Read Echoes of the Heart: Poems for Free Online Page B

name for myself.   It is
very essential to me.
    “If Aunt Diane can
break away from the rules of society so can I.   We both know I have always been independent and stubborn and I am sorry
I have been such a disappointment to you and Father.   You always said I acted just like Diane and
maybe I am like her.   Can you forgive
me?”
                Pulling
free, her mother said in a calmer tone, “Well, I will never forgive you or
Diane for this outrage.   Your father is
laughing.   Laughing, do you hear me?   He thinks it is funny.   He is on his way to talk to Christopher as we
speak.”
    Her eyes glanced
around the room and fixed on the trunks spread over the floor.   “What is this?   Are you leaving?   Well, good riddance.   I hope I never see you again.”   She turned and stormed out of the room.  
                Raeden
stared after her mother with her mouth agape.   Raeden couldn’t believe she could be so cruel.    Tears smarted her eyes as she turned to
continue her task, growing angrier by the second.   Even this outburst by her mother would not
stand the way of her dreams.
    When she had
everything together, including her sewing machine, she quickly changing into a
dress and walked out to the stairwell.   Excited voices filtered from downstairs as she bounded down to face the
group.
    Her father looked
at her with warm loving eyes.   He
stretched out his arms.
                “Come
here, baby.   This will be over
soon.”   She ran to him and let him enfold
her in his strong embrace.   “Needless to
say, your mother is tremendously upset but she will get over this in time.   And Chris, of course, is not happy but he
will be fine when he realizes it is for the best.”   He rubbed her back with a warm flat hand.
    “With his
qualifications, some young lass will win his heart in no time.”   He snuggled her close for a long moment and
then held her at arms length.   “It’s all
right, Rae.   Don’t worry.”
                She
wiped away tears and smiled.   Her
brothers stood in the corner laughing together and she knew they laughed at
her.   It would not be the first time
being the brunt of their jokes.   She
could take it.   She gave them a wry
smile.
    “It is good to see
you smile, Rae.”   Tom said.
    It has been some time since I have felt
truly happy.
                “I’m
going to get Arte’s things together and take the buggy into town.   I want to withdraw my savings from the
bank.”   Her voice turned jovial.   “You never know when a girl may need some
money.”
                Tom
stared at his sister.   “Arte’s all taken
care of.   I’ll take him to the train
station first thing in the morning.   We
can load up the wagon tonight and take your luggage at the same time.
    “Craig will take
you to the bank.   Later, I will go to the
church and leave a message for the people we couldn’t reach about the deviation
in plans.”
    A warm smile
curved Tom’s mouth upward, extending to his eyes.   “You sure know how to cause a gossip fest,
little sister.”   Tom approached Raeden
and wrapped his arms around her pressing her close.   “I’m going to miss you while you are
gone.   Too bad you probably will not be
here when our baby arrives, but Cynthia said she will be happy to come and help
Margaret when the time comes, and of course, mother will be there too, first
grandchild, you know.”
    Raeden backed away
and looked into his strong handsome face.   She would really miss her family.   “I’m so sorry, Tom.   I didn’t want
to cause all this trouble.”   Looking into
his eyes a little spot in her heart began to ache.   Her life would never be the same.
                “You
just be cautious.   I’m sure Diane and
Mike will take good care of you and who knows, you may like it there.”
                “You
are a wonderful brother.”   She pecked his
cheek.