"Shadows in the Night", Chapter 1: Surprise

(This is the edited version.)

CHAPTER 1: Surprise

"Sarah," mother called.
"Yes Mother," Sarah replied.
"Would you please go get Tim and Tara for me and tell them to get Jeff and Sally while they are up there?"
"Okay Mother," Sarah answered.

There were five siblings: Jeff 14, Tim 11, Sarah and Tara 8, and Sally 3. Mother was pregnant. They all went downstairs. "Now," Mother said, "Now that everyone is here I want everyone to know that we are going to have an ultrasound tomorrow."

"Woohoo!" yelled Tim. "Hooray!" said Sally, as she clapped her hands. "That's terrific!" Jeff said. "Yippee!" yelled the twins.

"Now, now, quiet down," Mother said. "Now be sure to pack your water bottles and a few little snacks because it's a long drive to Little Rock. Okay, now," Mother said, "I just washed your red polo shirts so you can wear that. We will leave right after breakfast."

"Me too?" Sally asked. "Yes, Sally, you too," Mother answered. "Can we bring our notebooks?" Sarah asked. "Yes, you may" Mother answered. "Oh and we need to go to bed early so we can get up early tomorrow, "Mother declared.

"What should I do about my rabbit while we are gone?" Tim asked. "He will be alright," Mother said.

"Jeff," Mother said, "Would you please pack the water bottles in the little cooler?" "Yes ma'am," Jeff said. "Tim, go look in the storage building and find the small cooler for Jeff," said Mother. "Yes ma'am," said Tim as he went out the door.

"Sarah, please pack Sally some toys." "Yes ma'am," Sarah said. She went upstairs. "Tara," Mother said. "Go to the pantry and see if we need to buy more snacks." "Yes ma'am," Tara said. She went to the pantry.

"What can I do Mother?" Sally asked. "You may find my flip flops for me." "Okay Mother," Sally said as she went upstairs. Mother went to the sewing room to make a denim skirt for Sally.

They had baked potatoes and broccoli for supper that night. After supper they had family devotions and songs. At nine o'clock the family went to bed.

Father woke up first and woke everyone else up and they got dressed and headed to Little Rock.