"Penny of the Silent Path" Prologue By Rita Widmer

Disclaimer: I don't own the story, "Kilmeny of the Orchard." That belongs to LM Montgomery.
Summary: Dr. David Baker is called on a new case which will change his life.
Author's Note: This story does concentrate more around Dr. Baker than Kilmeny and Eric, but they will be featured. Please let me know what you think of it.
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The plate that fell from her hand went unnoticed by the woman. The splash in the water only made her jump slightly away from the sink, but she went right back to staring out the window. To put it honestly, she was feeling frustrated by her inability to communicate with her daughter.

Her daughter was six years old, but she still couldn't get used to not being able to speak to her. Once again she had been ready to yell out the open window to her daughter who was playing outside. There were times she would remember, but moments where she was distracted by a task brought out her natural instinct to call out for someone.

She decided of standing there frustrated that she should go get her daughter. This task was not any easier for her to do. She would have to fight against the stubbornness her daughter inherited from her father.

Reaching her daughter, she grabbed the shoulder, and pointed towards the house. The child only stood there, and stared at her. Her frustration from earlier made her act out her anger. Using the hands on the shoulders, she turned her daughter towards the door, and practically pushed her towards the door.

That night the poor, frustrated mother decided to make a call on her friend for advice. There had to be something she could do to help her communicate better with her daughter.

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Brina sat with tears being held back from dropping for now. "What can I do?" the young mother asked her friend.

"There are schools for the deaf. I've been telling you since the beginning that you should send her," sternly said the friend.

"My husband didn't leave me that kind of money. I have enough to survive on for years to come if I spend it wisely. Spending money on a school isn't possible on my budget."

"Though I still don't think it's your best choice. I may have another choice for you. In Queenslea there is a doctor that specializes in voice and throat. He may have the answers for you."

"I still don't know, but I have to do something. What's his name?"

"Baker, yes, David Baker."

In Queenslea sat the aforementioned doctor sitting down with Kilmeny and Eric Marshall for dinner. At that moment, he had no idea that his life was about to be changed by a young girl and her widowed mother.

TBC…