A Black death story - Selena Bonner (sneezy the snowman read aloud .txt) 📗

I asked her, being on my best behavior.
“Please, you can call me Anne.” she informed me.
“Where did you come from?” the old man questioned in a gruff voice. He had shaggy, grey hair with bangs and brown eyes.
“I come from London,” I answered honestly. They both gasped.
“You have the illness?” Miss Anne said, leaning away from me.
“No, no!” I refused, “I do not have the illness. My mother and papa and two sisters had it, but not my brother and I.” I lowered my eyes to my soup and took another sip.
“Oh, I am so very sorry,” Miss Anne apologized, “where is your brother? Forgive me by asking so many questions, I am always curious.” she said.
“My brother is at the hospital, it’s the least I can do for him,” I answered honestly, “I do not mind so many questions, I am good at answering questions.” I pointed out. She nodded thoughtfully, then taking a few sips of her soup.
“Very miraculous you haven’t the sickness,” the old man said thoughtfully.
“What may I call you, Mister?” I wondered. Miss Anne got up from the table and cut bread slices. She gave me two slices of bread and one to her and her husband.
“You may call me Ronald,” the man smiled, showing yellow, dirty teeth. I smiled politely back, and dipped my bread into my soup.
Miss Anne gave me a sheet and a pillow on top of a mattress. The room was hot and stuffy, but I did not mind. I sit on the hard floor right now, and I am drawing the old couple. I hope Abe is fine and clean and healthy. I hope he will be well and be snug in a bed as I am tonight.
Sincerely,
Amelia Right

Dear Diary, July 7th, 1665
I am so devastated, I can hardly write down what has happened. I left the cottage, thanking the couple, and found the hospital again. I entered and asked the woman if I could see Abe Right.
“I am sorry, but we had to release him,” she apologized, looking up at me from behind her escritoire.
“That can not be!” I cried, “why did you release him?” I was infuriated with the woman, but mostly terrified of what happened.
“He had the plague, and we could not let him stay, I am sorry.” she replied innocently, “We could not send you a letter, I did not know where you were staying.” she wore eyeglasses, and returned to her work.
“Where did you release him?” I demanded. I could have cried, but I would not let myself in front of the perpetrator.
“In front of the hospital, heaven knowns where he is now,” she looked down at a stack of papers. I would have asked more questions, but marched right out of the hospital.
As the day went on, I called to Abe in the streets. I asked every person on the streets and in their homes. They shook their heads soberly to my plea. I called to him until my throat was dry and hoarse. When the sun fled the sky, I slumped to the street. I have lost my brother, and now I have no choice but to leave this town and to go to the next. As for now, I am so tired of wandering around the city, I only want to rest on the cold ground.
Sincerely,
Amelia Right

Dear Diary, July 11th, 1665
Yesterday, I reached Manchester. It is close to Liverpool, which is where I will be taking a cargo boat. Just as I told Abe, I am going to France. I hope Abe will find a home to stay in. Maybe he will come to Liverpool and come to France with me. I am not sure what I will do after I am in France, after all, I am only thirteen years of age.
In the early morning, I knocked on a big house. A young, pretty woman answered the door. She had a yellow shawl on with a fancy dress and fan. Her hair was down past her shoulders, it was very curly and brown. Her eyes were blue as if some one dipped them in water.
“May I stay with you? I have no where else to go.” I told her. I was very much embarrassed, but what else could have I done?
“Of course you can stay with me, please come in, young lady.”She smiled a beautiful smile, showing perfect white teeth. I entered the house, looking around. I entered the kitchen to see two boys sitting at the table.
“Good morning, sorry to disturb you,” I apologized innocently. I sat down at the table, placing my haversack at my heels.
“Good morning, who might you be?” one of the boys said. The young woman turned her attention to her stove, cooking something diligently.
“My name is Amelia,” I answered. They looked at each other, then to me.
“My name is John, and this Alan,” They nodded there heads, and I did the same. John had dirty blonde hair with blue eyes and had a round face, while Alan had brown, straight hair with brown eyes. I smiled at them both, and they smiled back.
“Where are you from, Amelia?” Alan wondered. They both looked at me for the answer.
“London,” just as the old couple did, the three of them gasped.
“I do not have the illness, but my family did, they all died, except my brother, he was lost in Nottingham.” I frowned and looked down at the table.
“Would you like some shephard’s pie?” the tall woman wondered.
“Yes please, what may I call you?” I asked her as she put a slice on a plate for me.
“You can call me Miss Jane,” she smiled down at me, “these are my two boys, as you have met them.”
“They are lovely,” I complimented. They beamed happily, then dug into their slices. I ate happily, occasionally answering their questions.
In mid-afternoon, Miss Jane gave me a book to read. I went outside and sat in the shade. Alan walked over to me and sat down.
“What are you reading?” he asked me, glancing over my shoulder to read. I dropped the book to my lap.
“One of your mother’s book, I have never heard of it, but it is deeply interesting.” I informed him. He laughed.
“What is funny, Alan?” I demanded.
“I haven‘t a clue, but you must learn to laugh,” he pointed out.
“After all I have been through, I forget how to laugh.” I said soberly. He smiled at me.
“I will teach you,” he told me, “open you mouth, and then make this sound,” I laughed at his poor directions.
“You have it,” he grinned ear to ear.
“I am laughing at your instructions,” I giggled. He stood up and wiped his pants.
“Come play hide and seek with John and I,” he put his hand out and I took it. He helped me up and I left the book by a tree.
“Where will we play?” I wondered. I followed him into the woods.
“In the woods, it is perfect,” he smiled at me, “there are plenty of big trees and vast shrubs.”
All day John and Alan and I played in the woods until the sky was dark. We entered the house and had a lovely dinner with Miss Jane and Gabe, her husband and Alan and John. Then Miss Jane showed me to my own room.
Everyone is asleep right now. Since four months, I have had fun today. I can’t wait to see what is in store for tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Amelia Right


Dear Diary, July 14th, 1665
I left the generous family this early morning. I was so sad to leave, Miss Jane offered for me to stay with them, that they would take me in.
“I do not want to be a burden,” I told Miss Jane as I headed out the door.
“You are not burden, Amelia, if you cannot make it to France, please return.” Miss Jane spoke sadly.
“Tell John and Alan it was the best for me, once they awake.” I instructed her. I bowed, and she did the same, then I headed off into the street.
I am sure that Liverpool is very close. For now I will sleep behind a beaten up house. It is small with close trees in the backyard, where I am right now. I found some wet leaves and rested my head on my haversack. I try to cover myself, as I am afraid some one will see me and tell me to leave. I am hiding behind the trees and bushes. It is a bit cozy, but wet. I shall try and sleep, trying not to think of the horror catching up to me. I hope France will be better.
Sincerely,
Amelia Right

Dear Diary, July 18th , 1665
I made it to Liverpool. There are lots of boats here, I was not sure which one to get on. Then I heard a man say one boat was to go to France. I secretly stepped onto the boat and hid behind some big, bulky boxes. It smelled of salt and coal and it was dark. I have just found that I am afraid of the dark, but I am sure I have much more to worry. I was on the boat for awhile, then I felt it stop. I peeked