“May I have this dance, Mrs. Green?”
“Why Mr. Collins,” Kathleen smiled as Shane led her onto the dance floor. “You seem thrilled here. Angel is wonderful, as usual.”
“She is,” he agreed. “My wife is an extraordinary lady. We would both like to have a quick chat with you, if you don’t mind. I know the party is for you, but we made a decision and we can’t wait to tell you. It’s about Mia.”
Kathleen’s heart lurched. She glanced at Mia who was laughing and playing with some local children. They had asked a couple of questions about her burns but then seemed to accept her. She caught Cindy looking at Mia. The girl was like a mother hen with the young girl.
“What about her?” Kathleen asked.
“Come outside and speak to us both.” Shane guided her out of the barn and toward the main house where Angel was waiting.
“Did you ask her?” Angel asked, her fingers fidgeting at her neckline. Kathleen glanced from her brother to his wife and back again.
“Ask me what? You’re making me nervous.”
“Angel wondered if—” Shane started but he was speaking too slowly.
“What Shane is trying to say is, we were wondering if we could adopt Cindy and Mia.”
“The both of them?” Kathleen stuttered, trying to buy some time.
“Yes. Cindy reminds me of myself and I really feel she would benefit a lot from having a steady home. She can help Bridget in the orphanage too, but I think it would be nice for her to be part of a real family. And Mia, she is just such a special little girl. Her and Cindy are so close and couldn’t bear to be parted. They are both terrified you will take Mia back to New York.”
“They are?” Kathleen tried not to sound hurt. She thought Mia wanted to go with her.
“Yes, but they didn’t want to tell you as they were afraid you would be angry. I explained to them you wanted the best for both. You were only taking Mia back to see Richard in case he could do something for her burns. We could still do that. Or Richard could bring you here on a holiday and you could catch up with all of us. What do you think?”
Kathleen couldn’t speak.
“We have enough money if you are worried about that,” Shane said. “I am doing well with the horses. I have a natural ability, according to Geoff. Angel is working and Cindy can help us with the younger ones. Please say yes, Kathleen. We really want to do this.”
Kathleen looked at their faces. How could she say no to two people she loved? “What about the girls? Have you spoken to them?”
“Not really. Cindy has been spending a lot of time with me,” Angel said. “We’ve been working on her schoolwork. She is such a bright child. Mia is too, actually. You don’t see Cindy unless Mia is nearby.”
That was true and Kathleen had noticed it before. She knew she had tried to hide from the truth which was that Cindy and Mia had developed a strong bond. It would be cruel to split the girls up now, especially after all they had been through. With a heavy heart, she knew she had to say yes. It was the right thing for the girls and for her family whom she adored.
“Well, If the girls agree, I suppose the paperwork can be finalized quickly.”
“Oh Kathleen, thank you. Can I tell the girls?” Angel asked.
Kathleen nodded as Angel picked up her skirts and fled. Shane stayed close to Kathleen, holding her gaze as if waiting for her to say something. When she didn’t, he asked,
“Am I missing something? You don’t seem too pleased.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m happy. Finding homes for orphans is what I do, remember?” She pushed him playfully.
He looked in her face and pulled her close.
“Kathleen, you are the best sister a man could ever hope for. I feel you might have had other plans, so thank you. From the bottom of my heart.”
Kathleen hugged him back.
“Miss Kathleen, can we speak to you please?” Cindy’s voice interrupted.
“Yes, Cindy.”
“Thank you so much for letting me and Mia be real sisters. We are so happy, aren’t we?” Cindy asked Mia.
Mia moved forward and threw her arms around Kathleen. “I love you and now you are our real aunty. Isn’t that right?”
Kathleen bit her lip so hard she tasted blood. She had to be brave. She couldn’t let the girls know her heart was exploding into pieces.
“Yes sweetheart. Shane will be your pa and I will be your aunt.”
Mia hugged her again. “Thank you for bringing me to this special place. I love it here. People are so kind.”
“You deserve every bit of happiness, Mia. You, Cindy and everyone in Riverside Springs.”
Mia ran back inside and Shane soon followed. Only Cindy stayed behind.
“Will you be happy when you get home to New York?” Cindy asked.
Kathleen thought of her husband waiting for her and her stomach turned over. He was a very special man and she was lucky. Plus she had Patrick. So much to be thankful for. So what if Granny Belbin had told her a load of nonsense. “Yes, Cindy I think I will be. This trip has opened my eyes to a lot of things. My mam used to tell me when I was little, I should count my blessings. That’s something I forgot to do, but you reminded me.”
Chapter 54
Kathleen was only back in New York a couple of days when Lily invited her, Richard, and Patrick to dinner. When they arrived, they found Father Nelson and Inspector Griffin had been invited too.
Richard squeezed her hand as if to tell her it was okay for her to speak to Lily even though the others were there. When she’d returned home from her trip with the orphan train, Kathleen had asked Richard how he felt about giving an orphan a home. She’d confided how she’d wanted to adopt Mia, but although she wasn’t the right child for them, meeting her had proved how much Kathleen wanted a child.
She squeezed his hand back. They were getting on so well since they had the long talk after she came back from Riverside Springs. She would speak to Lily another time. There was no rush. Bridget and Lily had been right. Richard had been concerned she wasn’t happy and wanted to leave him. How silly was that? Well, just about as ridiculous as her thinking he wanted to divorce her.
“So is anyone going on the trip, Reverend Haas invited us on?” Lily asked.
“When is it again as we are very busy at the hospital” Richard glanced at Kathleen. “Sorry darling, I will try to go if you want me to.”
Kathleen shook her head.
“This Wednesday June 15th.” Lily confirmed the date. “We met Reverend Haas a few times when you were in Riverside Springs, Kathleen. He is a nice man.”
Father Nelson nodded. “A wonderful man with a sharp mind and a gentle manner. He was instrumental in helping us to fund previous orphan trains although we didn’t know it until recently. His congregation holds him in high esteem and for good reason. A more pious and charitable man you are unlikely to meet. He is about fifty years old but has the energy of most twenty-year-olds.”
Kathleen hadn’t met Rev. Haas, but she wasn’t at all keen on going on the river on a steamboat. She was about to say so when Lily spoke up.
“I don’t think I will go. I would rather the children didn’t either. I know you will think I am foolish, but I don’t trust those boats. Do you?” Lily looked at Inspector Griffin. He shook his head slowly.
“I don’t want to diminish anyone’s fun, but I wouldn’t be too keen on traveling on one either. There are still far too many accidents for my liking. There are regulations in place which are supposed to keep the boats, their owners and captains in line but rumors abound that a couple of payments in the right hands will clear any boat as being seaworthy. I prefer to keep my feet on dry land. Sorry Charlie. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful.”
“Not in the least.” Charlie stood to pour everyone another glass of wine. “I am not sure I can make it either. My desk looks like it could collapse under the weight of the paperwork covering it. The new mayor may have underestimated the amount of work involved in curbing
the corruption in the police force and elsewhere.”
Kathleen glanced at Inspector Griffin. She didn’t want her friend to feel uncomfortable, but he simply smiled. They had discussed the level of corruption in the past and he was one of those keen to get the police force away from the control of certain individuals in Tammany Hall. He wanted a police force that worked for the people, regardless of where those people lived or came from. He had previously spoken out about his fellow officers accepting bribes.
“What about the children, will they be very disappointed?” Richard asked Lily.
“They will, but they will have to get over it. I would rather they miss it than be in danger,” Lily said.
“We can tell Rev. Haas in person tomorrow. Lily or Kathleen, or both if you are free, would you come with me to Little Germany tomorrow? Rev. Haas would like to talk to us about some children he means to send on the orphan train. I think he would like some reassurance I won’t make them become Catholics.”
Everyone laughed as Father Nelson rolled his eyes. They had heard many accusations about the orphan trains but the two that seemed to stick were the taking of children from their real parents, and that it was the way of the Catholic church to find new converts.
“I’m free tomorrow,” Lily said. “Are you, Kathleen?”
“Yes.”
“Right then, let’s meet at the church. Now enough shop talk for the time being. Cook will be very unhappy if we ruin her dinner. I better just go say goodnight to the twins. Teddy made me promise.”
Hearing his mother’s voice, Teddy ran up the stairs two at a time. He knew his mother would be cross if she found him listening at the door, but he wanted to go on the picnic. It sounded like great fun. Some boys in his school were going with their families. Kevin had a cousin still living near St. Mark’s Church. Kevin’s father was taking the day off and bringing his whole family. Kevin, with his father’s permission, had asked Teddy to join them. Kevin’s father had insisted Teddy get permission. Well now, he couldn’t ask his parents, could he? His mom would say no, and he couldn’t defy her. Not outright. But if he didn’t say anything about the invitation and told his mother he would spend the day at Kevin’s house, that would work. Wouldn’t it?
Laurie! He could ruin everything. Teddy ran in search of his twin. He had to make sure his brother wouldn’t tell their parents his plans.
Chapter 55
The day of the picnic dawned brightly. The sun streamed in the windows as Frieda got up and made breakfast for her siblings. She still couldn’t believe they were going on the picnic. It seemed Reverend Haas had talked Papi into not only letting his children attend, but taking an unheard-of day off and coming with them. Reverend Haas had also arranged for Lottie to go to a special hospital. Lottie loved it and said she felt good and she could breath better.
Frieda couldn’t remember the last time the family had gone anywhere together. Not even when Mutti was alive. She sang as she cut the brown rye bread and put the sausage on the table. Papi had brought home the treat last night saying they had to start the day off properly.
Soon they had eaten and were standing dressed in their Sunday best. Due to excitement, none of them had slept well the previous night but it didn’t matter. There was no sign of tiredness this morning as they got caught up in the excitement. They could hear other families getting ready through the thin walls of their tenement. Hans pulled at his collar but there was no way he would not wear it. Papi had insisted his family look smart and respectable. Everyone would wear their best party clothes.
Frieda cleaned off the table, leaving their rooms neat and tidy. She gathered together their food and drinks, a blanket and two towels. If Papi went swimming, he would have one, and she’d have to share the second one with Hans.
“Can we go now?” her brother begged. “They are all gathering in the street. I don’t want to be late.”
“Off you go,” Papi said, “but don’t go too far. And help your sister by carrying something.”
Papi beamed at Frieda. “I am so proud of you my Frieda. You have made this day happen.”
Unaccustomed to the praise, Frieda blushed. She loved her father to pieces but he wasn’t the demonstrative sort. This day just couldn’t get any better.
As they moved down the stairs, she bumped into Mrs. Sauer who handed her a bag of fruit.
“It won’t keep long. Not in the sunshine like this, but enjoy it. I wish I was coming with you.”
Feeling guilty, Frieda tried to curtail her obvious excitement. None of the Sauer family were going. Despite Reverend Haas’ best efforts, Mr. Sauer had declared he couldn’t afford to take the time off. Mrs. Sauer had confided in Frieda her husband wasn’t worried so much about losing trade as about the state of the steamboats. His brother was a police officer and had seen his share of accidents. His grisly stories had put an end to any chance the Sauer family had of taking part in the trip.
“I will come and see you after and tell you all about it,” Frieda promised. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Sauer. You are always so kind.”
“You enjoy your day Frieda. If anyone deserves it, you do.”
Chapter 56
As they walked through the thronged streets, Frieda spotted Paul Libenow, his wife Anna and their three adorable daughters. Her father had known Paul for years, long before the barman had moved his family nearer his job in Harlem.
“Paul, Anna, it is wonderful to see you. The girls are growing up so fast.”
“Thanks Otto. I am so sorry about your wife and child. I meant to come back for the funeral, but I wasn’t able to get the time off. Anna was pregnant with this little one,” Paul said.
Frieda didn’t look at her father. She wanted nothing to change his good mood, and she hoped people mentioning her mother and baby brother wouldn’t do that. Judging by the crowds of people, a lot of families who had moved out of Kleindeutchsland had come back for the day. It was a chance not only to catch up with old friends, family and neighbors, but also to show off a little. The people who had escaped the tenements like the Libenows who had moved to the more fashionable Harlem may show off as far as Frieda was concerned. They were proof that hard work could help you achieve your dreams. Wasn’t that the American promise? The reason her mother and father had emigrated in the first place.
Paul spoke again, “My sisters are here somewhere. Annie’s daughter is about the same age as your Hans.”
“A year older. Yes, we see them at church. Emma and Frank Jr. come with your sister and her husband. Your other sister, Martha also attends. Lovely woman she is.”
Frieda saw Paul’s eyes widen at Papi’s remark. Maybe he was planning on doing some match making. Wasn’t it too soon? Mutti hadn’t been dead that long. But she knew from her experiences in Little Germany, most widowers didn’t stay single for long. The older people didn’t believe men could look after children, since raising a family and seeing to the household was a woman’s job.
“Papi, I am going to see if I can help Mrs. Prawdzicki. She has five children to cope with as her husband couldn’t get the day off.”
“Well done Frieda, for thinking of your neighbors. Rev. Haas will be pleased to see his Sunday school lessons have paid off.”
Reverend Haas didn’t lead the Sunday school, but Frieda wasn’t about to correct her father. She looked around for Hans, but her brother had scampered off with his friends. She wasn’t worried. Hans wouldn’t act badly, not with Papi in the vicinity. He wouldn’t get lost either, not when everyone was heading the same way. Those who weren’t lucky enough to be coming, were reminded by their wives to be at the pier to welcome them home. Frieda heard more than one discussion between husband and wife but all along the same lines: “Make sure to meet us at the pier on our return. You will have to carry at least one child. They will be tired after the long day.”
Chapter 57
William Richter stood to one side as his mother ordered her brood of six children to do this and that. Frieda liked Mrs. Richter; the widow
woman was a hard worker. She worked long hours as a cleaning lady, seven days a week. Reverend Haas knew she had to work on a Sunday as there was nobody else to help her keep a roof over her head and provide food for her children. Frieda glanced at William shyly, wondering if he was coming on the trip. She’d known him all her life and had always liked him. But recently, being around him made her feel different. Her hands grew clammy and sweaty. Even now she had to rub them discretely on the side of her dress.
“Morning Frieda, are you going on the trip?”
“Yes, Mrs. Richter. Can I help you with anything?” Frieda forgot she had promised to help Mary with her children.
“No need, but thank you for the offer. The older girls and I will manage. William do you have your lunch?”
“Yes Mutti.” William’s cheeks grew red as he glanced at the ground before looking up quickly. He caught her looking at him and smiled. Frieda’s stomach flipped.
“You aren’t coming on the trip?” she asked, her voice coming out all squeaky and making the other members of the Richter family laugh. William glared at them before turning his attention back to Frieda.
“Not today. I didn’t want to risk my job. It is going well.”
“That’s an understatement. They love my William. Soon he will run the commission house, just you wait and see.”
“Mutti!” William’s cheeks grew a darker shade of crimson. Frieda liked that he wasn’t bigheaded like a lot of the boys in the area.
Orphan Train Tragedy Page 14
