“Take all the time you need,” he came back reasonably. “I realize she represents the mother figure in your life.”
His astute observation took her back for a moment.
“I’m not going to light up a cigarette in your absence, if that’s what you’re worried about,” he added beneath his breath.
She flinched at the acidity of his remark. “The thought never entered my head. Sister Bernice was very taken with you the first time you were introduced to her before our marriage. I know she’ll want to say hello to you before we leave.”
He appear
ed to digest her remark before he said, “Why don’t you find her first. If it’s convenient, maybe she’ll come out to greet me.”
Ashley nodded. “I’ll be right back.” She wheeled around and headed for the office. Though the orphanage was a state-run program, various sisters from the church performed service here.
When Ashley had left Cord’s house that fateful morning, she’d run straight to Sister Bernice who was now in charge of St. Anne’s. The head nun, most Likely in her late sixties, had always been a positive influence in Ashley’s life.
After Ashley had left Cord, Sister Bernice had been the one to let her stay at the orphanage in exchange for helping the children. Within two weeks, she’d assisted Ashley to find the job of live-in housekeeper to Mrs. Bromwell.
Ashley owed Sister Bernice a debt of gratitude she could never repay. Since entering the building a few minutes ago, Ashley was even more impressed over the great work the nun had accomplished throughout the years, playing the role of mother, nurse and educator to parentless children, who like Ashley, would have been abandoned to fate.
When she knocked on the door and was told by a familiar voice to enter, her heart swelled within her.
The nun’s eyes lit up when she saw who it was. “Ashley, my child. Come in, come in. Sit down.”
“You don’t mind the intrusion?” she asked, taking a seat opposite the older woman’s desk.
“You know me better than that.” She shook her head. “How long before the big event?”
“About three weeks now.”
“I want to be informed when you go to the hospital. I can’t wait to see your little one.”
Ashley smiled, fighting tears. “I’ll phone you as soon as I can. I want you to be there and hold my baby. You’re the closest thing to a grandmother he will ever know.”
“He, is it?” Sister Bernice chuckled, sounding very pleased at the honor Ashley had accorded her. But then she sobered. “Have you told his father yet?” The older sister knew everything.
“Y-yes.”
“When?”
“On Monday,” she ventured in a guilty tone. Just then Ashley felt about ten years old, when Sister Bernice had caught her out doing something she shouldn’t, like taking one of the babies to bed with her and pretending it was her real sister.
Of course that was against the rules. Sister Bernice had only smiled and told Ashley to take the baby back to the nursery, assuring her that one day, Ashley would grow up to have a baby of her own. Until that time, she would have to wait and learn how to be a mother.
“At least he knows,” Sister Bernice finally said with a deep sigh. “All right— I can tell you have something important on your mind. I have the time to listen.”
Sister Bernice’s wisdom and kindness had made her beloved of the children at the orphanage. She hadn’t changed over the years. She was still the same wonderful nun who remained pensive and nonjudgmental. This endearing quality made it easy for Ashley to unburden herself.
The older woman sat back in her chair, her palms together beneath her chin as she contemplated everything Ashley had told her. “So now you’re nervous about facing your husband’s stepmother because she has always intimidated you. I’m not surprised. This Sheila reminds me very much of another child we had here at the orphanage. Do you remember Marsha?”
Marsha.
Just the sound of that name brought back pain. “Yes,” she answered in a trembling voice. “She was the one who finally ran away from St. Anne’s…”
“That’s right. She was four years older than you, and very jealous of you, Ashley.”
Ashley stared dumbfounded at Sister Bernice. “You knew that?”
“I noticed. We didn’t get her until a certain amount of damage had already been done to her psyche.” When Ashley looked back, she realized that Marsha had done everything in her power to put Ashley in the wrong and get her into trouble. For a young girl, she was amazing cruel and devious. Like Sheila…