“Speaking of,” I say, looking around our shack. “Where is she?”
“Dad took her with him. He went to barter for some stuff in the town square,” she answers. “Mom said we have to have eggs since it’s your last day because they’re your favorite.”
“Yes, they are,” I admit.
I hold Abigail until she gets too restless, then I let her go back to playing with her toys. I get out of bed, clean myself up, and walk over to the stove where my mom is preparing breakfast. She looks at me but doesn’t say anything at first. The tremble in her lip and the way she sniffs and swallows tells me she’s fighting tears.
“I told your dad to take Beverly with him to get some eggs,” she sniffles, blinking a few times. “Is there anything else you want? You’ll need to eat a good breakfast, because there’s no telling how long it’ll be before they feed you when you get to Concord City.”
She’s already made biscuits. Bacon is frying, and there’s a small pile of cheese sitting on the counter, which means she’s going to make my eggs exactly how I like them. I’ve woken up with my mouth watering for a breakfast like this more times than I can remember.
Usually, we can’t afford to eat this much for one meal. I guess it really is a special occasion. The last time I got cheesy eggs was on Christmas. This may be the last time I ever have them. It’ll definitely be the last time I have them the way my mother makes them, unless I learn how to cook. That’ll be up to whoever buys me at the Reparations Auction.
The door opens, and I turn to see my father walk in, followed closely by my older sister. Beverly is only a year older than me, but work has not been kind to her. She’s spent most of her life in the cactus fields, because not much else grows around here.
“Good morning,” I say.
“Morning,” my father says, no real emotion in his voice as he walks over and puts the eggs on the counter. “Brought the eggs. One for each of us.”
“I’ll skip the eggs. Clover can have mine,” my mother says, not missing a beat as she transfers the bacon to a drying rack and cracks the first egg.
“You like them too,” I offer, but I know why she’s doing it, so when she waves a hand at me, I don’t press the issue.
“Got a minute?” Beverly asks, jerking her head toward the door, like she wants to talk to me outside.
“I’ve got until breakfast is done,” I say, walking over to her.
“Don’t go too far,” our father says firmly. “We need to be at the station in two hours.”
“We’re just going outside,” Beverly sighs, opening the door.
“I’ll come too!” Abigail chimes, hopping to her feet.
“No, this is big girl talk,” Beverly says, shaking her head.
Abigail stops and pouts. I flash her a sympathetic look before following Beverly outside. Beverly doesn’t get along with Abigail very well. I think it’s because all children seem to annoy my older sister. Hopefully, she won’t be as annoyed when they’reherchildren.
“What do you need to talk about?” I ask curiously once we’re outside.
Beverly looks down, then she takes a deep breath, reaching into her dress and removing a pouch from her bra. “Here, this is all I could get. Just take it and go.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I take the pouch when she shakes it, and I realize it’s full of coins. “Why are you giving me this? I don’t need money where I’m going.”
Beverly takes another deep breath, then grabs my arm, tears threatening the edge of her eyes. “Don’t get on that train, Clover. Don’t let them sell you as some kind of slave. It’s not fair. You need to run. As fast as you can, and as far away as you can get.”
To say I’m shocked would be an understatement. I’ve never been close with Beverly. We’re sisters, sure, and we’ve spent a lot oftime together, but I’m a lot closer with Rose. Sometimes, it feels like Rose is more of a sister than Beverly. Except right now. Right now, Beverly looks like she is willing to doanythingto keep me off that train.
“Beverly, I can’t,” I say, putting the pouch back in her hand. “You know what will happen if I run. They won’t spare any of you, even Abigail.”
“That’s why you have to make sure you don’t get caught,” Beverly says firmly, wiping her eyes. “They won’t touch us unless you’re there to witness it. And if they never find you… maybe they’ll just give up eventually. I know it’s a long shot, but…”
I want to believe her. For one wild second, I almost do. I want to take the pouch and run so badly my legs twitch a little, like the muscles are trying to warm up for it.
“That’s way too risky,” I argue, shaking my head. “Once this is all over, you won’t have to work in the fields anymore. You can get married. Dad will be able to afford a nice dowry, so you should have your pick when you get to Concord City.”
“I don’t want a husband. I want my sister,” she whines, wiping her eyes again. “I know I shouldn’t have waited until your very last day to say this, but I love you, Clover. You keep things interesting. Your stories… I love listening to them, even when you’re just trying to get Abigail to fall asleep.”
“Those stories all come from the books in the library, Beverly,” I say, forcing a smile. “Concord City has one that takes up an entire block. If you’re in no hurry to get married, then you can read all the stories you want.”
