“Amanda,” Belle whispered, “Amanda, wake up. I have good news.”

Amanda had been in peaceful slumber. She had been dreaming about the happy life she had lived before her Father had taken her away. In her dream, her sweet teacher was really her Mother, and they lived with her Grandfather Sanders. He was so good to her and the other children. She felt loved, and safe. She and Abby Ann were constant companions. She couldn’t have imagined a better friend.

“Amanda,” Belle  gently shook her daughter’s shoulder, and Amanda opened her eyes. Oh what Belle wouldn’t give to see the sparkle back. “The doctor said you’re stable enough to travel home, but you must promise to eat.” Amanda’s weight loss had compromised her health and stamina, and was a major concern to the doctor.

Amanda started to look away, but Belle took her chin in her hand and brushed the hair from her face. “I have more news,” she said. Abby Ann is back home, and so are Alice, Andy, and, Tony. They have a wonderful, smart dog named Beau who came with them. Abby is convalescing too. You’re going to be in a room together.”

Amanda smiled her beautiful smile. “I’m hungry,” she said. She was absolutely beaming.

Yes, Abby, Andy, Tony, and Alice were home. It felt so strange to leave the little cabin, but they felt better after a dinner of hamburgers and ice cream. Yes, they were home and when Amanda got there, the little family of children would be reunited.

The adults had many questions and concerns, but it would wait. They all agreed to take a few days to get the children settled, and well. It was so heartwarming to see everyone of them with perpetual smiles on their faces. Mandy was beside herself with excitement.

One week later Charles asked Andrea, Aaron, Belle, and Beatrice, to meet with him in the drawing room.

“I know we’ve all looked to my sister, Beatrice as the source of all the pain we’ve  suffered over the past two years.” He looked toward Bea, who was looking at him with unwavering eyes. There was unmistakable regret in her expression.

“I must accept much of the responsibility for all that happened. I have been a self-centered man. I created this life for myself. It was all so perfect, and everyone, especially the children looked up to me. I was admired by all. The unfortunate truth is, there was no place for Beatrice in my Utopia.”

Charles was full of emotion as he continued; never taking his eyes off his sister. “In her loneliness, Beatrice began to focus on making her dolls, until each child was represented by a doll that looked just like them. While beautiful, they were a poor substitute for real family and human affection. Beatrice will be treated for her undeniably fragile mental health. I also have a long way to go before I’m completely recovered.”

“So my family, I ask that you find it in your hearts to forgive us both.”

“Now,” he continued. “I must keep you awhile longer, to inform you of a decision that Beatrice and I have agreed upon. At least one remarkably good thing has happened as a result of all that we’ve experienced. We have come to know and love our dear sister Audrey’s family.”

“There were three siblings,”he said. Audrey, Beatrice, and myself.” Charles looked at his family before he continued. “The estate will be split three ways. I will own 1/3. I intend to give my daughter Belle, a good portion of my share. Andrea and Aaron, we are incredibly blessed by you and Mandy. You will rightfully own 1/3, and Beatrice will also own 1/3. She intends to will her portion to the children, so they will always have a home here.” He smiled at Aaron, and Andrea. “We are hoping you will stay on and make this your home as well.”

Aaron and Andrea looked at each other. It would never occur to them not to stay.

Feeling much better, Beatrice hopped on her motorized wheel chair, People scurried to get out of her way. “Now,” she said. “I’m in need of a nap.”

 

And so, the story of Abby Ann ends. I have grown attached to this family, and I hope you have enjoyed their story.

(There will be an Epilogue). 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life in the cabin was all about survival. Abby did the best she could over the next two years to take care of the younger children, but she was just a child herself. She decided early on they would not venture too far from their new little home. They had no idea how far they were from other civilization. At least the cabin kept them safe from wild animals, and they weren’t likely to be found by the men who had taken Amanda…or tried to.

They didn’t want to think too far ahead, but they prayed together daily that they would be found and returned to their home. The food in the cupboard was enough for awhile. They learned how to burn wood in the fireplace to stay warm, and there was a fire pit outside with a hook to hang a pot. This is where they cooked their oatmeal and cornmeal mush or thin crackers made from flour and water. They got water to drink and wash with from the little creek behind the cabin.

As the first winter approached and their food supply started to run low, Abby was afraid they would starve to death. There were fish in the creek, but try as they might, they couldn’t figure out how to catch them. Fear and cold weather were setting in, when their savior came in the form of a dog.

The name on the collar said Beau. He was a beautiful dog and he truly saved the frightened little children. He never left them for long, and when he did, he came back with fish from the stream, or a rabbit for their stew. The children gathered wild berries and onions. They found a book in the cabin about edible wild weeds and plants. It also taught them about skunk cabbage that they could eat, plus it could also be used for medicinal purposes.

They survived by working together to meet each challenge they were faced with. Abby’s biggest worry was that Tony was growing and would soon need new protheses. She rubbed his scars where his lower legs had been removed, with an ointment she made from rabbit fat and the skunk cabbage. He was so brave, and never lost his ready smile.

Andy started to talk a little. He learned how to do so many things. He gained confidence, and he trusted this family he knew loved him. Alice had learned to slow down when she spoke. She barely stuttered.

Abby was thinking about all of this that day, as she pulled the crudely built sled, that held the dry wood she was bringing to the cabin.

_________________________________________________________________

The Dollmaker

The dollmaker was almost finished with the last doll. This creation was not in the likness of a child. No, the children were almost taken care of. This doll was in the likeness of an adult.

The children would no longer interfere. Four of them had been lost in the woods two years ago. They most likely starved to death or had some other fateful mishap. The fifth child, Amanda had bolted from the bus and ran. Her father had shown himself too soon. It took them two days to find her but, she was no longer a threat. Her father had taken Amanda abroad and had no intention of bringing her back.

The plan was brilliant. Bringing Mandy and her parents to the estate under the guise of giving them eveything topped it all off. With that thought, the dollmaker got back to the final touches of the current masterpiece. Andrea and Allen were getting too close to finding out the truth. The final phase of the grand scheme had begun. It was all so perfect.

_________________________________________________________________

Andrea

I took the new doctor to see Uncle Charles. Aaron had checked his references and everything appeared to be in order. Thankfully, the new nurse had stayed on.

I know the doctor must have wondered why the poor man was stuck in a dark tower. “Good morning Uncle Charles,” I said. “I want to introduce you to your new doctor. You remember don’t you that Dr. Davis is no longer available to come and see you?” It was afternoon and Uncle Charles was awake, but still appeared to be in a fog of confusion. After the introduction, I left them alone so the doctor could do his examination.

I got to the dinning room in time to meet Aaron and Amanda for dinner. We had just seated ourselves, when we heard Aunt Bea coming. Aaron made sure he was out of the way when she came flying in. She came screeching to a stop, while (as always), holding her hat on her head.

“Oh my, I do love this new ride,” she said.” Then as before, she rang the little bell, and said grace.

“I’m happy you decided to join us,” I said. “It gives me a chance to catch you up on a few things. “Aaron found a new Dr. for Uncle Charles, and before he departed, Dr. Davis had a service send a new nurse over. I don’t think I told you we discovered Dr Davis and the attorney he directed you to, were both imposters.”

Aunt Bea seemed nonplussed by the news. “I rather liked Dr. Davis, but I barely knew the attorney. So you’re saying Dr. Davis, whoever he is, made sure Nurse Jones had a replacement? I assume  he will be taking the same medication. It seems to have calmed   him since his breakdown.”

“The new nurse seems much more pleasant than Nurse Jones,” I said, as the food was being served. “There is no relationship between and the man posing as Dr. Davis and the new nurse. Someone who said they were Dr Davis called the service to make the request, but they had no prior business business dealings with him, and he gave no special instructions.”

At that bit of news, Aunt Bea seemed physically shaken. She didn’t comment, and after a few bites of food, she excused herself. It was a much more subdued Aunt Bea that got on her “New ride” and left the room.

The following morning, I met with the Dr. shortly after taking Mandy to the library to get started with Ms. James. The Dr. and I spoke in the parlor. “Ms. Allen, I was able to go over the tests I recommended we run on your Uncle. Since the previous nurse seems to have taken the medication with her when she left, I was at a disadvantage as far as making a completely accurate diagnosis. The tests however, did reveal some things you should be aware of.”

“Certainly Doctor,” I replied. Is it bad news?”

“On the contrary, I have reason to believe your Uncle has been over medicated. The strongest of people would be in a stuper if they had been given the high level of sedatives we found in Mr. Sanders blood workup. It’s too early to tell how much he will recover, but I will tell you, if the current treatment had gone on much longer, he might not have survived.” The doctor stood then looked toward the doorway.

“Thank God, we were in time.” I turned to see who was there. It was Mandy’s tutor…

“Ms. James,” I said. “I don’t understand.”

“I don’t suppose you do,” she replied. “Then she did something that cleared up one mystery.

The  woman standing before me, was the children’s teacher and Mandy’s tutor. “I’m Belle,” she said. “Charles is my father, and Amanda is my daughter. These last two years, I have been searching for Amanda. Her Father is a dangerous man, and I’ve had to be careful. I’ve gotten close to finding them, but he’s always one step ahead of me. I tried to keep track of my father as well,” she said, “I knew he was failing quickly, which is why I came back.”

“Yes,” I said. “Hopefully,he will recover sufficiently to get some enjoyment in his life.”

“May I ask why you were disguised, and posing as Mandy’s tutor?” I questioned.

“Of course,” Bell appologized, “I feared my ex husband, Amanda’s Father, would discover I was here and try to harm me.” Then she shook her head, “I just don’t care anymore.  I only want to see my Father.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mandy and Aaron were up and dressed when I got back to the house. I showed Aaron the photo of the children and the teacher. I was about to introduce him to Ms. James, and I wanted to see if he thought as I did…were the teacher and Mandy’s tutor the same person?

We headed to the breakfast room to grab a bite before going to the parlor to meet with the tutor. I asked Cindy, the little housekeeper,to stay with Mandy, and not leave her for any reason.  I didn’t want my daughter to witness anything unpleasant should we have to confront her tutor.

When we got to the parlor, I half expected Ms. James wouldn’t be there, but indeed she was. I decided the resemblance was uncanny, but this woman was at least ten years older than the teacher in the photo. I glanced at Aaron, and could see from his expression, that he agreed. After introducing the two, I collected Mandy and got the little student and tutor all set up for school in the library.

 

 

 

____________________________________________________

Aaron was going to spend his morning gathering information to meet with an attorney concerning the property ownership. He would then go to the authorities about the Dr. Davis and the attorney imposters.

I headed back upstairs to Aunt Bea’s suite. The door opened just as I was about to knock. My Aunt looked surprised to see me.

“May I come in?” I asked. I could tell she was not excited to see me, but she waived me in. We both sat down, and I got right to my questioning. “How long have you been using the attorney that handled the transfer of property, and set up the funds to run this place?” I could tell she was truly surprised by the question.

“Oh dear,” she said. “Dr. Davis referred me to him. He told me that my health and that of Charles was such that It was time for me to consider relieving myself of the responsibility of Charles’ care and this huge estate. I rather liked the idea.” She picked up a fan and started fanning herself. I decided this was a nervous habit, and smiled as I remembered my Mother did the same thing. She leaned forward and patted my knee and said, “He’s the one that found you dear.”

“Can I ask, how long have you and Charles used Dr. Davis? ”

“Oh my, let me think..Yes, it was a little over two years ago, right before the children were taken. It’s been so wonderful, because he always comes to the estate. He brought Nurse Jones to see Charles when he had his breakdown and decided she should care for him full time. I can’t tell you what a weight off my shoulders that has been,”she said as she continued to fan herself.

I was convinced that Aunt Bea was telling the truth [as she knew it.] Now it was time to visit my Uncle….and Nurse Jones.

———————————————————————-

I knocked on the door expecting to see “The eyeball” of nurse Jones looking at me from the peephole, but instead, the door opened, and another lady invited me in. Judging by her uniform, I surmised she was a nurse. Seeing my puzzled look, she quickly explained the situation. “You must be Mr. Sanders niece,” she she said, “I’m with a service that provides, short term nursing care. My name is Donna Blake.”

I had no idea where Nurse Jones had come from, only that the good Dr. Davis had found her. “Where is Nurse Jones?” I asked.

“I only know that the service called me and asked me to fill in. It seems Ms. Jones left unexpectedly.”

“Do you know if Nurse Jones was with the same service?” I was trying to make some sense of this one.

“I don’t believe so,” she answered, “I was told a Dr. Davis  requested our services, and this was the first time he had referred to our company.”

“Tell me,” I asked the nurse, “Is Dr. Davis listed as the prescribing Dr. on my Uncles  medication?”

 

Amanda and her Mother, Belle

 

Allow me a moment and I’ll check,” she offered.

“Uncle Charles, do you remember speaking to me the other day?” I asked. “I’m Andrea Allen, your sister Audrey’s daughter.”

He looked at me for a moment, then said, “Yes, yes I do remember. That other nurse is gone, thank God she’s gone. She was trying to kill me.”

I’d like to ask you about something else you said. “You told me you know where the children are.”

He looked at me as if he was trying to decide if he could trust me. “I know where four of them are, but not my granddaughter, not Amanda?”

“Who told you where they are?” I asked, ” Where are they?”

“Belle told me, Belle is my daughter, and Amanda’s Mother.”

Just then, the nurse walked back in. “What did you find out? Who prescribed the medication?”

“There is no medication,” she said, “I don’t understand, the medication and a detailed schedule were to be here this morning, Excuse me, I need to call my office.”

Nurse Blake                                                                    Uncle Charles

This is not good, I thought. We had no idea what medicines my Uncle had been taking. More importantly,how badly does he need them?

THE CHILDREN – Two years before.

When the people who had been in the car discovered Amanda was gone, they were totally beside theselves. It took a few minutes for them to settle down and decide to go try to find her. Abby Ann waited thinking her wonderful teacher would come back to the bus, but she didn’t. She jumped in the car, leaving Amanda’s father, the bus driver, and Dr. Davis, who were all chasing after Amanda.

Abby didn’t know what to do, but she knew she had to try to keep the other children calm. She asked Alice to get the picnic lunch. They could eat while they waited for the teacher to come back.

When they finished their lunch, Abby got everyone out of the bus to go for a walk. They found a trail and followed it. they picked wild flowers and sang songs.Thankfully, it was a beautiful afternoon, but it would start to get dark soon.

She was afraid, and didn’t know what to do. Abby decided to go back to the bus,and hope the bad men that chased Amanda weren’t there. The children were getting so tired… Andy walked so well with his prostheses, but he tired quickly. They had to keep going.

Abby knew they were lost. She wanted to cry, but she knew that would frighten the other children. They kept walking as long as they could, but when it got too dark to see, they huddled together and fell asleep. Abby’s last thought before drifting off to sleep was to wonder if there were wild animals that could hurt them. She wished so much that she could hear.

 

 

It was cold outside, but she knew the cabin would be warm and toasty when she got there. Everything was covered with a white blanket of snow. Off in the distance, she could see the smoke from the chimney. Good, she thought. The others had kept the fire going and she had found enough dry wood to keep them warm through tomorrow. She looked back at the makeshift sled and smiled to herself. It had been two years, but they were a strong family and they were thriving. Each child’s strength offset another’s weakness. She knew God had kept them alive and together for a reason. Then sadness crept over her. If only they could find Amanda. When spring came, she would figure out a way to look for her friend without being discovered. Deep in her heart, Abby Ann knew Amanda was alive.

I must have drifted off to sleep while reading about all the children. What happened to them? What part did Uncle Charles play in all of this?

I looked at my watch and saw that dinner would soon be served. I hoped that Mandy and the little housemaid were back from their walk. I splashed some cool water on my face, put on some lipstick, and started across the hall to retrieve my daughter in time for dinner.

I started to knock on the door, but something made me stop. Mandy was talking to someone, and it wasn’t her sitter.

“Mandy, everyone thinks you’re Amanda. You look just like her, but you aren’t her. I don’t know what happened to her,” the voice said. “The doll maker made dolls in our likeness. There’s a doll for everyone but Amanda.”

Who was that talking to Mandy? I opened the door enough to see Mandy with the doll made in the likeness of Abby Ann. I decided to take a chance and enter the room. Mandy’s eyes grew wide and she hugged the little doll close. “Mandy,” I said. “Tell Abby Ann that she can trust me. I have read her story and the stories of the other children who were taken from the school. I want to help find all of them. Please,” I said, “Tell me what happened that day.”

“I have no choice but to accept your offer,” a voice said. I didn’t know if it was the doll talking or Mandy. It didn’t matter.

“We were all so happy here,” I knew the voice was that of Abby Ann. ” We had been a family for three years. Amanda’s Grandfather had helped us all. I learned to sign and read lips. Andy did too. He could hear, but he didn’t want to speak. He signed to us that voices tell lies and hurt people.”

“Alice was trying really hard to stop stuttering. We knew we had to give her time to finish what she was saying, that way she wouldn’t try to talk too fast. She was doing so much better.” The voice…telling  of these truths, went on.

“We stopped pitying Tony. How can you feel sorry for someone who doesn’t feel sorry for themselves. He was so happy that he could stand tall. He knew how proud we were of him.”

“And you Abby Ann? What about you?” I remembered her story in the album.

“I can’t hear,” she said. “I don’t know what voices sound like. I can’t hear a bird sing or a song being sung.” She went on to say this. “I can’t hear people I love arguing, or a scream. I can ‘t hear a child or a poor little animal cryout in pain, but I can see laughter, and love, and sunshine. I can feel everything good and bad.” I have been given more than most dream about because of Amanda and her Grandfather, Mr. Sanders.”

“You have talked about everyone but Amanda,” I said. “What was her affliction?”

The voice I heard sounded so sad. “She didn’t have a tangible weakness, but she felt our pain, and fear. She was our strength. She had enough faith for all of us, and she knew how to be a friend.”

Where are these children? Where is Amanda? I knew the answers were in the school house, and in the tortured mind of Uncle Charles. I went to the playhouse and gathered all of the dolls. I knew they needed to be together.

TONY

Tony was the youngest and smallest of the school children. He was barely four when he arrived at the country estate. The first thing everyone noticed about Tony was his cute little ears. He had a beautiful smile that he shared with anyone and everyone he saw. Mr. Sanders learned about the little boy when he was visiting a friend in the hospital. Tony was there to have an operation. He was born without legs and was having surgery in preparation of the first of many prostheses he would need throughout his life.

Mr. Sanders thought Tony a brave little soul to share his smile so readily in the face of such difficulty. Tony was an orphan, and was currently in the care of an Aunt who was both financially and emotionally unable to care for her nephew. Charles became the legal guardian of this exceptional little boy and Tony had all he needed in the way of love, medical attention, and safety. He was an eager student in preschool and was in the first grade when two people he had especially been devoted to failed him. 

ALICE

Everyone adored little Alice. She was the darling of the clan, and the third child to arrive. Alice’s parents were very wealthy, but without compassion for their little daughter. No matter what methods they tried or disdain they showed, they couldn’t stop Alice from stuttering. In fact, the harder they tried, the worse her affliction became. They were relieved, if not happy that Alice had been accepted by the school and would be moving to the estate. Less fortunate, Mr. Sander’s believed, can mean more than low income. Alice was experiencing the kind of happiness she had never known in her young life. A happiness that would soon be snatched away from her.

ANDY

Andy was the second child to receive a scholarship. He hadn’t lived with his parents and two older siblings for over a year. He had been placed in foster care when he was four, and within the year’s time, had lived with two different families. He was such a special child, but for reasons unknown, he had never spoken a word. He understood everything and even though he didn’t read out loud, he could comprehend, and write quite well for his age. Doctors said there wasn’t a physical reason Andy couldn’t speak, and with time and love, he most likely “would” speak.

The two girls took him under their wings, and since he didn’t talk, they taught him how to sign. What a cute little threesome they were. They were blissfully unaware of what the future held. 

Aunt Beatrice was still breathing, but unconscious. I asked the housekeeper if there was a Dr. close by. She said there was indeed a doctor who had been called to the estate quite often when the children were still here. She left to put in a call and I stayed with Aunt Beatrice. She certainly did not look well.

I had no idea where Aunt Bea had been going with her diatribe. I too was a little nervous about Uncle Charles running around unchecked, but there was nothing I could do until the doctor got there, and could tell me the seriousness of Aunt Bea’s condition.

By the time the doctor arrived, Aunt Bea was making some moaning sounds. It wasn’t long before she started coming around and opened her eyes. She looked at the doctor adoringly, batting her eyes, which coudn’t have been easy considering her heavy false eyelashes.

“Ms. Sanders, it’s obvious that you have been in an overwrought state. Have you been taking  your medication?”  he asked.

“Oh, dear,” she whimpered, “I’m afraid Charles is out of control again. I’m sure that  nurse isn’t keeping him sedated. Where on earth did you find her? Everything has just been so unsettled around here, and of course, I have to manage it all. I did win big at bingo last night, it had been such awhile you know.” she was clearly enamored with the handsome doctor.

 

“You’re just having one of your spells Beatrice,” he concluded. ” I recommend a couple of days bed rest and you’ll be as good as new. You and Gladys really must stay out of the smoking section at your bingo games,”he added. He looked at me when he said, “I have someplace I need to be right now, but I will be back tomorrow morning to check on Charles. It’s very nice to meet you Ms. Allen, I will see myself out.”

After Aunt Bea gained some strength back, the housekeeper and I helped her back on her electric wheel chair and managed to get her back to her rooms. She was asking the maid for a bell and some magazines when I left. I needed to tend to Mandy.

I walked into Mandy’s room expecting to see her playing with her dolls, or reading with the young maid I had asked to stay with her. I didn’t want my daughter alone when she was not with her teacher, her father, or me.

There was no one in the room. It appeared that Mandy had been playing with her dolls, and the huge doll house. Alice and Andy were there, but Abby Ann was still gone, and in her place, was a new little boy doll.

I found the maid and Mandy walking along a path outside that looked like it led to the fenced school yard. I must go take a look at the deserted building that had once been a school, but not now. I wanted to relax with a cup of tea and read about Abby Ann.

——————————————————

Abby Ann was only five years old when she came to live at the country estate owned by Charles Sanders and his spinster sister Beatrice. Mr. Sander’s wanted his daughter Amanda to attend school on the estate, and to that end, he built a little school house. He felt it was important to give his daughter schoolmates, but he was a benevolent man as well, and wished to help children who needed some security in their lives.

Abby’s Mother was widowed shortly after Abby was born. She was a good Mother, and loved her little girl very much. Providing a home and food for the two of them proved to be a near impossible task. It was made even more difficult because Abby had been born deaf. 

In her search for a better life for her daughter, she was made aware of Mr. Sander’s desire to help children such as Abby Ann. She immediately wrote a letter and asked that her daughter be considered for a scholarship. She was accepted and came to live at the estate. Abby was the first to come, and she and sweet little Amanda became very close friends. Both girls were taught sign language and they delighted in playing tricks on the household who didn’t know How to sign or read lips.

They enjoyed a happy life for three years, then when they were eight, two people they knew and trusted, came and took them away.