t's enough. The south field needs attention. Go grab the tools and get on with it.

eak from her harsh reality. She could almost picture her father's warm

ated, her voice barely stea

ly. "You'll eat when the work's done. Now hurry up before

mother's gentle touch and hear the soothing lullabies that lulled her to sleep. Those warm memories wra

lked past him, her small frame tense, a spark of rebellion flickered inside her. She held onto

air, bringing a flicker of hope. Jane's heart lifted when she recog

e like a fool," Aunt Betty s

n brass knob. When the door creaked open, she was greeted by Martha Thimble

ke a cozy blanket on a chilly night. "I brought some thread to fix th

and gratitude. "Oh, Mrs. Thimbl

spoke in a conspiratorial whisper. "The harvest doesn't lie, and neither do

r that had nothing to do with the fire. She admired the older woman's ski

ild?" Martha asked softly,

aunt and uncle's voices were rising, Jane replied, "I

knowingly. "Every season has its struggles, but littl

in a clean handkerchief. Glancing back toward the kitchen, she pressed it into Jane

ecious gift, her eyes brimming with

to her mending. "Remember, kindness still ex

ire, but from Martha's simple act of kindness. In that moment, it felt like a life

h. The sharp scent of lye soap tickled her nose as she scrubbed, her movements automatic yet d

ll have a home of my own. With sunny win

g flight despite her exhaustion. She pictured herself dancing in a sun-

r aunt's voice sliced through her rev

etty," she replied, carefully maskin

freedom. Laughter from children floated through the air, carefree and joyful. She paused, brush s

with longing. "To run like that

hem, feeling the sun on her face and the soft grass bene

Uncle Pat's gruff voice shattered her

back into scrubbing with renewed energy. "No

essed. "Finish up quickly. There's

t, as she continued with her chores, a flicker of hope ignited in her heart. Thou

e and pink, Jane finally set down her cleaning rag. Her hands ached w

herself, admiring the no

ght, she caught her reflection in the nearby window-a delicate girl with chestn

ible. But then she straightened, a flicker of defiance bri

nctuary amidst the struggle. Settling onto the old bench, s

lling the morsel between her callouse

way she had mended Jane's dress. Those small gestures felt like

elf with resolve. "There is good

. "Mother, Father," she whispered into the darkness, "I miss

und the strength to face another day. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, b