PART THREE — THE TOWN THAT WATCHED HIM FAIL
People expected Richard to give up during the first month.
When he survived the first month, they predicted three.
When he reached six, they said exhaustion would force him to separate the girls before winter.
Winter arrived early.
The furnace broke in November.
Richard had spent his savings converting the back room into a nursery. He could not afford the repair. That night, he moved all nine cribs into the kitchen, turned on the oven, boiled water, and hung blankets across the doors to hold warmth.
At midnight, someone knocked.
Richard opened the door to find Mrs. Esther Greene, a Black schoolteacher who lived four houses away. She had been one of the neighbors who openly questioned whether he could raise the girls.
Behind her stood her husband, Samuel, carrying tools.
“Heard your furnace stopped,” Samuel said.
Richard stepped aside.
Esther entered the kitchen and stared at the nine cribs.
“You cannot use the oven this way all night.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“No.”
