Heaven
Marty refused to eat much in the days following her parents' deaths. They were waiting on a response from her Aunt Kiki. Mrs. Mendalhall was getting food on the table in front of Marty.
"Eat up, child," Mrs. Mendalhall said.
Marty's eyes glanced down at the food in front of her. She reached out her tiny hand and pushed the plate away from her. "I can't eat this," she insisted as she looked at the housekeeper.
"Whyever not?" the housekeeper questioned. She was cleaning up from having prepared the meal.
"Because I'm waiting," Marty replied with a serious expression on her face. She had decided she would not go with Aunt Kiki but instead she would go to Heaven where her parents had gone. She just had to be really good, then someone would tell her how to get there so she could see Mommy and Daddy.
The older woman paused at the sink and turned to look at the child helplessly. "Waiting for what?" she asked.
It seemed like Marty had become a different child since losing her parents. She had become so distant and depressed. Marty was obviously in the grieving phase, yet at the same time Mrs. Mendalhall couldn't help but worry. She hoped they'd hear from Kiki soon.
"I'm going to Heaven," Marty announced boldly. She was just a child though and didn't understand; she didn't know that Kiki was her only living relative and she had no choice but to go into her care.
As the days passed, Marty waited so patiently, hoping she could go to Heaven and be with her mommy and daddy, but it never happened. Still, sadly, she was all alone.
"I'm sorry, Marty," Mrs. Mendalhall said one evening as she came to sit down next to her in the parlor. "I'm afraid you can't go to Heaven. Not for a very, VERY long time."
"Why not?" Marty questioned, the sadness reflected in the depths of her sapphire eyes.
"Because you're very young and healthy. You have a lot of years left upon this earth. You're going to grow up to be a strong young woman. Your mother and father are watching over you now, and they wouldn't want you to go to Heaven- not yet," the housekeeper explained. "You must be brave."
"I want my mommy and daddy to be proud of me," Marty said, hugging her doll. Very gently, Marty soothed Sara Beth's lovely dress.
"They are, child," Mrs. Mendalhall promised as she gave Marty's hand a gentle, reassuring pat. "Your aunt will be here soon. Today I got a letter."
"Kiki's coming here?" Marty asked. She didn't know whether to be happy or heartbroken. She had only seen Kiki a few times. Her aunt had always seemed angry and sullen.
"Your aunt is arriving by train in a couple of days," Mrs. Mendalhall stated. "We must get ready for her arrival."
That night as Marty knelt on the rug beside her bed, she whispered a little prayer. "God bless Mrs. Mendalhall, Aunt Kiki, and my dolly, Sara Beth... and please take care of Mommy and Daddy who are up in Heaven. Amen."
After she said her prayers, she crawled into bed, hugging her doll. *And one more thing, God, please let Aunt Kiki be nice,* she silently whispered.