Free Cousin's Challenge by Wanda E. Brunstetter

you alone. Is your husband here? I think he should know what I have to say, too.”
    Mary shook her head. “He’s out in the fields, gathering hay. Come inside and tell me what’s on your mind.” She held the door open for Jolene.
    Jolene stepped inside and breathed deeply as the sweet smell of apples and cinnamon wafted up to her nose. “Are you making applesauce?” she asked, hoping to stall for time. She really didn’t want to say what was on her mind.
    â€œJah, I’ve been working on it a good portion of the day. Just put the last batch in the pressure cooker a few minutes ago.” She motioned to the kitchen table. “Have a seat, and I’ll pour us some coffee.”
    Jolene pulled out a chair and sat down. She really didn’t have time for coffee but didn’t want to be rude.
    â€œWould you like to try some of my applesauce bread?” Mary set a cup of coffee in front of Jolene, along with a plate that held several slices of deliciously moist-looking bread.
    â€œNo, thank you. I can’t stay that long, but I wanted to talk to you about your children.”
    â€œAre they doing well in school?”
    Jolene took a sip of coffee as she thought about the best way to say what was on her mind. “Sylvia’s doing well and seems eager to learn.” She paused and clasped her hands together. The expectant look on Mary’s face made this even more difficult. She drew in a quick breath. “I wish I could say the same for Irvin.”
    Mary’s forehead wrinkled. “What do you mean?”
    â€œHe’s not responsive in class and won’t do his lessons. I asked the children to copy some words I’d written on the blackboard, but Irvin left his paper blank.”
    â€œHe didn’t write down any of the words?”
    Jolene shook her head.
    â€œMaybe they were too difficult for him.”
    â€œThey were simple words, and Sylvia was able to write them all.”
    The corners of Mary’s mouth turned down. “I don’t understand it. Irvin’s not dumb.”
    â€œI don’t think Irvin’s dumb, either, but I do think either he’s not happy with me as his teacher, or he’s upset because he’s new here and hasn’t made any friends.”
    â€œBut there are lots of other boys his age at school.”
    â€œThat’s true, but Irvin keeps to himself, and...” Jolene stopped speaking and let her hands fall into her lap. She’d almost told Mary about the teasing that had gone on this morning.
    Just then a blast of cool air floated into the kitchen, and Irvin and Sylvia raced into the room.
    Sylvia went to the sink for a drink of water, but Irvin halted as soon as he saw Jolene. “It wasn’t my fault,” he signed to his mother. “Kyle Beechy’s the one who started it.”
    Her eyebrows furrowed. “Started what?”
    Irvin looked at Jolene, as though expecting her to say something.
    â€œI didn’t tell your mother anything about what happened this morning,” she signed to him.
    â€œTell me what?” Mary asked her son.
    He squinted his eyes and stared at her. Jolene could almost see the gears shifting in his head. “It was nothin’, Mama.”
    Mary, obviously not willing to give up on the subject, signed in return, “Tell me what happened, Irvin.”
    He dropped his gaze to the floor.
    Mary looked at Jolene. “Do you know anything about this?”
    As much as Jolene didn’t want to tell Mary about Kyle and his brother teasing Irvin, she knew it was time to explain what had happened.
    ***
    â€œAre you feeling sick again?” Ella asked when she entered the living room and found her mother lying on the sofa.
    Mama yawned and pulled herself to a sitting position. “I’m not sick, just a bit tired and shaky this afternoon.”
    Ella was tempted to suggest that Mama make an appointment to see the doctor, but that subject