminous skirt.  He was clearly scared, but he remained quiet, which was unusual in a child.  Had it been Diana or Ben, they would have been screaming for attention and begging to be picked up, but Nathaniel just inched behind his mother in an effort to be invisible. 
    “Would you like something to eat?” Mrs . Mallory asked Nathaniel, bending down to meet his gaze.  Finn heard the sharp intake of breath as their eyes met, but Mrs. Mallory just smiled at the boy and held out her hand.  “Come, dear, let me get you some bread with honey and a cup of milk.  Would you like that?  I wager you’re hungry after your long journey.”  Nathaniel permitted himself to be led to the table where he climbed into a chair and folded his hands in his lap.  He was either a very well-behaved child or one who was used to being invisible. 
    There was a collective gasp as Nathaniel looked around, his eyes round with fear.  Mr. Mallory’s lips virtually disappeared into his beard, and Sarah and Annie exchanged glances, their faces full of shock and incomprehension.  Abbie just stared at the boy, as Annie finally blurted out what everyone was thinking.
    “He looks just like Sam.” 
    “Go do your chores,” Mrs. Mallory ordered, her tone brooking no argument.  “You too, Sarah.”
    The girls reluctantly filed out, knowing they were about to miss out on something really good.  Annie was still too young to comprehend the truth of what happened, but Sarah was old enough to grasp the meaning behind this uncanny resemblance. 
    “Diana, first of all, I would very much like to thank you for the part you played in our daughter’s rescue.  If not for you, we might have lost not only Abbie, but Finn and Sam as well.  You are always welcome in our home, and can stay for as long as you wish,” Mr. Mallory said, watching Diana warily.  “Now, if you would be so kind as to answer the question that’s uppermost in our minds.  Is Sam Nathaniel’s father?  And if so, does he know?”
    Diana took a deep breath before facing Mr. Mallory and replying.  “Mr. Mallory, I’m very proud to have helped Abbie, Finn, and Sam.  Knowing that I saved a life, possibly more than one , makes everything I’ve been through in my life worthwhile.  Now, to answer your question, no, Sam is not Nat’s father – Jonah is.”
    “What?!” Mr. and Mrs. Mallory asked simultaneously.  Their faces were almost comical, relief mixed with wonder and disbelief as they took in what Diana just said.
    “It’s true.  It was, in fact, Jonah who introduced me to Sam.  He was in New York just before Washington’s troops were driven out, and we became … eh, close.  I would never have come here, had I not been desperate.  You see, once my pregnancy became obvious, I lost my place at the bro—, my place of employment, and with it my source of income.  I stayed with a friend, a Mrs. Morse, whom Sam is familiar with, but I couldn’t impose on her for