A new beginning

In the beginning

Prologue

August 25,1878

"Ashes to Ashes, dust to dust".... I was numb as I stood there holding my brother's hand.  We stood before three pine coffins , two held our parents, and the other our oldest sister. Yellow fever swept through our town like a wild fire, leaving devastation in it's wake. Our family was now down to the two of us. We had lost everyone we loved dearly, and everywhere you looked was death. So many people in such a little time, the old and the young both perished quickly.

Those that survived were lucky, so I guess my brother and I were among the lucky ones. If you wanted to call it that, I mean how lucky can you be when you have nothing but your life left. How were we to live? What was going to happen to us?

I guess we would find out, I couldn't help but worry I was 17 years old and my brother was 13. The town would rebuild, but it wouldn't be the same, especially since they were gone.

 "Lizzie, it's time to go." I looked up at the preachers wife, Mary, she wrapped her arms around me.

 I just nodded " come on Luke, it's time to say goodbye."

 I looked at my brother, the pale version with dark circles under his eyes. I must look like that , would we ever be normal again? My brother placed a black eyed Susan on our mother's coffin. Her favorite flower, and one on each of the others too.

 I placed my flowers " Goodbye momma we'll miss you."

I felt a tear slid down my cheek. " Goodbye papa and Susan, we'll miss you too." Luke stood back with Mary and watched as I placed a fist full of dirt on each coffin.

 I turned to face what was left of our town and seen the pity in their eyes. Everyone who was present were the lucky ones, if you look around the cemetery it was full of fresh graves. My best friend Lily was gone, and Susan's fiance Jerry was buried with his family. They never had a chance at life and happiness, how can God punish us worse than this? Why did this have to happen to us?

 Mary must have read my thoughts " Lizzie, God didn't do this to punish us."

 I looked at her" well then, who should I blame?"

 She hugged me close " it is part of his plans dear girl."

 I started to cry" why did they have to be part of his plan?"

 She squeezed me tighter" he was calling them home, and we are not to question his plan."

 I screamed " why not ! I just want things to go back to the way they were!"

 Mary walked me over to a bench and sat me down" It isn't going to happen."

 I shook my head " then what are we suppose to do?"

 She patted my back" we will figure something out."

 I shook my head" Where are we to live?"

 Mary looked at me " honey don't worry about that right now first let's get you better."

 I nodded" fine, but I can't help but worry Luke is all I have left."

 Mary held me close" I know honey, no one planned for this to happen."

 I cried" but it did and now Luke and I have nothing to live for."

 Mary shook her head" don't say that , you have everything to live for."

 Luke walked up and sat down next to me, and leaned into me. I kissed the top of his head" Luke, we will make it." He nodded" I need to go lie down for awhile, I am still weak." Mary looked at us both " you both need to go lie down for a bit, your still weak." We didn't argue with her, she lead us to the church that was the make shift hospital.

 After a well needed rest , we ate some broth and got to take a bath. Mary had provided us with clean clothing and soap. I couldn't wait to take a nice warm bath, I hadn't had one since right after my fever broke. That was pretty much a sponge bath, but it still felt good on my skin. I grabbed the soap and started to lather my body and hair.

 I have waist long Auburn colored hair, my sister use to brush it .I flicked a tear away, Susan wouldn't be doing that anymore. I soaked up the water, washing away the sickness feeling. Luke and I could do this, we can make it . How I wasn't sure what we were going to do? But I knew we were left behind for a reason. God was the only one who knew why?

 I stepped out of the bath and wiped away the bath water, I walked to the mirror. I looked at the sick looking person that was staring back. My hazel eyes were surrounded by dark circles, I looked at the stranger looking back. When was I going to get back to normal?

 "Mary, I have good news!" shouted Thomas, she looked up at her husband.

"What is it dear?" she looked at him with a frown

.He smiled " Larissa's mother is still alive and living in Virginia."

Mary jumped up " and? what is the good news?"

 He swung her around" she is sending for her grandchildren."Mary dropped to her knees " oh thank the Lord above, this is good news."Thomas smiled" yes it is those two children have lost so much and a new start would do them both good."Mary nodded" yes poor Lizzie, she has had so much to deal with."

 Thomas nodded " both of those children are very lucky to be alive."

 Mary nodded" yes I know we almost lost Lizzie a couple of times."

 Thomas shook his head " I know, but they are alive and will be taken care of."

 Mary smiled" I am so happy for them to be worry free, now they can get better before they leave." Now the question is how well would the children were going to handle the news. Mary watched as Thomas went into his office to send word back to the children's grandmother.

 I finished braiding my hair , I watched as Luke emerged from the bathing room. He looked a little better, his blue eyes searched til he spotted me. He looked a little worried, until he seen that I was sitting in the family pew.

 He ran over to me and sat beside me , " I didn't see you , I got worried."

 I smiled" I wouldn't leave without you Luke."

He smiled" I didn't think you would, but you never know."

I smiled" I promise Luke , I won't leave without you."

 He hugged me tight" I love you sis."

 We heard a door open and close and looked up to see the preacher walking towards us.Thomas looked at both children" I have some good news."Luke and I looked at each other and then back at him. " Your Mother's mother is still living and is sending for you." he grinned at us.

 We were shocked" your kidding right?"

 He smiled" no I am not, they lost touch when your parents moved here."

 Luke was getting anxious" really , so we are going to go live with her?"

 Thomas smiled" yes on the next train, you and your sister will be leaving on Friday."

 I couldn't believe it " so we are suppose to just get on a train and leave everything we know and start over?"

 Mary came over and sat next to me" it will all work out dear."

 I shook my head " how do you know that ?"

 Mary shook her head " you don't but you can't just run and hide."

 I stared ahead" but what if this happens again?"

 Thomas kneels down" Honey, life is not written in a book."

 Mary smiled" when life throws you under the carriage, you just get back up and dust off your skirts and move forward." I didn't want to listen anymore, life was just exhausting.