THE LONELINESS OF Angie’s days were filled by Elma and George’s kindness. She had grown to love them as if they were her own family. It was the middle of July when George stopped by the post office on his way home. Angie was by his side.
“I hear we have a letter,” George spoke to John.
John Page, the local Postmaster, smiled, turned and searched behind him, “Here it is!”
After George received the letter, he read the return address and his hand began to shake.
“Who’s it from?” Angie asked curiously.
“Family, my sweetheart,” George smiled to her. “It’s from family.”
“Is it your brother?” Angie questioned him again.
“We’ll have to open it when we get home and find out!” George laughed.
Angie was curious why he wouldn’t open it now, but kept quiet about the letter until they arrived at the house.
“Elma!” Angie called, “We have a letter!”
“Oh, and who is it from, George?” she asked as she set down her knitting.
“From Charity, my dear, “George answered Elma, “From Charity and Benjamin Baker.”
The names sounded familiar, but Angie had not heard them in a long time and she was struggling to remember who they were.
“It’s your aunt and uncle, Angie,” Elma’s face became very serious. “They’ve written us a letter.”
George looked at Elma, “Well, open it Elma. What do they have to say?”
Elma’s fingers fumbled as she tried to open the envelope.
“Dearest George and Elma,” Elma began, “This letter comes to you with all best wishes for your health and happiness. Our deepest gratitude to you for caring for our dearest Angie these past months. I regret that the word of my dear sister’s passing, and that of William and little William took so long to reach us. I am pleased to hear that little Angie is still with us.
As her closest living relatives, Benjamin and I are sending for Angie with the intent that she come to live with us in Sacramento. I have arranged for her to join the wagon train heading west, leaving Independence, Missouri on August 15th. She will be traveling in the accompaniment of the Smith brothers whom we’ve hired to ensure she arrive safely into our hands before winter arrives in the mountains.
Please ensure that Angie be ready for travel on August 11th for her journey to Independence. A Western Union cashier’s check will be waiting for you at the local office on August 1st. This check will allow you to get Angie whatever traveling items she will require, as well as monies for her to use along the way for necessities. Again, we send our deepest appreciation for your care of our niece. Thank you very kindly, Charity and Benjamin Baker.”
Elma slowly set down the letter and looked up at Angie. Tears were forming in the little girl’s eyes. The silence in the room was deafening as Elma and George began to process the meaning of the letter in their minds.
Suddenly, Angie jumped up and ran to Elma, burying her head in Elma’s lap.
“Please let me stay with you Elma, I’ll be good. I can help you in your store and work in your yard. I can pull your weeds and plant your flowers. I can clean your house and I’m good at washing and drying dishes and I’ll even make my bed every day, I promise” Angie pleaded.
Elma stroked the little girl’s head and said quietly, “Child, there’s nothing we can do. Your aunt and uncle have the right to have you live with them. They are family. We are not.”
“But I don’t know them!” Angie tried to reason, “I haven’t seen them since I was a little girl.”
“I know your Aunt Charity and your Uncle Benjamin,” Elma continued, “They’re good people. They used to live here in town before they headed west for the gold rush five years ago. Don’t you remember them?”
Angie thought hard for a moment or two and then nodded her head.
“Your aunt is so much like your mother. You’ll be very happy living with her. And your Uncle Benjamin is very kind hearted and will treat you well,” Elma smiled as Angie looked up into her eyes.
“I suppose so,” Angie quietly agreed, “But I love you. I’ll miss you and George. What if I never see you again?”
“Well,” Elma said, “we just won’t think about that now, will we. Let’s just enjoy each day we have together and make the best of it, shall we?”
“Alright,” Angie said, “But I don’t want to leave here.”
“Perhaps it is for the best, sweetheart,” George added, “Perhaps the Good Lord knows you need a fresh start, away from here, someplace new where you can see new things and make new friends, and get to know your aunt and uncle again.”
Angie thought about his words but did not respond. Again, it was silent in the room.
Finally Elma broke the silence, “Well, dinner’s ready. Let’s go eat our meal together.”
“I’m not very hungry,” Angie quietly told Elma.
“Well, I suppose no one is, but let’s go and try to have a bite or two anyway,” Elma encouraged them, “Our bodies still need the nourishment.”
After Angie had retired for bed, George and Elma could hear her crying.
“That poor little girl has cried more tears in the last few months than any child should cry in a lifetime,” Elma said to George.
“Let’s hope she won’t have a reason to cry anymore once she reaches Sacramento,” George agreed.
“One month,” Elma said quietly. “We’ll only have her with us for one more month. She has become like our own daughter. How will we ever let her go?”
George held Elma’s hand, “I don’t know, Elma dear, but somehow we have to let her go.”
Elma nodded and her heart began to ache.
The following day, while Angie was walking to the store with George’s lunch, Pearl ran up behind her and yelled “Angie! Wait! Angie!”
“What do you want Pearl?” Angie turned to face her.
“I heard you’re going to California soon!” Pearl said excitedly.
“I suppose so,” Angie answered as she returned to walking toward the store. Pearl struggled to keep up with Angie’s fast pace.
“Are you sad to go?” Pearl asked.
Angie didn’t answer.
“It’s a shame you have to move away to such an uncivilized part of the country, but then, you’ll probably fit in better there anyway. Columbia is too sophisticated for you. Everyone says so.”
“And who is everyone? Your family?” Angie asked.
“Yes, and everyone else as well,” Pearl smiled.
“It’s always ‘everyone else’, isn’t it,” Angie remarked, “Well, sometimes the most uncivilized are the wisest. Everyone says so.”
And with that, Angie entered the front door of the store. Pearl knew better than letting George see her with Angie and so she started on her way down the road.
“Oh Pearl,” Angie stuck her head out the door and waited for Pearl to turn around. “I won’t miss you,” Angie yelled and stuck her tongue out at Pearl, pulling her head back inside the store before Pearl had a chance to react.
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