Mum! How are the children going to get to school?

It was a bright sunny evening. Angelica and her family had just finished eating supper when her mother turned on the TV set. The 6:00 news was on. When she saw what the lead story was, Angelica's mum said, "No, no, this can not happen."
"What is wrong, Mum?"
"The JOS will no longer be running, and the school children will be the ones most affected by this decision." "JOS" was short for Jamaica Omnibus Service. Her family was struck very hard because they did not have cars. The bus was their only means of transportation. It was the main form of transportation for most people on the island.
Angelica did not understand why the buses wouldn't run anymore. Her mother said, "The government cannot afford the cost of fuel for the buses."
Angelica's eyes opened their widest, full with tears. "Mother," she asked, "Tell me, tell me, Mum, how are the children going to get to school?"
Her mother replied, "The minibuses are still running, so, hopefully, the drivers will give the school children rides."
Angelica was elated to go to school, and now because of the buses not running, she was unhappy. Even her mother who always has the answer did not have any answer this time. She felt sick to her stomach; at age ten, knowing that now she would have to worry how her sister, brother, and she were going to get to school. Honestly, she did not enjoy having to deal with such hell. She hoped that her auntie would come through.
"Sun shines over the horizon, so high," Angelica thought to herself as she sat on the step outside looking as a black bird flew past, so free. Tears flowed down her face. "What can be done?" She would have to get to school, and somehow she would. Suddenly, she thought, "Why not wake up at 5:00 a.m, shower, have breakfast, and then leave the house at 6:00 a.m in order to arrive in school by 8:00 a.m, when the bell rings."
Angelica talked with her sister Krystal and brother Peter, but they moaned and growled, so she moaned back and said, "What else can we do until we get to America?" This is it.
Finally, all agreed, although they did not like it, and of course they were frustrated. The three thought, though darkness and danger could beam its ugly head, if they had an early start on their walk, then maybe they would see a minibus on the road and the driver might stop and take them. During those days, the minibus drivers were not very keen on giving school children rides because all school children paid half fare to ride the buses. The space was small, and children took up seats that could have gone to an adult who paid full fare. Angelica's family could not afford to pay full fare for three children to ride the bus to and from school.
On days they could not ride the bus, Angelica and her siblings walked four miles to school and back. They were tired and weak; while Angelica walked along the sidewalk with her sister and brother, the scorching sun braised their skin. Sweat flowed down their faces like water, and in their uniforms they felt their bodies begin to get very warm, and their uniform shirts cling to them. They drank the ice water they had taken with them.
At this time they would be parched, their knees ached, and their feet were sore.