The Trail

Chapter Two: The Beginning

Its been two years since then, and now I'm alone with only my many siblings and the now married person that is my brother.

Mother died a few months after giving birth to Sean, Hershal, and Violetta(Lettie). I was heartbroken. Almost instantly, I formed a attachment with the triplets. Since Mother had died, I was the oldest female living in the house, so I was expected to take care of all the other children. Elaine was—and is— a great help. She took my job of churning butter, emptying chamber pots, sweeping, and helping with dishes easily. She also made time for her own lessons in-between and helped me complete my own. Since I was stuck with Sean, Hershal, and Lettie, I didn't have time to go to school anymore. Elaine, bless her, went through the trouble of watching the triplets when she got home so I could do my lessons.

Silas and Adam Jr., who are both  9, however, remained as childish as always.

Then Paw died. We all knew he hadn't been the same since Momma died, but no one expected him to take his life.

It happened a year ago.

I'm 13 now. I'm different from the temperamental little girl who cried about her brother getting married.

I'm strong, mature, and I will do everything for my family and home.

That's why I refused to move west.

"Edward, no! Paw and Momma did everything for this farm! Their Graves are here! Besides, I can hardly keep track of Silas, Adam, Hershal, Sean, and Lettie here! Imagine on the trail? Do you want them to die!?" I argued with my older brother.

Nessie, his wife, stood off to the side, a worried look on her face. To tell you the truth, she had become my friend these past years. We bonded over shared sadness after the loss of my mother, made fun of Edward behind his back sometimes, and she helped me with my lessons and the other kids.
"Daisy, calm down! I don't want the children to die! It's just, out west land is free! I know it will be hard to leave Momma and Paw's graves' here, but we gotta. There's a wagon train leaving soon. If we don't go with 'em, then we won't be able to leave safely. I'm going with Nessie whether you wanna take the kids or not-" Edward replied, before I cut him off.

"Thats manipulative! You *know* I have to go with you either way!" I banged my hands on the table, rattling the bowls of soup. My siblings all jumped, and Nessie gasped quietly.
"Can we please just eat in peace...?" Elaine asked, reaching for Nessies hand.

I slumped down into my chair and watched as eventually everyone around the table had grabbed eachothers hand. Edward reached towards mine but I tug away, still angry.
"I'm full." I grumbled before walking away, utterly fed up with Edward.

I run outside, only to hear Violetta start to cry. Reluctantly, I head back inside to get her. "Fine." I groan after feeling the stares on my back. "Its not like my acceptance would've made a difference anyway."

I rock Lettie to sleep and bring her up to the loft I share with the triplets. I lay her down in her trundle and go back downstairs to get the other two. Nessie is rocking Sean to sleep when I walk in.
"Hey, Lochness." I mumble, using my nickname for her. "...Sorry about the fighting."
Nessie gives me a reassuring smile. "Its fine. I get where your coming from." I grab Hershal and sit in Mommas rocking chair.
"When will we leave?" I whispered as Hershal laid his sleepy little head on my shoulder. I ruffled his raven-black hair. All of the triplets looked like Momma, which I found lucky, since I wouldn't be the only one to look like her.
"Eddie wants to leave by next month..He says if we start in spring then we'll reach Dakota territory soon enough." Nessie sighed. "It'll probably be six months on the trail...It's February now, so by the time we get there it'll probably be July. That's only saying if we don't encounter any problems on the trail to dakota..." Nessie shakes her head. "But I do agree with Eddie. We need a fresh start, I think."

I process what Nessie is saying. "I guess I understand...Oh, the boys are asleep."
We get up slowly so as not to wake up the sleeping toddlers and lay them in their trundle beds. "Goodnight, Ness."