The Second Shot

Chapter Fourteen

The week that Eacker spent in Virginia went by slowly.

He never seemed to be able to catch a moment alone. Either Mother wanted his thoughts on a new dress, or Catherine wanted to attempt to unmask his secrets, or Jacob wanted to hear about lawyer things, or Father wanted to scold him for something. He rarely got to spend time with Maria, despite her being the only person in his family he had wanted to see.

Finally, it was six days later, and Eacker would be leaving in twelve hours to return to New York.

"Do you really have to go?" Maria asked, taking things out of his suitcase so he would have to take longer to pack.

"Yes. I have to go back to work." Eacker said, taking the shirt she was holding out of her hands and putting it back in his suitcase.

"Can I come with you?" Maria asked.

"I doubt Father would let you."

Maria huffed and ran out of the room.

"I think you should stay longer." Jacob said, appearing in the doorway "Father says that New York will change your thoughts and make you wind up homeless in an alley."

"Well, good thing I'm the one going to New York, and not you." Eacker said, glaring at his little brother until he left.

A while later Maria came back into Eacker's bedroom with a suitcase of her own. "I'm coming with you." She said.

"No, you're not." Eacker replied.

"But I want to!" Maria cried "I don't like it here! Father is mean, and Catherine won't play with me, and Jacob always steals my dolls and pulls my hair!"

Eacker understood what she meant. Their family really wasn't great. "I don't think Mother and Father would want you to come with me, though, Maria." He said.

"Mama doesn't care what I do!" Maria cried.

"Look, Maria, I do want to bring you with me, but you're too young." Eacker said "I'll bring you when you're older, ok?"

Maria sniffled. "Will you write to me everyday until I'm old enough?" She asked.

Eacker nodded and hugged Maria.

Later, on the train, Eacker hoped that Virginia wouldn't change Maria in the time it would take until she was old enough to come to New York with him.

(I don't know exactly what this chapter is. I just wanted to show that Eacker doesn't have a great family, but his sister is sweet.)