Page 23 - The Last Gift

when it’s deserved, even if one tries to deny it, it
cuts to the core of one’s heart.

The tears Rachel could see welling up in
Mother Davis’s eyes matched the ones in her
own. She couldn’t blame Jacob, but somehow,
when she had dared to dream of seeing him
again, it wasn’t like this. She could not respond,
nor dared she say more, fearing further rebuke.
She was relieved when Mother Davis spoke.

“Please, Jacob. We understand how you
feel, and we don’t blame you, but it doesn’t
help.” She paused briefly, and when Jacob didn’t
respond, she continued. “Won’t you at least
come in and meet the children? They are your
niece and nephews.”

“No, they aren’t!” Jacob retorted. “I have
no brother!”

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