A New Beginning

Epilogue: A New Beginning

You hold in your hand a piece of paper, with WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM printed in bold letters and today's date, June 1st, 1909. You twirl the opal necklace around your fingers. A gemstone found in an eldritch cavern.

"What is it, momma?"

Your youngest. She has her father's hair and eyes but your face. Your oldest, currently being horse-trained by her father, is the exact opposite. Your heart pounds against your ribs. Emergency delivery. Never a good sign. With trembling hands, you tear open the seal and read the few printed words. As you read, you sink down onto the steps leading up to your house. When father and daughter return, your heart swells with pride at how well your firstborn is handling the mare Sue. The youngest rush to meet them. Arthur throws his daughter high up in the air and then places her on Sue and Buell's foal, a brisk and nimble colt named Hamish. You go to greet them. Arthur tells the girls to stable the horses.

"Somethin' wrong, darlin'?"

You hand Arthur the telegram. "My old professor at St. Denis University was killed in a traffic accident and they want me to take over his lectures."

"That would mean..."

"Moving to Saint Denis, yes."

Your head swirls. This would make you the first female professor at your alma mater, before the age of 35! You would follow in the footsteps of Madame Curie, the first female professor in Paris a few years back. There would be more opportunities for the girls to receive a higher education. You would be closer to Millie and Thomas, their two sons and newborn daughter but further away from uncle Bry and your cousins, whom the girls play with almost every day. Further away from John, Abigail, Jack, and Emily. And you know well Arthur does not thrive in the city, nor the wetlands surrounding it.

You think about all that has happened since you and Arthur married nearly ten years ago. With what speed the world is changing. Underground Rapid Transit Railroads being built in big cities like New York. Penicillin going into mass production, saving thousands of lives each year. Motion pictures – oh, how you would love to take the girls to one! The rise of automobiles and flying machines. At this rate, you might visit the Moon in ten years' time. At any rate, the future is in the city.

"We don't have to decide right away. Let's think about it for a few days. Weigh the pros and cons."

Inside, you put the telegram on the counter, supported by an angel who once had a broken wing. When the girls have fallen asleep, you open a glass of wine you have been saving and crawl into Arthur's lap.

"I love you."

"Love you too, Princess."

You raise the glass. "To a new beginning."

~**~ ~**~

"Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning." Archbishop Desmond Tutu