The wind blew throughout the town. I was called into Mrs. Ommalley's room. Mr. Ommalley had died 3 months ago, but everyday to the Ommalley kids it seemed like it had happened the day before. I dropped the pie crust I was rolling out and

walked across the hall to my Misstress's bedroom, where she was lying on the king- sized bed with her 4 older children around her,and the baby on her lap. I curtsied and bowed my head. "Yes, Miss?" I said quietly. "Children, why don't you go and feed the

ducks down at the pond?" Miss Ommalley said. "Yes, mother," They each said. " Peter, take Madeline with you."said Miss O.

"Yes, mother," said the oldest son, Peter, and he pulled up the baby girl and led the other children outside. "Yes, Miss?"

I said again. "Come close, dear. I have grave news. As you know, I have been sick for months. I am afraid I will not last much

longer. I shall be with the spirits very soon, dear. When I am gone- I will be counting on you to take great care of my children.

Nothing more would make me happiest if I knew they were in great, loving job is expected to begin soon. Go-

and don't worry about me. I shall be at peace with family in the great above. Now, let me rest, Elizabeth. And thankyou."

I nodded my head. "Yes, ma'am," I said quietly- almost afraid. She fixed her head upon the pure white pillow and closed

her eyes. I sighed and solemnly retrieted back to the kitchen. Mrs. Sarrese Ommalley died the next night, June 16,1999. Her

children had somehow found out. Poor Madeline never knew her parents. She was only but a month and a week old when her

father died, and now her mother died and she was only 4 months and 3 days old. The next child up was 4 year old Samantha,

then 6 year old Charlie, then 10 year old Claire, and then Peter at age 15. I, Elizabeth Cassmen, was at age 14. I was the

Ommalley family housemaid and servant, and they treated me well. I was an orphan, and had never thought I would become a mother of 5 kids at age 14.

Chapter 2 - Spirits

It was my third week of being a parent, and things were already turning into disasters. First Maddie and Charley got sick, then Samantha found out where I was hiding

the medicine, got into it and ate Charley's pills, and now Peter was missing for 2 days. At least Claire was good, healthy, well-behaived and helpful. And she knew a bit about

cooking and sewing. She was a great helper. Charley came running into my bedroom yelling," Lizzy! Lizzy! Maddie threw up!! It's all yellowish and noodly! Hurry!" He took

hold of my hand and led me to the extra room we only used for the sick among us. The baby girl was crying, and there was yellow-green barf on the floor. I called Claire and ordered her to rock Madeline while I cleaned up the old wooden floor. I heard her footsteps coming down the hall when all of a sudden she screamed at the top of her lungs.

"Claire!? Are you alright? What's wrong?!" I said.