Chapter 18

Chapter 18

....what sounded like a loud thump. I sat up and then listened but it was quiet.  I laid back down still running through my head what that sound could have been and after staring at a dark ceiling I decided I could just as well get up and at least check on Edward.  I carefully made my way into the family room and found my way to the end table where I kept some matches. As I reached inside the drawer I was suddenly startled by another strange sound. My hand quickly found the matches and I lit one without hesitation. As the match filled the room with a amber glow, I scanned the room but  didn't notice anything out of place and before I lost the flame I laid it to the wick of one of the large candles. The room filled again with light and I could see better than the light from the match.  I walked slowly toward the outside door and opened it. A cool breeze met my face as I halfways hid behind the door. At the time of opening the door I had figured it was in the middle of the night, maybe one or two, but quickly realized that morning was on the horizon. Just off in the distance I could see what looked like a softness of darkness so it must have been close to five am. I looked over the area the best I could, then closed the door. My eyes squinted as I turned back around and made my way toward the back room where Edward was sleeping. There was only a old rug hanging over the door way. As I slowly pushed it to one side and extended my hand with the candle so I could see if he was ok....

Chapter 14-17

Chapter 14
It always seems to be the longest stretch home but soon I could see the old barn and then the chicken coupe I hadn't really noticed until now just how run down the old homestead was getting I actually chuckled to myself thinking maybe I will have to do some fixing but secretly knowing in my mind I wouldn't, Edward reached down and pulled the reigns and the bouncing Wagon came to rest in front of my home, as we climbed down and gathered up my supplies Edward asked me if it would be OK if he heads out soon because it was getting late and he wanted to be home before it got to dark, of course I said but I was going to make supper and if you want your welcome to bunk here for the night, Edward was a Bachelor and never turned down a meal and even before he said he would stay I knew his answer, we both kind of chuckled and then made are way inside, I laid the package on my writing desk then walked into the kitchen area, I turned to Edward and thanked him again for his kindness and said beef stew and corn bread sound good, his old eyes brighten like a boy up to mischief and I swear I could see his mouth watering as he eagerly nodded yes,

Chapter 15

I asked Edward if he would go out to the ice house and grab some beef and a few potatoes and greens and a few carrots too while I lite the stove, while he was gone I took the wedge and split some logs into smaller pieces to fit into the barrel of the cook stove it didn't take long and Edward was back he told me that I was getting pretty low on meat and suggested we mig...ht have to take one of his and could split it sense he was probably getting just as low, I agreed and then took the slab from him and laid it on the table it wasn't frozen solid which was good because it made my job of cutting it up easier as I started to work on that I asked Edward if he could cut up the carrots and potatoes he nodded and started right in without hesitation, it was starting to get a little dark so I lite a few candles and went ba c know to cutting up the meat, after only a few seconds I notice something move just slightly out of the corner of my eye and as I turned toward the movement I didn't really see anything that would have been moving, there was a old walking stick leaning against the window sill that must have shifted a little I would sometimes use if no one was around I guess I've always tried to be strong but the years seemed to have snuck up on me anyway, I went back to cutting again when this time something slammed hard! both Edward and I jumped and lucky enough didn't cut our fingers off, as I turned toward the area where I heard the noise but again nothing was there, then I had to take a double look I scanned the room and looked back at Edward and pointed to the window where the walking stick had been, there's our culprit I said he shrugged as to say what was it, sheepishly I said it was Carolins walking stick it had fallen over onto the floor, I knew it wasn't right of me to say it was hers but I didn't want Edward to think I was getting to the point I needed one, I stood up and walked around the table when,


Chapter 16

I realized that the walking stick wasn't there, I slowly looked over at the window and noticed it was still leaning against the window pane, I was almost positive I hadn't noticed it there a second ago, with raised eyebrows I looked around the room again and even looked under the table figuring something must have fallen off it while I was cutting the meat but nothing was there shaking my head while turning toward Edward I said I wasn't sure what it was he just shrugged his shoulders and continued cutting up the vegetables we chatted about possibly the old house was just settling and I guess that could have been true but I had a feeling it was something else but didn't want to over think,
I started frying the meat and placed a pot of water on the stove as well so we could boil the potatoes then I sat down, after a few minutes the smell of the meat filled the room and again Edwards eyes were glued on my every move as I started to mix in the ingredients for the stew, I placed a lid over the pan and then looked over at Edward and said about fifteen minutes and it will be done I could tell he was hungry and I had made corn bread a few days ago so I took out the pan and cut a couple nice size pieces for us to munch on while the stew simmered, as we sat there I looked over at the little package on my desk and thought to myself it's time to see what was in it







Chapter 17

 Edward was a constant murmur, rattling on about how he wanted to clear another acre of land this spring. I just nodded and smiled in agreement. It's not that I was trying to be mean, but my mind was on what was in this package. I didn't really want to open it when Edward was here and since I asked him to stay over I knew it wouldn't be until tomorrow morning at some point, so I turned my attention to my good friend and gave him the respect he deserves from me. We ended up yakking for hours and it actually was good to have someone  to talk with. It had been lonely here for too long. Old Edward was still going a mile a minute when I finally had to tell him I was getting a little tired. He quickly chuckled and said he understood since I'm so old. We both laughed out loud and as I made my way to my bed I thanked him for staying and also for taking me to town, then went to bed.
It didn't seem like I had laid down for more than a minute when I heard what sounded like....

Chapter 12

 

 

Chapter 12
I walked over to the ledger and looked at the handwriting again but at this point I wasn't sure if it was Caroline's or not. Frustrated, tired and with mixed feelings about what had happened,  I turned to Edward and asked if he could bring me home. He hesitated and then asked me if I still needed some things from the store. I didn't want to take the time any more but since I rarely come to town I knew I had better pick up some things.

 I stumbled around the store gathering what I had on my list and made my way to the counter where Charley was standing. I could feel the awkwardness that stemmed from what had just happened. As he gathered up my things he looked up and said he was sorry for not running after her right away but he wasn't sure at the time who it was. I humbly shook my head and told him it wasn't his fault, then I turned to walk away. His throat cleared and he asked me what I thought was in the package.......

Chapter 10 & 11

Chapter 10

 As my hands formed around the box his voice embedded deep into my mind. He told me that it was from Caroline. There was such a silence from within me at that moment I couldn't even speak, my chest tighten and my throat started to throb as though someone was squeezing it. After what seemed like hours I remember my words leaving my mouth but had no idea if or even what I said. I looked up at Charley and could see in his eyes a certain fear. It was as if he knew what he told me was wrong, but at the same time was impelled to tell me. I stepped back, my eyes now glued on the package.  I could hear my shoes sliding against the sawdust beneath my feet, as though sandpaper was scratching against a wooden plank, again I looked up at Charley, emotion in my voice was heard this time as I asked him, “Who gave you this?”, and again, with slight hesitation he said, “It was Caroline”. Immediately I asked, “When did she give this to you and why haven't you given it to me until now?” His head shook slightly.  He told me had hadn’t receied it until yesterday. My eyes shut slowly and a darkness beyond any I've seen held my body, then I..

 

Chapter 11

 …….slowly opened my eyes, and tried to gather in my mind what Charley was saying. When I felt something pulling at my arm, I turned and heard Edwards voice "Samuel are you ok?" That's when I realized I was laying on the floor. There were several people around me. I nodded and said, “I think so.” Then I asked Edward to help me up. Still clutching the package and still bewildered as to what had happened I asked Charley again, “Who brought you this package?”  He cleared his throat and with a soft voice said; “It was Caroline.” I could hear folks whispering in shock as to what he said. We live in a small community and most everyone knows Caroline had passed.  I shook my head and said, “Yes, but when?”  I was thinking he had kept it for all these years or maybe had misplaced it or something in that regard. He stared at me for a second and then replied, “No,  it was yesterday.” “What do you mean?” I asked. He explained that around four o’clock a woman that looked like Caroline brought the package into the store. She stood over by the mail room where we send mail out and receive. As he walked toward her, he could see that she was writing something in the Ledger but before Charley could get around the counter she walked out. At first he thought it was Mrs. Anderson dropping off a package, which she often does for her husband's law office, but she usually does say something.  He then walked over to the package and was going to get it ready for the morning stage, but when he read the Ledger it said, “For Samuel Kloche, from Carolin Kloche.  Please see that Samuel receives this in Care." Charley immediately went to the door to see if he could talk with whoever it was but she was not in sight…..

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

….had a look of someone who was nervous about something. As I made my way to the counter again I said,  “Good morning Charley!” This time he said good morning but with hesitation. I have always been a straight forward man and sensing something,  I asked if there was something wrong. I wasn't sure if maybe he or maybe Elisabeth had been ill. Elisabeth is Charley’s wife and she too had been a longtime friend of mine and Caroline’s. He cleared his throat and then turn toward the back room, In a somber tone he hollered for Elizabeth, and it wasn't long before she appeared from the shadows. She always held herself prim and proper. She wore a long dress with a full apron flowing down from her neck to her ankles, her hair, though gray now was always neatly tucked under a head bonnet. As she came closer, Charley leaned over and whispered something in her ear then turned back toward me. Again his eyes were uneasy. I wasn't sure what was going on but before I could ask him what it was he told me that they had a package for me.  I remember the moment I heard package. I perked up, my chest filled with excitement thinking what it was and from who.  I was just about to ask when out of the back came Elizabeth, she was carrying a small box covered with a white cloth. There was a piece of packing twine tied around it and as she handed it to Charley I could see something was strange. As he handed it to me he said something that sent chills through my body…..

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

 I asked if he was ready to go.  He nodded yes though his face looked confused.  I didn't blame him, it was beyond confusing for me too. As we made our way to town he asked me if I was ok. I guess my quietness was unusual.  Edward was a good neighbor and even more ever since Caroline passed away. He is about twenty years younger than me and has helped me cut wood for the past ten years without as much as asking or expecting anything in return. I have often tried to return the favor by money or food, but he always just smiles and says that this was his road to heaven.

We were about half way to town when I started to tell him about what I had read in the letter. He asked me if maybe I had written it in my sleep. I shook my head I and said no because it was in Caroline’s hand writing. We talked back and forth trying to come up with a reason for what had happened but every thought didn't seem to make any sense at all. As we pulled into town we made our way to Gilbert’s general store. I needed to pick up some flour, salt and other small things. As I walked in Charley Gilbert, the owner and an old friend,  was behind the counter. At first he smiled as if to say hello but then his face turned quiet, I said good morning Charley but he……

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

As I got closer I cleared my throat and asked him if he was ready. Quietly he turned to me, his face seemed puzzled, I asked him what was wrong and in a motion with his eyes he pointed to a paper laying on the desk, then walked past me. I wasn't sure what this was all about so I made my way to the desk and picked up the paper. As I started to read it, my heart started to pound and my body felt confused. The letter was written by Caroline.  I read just a few words, then had to sit down. I looked over at Edward and asked him where he had found the letter. He pointed toward the desk and said it was just lying there, then asked me if I had found some old letters from Caroline.  I shook my head no, then turned back to read more.

My dearest Samuel,

 I've missed you too and with each day that passes I know soon we will be together. The flowers bloom daily here Samuel, and just as we often talked about my days here are not of time but of moments. I feel myself breathing but cannot see if I am really here.  I guess it's a feeling of being safe.  I read your letters as if I am within the fibers of where you write.

 The more I read the more my eyes seem to blur from tears that begin to fall. I wiped my eyes and turned toward Edward.