River's End (9781426761140) Read Free Page B

problems in those days,” Anna continued. “Fear and ignorance usually lead to intolerance. That was the white man’s biggest shortcoming. And, to be fair, it can be anyone’s downfall. When we fall into fear, allowing ourselves to believe falsehoods about others, we eventually learn to hate.” She looked evenly at Sarah now. “But when we embrace one another’s differences, when we make ourselves open to really understanding one another, then it’s not so difficult to love.” She smiled. “With God’s help.”
    Sarah studied Anna closely, as if trying to take this in. But then she shook her head. “Some people aren’t worthy of our love.”
    â€œReally . . . ?” Anna waited.
    â€œSome people need to be purged from our lives.”
    â€œPurged?” Anna considered this. “And how exactly does one do this?”
    â€œBy removing themselves.”
    Anna simply nodded. “Is that what you did?”
    â€œI guess so.”
    Anna took in a slow breath. “Is that how you see me, Sarah? As someone you needed to purge from your life?”
    Sarah’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh, no, Grandma, not you. But my mother and father—they were toxic.”
    â€œToxic?” Anna blinked.
    â€œPoison. They were slowly but surely killing me.”
    â€œOh, Sarah,” Anna exclaimed. “I’m so sorry you felt that way. I wish you would’ve come to me . . . instead of running away.”
    â€œHow could I come to you?” Sarah demanded. “My mother was here with you. I had nowhere to go.”
    â€œAnd that’s why you left with Zane?”
    â€œZane . . .” Sarah slowly shook her head. “I almost forgot about him.”
    â€œYou mean you weren’t with him this whole time?”
    â€œOh, no. Zane and I parted ways early on. He wanted to stay stoned and follow the Grateful Dead all over the country. That wasn’t what I was looking for.”
    â€œWhat were you looking for?”
    â€œPeace . . . inner peace.” She sighed sadly.
    â€œAnd did you find it?”
    Sarah looked out the window with a longing expression. “I thought I did . . . at first.”
    â€œBut it didn’t last?” Anna gently prodded.
    Sarah just shook her head.
    â€œDo you want to talk about it?”
    â€œI’m really tired.” She glanced toward the bedroom.
    â€œYes.” Anna stood, gathering the dishes. “I’m sure you are. Please, just rest. We can talk later.”
    Sarah padded off to the bedroom, closing the door, and Anna rinsed the breakfast dishes then wiped down the counters and dusted a few things, shook out the throw rugs and finally, satisfied that she’d made the place as homey as possible, quietly let herself out.
    â€œWho’s the sick guest?” Lauren asked as Anna carried the dishes into the kitchen. The house was vacant of guests now, and Lauren and was alone in the kitchen.
    Anna set the dishes in the sink, trying to think of an answer.
    â€œI heard Mrs. Lindley’s having morning sickness,” Lauren continued absently. “Remember how sick I was when I was pregnant with—” She stopped herself.
    Anna turned to look at Lauren, seeing the tears in her daughter’s eyes.
    â€œDo you know what day this is, Mom?”
    Anna just nodded.
    â€œI—I—”
    Before Lauren could finish, Anna gathered her in her arms. “It’s going to be okay, Lauren. Really, it’s going to be okay.”
    â€œHow can you possibly say that?” Lauren finally said between sobs. “It’s been two years, Mom. Two years!”
    Anna put her hands on Lauren’s shoulders, firmly grasping her. “Just trust me on this, Lauren. I know that Sarah is all right.”
    â€œHow can you know that?” Lauren fumbled in the pocket of her apron, pulling out a tissue to wipe