Rainy Day Discovery

 By Lydia

Memory Creek Ranch, September 1896

 “Mama, tell us a story, please!” Six-year-old Lottie sat up in bed. 

“Yes, please, Mama!” Lilly echoed. “What about one from when you were little?” 

Andi smiled. “Well…”

The twins bounced impatiently. 

“Let's see, did I ever tell you who you were named after?” Andi sat in the rocking chair next to the bed, slowly swaying back and forth as she began.

“It was the end of January, on a very dreary day, when I was fourteen years old…” 

 San Joaquin Valley, California, January 1883

Andrea Carter turned from a window that showed nothing but pouring rain.

“Melinda, why does it have to rain like this on a Sunday? It's one of my only days off from school and I can't do anything outside!” 

Melinda looked up from the fashion magazine she was reading. “Why don't you go up to the attic?”

Andi sighed, brushing her hands over her skirt that she hadn't bothered to change after church services in town. “There's nothing I like stored up there, just old trunks and boxes full of ancient clothes and hats. No old saddles or anything interesting.”

“If I remember correctly,” Melinda pursed her lips in thought.  “Chad stored a trunk of his old dime novels up there. I think they're still in a box somewhere.” 

“Thanks!” Andi shot across the sitting room. 

There was nothing she liked better than a good adventure packed novel to spend a gray afternoon with. She hurried to the attic, her long, thick braid slapping her back at every flying step.

Throwing open a door, Andi peered into the eerie attic. For a moment, she paused before the thought of finding Chad's collection of dime novels sent her speedily toward the first corner to start her search. 

An hour later, Andi stood, hands on hips. Dirt and dust covered her and a cobweb hung from her collar like delicate lace. She swiped frustratedly at the tangles of dark hair that had loosened from her braid. 

“Where could that box of novels be?” Andi kicked at an old box. The box hit a stack of quilts and several of the colorful comforters fell onto the floor.

Andi bent to pick them up. As she did so she knocked against something with her elbow. 

Andi knelt to see what she had hit. Snuggled close to an old trunk with blankets neatly  covering most of it, a cradle rocked from her push. 

Andi pulled it out for a better examination. The hand painted side she stared at had delicately scrolled flowers and vines. 

Pulling it out further, she saw a name written in golden pink letters on its headboard.

Turning it toward the light, Andi slowly read the inscription. ‘Lillian Charlotte.’

“Who on earth is Lillian Charlotte?” Andi wondered aloud. “Maybe Melinda would know. I'll go ask her.” 

Gently, she picked up the cradle and carefully started down the stairs.

Whoever this Lillian Charlotte was, Andi wanted to find out. 

Stepping into the sitting room once more, Andi plopped the cradle down in front of Melinda. 

“Melinda, I was wondering if you knew a Lillian Charlotte. I found a cradle in the attic with that name on it.” 

Melinda looked up with confused blue eyes. “I've never heard anyone mention that name before. Maybe Mother would know.” 

“What would I know?”

Andi whirled around to face her mother who had just entered. “I want to know if you know who Lillian Charlotte is.”

Elizabeth Carter's smiling face suddenly lost its glow. A wave of sadness splashed onto her loving countenance. 

”Sit down, Andrea, I think the time has come to tell Lillian Charlotte’s story.” 

Melinda set down her magazine, preparing to listen. 

Andi sat on the edge of a stuffed chair and focused all her attention on Mother.

“Lillian was my sister.” Elizabeth began. 

“Your sister?” Andi excitedly leaned forward.

“Yes, my younger sister. She came out west when James and I were just starting this ranch.” Mother's face was far away, remembering. “It wasn't long before she married a gold miner. They left soon after for more productive gold fields. She never came back.” Mother sighed and gently touched the painted sides of the cradle. 

“How did the cradle get in the attic anyway?” Andi wanted to know, scooting closer to the edge of her seat. 

“Before Lillian left, she told me to keep the cradle until she came back. My father had painted it and it was special to her.” Elizabeth seemed to come back from the past with a start. “It's been sitting up there ever since and I haven't had the heart to do anything with it.” 

Andi leaned forward. Mother had a lost sister like she had, except that mother’s sister had never come back, and Kate had. “I'm sorry, Mother.” Andi jumped up and hugged her.

Elizabeth smiled, the sadness leaving her face. “I'm glad you found the cradle, Andrea. It brings back memories that I have set aside for too long.” She squeezed Andi back. 

Andi resolved then that if she ever had a daughter, she would name her Lillian Charlotte after her mother’s lost sister who had never come back.

Memory Creek Ranch, September 1886

“And that's who I named you after.” Andi gently pushed the twins from a sitting posture into a sleeping position. 

Lilly sighed. “Mama, will Aunt Lillian Charlotte ever come back?” 

“I don't know, darling. I hope so.” 

Andi looked at Lottie. For once, Lottie was quiet. She turned to leave the room but Lottie abruptly called after her. 

“Mama,” she asked. “Do I have a missing sister like grandma has and you used to?” 

Andi laughed. “No, sweetie, you don't have any missing sisters I’m glad to say. You could pray that Grandma's sister would come back someday like mine did though. It would make Grandma so happy to see her again.” 

“I will.” Lottie promised.

Me too!” Lilly added.