Drummer Boy Read Free Page B

faster, but even the simplest movements caused agony. Once or twice she caught a glimpse of how pathetic she looked in the big hallway mirror, and the sight made everything seem pointless.
    When Candy tried to comfort her with comments like, “You’ll be back to your old self sooner than you know.” Jane stared pointedly at the wires and pins that looked, for all the world, like nails pushing out of her skin, and scowled until Candy glanced away.
    Jane did call Sarah to explain her absence. Her mother answered, promised to relay Jane’s message, and sounded very happy when she added, “I’m sure you’ll get to visit Sarah, anyway. It looks as if she’s sticking around for a bit. Just focus on getting well.”
    On the first Sunday in February—a February that still felt like the dead-of-winter—Kaylie burst into the dining room holding her countdown to Christmas calendar. “Only 322 days ’til Christmas. Can you believe it?”
    Jane pressed her face into her good hand. She was so ready to get out of the house that she would’ve happily gone to church no matter how much discomfort it caused.
    The church foyer was crowded, and Jane found herself on the verge of tears several times as people greeted her. What on earth was wrong with her? She wasn’t one of those weepy women. But it was just so touching-slash-irritating how many people seemed to care. OK. Not really irritating. She was just annoyed because she hated looking weak. Being feeble. She was embarrassed to be injured. How lame was that?
    She followed after Kaylie but got her to pick seats near the back in case sitting got too uncomfortable. Midway through the praise and worship, she spotted Sarah. Hopefully, she’d be able to locate her again at the end.
    She tried to focus on the music and sing along—usually this was the part of the service where she felt closest to God and received the biggest blessing, but also the most conviction if she’d pulled away from Him or had unconfessed sin or resentment or bitterness…but not today. She couldn’t feel God anymore. Hadn’t been able to since the accident. She was worried that she might never again.
    The lyrics were all there, but they might as well have been jingles on the radio.
    “Are you OK?” Kaylie whispered as the offering plate was passed.
    “Yeah, why?” Jane looked down at her little sister’s head and smiled. Apparently, she’d done her hair herself. Two large clip-on bows decorated a messy up-do.
    “You looked mad or sad for a minute.”
    The smile fled Jane’s face. “Ah, it’s nothing, doodle. Don’t worry. I was just thinking.”
    “Thought I smelled something burning,” Kaylie joked but slipped her hand into Jane’s and gripped it tightly.
    “Ha,” Jane said, squeezing back.
    The pastor spoke on the second half of Proverbs 31, and though he read the whole thing, and usually Jane found the scripture both inspiring and motivating, today her mind got caught on the seventeenth verse. “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” The whole passage was about working hard and being a blessing to your family, and here she was, useless. More than useless.
    “You’re doing it again,” Kaylie muttered.
    “Doing what?”
    “Scowling.”
    “I’m paying attention to the sermon. Maybe you should try it.”
    Kaylie rolled her eyes.
    Jane sneaked out during the last song and positioned herself by the entrance to the cloakroom because it gave her a good view of the sanctuary’s doors.
    She forced cheery smiles and hellos and thank yous to a few people who made their way over to greet her and inquire about her health. Finally, she didn’t have to fake her smile.
    “Jane.” Sarah’s voice was her trademark whisper, but it was filled with audible excitement all the same.
    “Hey, Sarah.” Jane propped her crutch against the doorframe, hugged Sarah in a one-armed embrace, and then steadied herself and stepped back. “It’s so good to see you. I was