The Long Journey Home

Journey's End

“Where’r’ya headin’, son?” The station manager asked Dewy while chewing his tobacco. His beard and wire-rimmed glasses made him look ten years older than Dewy’s Paw.

“I’m headin’ home to Texas. I’ve been walking since summer started and I’m almost there. In fact, this train station was heaven-sent. I might otherwise have another week on my mare over yonder.”

“Are you returning from the War?” The man asked with a gleam in his eye. “I have a brother who fought. He’s alive, but missin’ his arm and walkin’ with a limp. He’s a couple decades my junior, mind you. My Pop married twice. I’m from the first marriage, he’s from the second. But, we’re glad he’s a-livin’, for sure.”

“As a matter of fact, I am. I was in Georgia at the last.” Dewy’s far-away look returned. The memories weren’t as constant as they were at the start of his voyage, but they still always stood at the ready to remind him of the horrors and pains associated with fighting and killing.

“Welp, I tell ya what … Your ticket here is on me. We’ll getcha home for Thanksgiving. It’s this week, ya know. I betcha your maw will be right pleased to lay eyes on you.” He smiled broadly, turning to spit in his spittoon while awaiting Dewy’s answer.

“I already have a ticket, but thanks just the same.”

“I guess that’s settled.”

“My horse. Is there a car for her?”

“With hay and water. She’s free too. Did you ride mounted during the War?”

“No, sir, I did not. She’s been a gentle, steady companion for me, though.” Dewy lifted his cheek in a one-sided grin.

“Train should be here in about three hours. You hungry? I’m certain the wife has somethin’ to spare for a travelin’ man. Bring your mare, too. She can have hay and water in the back while we wait.”

Three hours was a long time to wait in Dewy’s mind. He’d become a very patient man, but when food was offered, he knew better than to decline it.

“I reckon that sounds right perfect, sir. Thank you.” He followed the station attendant, walking next to Bess with reins in hand.

~~~~~

Those several hours passed quickly with conversation, laughter, and too much food. Dewy had been welcomed and accepted, but could not still the anxious feelings that crowded his heart when he remembered he was almost home.

Before he could say anything, his host announced: “I’d say it’s ‘bout time to get on back to that station. The locomotive should be arriving within the hour.”

“Thank you, Ma’am, for your hospitality. I appreciate the meal, and your company.” He kissed her hand and bowed before finding his hat and walking towards the front door. 

“Young man, Yankee or Reb, you are most welcome anytime you find yourself coming through. It was a pleasure. Let me get a small package of food for you before you leave.” The kind woman insisted on giving him bread, cheese, cookies, and anything else she could put into the small kerchief she’d tied with a string. It seemed to bulge at odd angles from the amount of food-stuffs she had provided. Patting his shoulder, she smiled. “There. That should have you set at least for today.” She gave him an impromptu hug before sending her husband and Dewy on their way.

He led Bess back to the train depot, following the station manager, in silence. Many thoughts crossed his mind, so clear he could see them.

Ellisa. Would she welcome him with open arms again? Or would a cold shoulder and tear-filled eyes greet him upon his return.

Ma. He knew in his heart she would weep when they met again, and yet it comforted him to know someone had prayed for him all this time.

Pa. Could he welcome his son home? Or would Dewy get the steel-blue gaze and silence. Too many nights, he’d dreamt of his father turning his head away and pointing to the road.

Even Philip. He hadn’t thought Philip would want to hear from him, but now he felt a bit of remorse for not corresponding with his brother. They were so close. He prayed silently that they could be again someday.

The sharp whistle broke the silence as they reached the depot platform. He watched in awe as the smoke rose against the blue sky and the black engine slowed to a stop in front of him.

“This here train will take you all the way to San Antonio. Take care of yourself, young man. You are always welcome here, as my wife stated earlier, even if you did fight for the Yanks. You’re a Southern boy just the same, and alive at that. I could tell by his face that my brother was glad to have another soldier about.”

“It was my pleasure to be in your family’s company today. I am truly grateful for your kind hospitality. You’ve made me feel most welcome, and like I was already home.”

Dewy was cut short by the conductor’s announcement: “All aboard!” He bid the man farewell, handed Bess off to the livery hand and boarded the train.

As it pulled off, he could see the man waving, and he returned the gesture in kind. His thoughts retraced the conversation held with the man’s brother about the war.

“I saw too many people die, if’n you ask me, from both sides of the fight. People I knew and loved lost their lives. To say an event such as that is horrendous doesn’t do justice to the unspeakable things that went on there. Where were you stationed?”

“We moved quite a bit. We started in Virginia, and then went on to North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia over the span of three years. I didn’t join up until 1862. And you?”

“I can honestly say we fought in so many places, I don’t’ remember 'em all. I was mostly in Georgia, but we headed back west, fighting off the Yanks in Mississippi, where I broke my leg. We even fought right here in Lou-siana. We won at Palmito Ranch in Texas. That’s where I lost my arm. Well, where I was shot in the arm, and all of that. I can’t say any of it was good. I can only say we did what we thunk was right.”

Dewy nodded and remained silent a moment before saying: “I believe that was every man’s intent. My father was, and I imagine still is to some degree, dead set against that War. He said men aren’t supposed to kill one another.” Dewy went on to tell them his story and how he was heading back without knowing what would happen when he arrived home.

“Son, I believe the Good Lord will work it all out for you. He hears your heart’s cry.” The woman exhorted him and even prayed with him during the meal that his father’s heart would soften.

The countryside passed in a blur of greens, browns, and grays as he smiled at the memory of the fine folks with whom he’d spent his afternoon. He didn’t even ask their names, but he would not forget them or their kind nature.

His mind drifted back to Ellisa. He smiled at the thought of her while highlights of their teen years ran wild in his memory. He truly missed her company and the feel of her delicate hand as he held it in his. He missed her soprano voice singing in church, and whispering in his ear a secret for him that she wanted no one else to hear.

~~~~~

The night was over quickly, and he heard someone say they’d crossed the Louisiana State Line into Texas, and then he drifted back to sleep for several more hours.

The giant black train slowed to a stop just as the sun was coming up over the eastern horizon. Dewy jerked awake as the train jolted and came to a stop. Oranges, yellows, blues, and purples dominated the Texas sky in breathtaking hues.

Texas. The word made something swell in his chest.

Was it pride? Perhaps.

Love? Maybe.

Home? Certainly.

He was surprised at the speed of the train. What would normally take days was now over in a matter of hours. He had been certain it would take more than three days on horseback. With the speed of the engine, he now figured a new arrival: No later than the next morning. He would be home for Thanksgiving.

And that was something for which he was truly thankful!