The Girl in the Mirror Book 3

By P. Costa

You can never guess what April's plan are as she
grows in her family and in her community

April's parent have April connect with loved ones
from her past. Her Birth Mother and Grandfather

April continues to help others but always prays to
God, her Heavenly father first, through all her trials.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781663245335

P. Costa

NA

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Copyright © 2022 P. Costa.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-6632-4534-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-4533-5 (e)

iUniverse rev. date: 09/29/2022

Contents

Our Plan

"Mr. O’ Toole

Eddie The Swindler

Native Son

Race Day!

The Meat Stores

Let’s Do This Together

The Preakness Stakes

The Preakenss Stakes

Getting Ready For The Belmont

The Belmont Race

Hold On A Minute

Reporters Day!

Bagpipes

Olympics Again?

Bullies

The Gymnastic Tri-Meet

The Horrible Accident

The Skating Party

Winter Olympics

On To Poland

Winter Olympics

Parade and Picnic

The Dilemma

Lois

So Back To The Dilemma:

Flo

Hugh’s Prom

The Flower Show

Hugh’s Graduation

Farm Competition

Grandpa

The Milking Schedule

The Accident

Fixing Up The Park

The Election For Mayor

I would like to

dedicate this book to my patient, kind husband, who so graciously did not mind all the hours spent writing, editing or sending the books, and financially supporting me.

And to my Dear friend Barbara who came to my rescue many times.

I am also very grateful for Lucy who kept me going with anticipation.

I did not save Lucy she saved me.

Within a month long after the Olympics were over. Long after the parade in Fresno welcoming April back. They had settled back into their routines with the exception of staring at the medals displayed in a wooden case in the parlor. One was Bronze the other two are Gold. Now April could start to work with the colt again who was half grown.

A production company came to the Di Angelo’s home. They were promoting songs by artists, and wanted to know if they could have written permission to use April’s ride with the U.S. Olympic Team. This would be on television to promote the song JUMP by Van Halen, to earn the team funds. They showed the Di Angelo’s a preliminary of the video they made and April loved it.

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Within three months after the Olympics, investigators came. They came with a warrant when Gordon was not home. They were rude and pushy and Miranda Di Angelo was not having any of that. Miranda walked into her kitchen and locked the door. She called her husband to come home and asked him to bring some deputies with him.

Gordon Di Angelo was the Sheriff of the town. He was not an aggressive man. But if he was pushed or felt his family threatened, he would not stand by and watch that happen. His deputies brought with them a sense of calm, a witness, and common sense. As they came into the drive way, Gordon realized these were not police at all. They were private investigators sent by the state. Gordon got out of his cruiser and all four of his deputies joined him. Good Evening and Gordon extended his hand to shake theirs. They were not there to be friendly or to shake hands. I am the Sheriff of this town and these are my deputies Gordon explained. I understand you want to take April Di Angelo with you, without an explanation.

One of the men spoke, We have a warrant for an arrest for the person or persons who abducted the girl April. She is to be taken back to her biological parents he said.

I don’t think so Gordon replied. You see, six years ago we adopted April and her name is Di Angelo. It is legal and I will show you the paperwork.

Gordon invited he men into his home, while Miranda almost hissed. Gordon was back down stairs in no time to show the men the adoption papers, when they were signed.

Gordon explained, You can see she arrived over six years ago on a bus. She did not know her last name, she did not know much where she came from, her address, nothing. She came with a small suitcase with old clothing and a stuffed tiger.

People on the bus took care of her. From our understanding, she was put on a bus to head to California to be with an Aunt. But no one came, no one showed up. In conclusion there was no Aunt.

April lived like a homeless person in an old car, fending for herself. I also want to say there were over two thousand fliers, on line notices, UPI wires sent looking for her parents. These were sent to law agencies everywhere. It was all legally handled by a law office here in Fresno.

All during that time we took care of her. No one abducted her. She was never stolen. If at all she left on her own. We have paperwork showing extreme abuse, from X-rays of old- fractures and scars. All of these came from the hospital when we legally adopted her. There is no way a family who hurt her, who abused her should ever have her back. Gordon was in full swing of defending his daughter and their right as parents. You may have copies of this paperwork, if you contact Judge Du Val at the county courthouse. He will be in tomorrow and his legal secretary’s name is Missy he said.

The men each in turn examined the paperwork that was legal and notarized. There was a legal birth certificate and the Di Angelo’s listed as legal parents. They looked at each other and then one said. We don’t know what happened. We do know there is a Mother that her child disappeared and she saw what she believed was her in the Olympics. She was adamant that the rider was her daughter. We had a very difficult time finding you folks and if we could just speak to your daughter, maybe we could clarify this and it would all be over with.

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Just then a car pulled up, it was Lauren, April’s friend with her Father Daniel. He was also a Congressman from their area. He was to pick up his daughter Lauren and April at the stable and bring April home. Miranda began to feel hot, and went outside.

Miranda motioned to Lauren and April that April should hide and said it in Spanish. April understood, she lay down on the back seat while Daniel pulled the car to the barn. April slipped out of the back seat door, crouched down, went to the barn, bridled Dobbins and rode out the back gate. April rode Dobbins across the meadow up over the hills and if she had to, she would stay outside all night long.

April thought while she was out, she would ride to the farms and feed the calves. During this time, Congressman Daniel came onto the porch with Lauren and spoke calmly with Miranda. So, Lauren finished her lesson and was wondering when April was coming home? he said winking at Miranda.

Well, I don’t know Miranda said, you know how she is, it is hard to get her off of the back of a horse and they both laughed.

The men in the house came out when they heard April’s name. Is she here for us to talk to? they asked.

Oh no, we just stopped here to let Miranda know Lauren finished her lesson. She wanted to thank her, as April was the one who referred us to the trainers.

April was still at the center when we left.

Oh, may we have that address? the investigator asked.

Gordon Di Angelo stepped outside, No you may not have that address. April is a minor. No one is going to speak to her unless we are present. Now I have to admit you are getting on my bad side here. I already gave you information you will need and it is available tomorrow.

The investigators stepped off of the Di Angelo’s porch and headed to their cars. No words were exchanged they simply backed out of the drive way and left

Gordon stood there with his deputies and told them to take the squad car and follow those fools. He wanted to know where they were going. Never in his life had Gordon been so upset, and now, where was his daughter?

Gordon realized April had come home with Daniel who the Congressman of their Congressional area. He asked Daniel, What can I do about this? Do they have the right to come in be pushy and go threaten my wife?

Congressman Daniel said No, they do not have that right, they should have sent a certified letter. They were trying to show their weight or muscle, Daniel said. And that was very wrong. I am going to contact the Congressman and the Senator from the east, as this was clearly abuse of excessive power.

Gordon thanked him and said he wanted to go out and find his daughter. Gordon shook hands with Congressman Daniel and went to the barn. He noticed Dobbins was gone and he guessed where April would be. Gordon saddled his mare and followed Dobbins tracks.

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April was pitching hay to the calves from up on top of the barn when Gordon arrived at the barn.

Hey you up there he called to his daughter.

Hey you, back at cha April said smiling.

Gordon dismounted and went to help his daughter. April was almost finished, so they sat on a bale and talked.

Dad, what happened tonight she asked her father.

It seems there is someone looking for you darlin’. She claims to be your real Mother and wants you to come back home.

April sat there for a minute to think. Try as she might she could not recall that life anymore, not like she used to. Her life was happy and full, she felt safe. Deep inside her, April felt sorry for the Mother from her past. She did not remember being treated badly by her. She remembered her being busy, but always trying to protect her. April could not for all she was, dis-like or hate this woman.

April put herself in the woman situation and said, I can imagine if it were me, I would want to know too she said to her Dad. I don’t remember like I used to, but I don’t think she ever did anything to hurt me. I feel sorry for her in a way you know what I mean Dad?

Yes, I do he said. April you are a good person, with a good heart, you always put others feelings before yours. Just take it slow, and let things play out, don’t push, ok? he asked his daughter.

April stood up and hugged her Dad and she began to feel very emotional. April pulled back and looked at her Dad directly into his face. Dad, I want to thank you for taking me in, giving me a chance. I don’t know where I would be or what would have happened to me if you and Mom did not reach out to me. April had to take a breath, I know there is a kind loving Father in Heaven who watched over me. I also know nothing just happens. There is always reason for it all. So how ever I did get out here, there was a reason. That’s why I truly feel I am here with you and Mom.

There is no hate in my heart Dad. I have to let go and trust God’s plan and see where this goes. She may be my birth Mother and I do owe that much to her. But you and Mom are my parents. The two of them hugged each other. There would never be any incident or event that would break this bond.

Come on, Mom’s probably wringing her hands by now Gordon said. The two of them climbed back down the loft ladder. Mounted and left for home. When they got there Miranda walked to the barn to speak to them.

Are you two alright? she asked. Yes Mam we are April said jokingly. April was finished before her Dad as she only had a bridle to take off Dobbins. April put Dobbins out in the pasture and then she ran to her Mother hugging her.

April looked up at her Mom and said, I love you Mom, this will all work out for the good, you watch and see squeezing her ever harder.

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As time went on, there was a hearing that no one had to be at. Two Judges appointed for both sides reviewed the paperwork, and decided there was no case, there was no cause to return this girl. What the Di Angelo’s did was prudent and legal. They were concerned for a little girl living in the street. They did nothing wrong, and April did have the final say. April said what she felt. The Di Angelo’s were her parents, legal or otherwise. It did not end there. After conversations with her parents and an interview with her Bishop, April sat down several times over the following weeks to write a letter.

April wanted it right she wanted to express her gratitude, to let the birth Mother to know April was happy. April would sit there for an hour or more deciding what to say, write it down only to scribble it out.

Dear Birth Mother,

I wanted to sit down and write you a letter to thank you. Thank you for giving me birth. I cannot imagine giving birth, caring for that child and have it disappear. For that I humbly apologize, but I myself do not know what happened.

I am sure that when I disappeared you were at a great loss. But I assure you I was always in the care of a kind Heavenly Father. He led me to the best people who watched over me. Then he brought me to a place where I have been treated with love and care, I am happy. I I am glad you recognized me in the Olympics it proves that you never gave up hope. Hope is a good thing, an eternal blessing.

Please know that I feel I owe a great debt to you for my life. But my parents are the ones who are raising me. I owe so much to them as well. I have no hate in my heart towards you, only love. I don’t know who I would be with you, or how I would have turned out. I want you to know I am doing well. I raise calves, and give pony rides. I do well in school, and I go to church every Sunday. I have many friends, and my parents are good, kind and strict with me. I love them very much.

Please know that one day we shall meet, get to know one another other all about each other. I feel it is destined to happen, although I don’t know how. But when we do, we will be blood relatives that greet each other with love and respect.

I will trust God and let him handle this. Know that, I mean this will every beat of my heart. Again, I am grateful for all you have done for me and hope you forgive me. With love, April Di Angelo

April finished the letter, folded it and handed it to her Mother. April did not know where to send it anyway. Miranda put the letter on a pile on her desk where all the papers from the attorney were.

Later that day she dug and found the attorney’s address to their law office. That was the only address she had. Miranda addressed the envelope but before she put April’s letter inside, she read her daughters letter. Miranda was filled with compassion. She felt her daughter did a good job expressing herself, Miranda felt she also should write a note to the birth Mother, and she did.

Dear Birth Mother,

I want you to know that your daughter is a joy and a blessing to us, as we were not blessed with any children of our own. I would like to have a correspondence with you, to keep you informed about April. We too are grateful to you for your unknowing sacrifice and know it was not in vain. Your daughter is a blessing to many people and in time you will get to know her, I promise. Thank you sincerely, Miranda Di Angelo

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The letters were sent and received and the birth Mother was overjoyed for she knew the truth. April would never have blossomed under their roof. But now she could. Now she would get to know her daughter in the best of circumstances. How great, how kind God truly is, she thought.

And throughout the years, April and Miranda kept their promise, they did write, often. The Mother replied when she could, her life would take many turns and twists, those letters were always a source of comfort to her.

Her other children were at times troubled, most were grown and gone. Still some came home for money and to ask for her car because they wrecked theirs. The last two boys at home were good boy’s they worked hard on the farm. She had hoped they would stay and work it out with their Dad. The one wanted to go to the Navy but the other liked tractors and machinery, so she felt if one stayed so would the other, they were that