All My Tomorrows (7 page)

“I … I can’t understand how Papa and Mama could put us out on the streets. If they love us, how could they do it?”

Donna was quiet for a moment, then said, “In all fairness, sis, we have to agree that Mama loves us. I don’t think Papa does, but it’s obvious that Mama is afraid of him. She knows if she angers him, he might just walk out and leave her and the children. She would have no way of providing for them.”

“Mama has shown her love for us. I shouldn’t have included her. It’s Papa who doesn’t love us. And Mama is definitely afraid of him. We’ve both seen her cower before him whenever he so much as raises his voice. And besides, she certainly isn’t well. She’s so thin, and her cough has seemed to worsen since she had that cold back in January.”

“Mm-hmm. And maybe she really did figure she was doing us a favor by letting us go. I can’t help but worry about her and our brothers and sisters.”

Deena sniffed and wiped tears from her cheeks in the dark. “I’m afraid for us too, sis. Surviving isn’t going to be easy.”

“No, it won’t, honey,” said Donna, squeezing her tight. “But at least we have each other.”

“Yes. I’m so thankful I have you. If you were ever taken from me, I don’t know what I’d do.”

“That’s not going to happen. We’ll always be together. And somehow, we’re going to survive this ordeal.”

“Right. We’ll just take it one day at a time. Maybe tomorrow we ought to try another restaurant where we can beg for some food.”

“We can try,” Donna said, “but there aren’t going to be very many people like the lady who fed us tonight. We’d probably be better off to do like so many of the street children do: beg for money from the people who pass by on the sidewalks.”

Deena thought on it a moment. “I think you’re right, sis. That’s what we’ll do. I’ve noticed that most of the street beggars stand on the corners so they can approach people coming from four directions.”

“Right. Let’s use the corner that’s closest to us. We’ll start in the morning.”

“Okay. I hope this icy rain stops before then.”

“Me too. There’ll be more people on the streets if—”

Donna’s words were cut off by the sound of footsteps in the alley and the low sound of male voices. They gripped each other, and Deena whispered, “I’m scared!”

“Me too!”

The girls clung to each other and listened intently as the footsteps and voices came closer. Soon the footsteps drew up to the
crate, and a deep male voice said, “How ’bout thish here crate, Dub?”

A hand took hold of the lid and shook the crate. “I don’ know, Ralph. It’sh purdy husky. Without an ax, we wouldn’ be able to shplit it up for—” he hiccupped—“the fire.”

Ralph’s hand took hold of the lid too. “Aw, we could busht it up shomehow.”

The hearts of the twins were pounding with terror. These men were obviously drunk. If they were looking for firewood, they also lived on the streets. They could be dangerous.

The girls were trembling, hardly able to breathe.

They jumped when Dub’s fist slammed down on the lid. “Le’sh forgit it, Ralph. C’mon. We’ll fin’ somep’n better than thish ol’ crate.”

When the footsteps diminished in sound as did the voices, both girls released a sigh of relief.

The wind eased up, and the sound of sleet pelting the lid of the crate lessened. The twins fell asleep, clinging to each other.

Sometime in the middle of the night, Deena was awakened by the sound of her sister whimpering. Reaching out in the darkness, she touched a tear-soaked cheek. “Donna, what’s wrong?”

Donna took hold of the hand that was touching her cheek and squeezed it. “I … I had a dream.”

“You mean a nightmare?”

“No. It wasn’t a nightmare. I dreamed that Mama and Papa had come here into the alley and found us. They were crying and said they were sorry for sending us away as they did, and wanted us to come home. Oh, Deena, it was so wonderful! Papa hugged us and told us he loved us.”

Deena made a groaning sound deep in her throat. “That was
a dream, all right. Then what? Did we go home with them?”

“Yes, only it was all different.”

“What do you mean?”

“When they took us home, it wasn’t to that tiny flat, but to a large, beautiful house on Long Island with a huge yard. The house had several bedrooms. Our brothers and sisters were there to greet us. We had a good time hugging, then Papa and Mama led us into a great big dining room. The table was loaded with food, and—and, well, this is when I woke up.”

“Mmm. Well, it was a beautiful dream, sis … but only a dream. We’re still in this furniture crate in the alley behind Duggan’s Furniture store. And we still have to worry about being able to beg enough money to buy the food we need to keep us alive.”

“Yes. I know.”

The twins clung to each other, wept together, and finally cried themselves to sleep.

The next morning Charles Loring Brace was at his desk at the Children’s Aid Society headquarters when there was a light tap on the office door. “Yes, Ivy?”

Ivy Daniels opened the door and smiled. “Mr. Brace, there’s a messenger here from Central Bank and Trust. He says bank president Lee Kottman sent him to give you a message.”

Brace rose from his desk chair. “Please bring him in.”

Ivy turned and motioned to an unseen person behind her, and presently a thin, silver-haired man appeared. “Mr. Brace, I’m Harold Wiggins, Central Bank’s messenger.”

“Please come in, Mr. Wiggins. Mrs. Daniels said you have a message from Mr. Kottman.”

“Yes, sir. Mr. Kottman asked me to see you personally and
advise you that he wants to see you at his office as soon as possible. He would also like for Mrs. Brace to be with you.”

“Well, of course. She’s at home, but I can drive over there and pick her up. We’ll be there within forty to forty-five minutes.”

“Fine, sir. I’ll head right back and let Mr. Kottman know.”

As Charles Brace helped Letitia into the buggy in front of their modest home, she said, “What do you suppose this is about, darling?”

“I have no idea. I doubt if the messenger knows, so I didn’t bother to ask him. We’ll know in a little while.”

Brace rounded the buggy, climbed into the seat, and put the horse to a trot. The streets were still a bit wet from the sleet storm the night before, but the sun was shining down from a clear sky, and the puddles were slowly drying up. Thirty minutes later, they drew up in front of the Central Bank and Trust Company. Brace parked the buggy at the curb, hopped out, and tied the reins to a post. He helped Letitia out, and together they walked into the lobby of the bank.

Brace saw a merchant coming from the teller’s cages that he knew well. He introduced him to his wife, then they crossed the lobby to a fenced area where several secretaries were busy at their desks. Maria Swenson, who was the president’s personal secretary, looked up and greeted the Braces.

“Nice to see you, Maria,” said Brace. “Mr. Kottman is expecting us.”

“He certainly is,” she said, rising from the desk. She opened the small gate near her desk. “Come with me.”

Maria approached the door of the president’s office, tapped on it, and entered. “I have Mr. and Mrs. Brace here, sir.”

Lee Kottman, who was about the same age as Charles Brace,
rose from his desk chair. “Hello, folks! Nice to see you. Please have a seat here in front of the desk.” He reached across the desk and shook hands with Brace, did a slight bow to Letitia, then all three sat down.

Charles and Letitia waited for Kottman to speak. “I want to say to both of you that I deeply appreciate the fact that the Children’s Aid Society has its general fund and payroll checking accounts with our bank.”

Brace smiled. “We’re very happy with the service here, Mr. Kottman.”

“Good! It’s always refreshing to hear such words from our customers.” He ran his gaze between them. “No doubt you’re wondering why I sent Harold Wiggins to you and asked that both of you come as soon as possible.”

“Well, we’re a bit curious, yes.”

Letitia quietly smiled at him.

“Well, I have something to tell you. I had a meeting with the bank directors yesterday afternoon. As you may know, we have twelve directors, who are all prominent businessmen.”

“We do, sir,” said Brace.

“I’ve had something on my mind lately that I wanted to do for the Children’s Aid Society. I brought it up to the directors and reminded them of the marvelous work you are doing for the orphans of this city, and together, we have agreed to come up with a gift of fifty thousand dollars for the Society. The money will be deposited in the Society’s general fund account this morning.”

For a moment, the Braces were stunned into silence. Finally, Charles found his voice, and though it was shaking with emotion, he said, “Mr. Kottman, I don’t know how to thank you. This … this is such a pleasant surprise. It was totally unexpected, but so very much needed.”

“Yes, Mr. Kottman,” said Letitia, hardly able to breathe.

Brace leaned closer to the desk. “As you know, Mr. Kottman, there are literally thousands upon thousands of children who are roaming those streets out there, let alone thousands more who are packed into the orphanages. More children turn up out there in the streets every day. Letitia and I were talking about it just yesterday. We need more funds to care for those we bring in and then send out West. This is going to be a tremendous help to us. Thank you for caring about the children and for leading in this tremendous blessing.”

Kottman smiled, letting it spread from ear to ear. “Mr. Brace, you are more than welcome. It always gives me pleasure to help a good cause, as it does our directors. Children are the future of this country, and we must take care of them. I can speak for the directors as well as the staff and employees of this bank. We are deeply grateful for all that you, Mrs. Brace, and your wonderful staff do for this city’s orphans and disowned children. We should be thanking you instead of you thanking us.”

Charles and Letitia looked at each other, then Charles said, “Our work is a rewarding one, sir. And even more so when we hear comments like that. We just don’t know what to say to fully express our appreciation. Of course you and the directors will receive a letter from me, Mrs. Brace, and our directors for your generosity.”

This time it was a sly grin on the bank president’s face. “Well, I have something else to tell you.”

The Braces exchanged glances again, then set their eyes on Kottman, who said, “The directors and I have also agreed that if the Society continues to do the great work you are doing by sending homeless children on your orphan trains and finding homes for them, this fifty-thousand-dollar gift will be an annual thing.”

The Braces were in shock again.

Kottman’s grin was still on his lips. “I know that many businesses donate money to the Society. That’s how you exist. My colleagues and I merely want to have a part in this great work. Well, I know you are busy people, and I won’t detain you any longer.” The bank president rose to his feet. “God bless you both.”

The Braces bid Lee Kottman good-bye for the time being, thanked him again for his generosity, and left the bank.

Outside in the bright sunshine, Charles helped Letitia into the buggy, untied the horse’s reins from the post, and climbed in beside her. He took her hand and said, “Honey, let’s pray.”

They bowed their heads and Charles led them as they gave God the glory for His goodness and mercy toward the Society.

When Charles put the horse into motion and they moved down the street, the Braces talked together, making plans for all that they could accomplish with this unexpected largesse that the Lord had bestowed on the Society.

Still praising their heavenly Father to the sound of clopping hooves and the city sounds around them, they wove their way through the traffic, heading back toward the Children’s Aid Society headquarters to share the good news.

W
hen Charles and Letitia Brace had gone only two blocks from the Central Bank and Trust Company, they were still chattering exuberantly about the unexpected boon that had just come to the Children’s Aid Society. Charles pulled rein momentarily to allow a bread wagon to leave the curb, then put the horse into motion once again.

They were approaching a corner, and suddenly they heard loud, angry voices. Their attention was drawn to a group of teenagers on the corner yelling indignantly at two young teenage girls who were both weeping. People were passing by and gawking at the scene, but no one was interfering.

Brace swung the buggy to the curb. “I don’t like the looks of this,” he said as he started out of the buggy.

Letitia said, “I don’t, either,” and climbed out her side.

Brace looked at her. “Honey, you don’t need to get in on this.”

“Yes, I do,” she said, moving up to his side and taking hold of his arm. “Those poor girls are being picked on unmercifully.”

The shouting went on, and as the Braces drew up they saw that the two girls who were under verbal attack were identical twins. Letitia let go of her husband’s arm and stepped between the twins, placing an arm around each of them. They both
turned and looked at her through tear-filled eyes.

Charles moved up between the angry group and the twins and ran his gaze over the sour faces. “What’s going on here?”

The shouting suddenly faded away.

As with all of the street urchins’ groups, this one had a leader. He was a husky boy of fifteen with a sullen look about him. There was intense displeasure in his fiery eyes as he set them on Brace, and his voice was thick when he spoke. “My friends and I live on the street, mister. We have a spot in that alley over there where we sleep. This has been our corner for begging since almost a year ago.”

He set his blazing eyes on the auburn-haired twins. “Those two redheads were already on the corner when me and my friends came from the alley to do our daily beggin’. They were gettin money from people who usually give money to us. This is our corner! They had no business beggin’ here!”

“Calm down now, son,” said Charles Brace. “What’s your name?”

“Darold,” came the reply as the boy bolted the twins with a hateful look.