Where the Sun Sets Read Free Page B

placement in foster
care.”
    “So she is not a student here?” Inquired the
father.
    Seeing the opportunity to play upon the
hearts of those more fortunate financially than she, Sister took
the time to explain. “Antonia came to us from the state. Her
upbringing was far less than acceptable. The authorities said she
had been severely abused, physically, mentally, verbally, for her
entire life. Or so it would seem.” The mother winced and brought
her hand to her mouth. “While it is not the purpose of this
facility to take in orphans...”
    “The child’s parents are both dead then?” The
father interrupted.
    “No, sir, they are not. The mother has passed
away but the child’s father is presently incarcerated.”
    The mother looked as though she may faint.
Sister Katherine walked to the water dispenser and poured a cup
full. She then offered it to the mother and without missing a beat,
continued on with her saga. “You see, apparently, for the past few
years, the father had been forcing the mother to prepare the child
for him.” Sister glanced at Josephine, who was watching her shoes
bang into each other. “When he would come home from work at night,
he expected the child to look every bit like the mother. He wanted
Antonia to perform unspeakable acts. He made her do things, no
woman, certainty no child should ever be forced to do. And he
would...” the Sister broke from the sentence. She took a measured
glance at both parents in the room. “Apparently the mother could
not take it anymore and finally came to her senses, and decided it
was time to put a stop to it. She hid the child in a closet and
when the father returned home from work, she met him at the door.
There was a very big fight. It ended with the father smashing the
mothers head in with his own fist. Fortunately the mother had the
good sense to call the authorities before the arrival of her
husband. However by the time police had arrived, it was too late
for the woman and the father was then taken away in handcuffs. He
was incarcerated and the State is secure in their belief that he
will, upon sentencing receive twenty- five to thirty years without
parole. The child was later found hiding in a closet but it is
believed she witnessed the whole incident.”
    “Believed?” questioned the mother.
    “Yes, you see she has not spoken a word since
the incident. No one knows for sure if indeed she has ever spoken.
No one had ever seen the child. Birth records showed that she is
the age of seven. However no doctor in the state had seen her since
her birth. She had no school records. Apparently she had never been
outside of her house or off their property until she was brought to
us. One can only imagine the horror she had to deal with in her
short life time. But God always fills our plates for us doesn’t he?
He gave each of us our road; it is for each of us to travel.”
    “So you believe the child--” the mother tried
to interject.
    “It is not my place to believe or disbelieve
ma’am, my job is to take care of the children who are placed with
me for educational purposes. This is not an orphanage or foster
care facility and we will not be accepting the poor and homeless.
There are several agencies out there for which this is designated.
The problem we have is that the child is not an orphan, as her
father is still alive. So, therefore, she may not be placed in an
orphanage. Foster care is being sought for her and she shall remain
here until such time, for educational purpose only. You need not
fear her stay. Now let us return to the matter at hand, shall we?
Your little Josephine.” Sister Ursula’s eyes met the little girl’s.
She had mis-spoken perhaps. She had not believed the child to be
listening but she could see something in her eyes. Something that
said she heard and understood. She would have to be more cautious
in the future.
    Sister Ursula and Antonia had just settled
down at the table, in the kitchen, with their snack of apple