Chapter Thirteen

Late that afternoon, Tommy came home with enough fish to feed them for two days, and good news.

“Ate! Mama! The chairman told me I can work in the fishery or in the paddy field starting tomorrow! He also told me I can start learning to drive the jeepney just inside the hacienda in case they needed a hand in transporting anything from anywhere inside here. I have a job!”

They roasted enough fish for their supper and cooked the rest in herbs and spices. They had a very enjoyable dinner and after the dishes were done, their mother asked them to stay with her for a bit in the living room as she read from her Bible aloud for them and prayed to thank the Lord for their blessings before she went to bed.

Tommy remained in the small living room to read one of his school books. She, on the other hand, checked to make sure every window was closed and the doors in the front and back were locked before maybe reading a book of her own. Her friends often would bring her their books once they were d