it from thinking of the unpleasant recent events. And he worked even harder than usual, as if the sweat from the labor would wash away his sorrow. He even had his brothers leave th

nish. Meanwhile, at home, everyone sat at the dining table, and Mika said they would wait

med. "David, go take a sh

d, dully, turning and bowing briefl

muddy boots outside, since no one was allowed to enter the house wearing the same footwear they wore outside, especially if they were dirty. So, he only had to take off his dirty clothes

elf in the towel from the waist down, got out of the shower, grabbed another towel to dry h

, best undershirt, best shirt, best pair of socks, best indoor shoes, threw it all on, quickly co

g, when he saw that one of the six chairs that had plates in front of them w

tting on. Ettel ran his fingers through his blonde hai

ing for permission! What's gotten

o to the bathroom. And maybe sh

nd find her?" Ettel asked, t

us, I'm so hungry that I can hardly think, at th

ctually may know where she is.

ld! And if she refuses to come, tell her that I'll go and get her, myse

took off, headed to the barn. He'd seen Nadja going that way on her bike, the last

hen he looked around again and finally spotted her small figure crouched in an inconspicuous corner. As David slowly approached her, he thou

ere was a kitten in

t was getting dark and the lights were still off, so he couldn't see clear

couldn't possibly have been born here. I've never s

vid chuckled. And, now that Nadja was no longer in the way, he could see the crate that she had turned into a cat nest, and ther

onna yell at me for hours! And what

wind up he

ere meowing really loud, so I heard them and followed the sound 'ti

why you've been coming up here around meal times?

have teeth, so I tried to mash the food, but they still won't eat

ked up the kittens, one by one, a

They're probably only a couple of weeks old, at most.

t I think of it before?" Nadj

to die, don't worry. I'll help you out with them. But, since I've already got my hands full, you're gonna have to listen c

promise!" Nadja said, so eagerly an

y? We've got to make their nest warmer." He got up, walked up to a locker and grabbed two blankets from inside it. "Here we go. Let's put this

e gonna feed

ow. Otherwise, Ma will punish you

there and eat in peace, when I know

do it right now, Nadja. Let's go home, righ

pposed to make? I'll hav

So, let me do the lying, okay?" David advised, gettin

Nadja wondered, grabbing his hand

ut I can take

when I become bigger,

k ahead of him, t

ing to do it in your stead, this time, to spare you from those consequences;

k you for looking out for us. I mean the kittie

u just follow my lead," David said, descending on the

fast as they could. As they ran, David wa