Sam's Farm
April 15, 1928
April 15, 1928
Dear Diary,
When I awoke this morning I was so thankful it was Saturday
and I did not have to rush to school this morning. Since I came in late last
night--- everyone was in bed---I still did not know what was happening within
my family. So I dressed and went into the kitchen, but no one was there---so I
got a cup of coffee and one of Ma’s wonderful biscuits and put some jam in the
hole I punched in the middle of it. Then I put on my boots and my destination
was Mark and Matthews homes to see what was happening with the new arrivals.
I suppose I was really afraid to take much time alone to
think about how I felt---my sister Margaret had run away from home when I was
eight years old and I was still wearing the locket from Johnny. She was gone
for half of my life---she feels like a stranger to me now---and I feel so bad
even thinking that Dear Diary.
My sister is now married to my Johnny and she is five years
older than he is---but maybe my brothers will have the answers. And the sad
thing is I still have that purple rock Johnny gave me, and this morning I took
off the locket and put it in the back of my closet to never wear it again. I am
not saying this in a mean way—Dear Diary.
When I got to my Brother Mark’s house it was the closest one
to our home---Matthew was there also---still angry I could tell by how hard he
hugged me. A cup of tea was pushed into my hands and chair was pulled out for
me from the table. Their wives were at a quilting bee with Ma---so I was on my
own with all this anger.
Mark said, “This is what Johnny told us---Margaret was so
smart in school by completing the 12th grade at that age of 13. When
she ran away she got a job teaching in the same city Johnny lived in and that
is how they met again. Johnny’s parents rented a room to her so she was part of
the family you might say. Long story short---she and Johnny fell in love and
just got married after the baby was born. And now they have come home to Johnny’s
grandparent’s old home place where he will farm and do whatever---and she wants
to stay home and have babies.”
I just looked at Mark and then Matthew and then I cried for
the first time---which made my brothers go berserk as they ran to my chair and
hugged and kissed me and I just let them---because I was in shock and could not
move.
My sister Margaret ran away---why? What did she say about
the reason she ran away? My brothers did not speak of that and my mind was not
working right at the moment so I did not ask.
How could Margaret marry the boy she knew I loved? How does
a sister do that? I had a lot to think about. But before I could leave my
brothers—Sam walked in. I love to hear him talk with his Scottish accent---he
melts my heart.
Sam walked over to me and took my hand for me to rise and
then he told Mark and Matthew---I am taking your sister to my home for the day.
And yes she will be chaperone because my housekeeper will be there.
I must have smiled at that moment because Matthew said, “Sam
if you can keep her smiling---you have my blessing for what it is worth.” Then Mark and Matthew hugged me, and I kissed them bye.
Sam had a buggy waiting to go over the flatland where he has
his huge farm. He picked me up and put me in the seat and covered my legs with
a light blanket and off we went.
Later Dear Diary,
Becca
