Who Would Have Guessed? (ages 13-17)

 by Melissa W. 

September 21,1885 

  “Next stop,” the Conductor called out, “Tacoma, Washington.”

Cory Blake slowly shuffled behind the other people as they got off the train.   

                                           ⛰️              

Dear Mother and Father,

  I am now in Tacoma, Washington. I figured I’d visit Jenny, Andi’s friend from the girl’s school she went to in San Francisco. I’m doing good, still figuring things out with God.

                                   Love you, your son Cory.

Folding the letter, Cory stuffed it in an envelope he had attained earlier from the motel clerk. Leaving it on the desk, Cory got ready for bed. Kneeling beside the bed Cory started to pray. 

  “Heavenly Father,

I don’t know what you have planned for my life, I can’t predict the future or if You want me to go back home, but I thought I'd visit Jenny and her family before I think of going back home. In Jesus name amen.”

  Standing up he got in bed and in minutes was fast asleep with peace in his heart knowing he had done the right thing.

                                          ⛰️

  Giving the letter to the postal man, Cory headed over to the wood mill to find Jenny and her family.

“Runaway!”  A young dark haired man called out running behind a big Clysdale horse.

Pushing people out of the way, Cory made his way towards the middle of the hard-packed dirt road.

“Whoa, Whoa,” grabbing the halter as the horse slowed to a lope, Cory stepped a few feet toward the right to disengage the horse's hindquarters and slow him down. “It’s alright big boy, nobody’s gonna hurt you.” running his hand along the horse's back, Cory stepped away from the horse, as the person running behind the Clydesdale came up. “Thank you,” he said, shaking Cory’s hand. “Names Micah. What's yours?” Returning the handshake Cory replied, “Cory, Cory Blake. And no problem. Beautiful horse you have.” 

  “You don’t look familiar, are you new?” Micah asked, taking the halter as he was starting to walk back from where he came from. 

“I’m visiting somebody I haven’t seen since I was around 14-15. Have you lived here all your life?”

“Yeah, I was born here in Tacoma, it was a small little town. So where are you from originally?”

“I grew up in Fresno, California. Nice.-”

“Hey, my sister has been to Fresno, went to visit a friend down there,” looking sheepish Micah turned and looked at Cory, 

 “Sorry I interrupted you, Mama’s been nagging me about that since I was a kid, still haven’t gotten out of the habit.”

Cory grinned, here was somebody like him. 

                                              ⛰️

 “Hey Pa,” Micah yelled, a red-headed teenager grabbed the horses from Micah and made his way behind the lumber mill.

 “Be right there Micah.” A tall man with dark brown hair like Micah’s, turned away from another man and walked toward his son.

“Pa I’d like you to meet Cory, Cory-” he looked at Cory, “What was your last name again?” 

“Blake, Cory Blake sir.” Nice to meet you, he said, shaking Mr. Grant's hand.

Returning the shake he replied “Nice to meet you son. Josiah is my name. Are you from around here?

Cory laughed, “No sir, grew up in Fresno, California.” 

“Fresno, the weather is much drier down there.” Mr. Grant grinned. “Unlike here, it rains every week.”

“I like the weather up here, feels like home.” 

Meanwhile, Micah stayed silent. Suddenly he spoke up, “I’ve been mulling on this since we met and I figured I somehow knew your name, you’r Jenny’s friend, she met you when she went to visit Amy, Amber what was her name?”

“Andi. Yeah, I met Jenny one day when Andi brought her to town, we ended up in jail for breaking the water trough though.” He chuckled at the memory.

“We met Andi one time, she was dark haired, a pretty sight with a whole lot of tomboy in her,” Josiah said. 

“Yeah, that would be Andi, always wishing for an adventure.” Cory sighed with a sad small smile.

“Hey pa, supper is ready.” Quipped Gideon, Micah’s little brother.

“Run ahead and tell your Mother that we have a guest.” Mr. Grant called out looking at Cory.

“Oh no! I couldn’t.” Cory stammered.

“Don’t even think about saying no, Ma would have a fit if she heard we didn’t invite you.” Micah declared.

                                              ⛰️

“Hey Jenny, got somebody here to see you.” Micah yelled from outside. During the walk to the house Cory had explained that Jenny is who he was coming to see.

“Son, use your inside voice.” Caroline Grant reprimanded, 

“Yes, mama.” he said meekly.

“Hey Jenny,” Bellowed Elijah Grant. “You have a interested beau here to see–”

“Elijah Grant, if you want to talk to your sister, go talk to her like a civilized person.” Interjected Caroline. “Now did you bring your wife and son?”

“Yes, Mama,” he sighed “To both I mean.” he quickly said.
“Right here mother, I finally brought you your jar back.” Josephine said, smiling at her mother-in-law. 

“Gwanma, Gwanma.” Kaden Grant yelled, claboring the table with a stick he had grabbed from outside.

During this, Cory stood beside Micah, trying hard not to laugh at the brothers antics and mothers reprimanding.

“Cory Blake! is that really you,” Jenny Exclaimed coming down the stairs. “Why didn’t you say that you were coming?” she asked.

“Well, it really wasn’t my plan to come here.” he uttered, astounded that she recognized him,

“Now Elijah, who’s my new beau.” she fumed, staring at him.

“Well, um, um.” 

“Spit it big brother.”

“James Stromsmoes asked me in town how you were.” 

                                                ⛰️

“So, Cory, how are you really,” Jenny asked as they walked along the waterfront, later that evening.

“You really wanna know?”

“Of course.” 

“I’ve liked Andi a long time, and I’ve also known that she’s never liked me in that way. But I still had to ask, she didn’t want to hurt me but she did.”

“Is that why you left Fresno?” 

“Part of the reason, I also left because I felt I had no place in Fresno anymore.”

“I’m sorry Cory, maybe God has a different plan for you.”

“It’s alright, her brothers warned me, especially Chad.”

“So do you have a beau already?” Cory asked slyly.

“No, all the boys here are doofuses.” she laughed,

“Not even that James Stromoes?”

“Ughh!” she smirked, “You're as bad as my brothers. And his name is James Stromsmoes not Stromoes.”

“My bad.” He drawled, “It was really nice talking to you. I'd better get back to the hotel.”

“Good night Cory.” 

                                            ⛰️

 2 Months later. “Mr. Grant,-”

“Don’t be so formal, son.” he bellowed.

“Mr. Grant, I was wondering, “If I have your permission to court your daughter?” Cory uttered in a rush.

“I knew this was coming and yes, my Caroline and I give you our permission, as long as you treat her with respect and kindness.”

Cory heaved a sigh of relief and a weight was lifted off of his shoulders. “Thank you sir.” he murmured.

“Now Cory, let me remind you she does have 5 brothers and they are protective over her.”

“Don’t worry Josiah, I’ve dealt with big brothers like that and one had worse wrath if you messed with his sister than Elijah.” Cory said, chuckling at the memory of Chad protecting Andi.

                                           ⛰️

“Jenny,” He hesitated, “Jenny I was wondering if you would give me permission to court you?”

“Cory Blake, do you think I’m daft? Of course I’ll court you.” she cried out happily.

                                                   ⛰️

“Micah, Gideon.” Jenny yelled.

“Jennifer Grant, use your inside voice.” Caroline said exasperated.

“I feel like I’m telling one of my children to be quiet every minute of the day.” she muttered, stirring the pot of beans and bacon in the cast iron pot.

“Sorry mama, but the boys just got home from logging and I wanted to tell them the news.” Jenny said, stumbling over each word with excitement.

“Are you gonna invite your beau over for supper then?” Caroline asked, smiling.

“I’ll go tell him right now.” 

“Now hold a minute Jenny, you have a beau?” Micah asked incredulously standing in the stairway.

“I’ll tell you about it later.” Jenny smirked, scooting out the doorway.

“Nuh uh, Jenny, you’re gonna tell us about it now.” yelled Gideon, claboring down the stairs and flinging the door open. “You can tell James Stromsmoe he can come for supper after you tell us about it.”

“Gideon’s right little sis,” Micah quipped, coming to stand behind him.

“For your information it’s not James, and you can meet him at supper.” she said, walking away. 

“You woke me up to tell me you have a beau and then desert us?” Micah fumed watching her walk away.

                                                 ⛰️

   “Hey Pa?” Jenny asked, standing in the sawmill's office.

“You came to see where your beau is?” he asked, smiling at his happy daughter.

“Well, Yeah.” 

“He just left to go see Mr. Dunken at the blacksmith shop.” Josiah said, rubbing his neck.

“You alright pa? You don’t look that-” Jenny trailed off as Josiah slumped over his desk. 

“Pa! Pa!” she shook him. 

“Hey Pa-” Elijah asked, coming into the doorway. 

Jenny looked at him with wide eyes, shock written all over her face. Her pa couldn’t die, he had always been there for her, he had spoiled her because she was his only daughter, always taking her side when one of the boys teased her, even though he was trying hard not to laugh at their antics of scaring her.

“Jenny, Jenny! Elijah said, demanding an answer back. “What happened?” 

“I came to ask him where Cory was and, and, he slumped over.” she stuttered looking pale.

“Go get mom. And run.” Elijah demanded. “Jimmy! Run and get the doctor. And fast. I don’t want you talking to anybody but the Dr.” Elijah bellowed.

 Walking back inside he prayed.

“Dear God, I don’t know what happened to Pa but I pray that you will keep him safe. Amen

“Mama,” Jenny ran inside slamming the door. “Pa collapsed!”

“Where?” Caroline asked, turning from the stove.

“In his office.” Jenny squeaked. “Elijah is there and sent Jimmy to get the doctor.”

“Go tell Micah and Gideon to meet us at the Doctors office.” Caroline said, practically flying out the door.

“Jenny?” Gideon stopped talking at the look on her face. 

“Pa collapsed in his office.” she said, sagging into a chair.

“Hey Gideon, your shirt is on my bed again.” Micah yelled from upstairs. 

“Micah,” Gideon said in a low voice. “You’d better come downstairs.” 

“What?” He asked with frustration in his voice stomping down the stairs, “Jenny you alright?”  

“Pa collapsed in his office.” Gideon said, pulling on shoes.

“Mama said to meet them at the doctor's office.” Jenny said standing up with a bit more composure after seeing her father collapse. 

                                             ⛰️

  “Mrs. Grant, your husband had a stroke,” Dr. Clemmins confirmed coming into the waiting room.

“It will take him a while to get back on his feet and get all the movement on the right side, but he will survive.”

“Oh, Thank you God.” Caroline sighed, praising God.

“How long will it take him for the movement to come back on his right side? Micah asked.

“Depends on the person, but a few weeks.” Dr. Clemmins said “But I want him in bed resting for at least a week.” 

“Dr. I’m fine. I just collapsed because I’m stressed.” Josiah grumbled from behind the curtain.

“No way, pa, you are gonna stay in bed. The boys and I can take care of the sawmill.” Josiah Jr. said determination, written all over his face. 

“I agree with Josiah. Pa we’re all capable of taking care of the sawmill and lumber yard.” Caleb voiced from behind his mother.

 

 “How are you feeling Josiah?” Dr. asked, a week later.

“Just fine. Caroline is pampering me and all I need is to go back to work.” He grumbled

“That’s exactly what I want, Thank you Caroline.

                                                 ⛰️

“So after all that excitement, when did you get to tell Micah and Gideon that we were courting?” Cory asked, sitting on the swing behind their house.

“Last week at the supper table, the day after pa had his stroke.”

Jenny laughed, “You should’ve seen their faces, Gideon just sat there and said.” “I would’ve never guessed it, I figured you caved into James’s begging.” “And, and,” Jenny chortled with laughter, “Micah said, “I guess I saw it coming, Cory does really like you.” “Oh, but his face had a mixture of surprise and shock.” 

“I’m glad.” Cory said, helping her to her feet. “Micah came and talked to me the next day and he said he was really happy for us.”

                                                 ⛰️

 “I now pronounce you man and wife.” Pastor Knox said. “You may kiss the bride.

“Whohooo!” Jenny yelled, walking down the aisle with her new husband.

 He grinned down at her as she stared longingly at the food.

“You know Mrs. Blake, I could give an excuse that you had to go use the bathroom.” Cory teased.

Jenny looked at Cory like he had offended her. “How dare you mock me like that Cory Blake.”

He just grinned at her.

After all those congratulations Cory and Jenny made their way to the food table and sat down. “How’s the food Mrs. Blake?” Cory asked.
“Just fine Mr.Blake. She giggled, “I like the sound of that.”

“Of what?” 

“Oh you. You know exactly what. When you say Mrs. Blake.” She said, smirking at him.

“So where are ya’ll going on your honeymoon?” somebody asked.

“We are gonna go camping.” Jenny blurted out. 

“Camping! Oh!” The lady turned and walked away shaking her head.

                                               ⛰️

“Cory!” Jenny cried out happily

“Everything alright dear?” Cory asked concerned.

“Better than alright, I’m pregnant.” She stood while Cory tried to absorb what she had said. 

“Whoohoo, are you sure you really are?” Cory stumbled over his words hugging her. In the end Cory and Jenny Blake had a little baby girl named Celia. Her grandparents and uncle love her to bits.

And Cory loaned money from his father-in-law and started his own livery soon after they were married. 


2 comments:

Encourage these young authors!