In My Father's House

Page 118

in my father's house/ 100 Jake flushed and smiled shyly. The others came in and we all sat around reviewing Jake's accident. Suddenly there was a knock on the back door. "I'll get it," I called. "No!" My father's voice was sharp. Everyone froze, staring at each other. It was only the Van Helms. A general shout of relief sprang off the walls of the living room. "You have no idea how you frightened us!" my mother trilled. The Van Helms brought a box of homemade fudge, which I passed around to everyone --my father first, of course. Then, another knock. This time my father didn't even glance up until one of his councilmen burst into the room. "They're on their way, Rulon!" Brother Butchreit cried. "You've got to get out of here." My father gazed thoughtfully at the rug and did not move. After a moment he spoke. "I won't run from them. The little ones must be hidden. They're the proof we haven't followed the government's damnable orders." In a flurry, my mother dressed me in a nightgown and sweater. We piled into the Hudson, with all the small children. I was one of the oldest in the car. "Stop crying," I ordered the toddlers. I was so busy being bossy, I didn't have an inkling of fear. I rolled down the window and listened to my mother as she clung to my father.