Prologue #2
The sweet smell of their cake rose from the oven.
It was small—much smaller than Jennifer’s had been.
There was really only enough for a few bites each.
Rachel glanced with longing at Jennifer’s cake, which sat on the counter unfinished.
But she was sure that her stepsister would notice if any of it was gone in the morning, especially after Rachel had asked for a piece. No doubt she had measured it.
They hadn’t been able to set a timer for the cake.
If anyone woke up and found them here, there might be trouble.
So every few minutes, Rachel sniffed the air, trying to determine whether the cake might be burning.
Edith had a great nose for baking, but Rachel couldn’t help feeling nervous about it.
The two women had taken off their aprons, their work finished for the day.
The aprons now lay on the table beside them.
Both women had a plate in front of them with a few leftover scraps of chicken and a small pile of vegetables—the potatoes had been finished by the family, so there wasn’t any of that left.
“We should have kept one potato back for ourselves,” Rachel sighed.
“It would have been dishonest,” Edith chided.
“No matter how bad things get, honey, we don’t steal.
Remember what it says in Philippians? And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.
We don’t need to take from anyone else. God will make sure we have everything we need. ”
“I know,” Rachel agreed. “You raised me right, Edith.”
“Someone had to do it, after that mother of yours stopped paying attention,” Edith said darkly.
“Bad enough that your stepfather forced you to work as a maid in your own home, but the way your mother just knuckled under for him…well, all I can say is that if I had a daughter of my own, I’d never allow her to be treated that way by any husband of mine. ”
Rachel hung her head. “I can’t help but forgive her,” she said. “I know she’s just frightened. But I know that God would want me to give her grace.”
“You’re right, of course,” Edith said warmly, reaching across the table to rest a hand on top of Rachel’s. “You’re a very forgiving young woman, Rachel, a very godly woman, and that’s a strength you have. But you must also take care of yourself.”
From deep within the house, the floor creaked.
Both Rachel and Edith froze at the sound of footsteps. Rachel’s heart pounded madly. Was someone coming to the kitchen? Had their conversation awoken a member of the family?
Edith was usually the calm one, but right now her jaw was clenched and her eyes were wide. Rachel’s anxiety spiked. Her breathing came faster.
But the footsteps weren’t coming any closer, and after a moment, they stopped altogether. Both women breathed audible sighs of relief. Whoever had been up must have gone back to bed.
Edith rose to her feet and crossed to the oven, walking lightly on the balls of her feet to ensure she didn’t disturb the rest of the house.
She grabbed the oven mitt, reached in, and pulled out the cake, setting it on the counter to cool.
It was perfectly brown, better even than Jennifer’s had been, and Rachel knew that was because Edith had taken extra care and put extra love into this one.
She had timed it down to the second to make sure it would come out perfectly.
She placed it in the center of the table. “We ought to wait for it to cool.”
“Oh, but it smells so good…” Rachel picked up the fork she had set out for herself when they had come in. “Go on, Edith. You should have the first bite.”
Edith settled back into her chair. She was smiling.
“You always were a little impatient,” she said fondly.
“But you’ve had a hard day of work, and you’ve earned a little treat.
All right, now, Rachel.” Edith picked up a bite of cake and ferried it to her mouth.
“I’ll wait to hear what you think of it. ”
“You’ll never compliment your own cooking, will you?” Rachel teased, reaching for a bite of her own.
The cake was hot and sweet, sweeter than anything Rachel had eaten in weeks.
She closed her eyes and savored it, breathing in deeply to help her really appreciate the flavor.
Of course, they’d had nothing special to enhance it—no fruit, no special flavorings.
It was just sugar and flour, and not very much of it at that.
In the wake of the war, such things were still scarce, and especially for a woman like Edith who was unmarried and worked for maid’s wages.
But, as she always did, Edith had made the most of what God had provided.
“Oh, Edith…you’ve outdone yourself. This is really wonderful. ”
“I’m so pleased you like it,” Edith said. “You deserve it, Rachel. You deserve to have good things. I hope you remember that. Just because your stepfather doesn’t seem to realize it doesn’t mean that you should ever forget.”
Rachel’s heart warmed at the sentiment. “I just hope I won’t have to spend the rest of my life as his servant.”
“You won’t,” Edith said firmly. “I’m sure of that. God has a bigger plan for you, Rachel.” She closed her eyes and quoted, “Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”
“Proverbs?” Rachel asked.
Edith smiled. “Very good.”
“Your faith is so strong,” Rachel said admiringly. “You have a verse for everything. I hope mine is as strong as yours if I am ever really tested.”
“You’ve been plenty tested in your life,” Edith assured her. “More than I had at your age. To lose your place in your family is no easy matter, Rachel. But good things await you. One day you will get to them. You simply have to stay strong until that day arrives.”
Rachel nodded and set her fork down, having finished her tiny portion of cake.
She was sure that Edith was right. Edith was always right when it came to things like this.
She was a wonderful mother figure, and with her, Rachel did feel as though she was still loved by someone.
Edith was her true family, now that her blood had abandoned her.
God, make me strong in faith, just like Edith, she prayed. Give me the patience and trust to believe that one day my life will change for the better…and to wait for that day to come. And I promise that until that moment arrives, I will keep my trust in you.
I won’t give up.