Shannon gasped at the revelation. “Oh my, I’m so sorry to hear that.”
“I’d given up all hope of happiness until the man above stepped in.” Martha toasted with her glass. “Benjamin being a drunk, got involved in a fight over something stupid. One day he picked on the wrong guy. Next thing I knew I was a widow.” Pausing for a second, she took a drink and continued. “You know what it’s like to see a rainbow after a bad thunderstorm; well that’s how I felt. Someone up there must have been looking down on me and thought I deserved a second chance. Then I met Clarence, a wonderful man. So loving and caring, he made those bad times seem like a distant dream. We tried to have kids, but it never happened. Probably had something to do with all those beatings I got from Benjamin. Anyway, to cut a long story short, Clarence could see that I had a caring nature. He thought I could put it to some use. So, when the idea of running mail order bride service came up—well, I think you can work out the rest.”
Shannon took another sip of her drink and watched Martha as she appeared to daydream for a moment.
“There was one thing I always promised myself, if I was going to do this, I was going to make sure no woman every signed up for a marriage like my first one. You say you’re not going to marry him, but I won’t sleep knowing you’re going anywhere with that man.” Getting up, Martha left the room and went out into the corridor.
Wondering what was going on, Shannon followed her and found her in her office. “Is everything OK?”
“Just give me a moment.”
Watching her pull an envelope from the notice board, Shannon found it placed in her hand.
“What’s this? It says Mary Matthews on it.”
“If anyone asks, that’s you. I’ll find some way to make things up to Mary. There’s a paddle steamer leaving this evening and you’re going on it.”
“But I don’t know what to say. I’ll have to go and get my things-”
“Will he be there?”
“But all I have is what I’m standing in.” Shannon pointed to herself.
“Listen,” Martha said, putting her hands on Shannon’s shoulders and looking her in the eye. “What’s more important, getting away, or a few trinkets?”
“I suppose. But if he comes back here?”
“I’ll lock up the office for the day. It’s only going to be for a few hours. By the time he knows anything’s happened, you’ll be long gone.” Martha smiled.
Chapter 6
Seeing the gangplank being pulled up, and the crew members uncoupling the large ropes that held the paddle steamer, Shannon felt her pulse slow a little. Keeping a little distance between herself and the railing, she kept her eyes trained on the faces below. Scanning the faces of the well-wishers, she half expected to see Sean charging through them screaming her name. But that never happened. Feeling the vibration of the large paddle wheels speeding up under foot, she felt like she could finally relax. It wouldn’t be long before they’d be in the middle of the river and free from New York.
Making her way to a bench to the rear of the boat, she stood for a moment and watched the churned up water trailing behind them. Starting off in a parallel path from both paddle-wheels, Shannon watched as the trails combined together and then slowly petered out. Seeing it disappear and vanish from sight, it made her think of her own life. Gone was the old life she’d lived in New York and now she was moving onto a new chapter. One with a brighter future, she hoped.
“Mary Matthews?”
Hearing the name, Shannon turned and saw a woman of her own age standing beside her.
“I didn’t mean to disturb you. Sorry if I did. My name’s Rebecca.”
Shannon took hold of the small gloved hand and shook it.
“I couldn’t help but notice the envelope in your hand earlier. You were three people ahead of me when we embarked. I noticed the hand writing on it-”
“Martha?”
“Yes. You’re a mail order bride too?”
“I am--yes.”
“Exciting, isn’t it? Knowing that this boat is taking us to our new husbands.” Taking a seat beside Shannon, she excitedly continued, “Somewhere up this river my Albert is waiting for me. Romantic, isn’t it?”
“Hadn’t really thought about it like that. I suppose you could look at it that way.”
“So, how come a good looking girl like you ended up becoming a mail order bride?”
“Well…”
Putting a hand on Shannon’s lap, she apologized, “I’m sorry, I’ve got a habit of saying things without thinking. Father always says that I should think before I speak--you don’t have to answer that question if you don’t want to.”
“It’s fine. Well, I suppose I’m looking for a better life for myself-”
“Me too. That and a hunky man.”
Hearing Rebecca’s comment, Shannon couldn’t help but chuckle. “He’ll be a lucky man, Rebecca.”
“So, how far are you going?”
Taking the cover letter that had been in the envelope, Shannon opened it and gave it to her. Not sure that she should tell Rebecca the truth, she thought she’d play the part of Mary Matthews for a little while longer. Who knew, maybe using the name from now on would be a lot luckier than going under her own. Watching Rebecca scan through the letter, she found her look up with a disappointed face.
“That’s a shame. I’m getting off two stops before you. Thought maybe you and I could have ended up living nearby.”
“Aw well, but at least we’ve three weeks until we get there.”
“True. I suppose.”
“So, what’s he like?” Rebecca asked, excitedly.
“Who?”
“What do you mean who?”
“Oh, Dominic?” Shannon said, relieved that she’d paid more than a fleeting glance at Martha’s letter. Too busy with thoughts of escape, she’d promised herself that she’d get to know her future husband better on the journey.
“Sounds like a strong name, so what’s he like?”
“Well, he’s…” Shannon stammered, until Rebecca cut in.
“Have you got a picture I could look at?”
Putting her hand into Martha’s envelope, Shannon fished around until she pulled out a bundle of hand written notes. Opening them up, she could see that Dominic had been writing to Mary for two months now. Two months of correspondence that she knew nothing about. Scanning the top of the second letter, she found Rebecca get to an important detail before she did.
“You told him you’ve got black hair?”
“Did I? I don’t remember writing that down-”
“And here he says that he’s sorry to know that you can’t read or write. I don’t understand. What’s going on, Mary?”
Stuffing the letters in quickly, Shannon found her mind clutch for an answer. Remembering Martha mention Mary’s name, she realized what had gone on. “Now you know my secret.”
“What secret? You can’t read or write.”
“Yes. That’s why Martha had all my letters. She used to read them to me in the office. I asked her to store them for me. I didn’t want anyone to know…”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Rebecca replied and went silent.
Feeling an uncomfortable silence hang in the air, Shannon quickly used the opportunity to change the subject. Slapping her hands on her knee’s, she asked, “You hungry?”
“Well, now that you mention it.”
“I don’t know about you, but I could do with a little freshening up. How about we meet up in say--an hour? Then we can eat together and talk more.”
“That’s fine with me.”
Seeing a smile come back on Rebecca’s face, Shannon felt like she’d dodged a bullet. She’d only been Mary Matthews for a few hours and already her new identity had been tested. Wondering how she could convince Dominic that she was his new love, she knew she’d a lot of homework ahead of her. Watching Rebecca leave, Shannon decided that right now was the best time to begin that task.
*****
>
Sitting on her bed, Shannon looked over all the letters Dominic had sent Mary. Feeling like an outsider listening in on a conversation, but only hearing one side, she read through all of Dominic’s letters and tried to build a picture of Mary in her head. Starting off growing up in a small family of two children, it seemed like Mary’s brother had gone off to war and left her behind. Now knowing that she came from a poor family and very little education, Shannon could see why Mary had chosen to become a mail order bride. With little money and poor chance of bettering herself, it looked like a way out of the city for her. Reading on further, Shannon could picture the delight that must have been on Mary’s face hearing the sweet things that Dominic had written to her. Feeling a blush come to her face, Shannon felt like an intruder listening over a garden fence and finding out things that had none of her concern. Pushing that thought to the back of her mind, she continued on. It wasn’t as if she was the only one who’d read them, she thought. Knowing that Martha had been there before her, helped to take away some of the guilt. Reading on, and swept away in the romance as it blossomed, Shannon felt a change of tone in Dominic’s writing as she got closer to his last letters. Examining his words and thoughts, she found him talk less of their future together and any excitement he exhibited earlier was gone. Wondering how Mary felt about this, or why Martha was continuing to set the pair together, Shannon placed the last letter on her bed and stared at it. Looking at the words and lost for any clue, it suddenly came to her. Maybe Mary was ignoring the fact and going against better advice, Shannon wondered. Remembering back to how eagerly Martha had passed over the envelope, Shannon could now see that she’d used the opportunity to keep them apart. “You said you’d make it up to Mary,” Shannon mumbled to herself. “Was this what you were thinking?”
Looking from the last letter to the others strewn on the bed, Shannon felt a feeling of hopelessness come over her. Thinking that these letters were going to give her a picture into the life of Mary Matthews, she now found herself with more information than she needed. She’d thought having the wrong hair colour was her biggest problem, but it wasn’t. She was on her way to meet a man who she knew didn’t want to meet her.
Chapter 7
Waving Rebecca off, Shannon couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness in her. Not only was she losing a good friend, she felt guilty now that she hadn’t come clean about her identity. Using the past three weeks as practice for her upcoming meeting with Dominic, she’d kept her own personality in check and put on a strangers. In part relieved that she’d been able to do it, she watched as her friend waved back at her not knowing the truth. To Rebecca she was waving off Mary Matthews, but for once since they’d met, Shannon now found herself waving back as herself. Seeing the happiness on Rebecca’s face and watching her put a handkerchief to her eye, Shannon wished her well. Promising that she’d try to keep in touch and holding Rebecca’s new address in her hand, Shannon watched as a man came up behind her friend. Looking tall and well-built, he took up position behind her and nervously started to play with his hat in his hand.
“Rebecca!”
“What?”
“Behind you!” Pointing behind her, Shannon watched as her friend turned and froze. Smiling to herself, she remembered all the tales she’d heard of Rebecca’s new beau. Looking everything like she’d heard him described in their letters, she watched as the pair stood in silence and stared at each other. After all the talk she’d heard of Rebecca and what she’d say and do on their first meeting, Shannon couldn’t help but giggle at what she’d saw. Standing awkwardly across from Albert, she watched as Rebecca stood motionless. Wondering if they were going to stay like that forever, she felt a sense of relief as Rebecca’s hand was taken and the back of it kissed. Smiling at the pair, she couldn’t help but feel the connection between them begin. Looking like a couple who’d fallen in love at first sight, she watched as the world was lost to them. Caught in a glance that neither one seemed wanted to break, the moment was broken by the steam whistle of the boat. Now back to the real world they both looked unsure what to do next. Thinking that she’d give her friend a hand, Shannon called to her one last time.
“Take care, Rebecca!”
Looking relieved with the distraction, Rebecca come as close to the quay side as she could. “Don’t forget to write, you hear me?”
“I won’t.”
Trying to say anything more, their conversation was muted by the sound of the boat’s whistle and the large paddles wheels in motion. Moving further away from the dock, Shannon watched as Rebecca ran back to join Albert. Lifting her trunk up off the ground, he tossed it on one shoulder and held out his other hand. Watching her friend take it, she found her turn one last time and wave. Smiling at the happy moment she’d witnessed, Shannon watched the pair until they were lost from sight.
Lost in her thoughts, Shannon watched the water and landscape float by. Up until Rebecca had left, she’d put her new life out of her mind. But with every turn of the paddle wheels, she found herself tensing up. Chatting about future lives and plans had been a game until now, but that game was coming to an end. Docking in port and seeing Rebecca leave for a new life had been a wake-up call. Drifting along on the river, Shannon had felt safe in her cocoon, with land and reality kept at bay. But now with Rebecca gone and knowing her stop was coming soon, the river felt a lot different. Going from a soothing backdrop it now seemed intent on taking her somewhere she wasn’t sure she wanted to go. Looking down at the white crest the boat made slicing through the water, she wondered for a split second if she’d survive a jump. Could she swim in a dress like this and make it safely to land, she wondered. Gripping the hand rail and closing her eyes, she took a deep breath until the moment of madness had passed. Looking to the river and seeing it for what it was, just a body of water, she scorned herself for her stupidity. It didn’t have a mind of its own, or chosen this path for her. This was all her own doing. Remembering back to a geography lesson she’d had when very young, she thought over what the tutor had told her.
“Shannon, you know they named a river after you, don’t you?” he’d joked. “Over two hundred miles long and cutting through eleven counties. But here’s something I bet you didn’t know about your name?”
“What’s that?”
Smiling back, he answered, “The name Shannon came from the Celtic goddess, Sionna.”
Recalling that conversation and how it had made her feel, she smiled to herself at what he’d said next. “Sionna was the possessor of wisdom. So, not only are you a goddess Shannon, you’re a clever one too.”
Now years later she found that piece of information comforting. She mightn’t be the goddess of wisdom she thought of as a child, but she was no fool either. She’d known what she was getting into becoming a mail order bride. No one had twisted her arm or forced her to do it. She knew what was expected of her and she was going to see it through to the end. She’d play the part of Mary Matthew as best she could and if things didn’t work out, well, she’d work out a new plan for herself. Feeling a little more confident, she strode back to her room to prepare for what lay ahead.
Chapter 8
Bowing his head, the dock worker took Shannon’s hand and helped her off the gangplank, “Welcome to San Francisco, Miss.”
“Thank you.”
“What’s a nice Irish girl like you doing coming to a place like this.”
Smiling at the comment and his Irish accent, Shannon wondered how many other females he’d used that line on.
Seeing him look around for any luggage to help her with, he remarked, “What no luggage? You travelling light, Ma’am?”
“You could say that, but I’ve already sent it ahead,” Shannon smiled. Moving away to allow the next passenger to come ashore, she took him aside. Reaching into her purse and taking out her new address, she showed it to him. “You wouldn’t happen to know where this hotel is, would you?”
“Sure, Ma’am. Lovely place from what I’ve heard. For a s
econd I thought maybe you were heading over to the north east side of the city. There’s a growing number of us setting up there now. Those that aren’t in boarding houses.”
Taking the piece of paper, she put it away. “No. I’ll be staying at the hotel, thank you.” On the verge of asking about directions and walking distance, she found the dock worker turn and let out a loud whistle. Looking to see who he was gesturing to, she found a horse and small buggy being driven their way. “And this is?”
“He’s very reasonable, I wouldn’t want you to get lost on your first day here, Ma’am,” he smiled.
Seeing the glint in his eye, Shannon again wondered how many people he’d told that lie to. “It’s OK, I’ll walk.”
“Between you and me, look around you,” he said, pointing to all the activity going on on the dockside. “This isn’t the place for a lovely lady such as yourself walking around. Anything could happen to you, and as my mother would say-”
Fighting the urge to smile at his charm, she couldn’t help herself. “What would she say?”
“She’d say, Michael, I can’t believe you let that poor girl walk through that busy place, have you got no brain in that head of yours?”
“So, you’re getting me a ride because of what your mother would say?”
“Lovely woman, but not as beautiful as yourself.”
“So, who is he?”
“Who?”
“The ten-year-old with the horse and buggy. Is he doing it for his mother too?”
“Aye that, and a few coins in his pocket.”
Knowing that she was being scammed, Shannon found herself smiling and going along with the deal anyway. Handing over the address, she found the dock hand give the destination before she could show it.
“Get this young lady there and get back as quick as you can. There’s another boat pulling in in the hour.” Helping her aboard the buggy, he put his hand to the peak of his cap and nodded. “He’s a lucky man, the fella you’re going to.”
Lost for words, Shannon found the young driver take off at a quick pace. Heading out of the docks, they narrowly missed a loaded cart coming the other way. Looking at the youngster and getting over her shock, she asked, “I thought you were supposed to get me there safely.”