The War That Saved My Life (The War That Saved My Life, #1)

by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

I said, “You never wanted us. You don’t want us now.” Mam’s eyes blazed. She said, “You’re right, I don’t.” “You never wanted us,” I said. “And why would I?” Mam said. “It was all him, calling me unnatural, wanting babies all the time. Then I got stuck with a cripple. And then a baby. And then no husband. I never wanted either of you.” Jamie made a little noise. I knew he was crying but I couldn’t look at him yet. I said, “So you don’t need to keep us now. You won’t have to pay. We’ll be gone in the morning. We’ll be gone for good.” Mam got up. She took her purse and hat. She turned back to look at me. “I can get rid of you without paying anything?” I nodded. She grinned. It was her stuffing-Ada-into-the – cabinet grin. “Is that a promise?” she said. All of my life I would remember those words. I said, “Yes.”