Epilogue
Em, are you ready?”
“Yes. Let me just get John’s coat and I’ll be right along.”
The three loaded into the wagon and headed into Azure Springs. The ride was bumpy as usual, but Caleb had bought Em a cushion to sit on and the bumps delighted John. Each rut brought a roar of laughter from the couple’s two-year-old son.
“Do you think we will get there on time?” Em asked, looking at the sun as she tried to guess the hour.
“We will be the first there. I don’t think anyone else in town is nearly as excited as you.”
“I’m more nervous than I thought I would be,” Em confessed as they bounced along.
Caleb took her hand in his. “Don’t be. I think we will know what to do when we get there.”
“But Caleb, how will I pick and not help them all?”
“Let’s not worry yet. Let’s just enjoy the day and embrace whatever is ahead.” They rode on, giggling whenever they heard their son’s laughter.
They arrived in Azure Springs early enough to visit with the Howells before the children arrived.
When the clock announced four in the afternoon, Em held Caleb’s hand and together they made their way to the train depot. Lined up across the platform were wide-eyed children of all shapes and sizes. Some looked afraid, while others seemed excited. Each had a number pinned to their chest.
Suddenly, knowing what she must do, Em walked to a woman who was ushering the children onto the stage. “Have you any siblings?”
“We don’t worry about relations. Just try to find homes for them all. Pick whoever you like,” the woman said, her face void of expression.
Em looked at the rows of children as she walked away. A little girl with stringy brown hair was in tears. Crouching in front of her, Em met the girl’s eyes. “My name is Em. What’s your name?”
The girl raised her head a little. “I’m Bessie.”
“I’m glad to meet you, Bessie. Why are you crying?”
“I want my sister.”
Em felt her heart skip a beat. “Where is your sister?”
“Hattie is over there.” She pointed a chubby finger down the line. “They won’t let us stand together.” Em followed the finger and saw a taller version of Bessie at the other end of the platform.
“Wait here, Bessie.”
She ran to Caleb and told him about Bessie and Hattie.
Caleb scooped up John and together they returned to the rows of children. He squeezed Em’s hand and whispered, “I knew you would know what to do. Let’s go get our girls.”
Em remembered her dream from long ago. The dream where she found Lucy. It had not come true. These girls were not Lucy. They lacked her perfect curls and bright eyes, but Lucy was there all around them. Em knew it, and the world felt right.
That night when Em tucked Bessie into bed, Em handed her the doll that Olive had given her. “This was my sister’s doll. I want you to have it. But you must share it with Hattie.”
“But Hattie is too big to play. She doesn’t ever play. She doesn’t even smile.”
“Not now she doesn’t, but she will. Here everyone plays. When you wake tomorrow, we will take you outside and show you many wonderful places to play. Hattie will remember how. I know she will.”
Em stood and started to leave but then walked back to the little bed and knelt once more by its side. She kissed the girl’s cheek and whispered, “Good night, princess.”