Finding Love

Chapter 2: Going After Her

A few stray tears trickled down my cheek as I read the letter over and over again. The hollow ache in my heart started paining once again as I reflected on her words. She had told me not to find her. I ignored the twinge of pain and sadness I felt at those words and realized she only wanted to keep me safe. It wasn't because she didn't love me. In the past 2 years, I had considered going after her. I'd dreamt of the moment when I'd finally see her and she'd scoop me up into her arms. However it had always been a dream for I had had no idea on where to start looking for her. She had disappeared without a trace and hadn't contacted me until now. I know I should listen to her words and not go after her but a part of me was still burning with curiosity as to what truly happened that night and a very small part of me wanted to bring her back home. What was it that was bad enough to drive my parents apart in the time span of an hour? I did have the right to know didn't I? I folded up the letter carefully and went to fetch my umbrella. It was about time to find out where my mother was.

The weather was rather gloomy today with a few dark clouds dotting the sky at regular intervals. The marketplace was quite busy with people running about their business. It was Sunday after all so the market was more crowded than usual with mostly women and children. Steering clear of the large crowds, I made my way to the small post office that stood at the corner of the street. It was a large brick building that seemed to be bustling with activity. I'd never been here before; it was usually father who came by here before work in the mornings to collect the mail in case of a delay. I pushed through the crowds and finally spotted Tommy standing at the threshold of the building with a bag overflowing with letters.

"Tommy," I cried.

He turned with a quizzical expression on his face and finally spotted me making my way towards him. He grinned widely and made his way to me with much more ease.

"Miss Emma, what brings you here?"

"Do you know where this letter was delivered from Tommy, " I asked and handed him my mother's letter with the envelope. He took it and turned it in his hands over and over, appearing to be deep in thought. Finally he replied quite enthusiastically.

"Why yes miss, it's from Brampton. Why do you ask miss?"

"Oh no reason."

He nodded and handed back the letter, which I carefully tucked away before handing him some spare change.

"Oh gee thank you Miss," he replied happily before returning back to the post office. I turned around slowly, wondering how I was supposed to get to Brampton. Even if I managed to take father's carriage, where would I stay until I found my mother? Brampton was after all a huge town and it could take months just to find her there. What would I do after I found her? Would I live with her, or return home?

Thousands of questions raced through my mind as I slowly made my way back home.