Hannah's Journey

by June Venable

Caroline chimed in. “Oh, please do it, Hannah. Just think, next year you can join in the races, too.” The Logans had broad smiles on their faces as they waited to hear her decision.

  Hannah looked at her new family. They were so happy for

  her. The thought of an operation was scary, but if it meant she could walk straight again, she’d do it. Papa would be so happy when she walked to him without the brace.

  Hannah gazed at the expectant faces and said in a voice that trembled, “Yes, I’ll have the operation, Dr. Layton.” As she said this, her tears joined with others in the room.

  As Hannah woke the next morning, a soft knock announced Sylvia Cooper. Peering around the door, the young woman said with a smile, “Good morning. How about some breakfast? After that, I understand you’re having company, but it’s a surprise. I can’t tell you who.”

  Hannah tried to guess the identity of her visitors as she demolished eggs, toast and milk. Miss Cooper just smiled and wouldn’t reveal the secret. After her meal, the young woman offered to fix Hannah’s hair. She braided the long locks and tied the ends with yellow ribbons. Hannah was reminded of the lock Teddy cut.

  “Yellow is a happy color, and I think you’ll find today is a happy day,” Miss Cooper said as she left, closing the door behind her.

  Hannah waited, fidgeting so much her sprained ankle gave her a twinge. Moments later, a knock sounded on her door accompanied by muffled whispers and shuffling in the hall outside her room.

  “Come in,” Hannah called, her excitement barely contained.

  The door swung in and Hannah found herself looking at her teacher, Miss Trent, followed by Mr. Dobbs, the principal, and a gentleman she didn’t know. Right behind them came Uncle David and Aunt Margaret. Caroline stood with Hannah’s classmates in the hallway. Some raised themselves on tiptoe to watch the proceedings. Hannah could only stare at the crowd.

  Hello, Hannah. How are you?” Miss Trent greeted her. I’ve brought some friends to see you, as well as Mr. Morris, the Mayor of Lafitte. He has something for you.”

  Hannah could hardly manage a “how do you do?” Her mind

  refused to comprehend the scene. She could only wait and watch as events unfolded before her.

  While most of the children giggled and scuffed the floor with their shoes, Mr. Morris stepped up to Hannah’s bedside. Clearing his throat he announced in a deep voice, “Hannah Monroe, on behalf of the people of the city, I am pleased to present you with this certificate of appreciation. You put aside your own safety to rescue a classmate, and the people of Lafitte are very proud of you. Your bravery makes you a true heroine, and we thank you.”

  Everyone applauded as Hannah blushed and thanked the Mayor. Looking out into the hallway, she saw her classmates applauding and smiling at her.

  Miss Trent spoke again, “Hannah, we have another surprise for you.”

  The children in the hall moved aside and into the room stepped Miss Cooper pushing a wheelchair. In it sat Rosie. Hannah gasped when she saw the girl. A cast covered her leg as well as her left arm. Bandages wrapped around the top of her head, but she managed a smile as she looked straight at Hannah.

  “Hannah, I wanna thank you for saving me, and to tell you I’m sorry for all the bad things I did.” Rosie sat back in the wheelchair, looking shy and pleased at the same time. At her words, the rest of the class cheered so loudly, an aide passing by cautioned them to remember that they were in a hospital. But she smiled as she said it. The children placed their fingers over their lips and shushed one another. Excitement ran high.

  Uncle David and Aunt Margaret beamed, and Caroline told anyone who would listen that “Hannah’s my big sister.” After a few more congratulations, one from Dr. Layton, who stopped in, the crowd left.

  Miss Cooper pushed Rosie’s chair back to her room, but not before the injured girl promised to come back and see Hannah later.

  As she lay back on the pillows, Hannah thought about the exciting morning. She picked up the certificate, and read it again while tracing her fingers over the inscription. Everything had been so wonderful, but nothing thrilled her as much as Rosie’s change of heart and the friendliness of her classmates. She felt truly accepted.

  Later that afternoon, Dr. Layton paid another visit to explain the operation. “I’ve scheduled the surgery three days from now. Until then, we need to do some tests. I know how brave you acted during the tornado, and I know you’ll continue to be.”

  Hannah hoped he was right. She forgot about the operation when Rosie returned to the room and questioned her about the rescue. Rosie remembered nothing after seeing the funnel cloud.

  “Tom Valentine and Uncle David got you out, Rosie.”

  “Well, you found me and got them there,” Rosie said. “They couldn’t have done it without you.”

  Hannah felt she had made a friend for life.

  Her last visitor, Miss Cooper, assured Hannah she would wait with the Logans while the surgery took place. “We’ll all be rooting for you.”

  * * * *

  Hannah awoke slowly. Her head felt light and her mouth dry. Glancing around, she found Aunt Margaret sitting beside the bed. The door opened to admit Uncle David, and both spoke at once.

  “How do you feel Hannah?”

  “A little woozy.” She lifted her hand and let it drop back to the bed.

  “You’ll be fine. Dr. Layton assured us that the operation went just as he expected,” Uncle David said.

  “You have a job ahead of you, though. You’ll have an exercise regimen to follow, but the doctor thinks by the end of summer, you’ll walk without your brace,” Aunt Margaret said. “We spoke to Miss Cooper and she has agreed to come three times a week to help you with your exercises. Her two regular piano students are going on a long holiday with their parents, so she has the time. How does that sound?”

  “That sounds wonderful. I like Miss Cooper and the time will go by faster having a friend to work with. Oh, why didn’t Caroline come with you?”

  “She has a little temperature. She wanted to come, but she sends her love and will see you another time.”

  “Please tell her to feel better soon,” Hannah said, thinking of the enchanting child.

  “We will,” Uncle David said. “One other thing, Hannah. I’ve sent a letter to Miss Sutton and as soon as I get a reply to my inquiry, I’ll let you know. So now all you have to do is get well and come home soon.”

  “I promise to do just what Dr. Layton says I should. And I want to thank you both for all you’ve done for me. I know Papa would want me to thank you, too.”

  “You’re welcome, Hannah. Now, do get some rest and you’ll be home before you know it.”

  How good that word home sounded to Hannah. My home is Texas now, she thought, and renewed the promise to herself that as soon as she could, the search for her father would begin.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN – ANOTHER GIFT

  Two weeks after surgery, Hannah went home. Dr. Layton admonished her again to follow his instructions, promising her that she would walk again without her brace. Hannah wondered if any other girls in Lafitte were as lucky as she. The only shadow on the horizon was the letter received from Miss Sutton. In it, the matron wrote that the family who had taken Teddy said it puzzled them that he had run away. He seemed happy and went about his tasks cheerfully. Then one morning he just didn’t appear. When they searched his room, they found a note. In it, Teddy said he just wasn’t cut out for farm life and wanted to try his fortunes elsewhere. Hannah could only hope that wherever he had gone, Teddy would stay safe and their promises to each other would come true someday.

  * * * *

  Faithful to her word, Miss Cooper visited with Hannah three days a week and put her through the sometimes painful exercises necessary to ensure her leg remained straight and strong. Hannah spent most of her time in a wheelchair with Caroline as a willing helper when she needed a push. The girls spent a lot of time on the shady front gallery that wrapped around three sides of the house. Hannah read t
o Caroline and helped with her writing and numbers. Caroline proved an apt pupil and learned quickly.

  One afternoon, just as Hannah finished reading Caroline a story from her favorite book of fairy tales, they saw Mr. Kelsey drive up. The jolly round man had built a business by delivering and hauling things for the people of Lafitte. With him were his two husky sons who helped with the jobs. The Kelseys had rigged up a sturdy cart with high sides that was pulled by a pair of handsome bays.

  Today, the girls saw an odd-shaped object in the cart covered with a canvas cloth. Curious, they watched as he came toward the house.

  “Good afternoon, ladies, I’ve brought something I think you’ll like.”

  Aunt Margaret came out of the house, the screen door slamming behind her. She wiped sticky hands on her apron. She and Delia had been preserving peaches. The sweet smell of the fruit bubbling on the stove followed her.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Kelsey. I wasn’t expecting you until a little later.”

  “The train pulled in early, Mrs. Logan, so we came right out.”

  Still mystified Caroline asked, “What is it, Mama?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Mr. Kelsey and the boys proceeded to unload the large object, struggling with it as they made their way to the door. Following them inside, with Aunt Margaret in the lead and Caroline pushing Hannah’s wheelchair, they waited to see what the crate held.

  With the object in place, Mr. Kelsey pulled away the covering and opened the crate. Standing aside, he pointed dramatically as the surprise stood revealed.

  For a moment, no one spoke. Caroline’s hands flew to her mouth. Hannah longed to leap from her chair and touch the beautiful piano that stood before them. The afternoon sun shimmered on its silky surfaces and the ivory keys waited to pour forth lovely notes.

  “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Aunt Margaret said as she ran her hand over the top. “It’s called a rosewood piano and we must take good care of it. We hope you’ll both learn to play, and have many years of enjoyment from it.”

  Hannah’s fingers itched to stroke the keys. I’ll work hard to learn, Mama. You’ll be so proud of me.

  Delia’s voice broke in as she came into the parlor. “There’s peaches a’cooking and…” She stopped when she saw the piano, then everyone spoke at once. With all the excitement, no one heard Uncle David arrive.

  “Is this the Logan household?” He called. “It sounds like the zoo.”

  “Oh, Papa, look what Mr. Kelsey brought,” Caroline cried, running to her father. “Hannah and I are going to learn to play.”

  “That’s wonderful to know,” Uncle David said as he walked around the piano admiring the lovely piece.

  Aunt Margaret spoke up, “Let’s all sit on the front porch and have some lemonade. We’ve had enough excitement for the time. Delia, would you turn off the stove, please? Not even a new piano will make up for the fact of us letting those peaches burn.” When the girls settled down with the tall glasses Delia brought, Aunt Margaret told them that she and Uncle David had discussed getting the piano some time ago before Hannah came. It had been on order from New York for several months, and had finally been shipped by rail to Lafitte.

  The girls decided the piano was the best surprise ever.

  “Your father will be very proud if you learn to play, Hannah, and so will we.”

  “Aunt Margaret, Miss Cooper could teach us,” Hannah said. “She’s here for my exercises, so maybe she could stay for piano lessons. Oh, could you please talk to her about it?” Both Hannah and Caroline held their breath as they waited for her answer.

  “That’s a wonderful idea, Hannah. I’ll speak to her tomorrow when she comes for your exercises.”

  Caroline and Hannah had trouble settling down for the night. Caroline sat beside Hannah’s bed fifteen minutes past their usual bedtime. But tonight, instead of reading a story, they whispered

  and chatted about the gift that had arrived today. They told each other they couldn’t wait until Miss Cooper arrived tomorrow. Hannah giggled when Caroline said, “I plan to dream about the rosewood piano tonight.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE – A NEW GOAL

  With arrangements made, Sylvia Cooper came three days a week for Hannah’s therapy, then stayed to teach lessons. With her other students visiting their grandmother for the summer, that left her afternoons free to help Hannah.

  The household fell into a happy routine. After tryouts, Miss Cooper decided that Caroline should wait until next year to begin lessons. Her tiny fingers had trouble with the keys. Disappointed at first, Caroline soon sat and cheered for Hannah whose wheelchair rested close to the piano as she eagerly set out to master the beautiful notes that her teacher coaxed from the piano.

  During the sometime uncomfortable exercises required by Dr. Layton, Hannah kept her mind on the piano, practicing the correct finger positions by tapping the chair arms. Soon, Miss Cooper could report to the Logans that Hannah had a wonderful aptitude for learning the piano.

  “She told me her mother played as a young girl, so perhaps some of Hannah’s talent is inherited, and along with her own zeal for learning, she’ll do well.”

  With the private attention the teacher gave her, Hannah soon entertained the family with simple tunes. She and the teacher became fast friends as they worked on her therapy, then went on to the more enjoyable task of the piano lessons.

  As busy as her summer had been, Hannah still made time for Caroline. She and the younger girl often sat in the shade of the long porch, reading and telling stories. They sometimes had

  visitors. Hannah had made some special friends since her surgery. Jimmy Shay and Nettie Thompson from her class came frequently. Jimmy seemed a little less shy as Caroline drew him out. Her boundless enthusiasm touched all those around her. Delia kept the children supplied with cold, sweet lemonade and thin, crispy cookies. Hannah was assured when school started she would be able to join in all their games. Miss Trent was also an occasional visitor, bringing news of Rosie and how well she recuperated.

  Caroline loved to draw and one day presented Hannah with a picture showing her playing the piano and surrounded by many stick figures.

  “It’s beautiful, Caroline, but who are all these people? I’ve only played for the family and Delia.”

  “That’s the au…au…”

  “Do you mean audience?”

  “Yes, that’s it.” Caroline breathed a sigh of relief that Hannah understood what she meant. “I know you’ll play for an au…a lot of people someday.”

  “Well, that might happen in the future. Let’s keep our fingers crossed, shall we?” Just then the girls heard a strange sound. Looking toward the street, they saw Uncle David coming toward the house in an automobile. Caroline ran to meet him. Only a few of the new “Horseless Carriages” had been seen in Lafitte.

  “Papa, is it ours? Where did you get it? Does Mama know?” The questions tumbled out as Caroline circled the automobile.

  “Why, yes, I do believe it belongs to us, and no, your mother doesn’t know, but she will shortly with all the racket you’re making. It’s a surprise,” her father said as he smiled at his daughter.

  “I’m sorry, Papa. May I go get Mama?”

  “Please do. Why don’t you tell her to close her eyes and you lead her out. Ask Delia to come too.”

  Caroline, excited to be in on the plot, grinned at Hannah who sat watching the fun from her chair on the porch.

  “Mama, Mama, we have a surprise for you, but you must close your eyes and take my hand. Delia, you’re to come too,” Caroline called as she rushed into the house.

  When the little procession got to the door, Caroline put her finger to her lips, signaling Delia not to reveal the secret.

  David met them on the walk and led Margaret the rest of the way. Then he said, “Open your eyes, my dear.”

  Margaret clasped her hands and smiled. “Oh, David, how beautiful it is! I know how much you wanted an automobile.”

  “Well, we must thank
our last clients,” he laughed, then told the family of the workings of the grand machine.

  Delia’s eyes widened in amazement.

  Uncle David carried Hannah to the car and the family piled in to go for a ride. With pride, he explained how the Buick Touring Auto could reach speeds of twenty miles an hour.

  “Be careful then, David. We’ve got the girls and we wouldn’t want to have an accident.” Aunt Margaret said as she clutched the side door. Hannah and Caroline sat in the back and waved to anyone who walked by. People taking an afternoon stroll stared in wonder as the family motored down the street.

  Mr. Needham, the barber, and his wife stopped to look. For once, Mrs. Needham was too surprised to speak. Her mouth flew open but no words came out. Hannah and Caroline ducked down so they couldn’t be seen laughing at the sight.

  “Girls, that’s enough,” Aunt Margaret said, hardly able to contain her own smile.

  Delia took a spin next but declared afterward, “Mr. David, I thank you, but if you don’t mind. I ain’t got nowhere to go that my two feet won’t carry me.”

  The girls clamored for another spin, so around the neighborhood they went again.

  Uncle David asked the family, “Do you remember when I said that we might go down to Galveston one of these days?”

  When they had all answered his question, he continued. “Just as soon as Hannah’s leg mends we’ll make a trip there. But I think we’ll take the train. We’ll get there a lot quicker than traveling by auto no matter what a beauty this one is.”

  Hannah’s smile faded for a moment, as she remembered her last train trip. Then she recalled that the train also brought her to Lafitte and the Logans.

  “I’ve read about the new place on the beach built just a few years ago. It’s called The Galvez Hotel, and it sounds wonderful,” said Aunt Margaret. “Why don’t we stay there, David?”

  “I’m sure we can arrange that, but let’s head back now. Delia gets upset if we’re late for dinner.” With that, Uncle David rounded the block and set the new automobile in the direction of home.