Aunt Maggie's wagon pulled up to the Cuba train station with plenty of time to spare. The train was expected at 9:45 and they had arrived by 8:25... so the trio went to a small cafe across the street from the depot. Marion was allowed the special treat of a doughnut and milk while Maggie and Grace each had a cup of coffee. The conversation between her aunt and mother was sad, quiet and yet hopeful. The obvious affection between the two women suddenly awakened in Marion a sudden "missing" of her Aunt Maggie, who had always been like a second mother to her and a guardian angel.
The last bit of their time together slipped away and they returned to the depot, Marion and Grace hugged Maggie tightly with heavy sighs on all sides. The two women hauled the meager suitcases out of the back of the wagon and set them on the platform. Maggie then climbed up into the seat of her wagon and turned the horses back towards Steelville while her sister-in-law and niece stood bravely awaiting the train's arrival.
Marion watched her aunt's wagon dwindle in size until it turned the corner some blocks away. She fought back tears, knowing that she had to be brave for her mother's sake and because Aunt Maggie had whispered, "Don't cry. Be the strong brave adventurer I've always known you to be!", in her ear.
The little girl squeezed her mother's hand and looked up into the face she loved so well. Grace smiled at her daughter and asked, "Are you scared honey?"
Marion thought about how to answer for a moment, "A little Mama, but I'm trying to be brave."
The mother hugged her daughter a little closer and said, "You're a good girl and that helps me to be brave too."
"Mama, what are Grandmother and Grandfather Whitney like?"
Grace paused at that inevitable question, but continued momentarily, "They really are good people, but when I was young we just didn't agree on some things. I think that will be different now."
Considering that, Marion asked a new question, "What is different now?"
Taken aback, the child's mother said, "Well I have you and your future to consider, before it was only mine. And your grandparents, your Aunt Maggie and I all agree on that."
"What kind of future, Mama?"
"Honey, that story is mostly yours to write, but I want you to have as many choices as possible."
"But did we really have to leave Steelville?"
"Yes, Marion, we did. If we stayed there, you would only have what I chose and none of the ones I threw away so many years ago."
The child suddenly jumped to another track, "Mama, do you think they will like me?"
Slightly confused, Grace asked, "Who sweetie?"
"Well, everybody... Grandmother and Grandfather Whitney, the kids at school... everybody..."
"I'm sure you will do just fine... and I am sure your grandparents will love you just as much as Granny and Gramps in Steelville did."
"Will I get to see Granny and Gramps again?"
"Of course love, there will be visits."
Marion dug the toe of her shoe into the dirt and stared intently at the ground, "I hope so."
However, the time for nerves and wistfulness was over as the train came easing up to the depot. In a rush, their bags were safely stowed in the rack over seats nicer than any the child had ever known, their tickets were checked by the conductor and they gliding towards the big city.
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