by June Venable
“Who’s there, Rosie?” called her mother.
Stepping back to allow the family to come in, Rosie replied, “It’s the Logans and Hannah, Mama.”
Mrs. Williams came into the small parlor, drying her hands on her apron. She nodded to the group, looking at them warily.
Uncle David spoke up. “Mrs. Williams, Rosie, I have some news for you. You might want to sit down.” He nodded to a worn settee covered by a faded quilt. Clearing his throat, Uncle David began the tale of the mistakes that led to Mr. William’s imprisonment.
When he finished, Mrs. Williams had tears in her eyes. “Is this true, Mr. Logan? Will my husband really go free?”
“Yes, he will,” Uncle David assured her.
Hannah looked at Rosie. Tears rolled down the freckled cheeks and her shoulders shook as she realized the meaning of his words.
After a moment, Uncle David said, “Mrs. Williams, I know your husband worked as a bookkeeper before he went to prison. Will you ask him to come to my office after he’s had a few day’s rest? We’re in need of someone to keep books and he may be just the one we’re looking for.”
Mrs. Williams nodded, still crying. Rosie went to her mother and put her arms around the trembling shoulders. “It’s gonna be all right. You’ll see, Mama, we’re gonna do just fine.”
The Logans and Hannah let themselves out quietly, leaving the little family to rejoice in their happiness.
The following Wednesday, Hannah and Sylvia Cooper boarded the train leaving for Houston. Waving to the Logans, they settled back for the four-hour ride. Delia delighted them with her contribution to the trip. She had packed a basket with roast beef sandwiches, fruit and her special sugar cookies. As they munched the sandwiches, they discussed again the pieces Hannah had chosen to play. It seemed no time before the conductor announced their arrival in Houston.
Miss Cooper led Hannah to the baggage counter and retrieved their suitcases. Standing under the big clock in the center of the station, they looked around. Soon, a young man with reddish hair and a small sandy mustache hurried toward them. “Sylvia, how wonderful to see you,” he said, extending his hand.
Sylvia Cooper took the hand the professor offered. With her eyes still on the well-dressed man, she said, “Hannah, meet Professor Benjamin Webster.”
Bobbing a little curtsy, Hannah grinned. “I’m happy to meet you, Professor.” Looking from him to Miss Cooper, Hannah noticed that her friend had that look on her face again, while her hands fluttered nervously. Then, forgetting anything but the upcoming tryout, she felt a little shaky herself.
“I’m delighted to meet you, Hannah. Your teacher has written me so much about you. I look forward to hearing you play tomorrow. But for now, you both must be a little tired. I’ll show you to your rooms and when you’re ready, I’d like to take you both for an early supper. I know a wonderful place if you like seafood.”
Benjamin Webster was right. The restaurant served delicious food. Hannah loved her first taste of shrimp as she listened to the Professor regale them with stories of the shrimp fleets that sailed out from Galveston Bay. He described how the shrimpers threw out their nets and pulled in the bounty from the sea.
“Uncle David plans to take us to Galveston,” Hannah said.
“You’ll have a great time there. You’ll find the beach a lot of fun and it’s much safer now. The city built a new sea wall after the terrible storm of 1900. It’s hard to believe that it was almost thirteen years ago in September.”
Soon after I was born, Hannah thought. I have a birthday next week.
When they finished supper, Professor Webster escorted the two to their rooms.
“Thank you so much,” said Miss Cooper. “We enjoyed dinner and will look forward to seeing you in the morning.”
With instructions on getting to the nearby studio, Sylvia and Hannah retired for the evening. Neither could wait for tomorrow to come. Hannah found it hard to sleep.
Setting out the next day, she and Miss Cooper walked the short distance to the professor’s studio. They arrived exactly at ten and entered the bright, airy room where the students had their lessons. Hannah clutched her sheet music and hoped she would make Miss Cooper proud.
Greeting them, Benjamin Webster complimented both on their appearances. “How lovely you look, Hannah. If you play nearly as well, you’re set.” Smiling at the young girl, he turned to Miss Cooper. “You’re looking well, Sylvia. I hope you’re both rested.”
The professor’s compliment caused another blush to color Sylvia Cooper’s cheeks. “Yes. We turned in early. I wanted Hannah ready for her tryout.”
“Now, I hope you’re not nervous, Hannah,” he said. “Just pretend you are home playing for your family.”
They had agreed to a simple but lovely piece for her first effort, and as she seated herself on the stool, Hannah put everything else out of her mind and concentrated on the Bach Prelude she and Miss Cooper had chosen.
When she finished, there was silence. Turning, she looked at the professor and Miss Cooper. Finally, Benjamin Webster spoke. “Hannah, how beautiful! You have a true talent and Miss
Cooper has brought out the best in you. Will you play one more for me?”
Miss Cooper smiled at Hannah and nodded. They had agreed on two pieces just in case the professor wanted to hear more. This time, Hannah launched into a lovely Strauss Waltz, her fingers sure and steady on the keys.
At the end of the second piece, the professor beamed. “Let me speak with your teacher for a moment. Will you will excuse us, please?”
Hannah stepped outside into the warm Texas sunshine. Looking up at a cloudless sky she wished that her family could have been here today to hear her play. How proud they would be. Her fingers stole to the heart-shaped locket around her neck. She was never without the gift from her parents.
Sylvia Cooper opened the door and called to Hannah. Returning to the studio, the two adults smiled at her. Then Professor Webster spoke. “Hannah, I’d like very much to have you as a student. I decided on that after your first piece. I only wanted to ask your teacher about your work habits. She’s assured me that you practice as you should and have the will to succeed. That’s what I ask of my students. So, if you agree, I will schedule your lessons when I return to Lafitte. I’ve given Miss Cooper some instructions on what you should study until then.”
Hannah was delighted. “Thank you Professor Webster. I’ll work hard and do what Miss Cooper tells me to do.”
“That’s all I ask, Hannah. You’re older starting lessons than most children, but in your case, I don’t think it matters. You’ve caught up wonderfully well. Now, how about lunch before your train leaves later today?”
Once again Professor Webster entertained Sylvia and Hannah with tales of the surrounding area. After lunch, the professor escorted the pair back to the train station. Hannah and Sylvia thanked him again and took their seats. Waving to the professor as he left, they settled back to enjoy the ride and relive the whirlwind trip to Houston. The train, due to leave at two o’clock, still sat in the station after that time. The conductor soon came through the cars and announced a short delay.
“Miss Cooper, since we’re not leaving right away, may I step off and get a Houston newspaper for Uncle David? I notice he often reads papers from different places. There’s a news stand just over there.” Hannah said, pointing out the window.
“All right, Hannah. I can watch you from here.”
Hannah took some coins from her pocket. Uncle David had given her what he called “pocket” money to spend on the trip, but there had been no opportunity until now. She decided to also buy some candy for herself and Miss Cooper to enjoy on the way home. Stepping from the train, Hannah walked over to the stand and stood for a moment deciding what she thought Miss Cooper might like.
Making her purchases, Hannah paid and started back. Behind her, a train pulled out of the station and blew a warning whistle. Startled, Hannah turned and looked up into the brightly lit cars as they
rolled past. Suddenly, her heart stopped and she dropped her parcel. The train picked up speed as it steamed out of the station. Running beside it, Hannah’s voice was silent to those seated inside the cars, but she called out, over and over, “Teddy! Teddy! It’s me, Hannah. Please look this way.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN – A MILESTONE REACHED
Hannah felt arms around her shoulders and heard her teacher speak. “Hannah, what happened? When I saw you run, I didn’t know what to do. Let’s get back on the train and you can tell me all about it. You frightened me so,” Miss Cooper said, looking into Hannah’s face.
When they settled into their seats once more, the teacher said. “Now, tell me what made you do such a dangerous thing, Hannah?”
“I’m sorry, Miss Cooper,” Hannah said, her lips trembling. “I saw a friend on that train, but he didn’t see me. I’ve lost him again.”
At her teacher’s puzzled look, the words tumbled from Hannah’s lips and the story of Teddy poured out. “I met Teddy when the Aid ladies first sent me from New York,” Hannah said, the tears still spilling down her cheeks. “At first, he wasn’t very nice to me. He took my locket and then I fell and he saw my brace. It reminded him of someone else he had known. We talked and became friends. Teddy wanted to come to Texas and be a cowboy, but they sent him to Nebraska.” Hannah hiccuped, as she tried to swallow her tears.
“Hannah, please slow down. What happened to Teddy, and how could he be on that train?”
“It was Teddy,” Hannah insisted. “I just know it. He went to Nebraska, but then Miss Sutton, the matron, wrote and said that he had run away from the family’s home. It was Teddy on that train. I’d know him anywhere.”
“Where could he go all alone?”
“I don’t know.” Hannah shook her head. “He might be looking for me.” Another thought struck her. She turned to Miss Cooper and said, “He’s searching for my father. He promised to help me find him someday.” Excited now, she exclaimed, “I’m sure that’s it! Teddy’s probably looking for Papa, and when he finds him, they’ll both look for me.”
“I’m sure you’re right. They’ll come for you as soon as they can.” The kind words seem to comfort Hannah and she and Sylvia Cooper fell silent, each lost in her own thoughts.
Arriving in Lafitte they found the Logans waiting at the station.
“I’m sorry we’re late,” Miss Cooper explained. “We had a delay in Houston.” Hannah looked at her teacher and hoped that she wouldn’t say anything about what happened.
Sylvia Cooper accepted the ride home offered by David Logan and spent the short ride telling the family how well Hannah had done at her tryout.
Hannah bade Miss Cooper good-bye and gave her a grateful look for not mentioning the fact that she had seen Teddy and run so dangerously close to the train. She would tell them later.
Hannah appeared listless during supper and excused herself to go to bed early. “I guess I’m a little tired from the trip,” she said, as she escaped to her room. She wanted to think about everything that had happened in the last two days.
* * * *
Hannah felt somewhat better in the morning. Going downstairs she greeted Delia who got busy with her pots and pans, but still had time for conversation.
“Well, here’s our traveler, late for breakfast. Don’t you worry though, I’m gonna make you a big stack of johnny cakes with lots of maple syrup.” Putting a glass of orange juice in front of her, she commanded Hannah to drink it. “I’ll have these cakes done in just a minute.”
Expertly flipping the pancakes, Delia went on talking. “Did you have some good food in the big city, or did you miss Delia’s cooking?”
“The seafood tasted delicious, Delia, but if I had to choose, I’d take your cooking over any restaurant’s.”
Delia’s face stretched wide in a grin.
When Hannah finished she went to find Aunt Margaret, who worked in the garden taking advantage of the early morning coolness to cut flowers for the house. Hannah had always loved the way Margaret Logan kept fresh flowers throughout their home. The scent of roses always seem to pervade the whole house.
“Good morning, Hannah,” she said, looking up from under her straw hat. “Sit on the bench and keep me company. Caroline went next door to visit her friend. They have a great day planned for their doll families.”
Hannah sat on the marble bench beneath the old magnolia tree. “Aunt Margaret, may I tell you something?”
“Of course.”
“I saw Teddy in Houston.”
Aunt Margaret straightened up with a surprised look. “Oh, Hannah, how wonderful. Why didn’t you tell us last night?”
“He didn’t see me, Aunt Margaret. His train went in the opposite direction. I waved and called out to him, but the train went faster and faster and I couldn’t make him see me.” Her chin dropped to her chest.
“I’m so very sorry. I know that you’ll find both Teddy and your father one of these days. Maybe Miss Sutton will know something. Let’s write to her again.”
With the garden chores done, Aunt Margaret went to Uncle David’s desk and took out a piece of stationary. She then wrote to Miss Sutton, asking if any word had come about Teddy, and telling her of Hannah spotting him in Houston. “Uncle David will mail this tomorrow. I know you’d like to hear some news about your friend, and I hope you do very soon.”
Hannah nodded and tried to smile.
“Now we have something else to think about. We must plan a thirteenth birthday party for you. We’ll make a list after lunch. Who do you want to come to your party?”
“Thank you, Aunt Margaret, I have a lot of friends I’d like to invite.”
By the time she and Aunt Margaret had eaten a light lunch, Hannah had decided on those she wanted to help celebrate her birthday. Still sitting at the kitchen table, Hannah called out her list while Aunt Margaret wrote the names in a little notebook.
“After the family, I’d like to have Miss Cooper and her aunt, Dr. Layton, Rosie and her parents, Tom Valentine, Miss Trent and Mr. Dobbs.”
“That’s a good list, Hannah. I’m sure everyone will accept. I’ll have David pick up some invitations on his way home and we can address them tonight. What about a back yard picnic?”
“That sounds like fun, Caroline and I can make some decorations.”
Getting into the spirit of the party, Aunt Margaret suggested a menu of fried chicken, corn on the cob, and a salad from the small vegetable garden she tended in the back yard.
“I’ll have David make a big freezer of ice cream. The peaches have been so good this year.”
Hannah addressed the invitations and Uncle David mailed them the next morning. The girls cleared the dining room table and had fun making crepe paper flowers for the tables. They even persuaded Delia to lend a hand.
“Sure hope it don’t rain,” said Delia to the girls. “That crepe paper you’re using gonna get wet and spread color all over Miss Margaret’s good tablecloths.” Caroline and Hannah smiled at each other. Ever since the tornado, Delia issued gloomy predictions about the weather.
Ten days later, Hannah’s birthday dawned bright and clear. It was the end of August, and by late afternoon a cloudless blue sky greeted the guests. Hannah donned the dress she had worn for her piano tryout. Excitement added a rosy glow to her cheeks.
Before the party, Hannah spoke to the Logans. “What a perfect day. Thank you for all you’ve done for me. I know Papa would want me to thank you too.”
“Why, Hannah, we love doing this for you. You treat Caroline so well. You’re just like an older sister. This house wouldn’t seem the same without you.”
Wearing a big smile, Hannah went to greet her guests.
Delia, delighted by the guest’s compliments on her fried chicken, beamed and urged everyone to have more. Uncle David had fixed enough ice cream for everyone to have two bowls, which made a hit with Caroline.
“Hannah, won’t you please play the piano for us?” Rosie pleaded. The guests crowded in
to the parlor and Hannah sat down, carefully arranging the blue organdy dress. With confidence, she ran quickly through some lively tunes not missing a note. When she finished, she surprised the group by a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to herself. Miss Cooper led the applause that ended what Hannah thought must be the most wonderful thirteenth birthday party a girl could have.
* * * *
Just before she closed her eyes that night, Hannah’s thoughts turned back to her arrival in Lafitte. Like the new moving pictures that Professor Webster had described to her, events from that time until today crowded her mind. She felt her birthday represented a milestone. She looked forward to entering high school soon, and to begin piano lessons with the professor.
Whatever the next few years brought, Hannah told herself she would succeed. She knew the love of her parents would see her through anything.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN – LOOKING BACK
Hannah glanced around her bedroom to make sure she had packed everything. Wherever her eyes lit, she spotted a memento of the last five years. Medals and awards of all kinds decorated the bedroom walls. She had excelled at school and in her music. Most of all though, Hannah cherished the friends she made in Lafitte.
Closing her suitcase, she picked up the gold locket and clasped it around her neck. It always brought back a flood of memories. A knock sounded and Caroline opened the door at Hannah’s invitation.
“Are you packed?” Now a tall fourth-grader, the young girl seemed as lively as ever. “The Websters will meet us at the station at two-thirty.”
“Yes, I am, Caroline. You look very pretty today. Are you coming to the station with us?”
“Yes, and as soon as Papa gets home we’ll leave. I’m going next door for a few minutes, but I’ll come back in plenty of time.”
Running to Hannah, Caroline embraced her then hurried out the door. “I’ll miss you.”