Angela's Hope (Wildflowers)

by Banicki, Leah

  “She seems nice.” Angela tried to make conversation. She still felt shy about meeting people, sometimes she slipped back into the servant role she had grown so comfortable with. It was easier than being rejected, in her opinion.

  “She is, she usually does the midwife duties with her husband, this is her first child and will be on the other side of the birthing process.” Corinne said with a wistful smile.

  “Are you wanting to have children with Lucas?” Angela asked boldly.

  “I would welcome it. We are just letting God’s timing prevail. But the thought does give me a smile or two.” Corinne shared.

  Corinne and Angela stepped into the new apothecary shop and were lost inside for nearly an hour. Corinne became the teacher and talked about all the remedies with abandon. This reminded Angela of the few times she accompanied Corinne to the Boston greenhouses when she was a servant in Corinne’s Aunt’s household. She would be so giddy about every plant growing. She spoke lovingly to the plants like children.

  They escaped the shop finally and found their way home on the wagon. Angela had a few purchases and put them away in her room and Corinne sat by the window and read her letters.

  To my Dearest Niece Corinne,

  I am glad to have received your telegrams and letters declaring yourself to be fit and well after the long ordeal you undertook to survive the overland passage. It gives me fevers remembering how worried I was over your person all those long days after you left Boston. I was shocked and amazed to hear about the death of your young husband, Andrew Temple, surely he was handsome and charming and did not have a feeble or sickly look about him. It is a sad shame that he had to die of such a horrible thing as Cholera. My own dear city of Boston just these past few weeks has started its own fight with a dreadful outbreak of that same malady.

  The newspapers aren't saying where the outbreak started but I am certain it is the unwashed vermin down by the docks that started it all. If people would just take better care to be respectable they would live longer, I am certain of it. I have already taken precautions and not allowed my servants to shop in unsavory parts of town for any produce. I am afraid we have already had trouble. One of the scullery maids was feeling poorly today and we are all nervous.

  I have thought about leaving here and going to my home in the country but I do not want to leave, the newspapers recommend people to stay near their homes.

  I daresay I am a nervous wreck. I suddenly miss you more for you always know what to do around sickness. You are very levelheaded like my dear sister, Lily. I never knew two sisters less alike than her and I, but I felt her presence when I had you staying with me, dear girl.

  I missed you from the moment you left my 12th street home. My son, Arnold, rarely visits from Kentucky and his girl, Megan, is very much like you from her letters. She is all about her books and drawing. I gave her your address to write you. She sent me a charcoal drawing that took me back to my youth when I grew up near the mountains. I was never meant for that life though. I do love living in the hustle and bustle of Boston. I do miss your Uncle Herbert as he was such a dear husband and took such amazing care of me.

  I have been thinking about remarrying, a dear chap you met a few times while in Boston. Horatio Wilson was a close friend of Herbert, and his wife died several years ago, as well. I do believe we would suit and I would find it very pleasant having someone take care of me again. He is quite wealthy and I am sure he is not marrying me for my money. Our fortunes would combine well.

  I was shocked when I heard of your marriage to a Mr. Lucas Grant so soon after being widowed but have to admit I am glad you have someone to take care of you, too. You are a frail little thing and I would dislike for you to be harmed out in the wilds of Oregon country. I do hope he is refined and your father approved the match. Your father's taste does tend to lean more toward a slightly rougher lot, being a ranch owner. But his business acumen, I am told, is spot-on.

  Your news of your ladies maid, Angela, was the biggest boggle, I must say. You shared her history with me and at first my heart was hardened to the idea of a ladies maid having a story that unbelievable. That she had wealthy parents and then an unscrupulous man stealing everything from two small children. It is a sad tale. I am glad to hear her fortune has been returned to her. She was a sweet hard-working girl who did befriend you and despite my warnings, you saw her character. Perhaps I am too quick to judge and have ideas about people that are un-Christian. I believe I have learned a valuable lesson. I shall endeavor to judge people less often, I have begun devoting more thought to the poor and those that are less fortunate.

  I was listening, my dear, whenever you would get flustered with me. You would speak eloquently about all men being equal. I may not have always acted on it Corinne, but I did hear you. Little by little I feel you have burrowed your way into my old heart.

  I do hope you know how much I love and miss you. When Angela arrives safe to your home please send her my love and best wishes. Give your father a slug in the arm and wish him much joy in his new marriage. Tell Angela I am praying for her brother Sean and will pass along any correspondence.

  I do above all else long to be more like my dear sister Lily, who always thought about the less fortunate. She was such a good mother and passed along those amazing gifts she had to you. I look forward to hearing about your own children. I do hope someday to have a namesake.

  I send many felicitations of joy your way.

  Very Sincerely

  Auntie Rose Capron

  Corinne read through and wiped away a few tears. She had no idea how to handle all the things her Aunt shared. It was a gift to hear from her Aunt and to know that her "old heart" indeed could still grow was astounding. Auntie had been the 'General' when Corinne was there and she wondered what amazing things had transpired to help her Aunt grow in such a short amount of time.

  She read the parts to Angela that pertained to her and they discussed her Aunt for a while. Angela had mixed feelings. Her experience as a maid hadn’t been good, but it led her to her closest and dearest friendship. She was now close to being re-united with her brother, Lord willing, because of her becoming a maid in the Capron house in Boston.

  “I accept her best wishes with a heart full of forgiveness.” Angela said when the words finally came to her. “I know the world she came to be part of, sees servants as a lower class. You are a rare person that can see past that.” Angela reached a hand to her friend and with a loving pat on the shoulder she stood up.

  “I need to rest a bit.” Angela yawned and then headed to her room. A cat nap was required.

  “I will wake you after a bit. Rest well.” Corinne said and smiled at her friend’s back as she walked away. It was so good to have her safe and sound. Corinne said a prayer of thanks to the Lord for the safety of her friend. She was more than thankful.

  She looked back to her lap and saw that another letter was in her stack addressed to Corinne so she opened it as well.

  Dear Cousin Corinne,

  I heard from Grandmother Capron about your move to the West and must say I am fascinated. My father is as well. He talks all the time about heading west. He has had an offer for his farmland from a neighbor and is seriously considering moving to California, tales of the fertile land is whetting his appetite, even my mother is not against the idea, but she is nervous that I will not find a decent husband in such a rough and wild place. I personally do not care for finding a husband. I long to go to Europe and study painting, but my parents will not allow it. Instead I must focus on learning how to be a proper wife.

  I heard from Grandmother that you are in Oregon City and you are married and you have started your own greenhouses and plan on running a business alongside your husband. I feel emboldened to ask to come stay with you and your husband for a while when my family eventually does move west, I suspect it to be within the year. I would love the opportunity to paint and harness my passion for art if just through books but in an environment that would allow me to b
e a woman with ideas. Not just a prize up for bid by any marriageable suitor my parents deem worthy.

  If I have offended you in any way I do beg your pardon, but somehow as my seventeenth birthday draws near I feel a real fear of being shackled to marriage when I long for another life first.

  This letter may be all for naught if my parents stay in Kentucky or ship me to Boston for a season with Grandmother Capron. I just know that she would consider my painting and drawing a distraction from my focus of husband hunting. All my prayers are set upon finding a way to be free to do my art and choose my own life.

  Please pray about it.

  Sincerely,

  Cousin Megan Capron

  * * * * *

  Corinne wasn’t sure what to think. She was definitely against Megan going to stay with Rose Capron after her own experience. The grip her Aunt had on her young life was still having an effect on Corinne. Corinne would read the letter to her husband later and they could pray over it together. She had met Megan a few times when they were young on family gatherings but she didn’t know her well. It was a big decision.

  That evening the dinner at the Harpole Ranch house was a festive one. Marie had a wonderful spread prepared and Cooper had painted a banner that was hung about the large fireplace. They had a large gleaming table that Corinne’s father had ordered with extra leaves to extend. Dolly was staying with them and was helping Marie with dinner.

  “I hope you have been able to rest.” Dolly said to Angela as they both were setting the table.

  “Yes, today has been good. I had a nap a little while ago.” Angela said. Corinne had told her all about how Dolly had come from her Indian village to learn from Corinne. “Your English is very good. Corinne told me all about you. I look forward to being your friend.” Angela said simply. She wanted to get to know this girl with the kind brown eyes and the beautiful black hair.

  “Chelsea is a good teacher. I knew a few words from my mother. But have lost some since her death.” Dolly said with no sadness. But Angela felt it for her.

  “My mother was gone when I was young, I am sorry.” Angela said sincerely.

  “I have learned from Chelsea the word orphan in white man’s tongue. In my tribe I was told that they were my new family; as the Harpole and Grants are to me now. I have many mothers now. It is better for me to accept the larger family than to feel the pain of so much loss.” Dolly said. Her eyes lit up as she looked around the room. Angela could see she loved her Oregon family very much. It sparked something inside Angie’s heart to see Dolly loved and accepted here.

  “Thank you Dolly.” Angela felt silly thanking the girl for her speech. Her throat locked up for a moment so she left the “thank you” unexplained, but Dolly looked into her teary eyes and Angela knew the girl knew what she meant.

  John Harpole called everyone together and they prayed quickly before the meal was served.

  “I have a short speech prepared for the guest of honor.” John Harpole said as the food was being brought to the table. Once everyone including Marie was seated he started.

  “Corinne has been telling me about Angela since the day she arrived in Oregon. She has been telling everyone about this amazing and strong girl that has survived so much to be here. You are welcome to our home, to our land and into our hearts. Angela Fahey, you are now family. Welcome to Oregon.” John Harpole said and everyone around the table cheered.

  All Angela could do was smile and cry at such a heart-warming welcome. Once her tears cleared and she recovered her voice, she stood.

  “I have never felt more loved. I just know that God has gone before me and given me a new place to call home. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your world.” Angela felt so strange and unworthy. She enjoyed the meal but spent the rest of the evening in awe and quiet. Everything was changing so quickly, she didn’t know who she was in this new life yet.

  As she walked back with Corinne and Lucas in the moonlight she finally spoke freely.

  “I feel so overwhelmed.” Angela admitted.

  “I know dear.” Corinne said simply. “You have been a servant for a long time. You are a new creature now. You will find out who Angela the woman is soon enough.”

  “That sounds reasonable.” Angela smiled at her friend who had grasped the situation so quickly.

  “I am glad you are here with us, Angela.” Lucas said. “You have all the space and time you need to heal and rest. Our valley is good for those things.”

  Lucas grabbed his wife’s hand and squeezed it. Corinne smiled from her husband to her friend as they walked along.

  Angela looked up at the night sky and could see the bright stars and the edge of the mountains were shining in the light of the moon. It sunk into her that she was finally home.

  * * * * *

  The next day was a relaxing one for Angela and Corinne. Angela woke up early when she heard Lucas and Corinne in the kitchen making breakfast. They both had morning plans and Angela was glad she was going to have some time to go through her trunk in the quiet house after they left.

  Corinne promised to join her for lunch and then spend the afternoon with her.

  Angela ate breakfast with Corinne and Lucas and then waved them off. She gulped down her fresh milk and cleaned off her dishes. She knew Corinne didn’t want her cleaning up but she did it anyway. She smiled as she thought about the trunk across the room waiting to be explored.

  A few minutes later she was sitting on the floor and heard the creaking of the trunk as she opened it. She looked at the picture again that lay on top. She soaked it up, memorizing the faces. She would put this in her room today. She felt stronger, like she could handle seeing it now. The reminder of their faces did not hurt as much today.

  She unwrapped a few more things. A few lace doilies of her mother’s, a few hand towels, all things that Angela could easily see in her future home and it was a way to have her mother with her. Angela let the tears fall as she made her way through a few more special mementos. Her father’s pipe made her pause a few minutes as she held it in her hands. The scent of pipe tobacco lingered on it and it brought fresh emotions. Today Angela wasn’t afraid of the memories; instead she let them wash over her.

  She got through a few layers of wrapped items when she found her mother’s journal. That was the place she stopped for the day. The leather bound book was dated 1821 on the front page. She flipped through the pages and saw that the book was nearly full. Angela realized she had found enough treasure for the day. She wrapped up a few things and placed them back into the trunk, lovingly. A few things set apart in her mind about who should have the items. She already felt the pipe would go to her brother, Sean. She had a memory of her father’s gold pocket-watch and had the faintest memory of seeing it in this trunk long ago. The more she touched the trunk the more her memory was recalling it. Angela was thrilled with the journal in hand and would get the picture up in her room. The other items could be discovered in their own time. Angela was thankful for what she had found. It was a healing balm to her. A reconnection to who she really was.

  She sat on the cushioned chair by the fireplace with her feet up on a little stool. She was lost in her mother’s words for a few hours.

  * * * * *

  “Hello, my friend.” Corinne said in a sing-song voice as she entered the cabin. The morning had passed by in a flash and she was refreshed by the walk to and from the greenhouse.

  Angela closed the journal in her hand and stood to full height and gave a good stretch.

  “I found my mother’s journal, well more of a diary, really. She was just a girl when she got it from her grandfather as a birthday gift.” Angela said, smiling happily.

  “Oh, that is wonderful.” Corinne reached over and laid a hand on the leather book that Angela held out. She closed her eyes a moment. “I can imagine that is such a blessing to you. Having her words…”

  “So happy for you.” Corinne said sincerely, her voice thick with emotion.

  “Thank you so much Cor
inne. This really is more than I ever thought I would have of my parents.” Angela felt the weight of the gift all at once. Corinne had done this for her. The letters she wrote and effort she made actually was giving her parents back to her. “I hope you know…” Angela’s voice cracked. She couldn’t say anymore through the lump in her throat.

  “I know.” Corinne said and gave her friend a hug.

  They both laughed and wiped away a few tears a minute later. Corinne got up and made three plates for lunch.

  “The harvest crew isn’t coming?” Angela asked.

  “Marie wanted them to come to her place today. Today is the last day we have the crew. There are other farmers who need them now that their crops are dry. The rain gave us the advantage last week.” Corinne stated.

  Angela didn’t fully understand the workings of a farm or harvests but she knew she would learn a lot living here. Corinne had a way of passing along her knowledge without even trying.

  “Is Lucas stopping by then?” Angela asked.

  “He should be by soon. He is pretty predictable. He loves to stick to a daily pattern. He is very good for me.” Corinne said with a smile.

  Lucas arrived a few minutes later and washed in the basin in the kitchen. He was talkative about the harvest and how much work had been done. He was heading out with Russell later in the day to see to the progress of the saplings they planted earlier in the year. He ate with efficiency and gave his wife a kiss before he bounded out the door again.

  “You both seem to be enjoying the place.” Angela stated.

  “Yes, we are proud of what we are building.” Corinne blushed a little when she said it. “I hope the affection doesn’t bother you.”

  “No, silly.” Angela smiled and laughed at Corinne’s embarrassment. “You are newlyweds. I just hope I am not imposing in any way.” Angela had been concerned about living with them so soon after they were married. The cabin is a large one but Angela wondered if a long-term stay would eventually cause problems.