A Good Friend

by Emma Mae

Mitchell James Carter walked down the boardwalk of the California town, Fresno. Mitch couldn’t wait to see his family, he had just got off the train from San Francisco. Mitch had been visiting Kate and the kids. As he turned the corner to Goodwin’s mercantile Mitch  collided with a young lady with a long thin stick and a soft package.

The young lady steadied herself up against the side of the building, however the package she was carrying fell on the boardwalk. Mitch stumbled back a little. He steadied himself and bent down to grab her package. 

“I’m so sorry miss, I wasn’t looking where I was going, let me get your package for you.”  Mitch looked up into the young lady's milky white eyes.  He bit his lip. 

“Here you go ma’am” Mitch said as he handed the package to her.

The young lady smiled at him. “Thank you, Mr……?” 

“Carter, Mitch Carter” 

“Thank you Mr. Carter, my name is Sarah Goodwin. Ummm, I do believe I’ve lost my cane,  you wouldn’t mind helping me find it would you?” Her blind eyes searched for something they could not see. 

“No, no it was my fault! Here just let me…..”

Mitch turned around. The cane had fallen out of her hands and rolled off the boardwalk onto the street, he jumped off the walk and picked up the cane.

Mitch turned and put the cane into her waiting hand. 

“Thank you so much, have a good day” She turned and walked away towards the church. Mitch looked after her inquiringly. She had said her name was Goodwin. A cousin maybe? Well anyway Mitch didn’t have too much time to think about it. His older brother Justin Carter walked up behind him and gave him a pat on the back. Mitch startled, and turned around. 

“Oh, Justin!” 

His older brother hugged him and reached for Mitch’s bag. 

“It’s good to see you Mitch. How are Kate and the kids?” 

Mitch smiled and informed Justin of his trip to San Francisco.

.  .  .

The Pastor finished his sermon with a prayer, then dismissed everyone. Mitch stood up along with the rest of his family. He looked around, at the many faces that were in the church that Sunday morning. When he looked in the very back rows he saw a familiar  face, but didn’t think much of it. He walked out of the church and took a deep breath of the fresh Sunday morning air. Mitch unhitched the horse and buggy and waited for his family to join him. Finally Elizabeth, Chad and Ellie Carter joined him outside and they all hopped into the buggy. Mitch gave a flick of the reins and the horse started off towards the Circle C Ranch. The usual conversation flowed. How good the pastors sermon had been, what was for dinner, if they would beat Andi and Riley to the house. Then Elizabeth said something surprising. 

“I've invited the Goodwins over for Sunday supper. We haven't seen them in so long, so I thought it would be nice if we caught up with them.” 

While Ellie expressed her excitement at the idea and considered what they should do after dinner, Mitch sat there in silence considering what he had heard. A shiver of excitement ran up and down Mitch’s spine. He shook his head to clear his mind. Why was he so excited? He barely even knew Sarah. Yet there was still something about the way she had smiled at him. 

.  .  .

            The dinner table was set, and the guests were supposed to be there anytime. Justin had business to attend to so he had to go back to the office. Lucy and the kids went with him. Riley had gone back to Memory Creek because Lily and Lottie had to take they’re nap. He had insisted that Andi stay for supper. Melinda and Peter were gone visiting a relative of Peters. That only left Ellie, Chad, Andi, Mitch and Elizabeth for supper. Smaller party than intended, but they planned to enjoy the night nonetheless. 

The Goodwns arrived and they all had an enjoyable dinner. Sarah turned out to be Jack's cousin. She was 28 years old. Unfortunately her parents passed away two months earlier that year. Sarah had decided to move to Fresno and live with her uncle and cousin. After hearing Sarah’s story, dinner was served. As they ate Andi glanced Mitch’s way and saw that everytime he looked over at Sarah his eyes seemed to light up a bit. A thought popped into Andi’s head that made her smile. 

After dinner they retired to the parlor. Jack led Sarah over to a chair then sat down next to her. Chad and Mitch stayed standing and let the women and guests have a seat first. When Mitch saw an open seat across from Sarah, he decided to sit there. After about an hour of delightful conversation, the girls decided to take a walk out in the fresh air. Elizabeth said she’d rather stay back and continue talking to Mr. Goodwin.  Ellie took Sarah’s arm and led her out doors. Before Andi left the room she turned and asked Mitch if he’d like to join them. Mitch smiled and nodded saying that it was a perfect night for a walk. As Mitch passed Andi, Chad gave her an inquiring look. She smiled mischievously and winked at him, then turned and joined them outside. 

The people who were outside waited for Andi, then began a brisk walk towards the barn. Sarah, who was quite a fast walker, poor Ellie couldn’t keep up with her. Seeing this Mitch offered his arm and Sarah took it graciously. Ellie fell back and they walked together a few steps behind Sarah and Mitch.

After a little while they turned and headed back to the house. Ellie leaned in and whispered to Andi. 

“Look at those two Andi! They’re getting along so well!” 

Anid smiled and nodded. 

As they were walking back Elizabeth and Mr. Goodwin sat in the parlor talking.                                                                                                             

“Now Mr. Goodwin I hope I’m not being too blunt, but how did Sarah become blind?” Elizabeth asked. Mr. Goodwin sighed and clasped his hands together. 

“Well, when Sarah was nine, her and her parents were riding in a wagon down to visit us. Sarah was riding in the back when one of the horses stumbled and threw her father. He healed, but when Sarah got out to check on her father the horse got scared and reared, hitting her in the back of the head. When she woke up two weeks later she was blind.” 

Elizabeth gasped. “How terrible.” Chad nodded sadly. 

Andi and Ellie entered the house first, followed by Mitch and Sarah. The Goodwins said their goodbyes then headed back towards town. Mitch took Andi home in the buggy. On the way to Memory creek Andi brought up Sarah as many times as she could. And everytime she did Mitch seemed to brush it off. When they got to Memory Creek. Before Andi jumped off, Mitch turned to her. 

“Now, Andi, don’t get any ideas.” 

Andi smiled and didn’t answer him. She said goodnight then walked inside of the house. 

.  .  .

In the weeks to follow Mitch, poured himself into his work. He saw the Goodwins every Sunday at church.                                        

Finally two months after the dinner with the Goodwins. Mitch nervously made his way down Fresno’s boardwalk towards the Goodwins house. Just outside the door, Mitch took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Jack answered the door and smiled. Mitch asked to talk to Mr. Goodwin. Mr. Goodwin came into the room and smiled then started some light conversation. Mitch played with his fingers then asked the question that had been burning in the back of his mind for a long time.

.  .  .

Sarah made her way around the counter at her uncle's store. She tapped her stick until she found the aisle she was looking for. She slowly made her way down the aisle and felt around the shelf. Sarah smiled when she found what she was looking for. Picking up the small box she turned around and walked back to the counter. Suddenly she heard the door open and someone cleared their throat. Sarah smiled at whoever had just entered the store. 

“Um, hello there Sarah.” 

Sarah’s smile grew a little bit. She knew that voice.

“Hello Mitch!” She said enthusiastically, “What can I help you with?” 

“If it’s alright, I’d like to accompany you on a walk.”

Sarah smiled and nodded, as she offered her hand. Mitch took it and they walked outside the store and down the boardwalk. 

.   .   .

Eleven months later Sarah twiddled with her necklace as Andi fluffed the back of her wedding dress. Melinda put her hand on Sarah's shoulder and rubbed it a little. Sarah let her hands drop to her side and took a deep breath. She heard a door open and her uncle's footsteps nearing her. 

“Wow. Sarah, you look beautiful.”

Sarah turned her head. Mr. Goodwin took her hand and they started to walk towards a new story. Towards Sarah’s new life.