Together Again

by Alivia U.

           

Memory Creek Ranch, 1906~

           

            “Grandmother!”

            Andrea Prescott looked up from the book she was reading on the porch swing and smiled, as her five-year-old granddaughter waved from the approaching wagon.

            “Hello, Rose!”  Andi greeted in return, as she stood up.

            The wagon rolled to a stop in front of the house, just as Andi's husband, Riley, walked out of the barn.  Jared, their oldest son, jumped down from the wagon seat and helped his wife Dorothy down; before lifting Rose and her three-year-old brother, James, out of the back. 

            The young children ran to their grandparents and hugged them tight.  As Jared and Dorothy followed, walking up to the front porch; the baby in the mother's arms stirred.

            “Shh, shh,” Dorothy soothed.  “You're safe, Emma.”

            Emma's bright blue eyes opened and looked around at the new, unfamiliar place.  But when she saw her mother, she knew she was, indeed safe.  Andi smiled as she gazed down at her youngest granddaughter, before looking back up at her son and daughter-in-law.

            “Jared, Dorothy,” she greeted, with a sad smile.  “How are you?”

            “We're alright, Mother,” Jared replied softly, trying to smile back.  “Still just...shaken up.”

            Andi nodded in understanding, and gestured them inside, saying, “Well, come in and get settled.  You can tell us about it, when you're ready.”

            Rose followed her grandmother inside and slipped her little hand into Andi's.  Riley playfully hoisted up James onto his shoulders; while Jared and Dorothy walked through the door hand in hand.

            Andi showed the young family to their rooms, before leaving them to unpack.  She hurried to the kitchen to get some tea and coffee ready, as well as cookies.

            “How do you think they're really doing?”  Riley asked, as he sat down at the small kitchen table.

            Andi sighed, remembering the day when she had heard the terrible news...that a devastating earthquake had hit San Francisco, where her son and his family had been living.

            It must have been a great tragedy for them and for many others, too.  The city where they had lived-their home-is now destroyed.  Oh, if only there was something, I could do to help them!

            She sighed again, replying softly, “I'm afraid they're not doing as well as they appear.  I'm sure they are glad that their family is safe and together; but deep down I know that they are still scared, worried, and hurting.  All that Jared had built up, is now gone.”

            “I'm thinking the same thing.”

            Small footsteps could be heard, as Rose ran into the kitchen, followed by James trying to catch up.

            “My goodness,” Andi exclaimed.  “You're done unpacking already?”

            “Yep!”  James smiled proudly.  “All done!”

            Andi could only imagine, with a smile, at what 'all done' really meant.

            “Well, then come sit and have a cookie.  I'm sure your parents will be down any minute.”

            As her grandchildren scrambled up onto their chairs, Andi looked at them lovingly, while she scooted the plate of cookies closer to them.  Rose, named after Andi's middle name, had strawberry blonde hair and green eyes, like her mother.  She was sweet and caring, and loved to look after her siblings, especially her little sister.  She preferred to be inside sewing or cooking with her mother, and Andi could see that she wanted to be just like Dorothy.

            James, on the other hand, was the more adventurous type.  His main loves were playing in mud, catching frogs and bugs, and following his father and grandpa around.  Although he was young, he already had said he wanted to be a rancher “just like Daddy and Grandpa.”  James had dark brown hair and brown eyes, and was named after Andi's father, who had died when she had been a small girl.

            Andi looked up and smiled, as Jared and Dorothy, holding Emma, entered the room.  Baby Emma was always curious and wanted to know more about the things around her.  She also loved nature.  Emma was almost a mirror image to what Andi had looked like when she was young...blue eyes and dark, curly hair.  The little girl was named after Dorothy's mother.

            Jared and Dorothy took a seat, as Andi handed them cups of coffee and tea.  They both looked weary, and Andi felt so bad for them.  She sat down next to Riley.

            Jared, their first born, was a hard-working husband and a loving father.  He had tried ranching, when he had first started married life with Dorothy; but they hadn't been able pay off what they had owed for the land they had bought.  Due to bad weather, thieves, and other bad times; that had destroyed their cattle and ranch.  So, he had packed up and left to find work in San Francisco and had been successful.  He had hoped to make enough money, to start over in ranching one day.

            Dorothy, gentle, kind and caring; had grown up in San Francisco, before she fell in love with Jared and his homeland.  She had no experience in ranching, as Jared had, but she worked hard to learn.  When she had her first child, Rose, she loved being a mother and was overjoyed when James and Emma were born, as well.  Both she and Jared had a strong faith in God, as did Andi and Riley.

            Andi placed a loving hand on the still-frightened mother.  Dorothy looked up from her untouched cup of tea and smiled gratefully at her mother-in-law.

            “Are you ready to tell your story?”  Andi asked gently.

            Jared looked at Dorothy, took her hand, and took a deep breath, before nodding.

            Then he began telling the frightening story of the great San Francisco earthquake...

~ ~ ~

San Francisco, two weeks earlier...

            Dorothy Prescott looked out the window of the small apartment kitchen.  She was still glad that they could be back in the city where she had grown up, but now that she had seen Jared's home place, she missed it more than ever. 

            She missed the freedom of the wide, open lands...nothing like the cramped, bustling city.  She missed the birds singing, and the creek's sounds as it flowed past...nothing like the sound of people shouting out what they were selling and carriages nosily traveling over cobblestone roads.  She missed the home that Jared had made for them, where they had begun to raise their children and had made many memories...nothing like the small apartment room they rented.

            Dorothy signed and wished with all her heart that they could return to ranching soon.  She had always known the city, but now she felt like it was a strange place.

            Dorothy turned, at the sound of the door unlocking and opening.

            “I'm home,” Jared's cheery voice called.

            “Daddy!”  Rose cried with glee and ran into his open arms.

            “Daddy!”  James repeated, and Jared lifted him up in the air.  The young boy’s giggling brought a smile to Dorothy's face.

            “Ah, here's my little Emma!”  Jared said, picking up his youngest.

            Then he walked up to Dorothy and kissed her.

            “Hello, Jared,” she greeted.

            “Hello, darling.  What's for supper?  I'm starving!”

            Dorothy smile again and replied, “The usual: vegetable soup and cornbread.”

            “Sounds good to me,” he said, and sat down at the table with James on his knee.

            As Dorothy began to serve the soup and bread, she realized that even though she wasn't in the country anymore, she wouldn't give up her joyful life with her family for anything.

~ ~ ~

            Dorothy's eyes flew open.  It was only early morning, but something had awoken her.

            But what was it?  she wondered.

            Dorothy strained her ears; but could hear nothing more, except for the slight stirring of Jared beside her.

            “You heard it, too?”  she whispered.

            “Yep.”

            “Do you know what it was?”

            “No, but it sounded like thunder...only louder.”

            Silence.  Just then, the clock struck five.  A few minutes went by and still Dorothy couldn't fall back to sleep.

            Five minutes went past...

                        Then ten...

                                    Eleven...

                                                Finally, her eyes began to close...

                                                            And then the clock struck 5:12...

            Suddenly a violent shaking and rocking shook the whole apartment!  Dorothy jolted up, and Jared awoke again.

            “Earthquake!”  he cried, springing out of bed.

            Dorothy pulled back the covers and tried to stand up; but with the ground moving, she could barely keep her balance.

            Pictures banged against the wall, furniture slid across the floor, and a vase fell to the floor, breaking with a splintering crash.  Emma started to cry, and Rose and James ran into their parents' room fearfully.

            “Everyone, get outside!”  Jared called over the noise.

            He scooped up James, while Dorothy rushed to get Emma.  She then held onto Rose's hand, before they hurried outside.  The walls started to cave in, just as they scrambled out the door.

            Dorothy stopped short, in shock when they got outside.  People had crowed onto the streets; as fire blazed from the buildings. The horse-drawn fire engines rang out loudly, as they rushed by.  There was much confusion, shouting, and crying.  But Dorothy was still frozen in place.

            “Dorothy!  Hurry!”  Jared called, snapping her back to reality.

            She ran to him, and they continued to make their way towards the main streets.

            Suddenly, they heard a piercing crack.  Dorothy looked down at the cobblestone road, which she stood on and gasped.  The street was ripping apart!

            Rose cried out, and Dorothy pulled her away, just as the spot where she was standing, cracked opened.

            Then, just as suddenly as it had come, the shaking stopped.  Everything stopped.  It was almost like the whole world had stopped; but a second later, everything became more chaotic then before.  People rushed around, fire blazed, and horses ran and reared up in fear.

            Dorothy's heart pounded wildly, and smoke stung her eyes.  Dirt and ash streaked across her tear-stained face and her dress.

            Another splintering crack filled the air.

            “Look out!”  someone screamed, pointing to a building behind the crowd.  “It's going to collapse!”

            People cried out and scrambled to get away.  A thundering explosion erupted, as the building collapsed!  Materials and bricks from the building flew in all directions, and dust covered that area.

            Another burst of fire, ash, and heat exploded.  Dorothy shielded her eyes and covered her children from it, as Jared stepped in front of his wife to protect her.  Then he led his family away from the burning building.

            “Where do we go?”  Dorothy asked her husband.

            Jared looked around him at the terrible destruction the earthquake had caused.  Where would they go?  How would he lead his family to safety?

            Help guide us safely, Lord, he asked silently, looking up at the smoke-covered sky.  Show me which way to go.

            Suddenly, the earth began to shake again.

            “Aftershocks!”  Dorothy gasped fearfully.

            “Quickly, this way!”  Jared shouted, taking Emma from Dorothy's shaking hands, and leading the way.

            Dorothy lifted her dress and ran.  But the earth was still shaking and with all the fire and smoke, her head was spinning.  She started to slow down, stumbling over the rubble, until she tripped and fell to her knees.  Tears rolled down her dirt-streaked face.

            “Jared,” she called, but her voice was lost in the commotion.

            Black smoke thickened around her, sirens and bells rang loudly, and the earth still shook.  Dorothy panicked, afraid and unsure of what to do.

            She took a shaky, deep breath, and whispered, “Please, help us Lord...but Your will be done.”

            At that moment, Dorothy felt a peace within her and within the next second, the earth stopped shaking.  She then heard the faint call of her name and looked up to see Jared.

            “Jared!”  She collapsed into his arms, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.  James placed his hand on his wife's arm.

            Jared helped Dorothy to her feet.  “Can you stand?  Walk?”

            “Yes, I think so.”

            “Good, but we must hurry.  The fire is spreading fast.”

            He lifted James and took Rose's hand, as Dorothy held Emma.

            As Dorothy ran along-side Jared, she looked back one more time at the raging fire and downed buildings.  But this time, she didn't quite feel as afraid of it all anymore; because she knew that God would protect them.

            They journeyed on, walking endlessly, trying to get away from the fire.  Finally, they stopped to rest on some rubble of a collapsed building.

            “I don't know how much longer the children can go on,” Dorothy said, in a hushed voice.  “...I don't know how much longer I can go on.”

            Jared wrapped an arm around her.

            “I know, I know.  But we have to keep going.”

            “But, then what?  We keep running, with nowhere to go.  And we don't have a home anymore.  Who will take us in?”

            After a moment's pause, Jared replied, “My parents.  They'll take us in, I'm sure.”

            “Alright.  As soon as we can, let's go.”

            Jared nodded, then looked up at the dark, smoked-filled sky, knowing that God would protect them.

~ ~ ~

            Dorothy looked up, as Jared made his way towards her, carrying bread.  His expression brightened, as he neared.

            “I mailed the letter to my folks and got this,” he said, holding up the bread.

            “That's wonderful that someone is taking letters,” Dorothy replied, “Even if the letters are made out of anything, anyone can find and goes without a stamp.  Was the food line long, again?”

            “It always is, but we should be thankful for what food and shelter we do have.”

            Dorothy nodded in agreement; glimpsing at their tent made of old sheets and clothes, strung from the branches of a tree.

            It had been a few days since the earthquake and shortly after the fires had died down; people had started taking shelter in city parks, where the fire hadn't reached.  Everyone was pitching in from other states to send food, clothing, and other necessities; Dorothy had heard.  And indeed, she was grateful.

            “I've also come back with other news,” Jared went on, sitting on a crate.  “A wagon is leaving, taking passengers to a small town some ways from here.  Citizens there are taking in homeless families from here.  But once we reach the town, we can get a wagon and drive to my folk's place.”

            “Oh Jared, that's wonderful!  When do we leave?”

            “At nine tomorrow morning, sharp.  The driver said hurry...we aren't the only ones wanting to leave.”

~ ~ ~

            Jared helped Dorothy climb in, before lifting their children up to her.

            We're finally leaving, Dorothy thought, looking back to the city…

            …The city that had once been her home…

                        …The city that was now destroyed.

            She turned to Jared, who was now reaching up to climb into the wagon but was stopped by what the driver was saying to a young mother holding a baby.

            “Sorry, miss, but there's no room.”

            “But I have to meet my husband.  I can't stay here!”

            “I said there's no room.  Now please, stand out of the way.”

            Jared looked up at Dorothy, and she looked back with pleading eyes.

            Don't leave us, she wanted to say.  But she knew what would be the right thing to do.

            She reached down and kissed him, before he turned towards the driver and woman.

            “She can take my spot in the wagon,” he said.

            “Well, fine--but hurry and get in, miss.”

            “Oh, thank you, sir!”  the woman exclaimed to Jared, hurrying towards the empty seat.

            Jared nodded his reply and looked back up at the tear-filled eyes of his wife and children.  He reached up his hand and Dorothy took it.

            When will I see you again?  Will I ever?  her heart pondered.

            “Yah!”  the driver called to his team.  The horses took off.  Jared's hand slid out of hers, and he let it drop to his side.

            “I love you,” he whispered, as the wagon bounced its way along the road.

            “Daddy?”  James asked softly, gazing where his father stood, getting smaller and smaller.

            “Hush now, James,” Dorothy soothed.  “Daddy will be with us again.”

            She only hoped her words were true.

            Please protect Jared, Lord.  Please protect all of us and give us the strength to keep going, though we are apart.

            Tears fell silently down her cheeks, as they rounded a curve, and her husband disappeared out of sight. 

            Would they ever be reunited again?

~ ~ ~

            The wagon slowly came to a stop, having reached their destination.  Dorothy opened her eyes from a restless sleep and looked around at the small, but bustling town; before gazing down at her children asleep on her lap.

            “Everybody off,” the driver called, climbing down to help the ladies.

            Dorothy woke her children and climbed down with them.  Her whole body ached, and she just wanted to lie down and sleep again; but she knew she had to be strong for her little ones.

            A door opened at a house nearby and a man approached the driver.  After speaking to him, the driver turned to his passengers.

            “This man and his wife are opening their home to y'all.  If you would follow him, I'll be taking off to leave.”

            Dorothy turned with her children, to walk with the small group to the house; grateful that the Aldens were willing to take them in.

~ ~ ~ 

            Dorothy looked around the small, but tidy bedroom she had been brought to, closing the door behind her.

            A neatly made bed was in one corner of the room.  A small dresser and wash basin were opposite the bed, and a mirror hung beside them.  A window over-looking the town, was on the farthest wall from the door.

            James' yawn brought Dorothy's mind back to her children.

            “Time for bed,” she said softly.

            She set them on the bed and had started to change their clothes with some she found in the dresser, when their food was brought.

            They all ate a simple, but delicious hot meal, before climbing into bed.  The children quickly fell asleep, but Dorothy's mind kept thinking back to Jared.  But finally, her eyes closed, as well.

~ ~ ~

            Morning sun rays streamed in through the window, as Dorothy's eyes fluttered open.  A delicious smell greeted her, and she looked to the small side-table by the bed; to see a tray filled with hot rolls, a steaming cup of coffee, and juice for the children.

            Mrs. Alden must have brought it in without wanting to wake us, she reasoned.

            Dorothy grabbed a roll and took a bite.  She thought she had never tasted a softer, more delicious roll before.  The melted butter and sweet jam added to the wonderful flavor.  She drank her coffee and quickly dressed.

            Her children were still asleep, so Dorothy went over to the window, sat on the window-seat, and looked outside.  Not many people were out yet, so that was why Dorothy noticed a lone rider and horse slowly making their way down the dusty streets.

            The rider's hat was pulled down over his face, so she couldn't tell who he was.  But something made him look up at the window where she was and when he did, Dorothy's heart skipped a beat.

            “Jared,” she whispered, unbelievably.

            Dorothy turned from the window, ran out the door and flew down the stairs.  She threw the front door of the house wide open, and stepped out onto the dusty streets, before finally stopping to take a breath.

            She looked around and froze, when she saw the rider.  He looked at her sparkling, blue eyes; before he quickly unmounted his horse and ran to her.

            “Dorothy!”  he cried.

            “Jared!”

            Jared picked his wife up and spun her around, before putting her down.  Then he leaned down to kiss her.  Tears rolled down Dorothy's cheeks, as she hugged her husband.

            “Oh, Jared--you found a way to come to us,” she whispered.

            “I couldn't bear to be apart from my family any longer.”

            She smiled and kissed him again, before they were interrupted by Rose and James' cries, “Daddy!  You're back!”

            The parents looked up at their children, who were waving from the window.

            “Hello, my wonderful children!  I'll be right up!”

            He and Dorothy smiled again and made their way back to their children, hand in hand.

~ ~ ~

            The wagon jostled its way over the dirt-packed ground; as Jared, Dorothy, and their children made their way to Jared's parents' house.

            “It's just beyond those trees,” Jared pointed.

            The children waited until, at last, they could see the smoke coming out of the chimney of their grandparents' house.  Then Rose saw her grandmother swinging gently on the porch swing, reading.

            Rose waved as she called out, “Grandmother!”

            Dorothy smiled at her daughter, before looking up at her husband.  She squeezed his hand and whispered to him, “Finally, we're together again...”