Chapter 2

Olivia had run from where the trolley left her, two blocks from Winchester. Making one last push, she jumped up the stairs and shoved the heavy front door open. She took off her hat and hung it on the stand while she caught her breath. When she was composed, she heard a single voice from the dining room and knew they were giving thanks for breakfast. She was headed in that direction when she heard a cry from upstairs.

Gathering her skirts, she took the stairs two at a time, hoping there would be some breakfast left when she arrived at the table. Locating the cries quickly, she entered the youngest girl’s room to find Amy crying in her crib. The two year old calmed quickly at the sight of Olivia and stuck out her arms. Her cheeks were wet and she was only wearing a large shirt that hung off one of her shoulders. Her thick dark hair was pushed and pressed in different directions from a long night’s sleep.

“Boys leave me,” she pouted.

“Oh honey,” Olivia sighed, pulling Amy from the crib. “Let’s go down for breakfast, we’ll get you dressed and cleaned up after.”

“I hungry, Liva.”

“Alright love, let’s go.” Olivia swept from the room, Amy on her hip. When she reached the dining room, the food was still being passed. “Who forgot Amy? Charlie, I believe it was your turn today, was it not?”

“Oh gosh!” the boy said, slapping his forehead. “I’m sorry, Miss Livie.”

“It’s not me you need to apologize to. A certain, hungry girl, was left alone in her crib.”

Charlie nodded and got out of his chair, moving to Amy’s side. “I’m sorry Amy.”

“Ok, Chawie,” Amy smiled, forgetting his offence completely as she shoved part of a muffin into her small mouth.”

Olivia nodded in approval at Charlie who had taken his seat again. Audra smiled at her as she shook her head in mock frustration. Most of her responsibilities centered around the older boys and they always seemed to forget something she felt like she had hammered into them. She didn’t know what else to do to get their attention, and she knew she didn’t have much more time with them.

When the boys turned thirteen, they were moved into an all boy home across town. Eddie only had a couple more months with them and Olivia found herself praying for him every night. The older boys could be cruel and ruthless in the boy’s home and Olivia prayed that Eddie wouldn’t become hardened by it and that he might be an example once he got there.

“Charlie, Phillip and Eddie, help Jessie clear the table. Do anything she asks of you. I need to get Amy dressed and ready before we begin lessons.” Olivia instructed at the end of breakfast. The younger children were finished and a chorus of chairs scraping against wood echoed in the dining room.

“Yes Miss Livie,” the three boys answered, standing obediently to collect plates.

“And I had better not see those yo-yo’s in class; I will take them if I even catch sight of them.” She looked at them sternly, and upon seeing understanding in their eyes, swept Amy up in her arms and headed upstairs. “You, are very sticky little one.”

Amy giggled as Olivia snuggled against her, “Miss Liva, I want blue dress.”

“We’ll have to see if it’s clean.”

Olivia got Amy cleaned and dressed quickly and deposited her with Aunt Vera along with Shirley, Kenny and Jack, all of whom were still too young for school. She bounced down the stairs, pleased with how silent the house was, knowing that everyone was in the school room. Audra had everyone seated and was asking the younger boys to recite their memory verse for the class. When they finished, Audra prayed for their day and got to work.

“Okay boys, please bring your slates and chalk and meet me at the back table.” Olivia said quietly when Audra was finished. The three older boys obeyed, getting up quickly and quietly, seating themselves at the small circular table. Before beginning the math lesson for the day, she wanted to have a little talk with them.

“Charlie, I understand that you apologized to Amy about forgetting her, but I feel I need to remind you how important it is for you to remember. Amy is very young, and came to us before she could even walk. It is lucky for you that she probably doesn’t remember her parents, or being left by them.” Olivia saw the faces of the three boys sink, knowing that it had hurt to be reminded of how they had all come to Winchester, but she felt they needed to understand. “If you had made a promise to Joey or Billy, and then forgot them, how might they react?”

“They would be upset,” Phillip answered, a sober expression on his face.

“Exactly, now, we all have to work together here, and because you boys are the oldest, you have the most responsibility. You all need to work together. If you know it’s Charlie’s day to get Amy, remind him! Or, go get her for him, do not come downstairs if you know she is still up there! She is just as hungry as everyone else is in the morning, and is kind of stuck in that crib of hers.”

“We’ll do better Miss Livie,” Eddie announced.

“Promise!” Phillip and Charlie echoed.

“Good, now let’s get down to arithmetic. Oh bother, I’ve forgotten my glasses again, Phillip would you...”

Before she could finish, Phillip, the youngest of the bunch was out of his chair. He had come to them when he was three years old. He was a sweet boy, with curly brown hair and long eyelashes. Whenever Olivia looked at, or spoke to Phillip, it amazed her that a family had not scooped him up yet. While they waited for Phillip to return, she let her thoughts wander to the other two boys that had become so important to her.

Edward, the oldest of the three, had come to Winchester when he was eight years old. His parents and sisters had died from dysentery and somehow, he managed not to catch the contagious disease. A neighbor had found him in the family’s apartment after noticing that no one had come or gone for more than a week. He was alone and nearly starved and was brought to Winchester immediately. Charlie had been there for just three years. His parents died when he was an infant, and he had been living with his elderly grandparents until they both died within a month of one another. All three boys were special, and even though they could be rambunctious, Olivia loved each and every one of them.

“Here Miss Livie.” Phillip said, out of breath, holding her small glasses out to her.

“Thank you Phillip,” she smiled, pushing the frames onto her nose. Phillip smiled brightly at having done her a favor, and she couldn’t help but sigh at the adorable look on his face. She began the arithmetic lesson, and was excited to see how well the boys were doing with their math. With them this far along, they might go very far in the community if they managed to survive the boys home. It would help that all three would be there together again within a year’s time, but the burden of seeing them leave was always difficult.

The day passed quickly, as it always did. Lunch was filled with easy chatter and even a little excitement as Lizzy lost her first tooth. Afternoon lessons were always a little quieter as the children worked on their workbooks or readers with Olivia and Audra circulating to help where needed. When they dismissed, the children scattered everywhere, anxious to begin their two hours of free time before dinner chores.

Olivia followed Audra to the kitchen where Jessie had tea and cookies ready for them. Audra managed the tray and Olivia followed her out to the front porch, settling into one of the rocking chairs. Audra poured her tea and Olivia smiled at the first sip, both girls enjoyed their break just as much as the children did. Of course, they were never left alone for long, someone always managed to find them, tattling on a friend, or rattling excitedly about a new discovery or game. They didn’t mind, as long as they were on the porch, enjoying their tea.

“What did Aunt Marty talk to you about?” Audra asked after she had her own first sip of tea.

“Oh, the same old things,” Olivia sighed, “If I want Simon to propose, I need to be home more often. She can’t imagine any man wanting to marry such a busy woman. Then, she tried to talk me into going calling with her, naturally. Apparently, Mrs. Joyce is just dying to see me,” Olivia said in an exaggerated tone, making her sister laugh.

“Well I don’t know who wouldn’t be dying to see a thing as cute as you.”

“You do have a point.” Olivia said with a serious nod, putting a hand to her chestnut colored hair which fell down her back in a single french braid, her hazel eyes sparkling.

Audra fell into laughter, but still managed to ask her next question. “What will you do if Simon asks you to marry him?”

Olivia blinked, a bit surprised by Audra’s question. They had been discussing her feelings for Simon for over two years now, and she imagined that her sister knew exactly how she felt. “I’ll say yes.”

“What about the orphanage?” Audra asked, concern enveloping her voice.

“Audra, I love the orphanage, and all the children here. But, I want a family of my own, a husband who loves me and my own precious children to love and enjoy. Don’t you want that someday?”

“No, I love these kids too much, and I won’t abandon them like their parents did.”

“I would never!” Olivia said quickly, shocked that her sister would think that was what she was doing. “Even if I get married it doesn’t mean I can’t help! I might not come as often, but I would make sure the children knew I wasn’t abandoning them.”

“I’m sorry Liva, I shouldn’t have said that, I know you love these kids. Maybe it would be different if I was in love with someone, but I doubt that will ever happen for me. Not that I’m wishing it would, because even if it did, I don’t know how I would make that decision.”

“It’s alright Audra, but you must know that I truly adore these children. I don’t come to the orphanage as a passing folly just to have something to do. I certainly wouldn’t give it up for just anyone. You don’t have to feel the same way as I do, perhaps you are more like Aunt Vera, and no man will ever be good enough.” Olivia laughed and Audra joined her. She certainly would not be willing to marry anyone who wouldn’t let her continue her work at Winchester.

Audra and Olivia continued to talk on the porch, enjoying their tea and cookies. They were interrupted a few times by some of the children, wanting to show them something special or ask them questions. Every day at Winchester was interesting and entertaining, and Olivia loved it just as much as her sister, but her desire to marry was certainly stronger than Audra’s, a desire she couldn’t quell despite all of her love for these children.

Thanks to all of you who have started to read yet another of my stories! I'm glad you liked the interaction of Audra and the children, and hope you enjoy Olivia's chapters as well. I admit, they're a bit harder for me to write, but I really enjoy her character, and the differences between the two sisters. Thanks so much for reading, and as always, I look forward to hearing your thoughts!