United (The United Trilogy Book 1) by Jaci Wheeler Page A

again while poor Wes is having his world ripped out from under him.  Most people have that fear of something new, but also have an underlying excitement, a curious wonder of all the good things to come.  Wes has never had that underlying excitement, only dread.  His parents have slowly adapted and changed his schedule as much as he will allow to try and get him used to the fact that life changes.  You just have to move with it.  Wes is still working on the moving part…panic attack he has down cold, however!  When we were little, there was a movie we watched once from long before our time called Annie .  It was about a little orphan girl who was unusually optimistic.  There was a song in that movie called “Tomorrow.”  It became one of my favorite songs.  I used to sing it to Wes every time it rained, which, where we live, happens a lot.  When he would want to go outside to play or count rocks or whatever it was he had to do every day, and he couldn’t because it was raining, I would lay down next to him and sing that song.  It always seemed to make him smile.  It was a perfect reminder for him that even though it’s raining, the sun will still always come out.
    I decided to go ahead and take a chance with it now.  I couldn’t leave him knowing he needed comfort, so I lay down next to him making sure we didn’t touch. So far, so good, and I take this as my cue and just start humming.  Instantly I could feel him start to uncoil and his body slowly begin to relax.  I quietly started to sing.
    “The sun'll come out tomorrow
    Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun
    Just thinkin' about tomorrow
    Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow till' there's none.”
    I can feel him completely relaxed now.  And I even hear him softly humming with me.  I took this as encouragement to continue.
    “When I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely
    I just stick out  my chin and grin and say oh”
    At this point Wes, with his eyes still closed and humming softly along with me gently lays his hand on mine.  I don’t move, nor do I interlock our fingers.  I just lay there allowing him to comfort me while I am comforting him and belt out the last few verses, earning a small chuckle from him like I always do.
    “The sun'll come out tomorrow
    so you got to hang on till' tomorrow, come what may!
    Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow
    You're only a day away.”
    I sit up and give his hand a pat.  “I love you, Wesley. Everything will be fine.”
    I started walking out of his room and towards home as I hear, “Love you, Roz.”
    As always, a giant grin spreads across my face and I now know how I’m going to be able to get through this.  I will be strong and do it for Wesley, I have to.  Now that I have a plan, I think it is going to be much easier. 
    When my mother came home from work I yelled for her to come to my room.  Just watching her walk through my door sent a pang right to my heart.  I’m sure going to miss seeing her every day. 
    “Hi Love.  What’s going on in here?”  She looks around my usually spotless room that has everything I own scattered throughout the room.
    “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to pack.  Usually when you get your assignment they provide you with your work outfits so packing isn’t a big deal, but I wasn’t provided with anything, so what exactly does a sixteen year old president wear?”
    “Hmmm.” My mother stood there pondering for a minute.  “I’d say bring a little bit of everything, and then wear a dress.  I’m pretty sure they should have some sort of seamstress there for you.  “
    “Well that makes sense, thanks Mom!  I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.”  I said truthfully. 
    “You will do amazing things, that’s what you will do.  Your father and I are so proud of you, Sweetie.”
    I gave her a quick hug and then shooed her out so I could pack.  I don’t have much. In fact, most people own very little.  We