Bella nodded. “J-just getting ready to come out.”
Sam wrapped her arms around her sister. “We’re going to be okay.”
Another set of traumatic circumstances to heap on someone so young. Would Bella ever get to live a normal life?
Bella shrugged out of the embrace. “I need to go to the bathroom.” She quickly disappeared out the door.
Okay, odd.But who wouldn’t be a little off after the last twenty-four hours? Sam returned to the kitchen, where Cass already had the boys seated at the bar with plates of food. “I hope you don’t mind that I already served them. They were turning savage.”
Sam ruffled Bobby’s hair. “I don’t believe it.”
Charlie shoved a forkful of eggs into his mouth. “What’s a savage?”
“Charlie, don’t talk with your mouth full,” Cass warned.
The boys were already done eating by the time Bella made it into the kitchen.
“I made you a plate.” Sam pointed to the plate of food on the counter.
“I’m not hungry.” Bella sat down at the bar and laid her head on her arms on the counter.
“You need to try to at least eat a little bit. We’ve got a lot to do this morning.”
“I’m not hungry,” she mumbled again into the counter.
“Okay.” Sam couldn’t remember the last time Bella had skipped breakfast. It must be the stress.
“Here.” Cass returned with a pile of clothes and laid them next to Bella on the counter. “They’ll probably be a little big, but they’ll do until we can get our shopping on.”
“Yay,” Bella groaned as she grabbed the clothes and disappeared.
“Sorry about her.” Sam set her fork down.
“Don’t be. It’s a lot. Just give her time.” Cass started cleaning up the mess her boys had made.
“Let me help.” Sam stood.
“Nonsense. Finish eating and go get ready. My mom should be here any time.”
An hour later, Sam walked up and down the aisles of clothing in the church’s clothes closet. She hadn’t thought the clothes would be in this good a shape or that there would be such a good variety. No, she’d expected rags and junk.
They’d been welcomed warmly and given the rules. Pick out five outfits and grab the necessary toiletries. There were all kinds of shampoos, conditioners, and soaps to choose from. A wide variety of everything.
A backpack containing brand-new, unopened packs of underwear and socks, along with toothbrushes and toothpastes, was given to them, and it would be used to carry their new toiletries and clothes.
Sam quickly grabbed two changes of clothes and a pair of pajamas. She’d buy her own clothing later, but she wasn’t going to deny that she needed a few things to get by on before she could do that.
Cass trailed behind Bella, holding the clothes she picked out.
“Ma’am, you’re not done shopping, are you?” An older lady peered at the few items in Sam’s hands. She had to be in her seventies, a long white braid over her shoulder.
“Yes, I don’t need much.” Sam looked at the things in her hands. “I’m just here for my sister.”
“Nonsense. There are plenty of clothes here for you to take as well.” She patted Sam’s arm.
Sam bounced from foot to foot.
“Nervous?” the woman asked. “Don’t be. You’re not the first person to walk through those doors full of uncertainty.”
