The Grandchild

By Andrea G. Rohlehr

An unexpected friendship teaches an eleven-year-old girl the importance of family and forgiveness.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483526133

Book preview

978-1-4835261-3-3

CHAPTERS

1. The Hospital

2. THE IMAGINATION

3. The Escape From Room 426

4. The New Girl In The Other 5th Grade Class

5. Recess

6. The Photo Album

7. She’s My Friend From The Sky!

8. The Waiting Area

9. Grammy

10. Specific Birds Of North America

11. The Special Tree

12. O-N-O-M-A-T-O-P-O-E-I-A

13. Uncomfortable

14. Dad’s Mother

15. Poems and Peppermints

16. Boom! Crash! Dash!

17. Boom! Crash!...Gasp!

18. The Confrontation

19. The Patient In Bed A

20. The Red Journal

Chapter 1

The Hospital

Another school day ended at Schall Elementary in Rock Hill. The gloomy sky promised rain in the small city located ten miles west of St. Louis, Missouri. Parents and guardians made small talk as they waited outside for dismissal. Natalie Clark is one of the waiting parents. The last bell rang and the school doors opened shortly afterwards.

Natalie quickly spotted the smiling girl in a bright red jacket. The girl ran to Natalie’s open arms.

Hello, Karen! Said Natalie as she hugged her daughter. Did you have a good day?

Karen answered with a beaming smile.

Yes, and Mom, remember the other day I told you about a really cute boy with the kind of bucked teeth?

Her mother tilted her head and placed her finger on her chin as if she were in deep thought.

Hmm, let’s see. She responded.

Are you talking about the boy who always smiles at you in class or the one who gave you peppermints?

Karen frowned. "Mom, don’t you remember? Not one of the boys in my class. I’m talking about a boy in the other 5th grade class!"

Natalie laughed and playfully squeezed Karen’s nose. Sweetheart, I can’t keep up with all of your boyfriends.

Karen frowned. Eww, Mom, they’re not my boyfriends.

Ok, ok, I apologize. Natalie chuckled. "So what about this bucked teeth boy in the other fifth grade class?"

Anyway, he was staring at me at recess today and I waved at him but he turned away like this. Karen closed her eyes and whipped her head to the side to demonstrate.

I see. Said her mother. Are you sure he saw you wave at him?

Karen shrugged her shoulders. I don’t know. Maybe he needs to clean his glasses or something. I still think he likes me even though he pretended not to see me.

Her mother nodded in total agreement and took Karen’s hand as the crossing guard motioned for them to cross the street.

And, guess what? I got a 100 on my math test today! I’ll show it to you when—.

A low rumble of thunder silenced Karen. Natalie firmly clutched her daughter’s hand as they both looked at the threatening sky.

That’s great news! Natalie answered with extra enthusiasm. Come on let’s hurry and get to the car.

Natalie’s car moved slowly through the after school traffic. Karen leaned forward and tilted her head back to look at the sky through the windshield.

Mom? She asked anxiously. Is there a big storm coming with loud thunder and lots of lightening and stuff?

Natalie sighed and turned on the radio.

She knew the darkening sky was causing her child to feel anxious.

Well, I’m not sure. Said Natalie as she changed stations. Let’s try to catch the weather forecast.

Natalie thought to ask about the math test as it might help Karen to calm down.

So, you got a 100 on your math test. I am so proud of you!

Karen reluctantly shifted her attention downward to her book bag.

She pulled the math test out and handed it to her mother. Natalie shook her head.

No Sweetie, I can’t look now. Wait until we get to the hospital.

THE HOSPITAL! Karen suddenly felt like the threatening rain clouds had seeped into the car and surrounded her entire head.

"No! Not the hospital again!" She protested.

Another rumble of thunder echoed her feelings.