On The Other Side

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Montana

I pack the last of our meager belongings into a trunk, closing the lid with a thunk. I stretch out the kinks in my shoulders, tucking a loose pin back into my hair. I hear little Annie stirring, waking up from her morning nap.

            “Hello, darling. How was your nap?” I kiss her chubby cheeks, nuzzling her hair. “Are you hungry?” 

             I sit on the edge of the bed, nursing my sweet daughter. I love the way her tiny body curls into mine, how being a mother, loving Annie and Corky is so fulfilling.

            When I’ve finished nursing and changing Annie, Corky and Harry walk through the door. “Mom,” Corky calls, “Me and pop have the wagon loaded, what else do we need to load up?”

           I smile at my five-year-old son, his dimple winking, his red hair sticking on end, “You’re a great helper, Corky.” I pat the bed, “Come sit, you can hold Annie a moment.”

            Corky jumps onto the bed, grinning, his front teeth missing, “Come see me baby sister.” He’s so sweet with Annie, always wanting to hold her, singing to her when she cries.

            Harry wraps his arms around my waist, kissing my forehead, “Dec and Claire will be here shortly to see us off.” He turns me in his arms, “Are you ready for this next adventure?”

            I rest my head on his chest, the idea of the unknown in front of me is a little daunting, but I’ll have Harry beside me, Annie and Corky too. I nod, “I’m ready to take this adventure with you. I can do anything with you beside me.”

            I pull the latest letter from Milly from my pocket. It’s full of good news and happiness. The best news of all, Milly writing to tell me her and her son Charles will meet us in Cheyenne for a quick visit, since Boulder and Cheyenne are just 100 miles apart, and her son owns a truck.

            “I can’t pass up the opportunity to see my dear friend….” she writes. I hope it isn’t putting anyone out too much, but I am so excited to see Milly. I’ve missed her so much. She’s settled in quite nicely with her family.

             She loves being a grandmother, being close to her sons again. She enclosed a black and white photo with her letter, a picture of Milly fishing with her grandchildren. Her fine boned hand holding up a trout, a grin lighting her beautiful face.

            The picture puts a smile on my face, I’m so happy for Milly, and excited to know we’ll only be a couple of states away instead of across the country from each other.

            Corky squeals, interrupting my thoughts, as Declan, Claire and the children come through the doorway, “Aggie, Aggie! We’re all packed up to ride the train.”

            We all make our way down the stairs and outside, Aggie eyeing the loaded wagon, a frown on her face, “How come you have to leave, Miriam, how come?” She sighs, arms folded tightly, “Milly left us, now you too?” She turns to Corky, “Who’s going to be my best friend now, huh?”

            Corky hugs Aggie, “Mama said we can write all the time, we can maybe have secret messages, too!”

            Aggie purses her lips in thought, a small smile tugging her lips, “Our own secret messages? Just between best friends?”

            Corky nods, “Yup, just us friends.” He digs in his pocket, pulling out a pen and a small notebook, “Here,” he says, handing them to Aggie, “I got this for you, to write our messages on.”