Angie’s days became very routine. She had returned to school, where Miss O’Brien watched over her with a very protective hand. She would then run to the store and help George with the cleaning, and once in a great while, George let her help the customers. If he saw Pearl approach the store with her friends, he was careful to ask them their business, wait on them personally, and then usher them out of the store as quickly as possible. It was not the time for Angie to have to deal with them on her own, not for a while anyway.
George and Angie would stroll back to the house together and George would tell her all the jokes and tales he had heard at the store that day. She loved to listen to George’s tales. It reminded her of the days when she was with her family and everyone would laugh well into the night. The familiar feelings would flow back and made her feel secure. Even the congregation at church always looked forward to Angie coming through the door, and made her feel like family, much to Pearl’s displeasure.
The days started to warm and Angie’s coat had been replaced by a brand new sweater Elma had knitted for her. As Angie entered the yard, she saw her rainbow blanket hanging from the laundry line. She walked over to it, touching the still damp yarn. It smelled clean and the colors were bright again. She smiled as she remembered the blessings her mother taught her; love, peace, truth, caring, gentleness, meekness, kindness…Someday I’ll teach my little girl how to make a Blanket of Blessings and tell her about my mother.