Faith Gibson [Gibson - Deacon (The Stone Society Book 12)

2027

New Chicago

Sabrina was desperate to find food. She opened all the cabinet doors again, praying shed overlooked a can of soup or a container of noodles. She wasnt surprised to find nothing. She was surprised the utilities hadnt been turned off. It was the middle of the month, so hopefully they had a few more days until that happened. Because it would happen.

Sabrina, Im hungry, Jasmine whined for the tenth time in as many minutes. Sabrina was hungry too, but there just wasnt any food in the house. During the week, things werent so bad since they could at least eat lunch at school. But it was Saturday. She had used the last of the rice for breakfast. Trying to keep four mouths fed without money was getting impossible. Their mother, Michelle, had gone to work on a Tuesday three weeks ago and never returned. Her mom worked two jobs to make ends meet, and sometimes she went on a date on the free night she had off from the diner where she waitressed. Sabrina called both the office and diner when she didnt come home, but both managers said her mom hadnt shown up for work that day. Every day, Sabrina called, and every day, she received the same message. Nobody had seen nor heard from Michelle. When the manager at the office asked Sabrina who was looking after her and her siblings, she lied and told him their grandmother.

Being fifteen and the oldest, Sabrina took it upon herself to watch over her younger siblings, praying her mother would return, because if she didnt, they were going to starve. Or worse. Sabrina knew she couldnt get a job, not without quitting school. Even if she did that, she wasnt old enough to work the hours it would take to bring in enough money to put food on the table and keep the lights and water on.

Sabrina had no idea who her father was. Jasmines had been killed in a drive-by shooting eight years ago, and Terrence and Jerricks father was in jail and had been since before Jerrick, their youngest brother, was born. Sabrina had no idea who the mans parents were or if they were alive.

Sabrinas grandmother, Cynthia Woodard, had money, but Sabrina didnt think shed be willing to help. When Sabrina had been born, her grandmother tried to get Michelle to give her up for adoption, but shed refused. Grandmother had relented but vowed if Michelle didnt finish school and go to college, she would be cut off permanently. Michelle towed the line for a couple years, but when she met Jasmines father, shed fallen in love with the man who swore hed take care of Michelle and her child. Both he and Cynthia were true to their word. Grandmother cut Michelle out of her life, and Maurice took care of them until he was gunned down.

Bree! Jasmine wailed.

I know, Jas, but we just dont have anything. Sabrina blinked hard to keep the tears from falling. She had done the best she could for three weeks, but now it looked like it wasnt going to be enough. She knew if she asked anyone for help, the police would come, and theyd be separated. With no other recourse, she went to her mothers bedroom and found the notebook her mother kept with phone numbers, social security numbers, and insurance information. Sabrina took the book back into the kitchen where the landline hung on the wall. She didnt know any other kids who still had the old-fashioned type phone, but she didnt care if it wasnt a fancy cell phone.

When she removed the receiver from the hook, she held her breath, praying there would be a dial tone. When the normally annoying sound came through, she sighed before taking another deep breath and dialed her grandmothers number. After it rang five times, an automated voice spoke, saying the person she was trying to reach was unavailable. At the beep, she cleared her throat. Uh, Grandmother, its Sabrina. Im sorry to bother you, but Mommas missing, and were all hungry. I did the best I could, and I wouldnt call unless it was an emergency. Were out of food, so I guess, to us, thats an emergen Another beep sounded, and Sabrina stared at the receiver. She didnt know whether to call back or not.

Sabrina hung the phone up and stood staring at it. A small hand found hers, and Sabrina looked down to find Jerrick staring at her with his thumb in his mouth. It was something hed grown out of a long time ago, but after their mother didnt return home, hed reverted back to doing it and not only at night. She picked up his slight frame and hugged him close. Jasmine and Terrence were watching. Did she answer? Is she going to help? Jasmine asked.

I left her a message, but yeah, shell help us, Sabrina said, praying she wasnt lying. We just have to wait a few hours for her to get here. Lets go play a game to get our minds off our bellies.

Terrence and Jasmine hated Candyland, but it was the only game they had that Jerrick could play as well. Sabrina did her best to concentrate on the game, but she couldnt stop wondering if she should try her grandmother again. If the woman didnt get the message for a day or two, all of them were going to be starving. A spoonful of rice between her younger siblings wouldnt last long in sating their hunger. Sabrina had given up her own portion and divided it between the others. It was a sacrifice she would make again if only they had something to share.

A knock at the door had all the kids freezing. Stay here, Sabrina said while standing from where they were seated around the worn coffee table. She peered through the peephole. When she saw not only her grandmother but a policeman and a scowling, strange woman, Sabrina shoved her fist in her mouth to keep from crying out. Sure, Grandmother had come to the rescue, but shed brought trouble with her. Sabrina turned to look at the hopeful faces of her siblings, and in that moment, she knew she had no choice but to open the door.