The Blanket of Blessings Read online

The next three weeks went by entirely too quickly, spent mostly preparing for Angie’s trip west and receiving good wishes from neighbors and friends. Elma spent a lot of time teaching Angie how to knit so that she’d have something to pass the time on the long trip to California. George and Elma received the cashier’s check as promised and bought Angie the clothes and boots for the long trip, along with some yarn so she could knit herself a shawl for the autumn that was coming.

  It was the night before the Smiths were due to arrive, Angie’s last night with the McKennas. No one spoke during dinner and hardly any food was touched. A sadness filled the room and the knowledge that this was their last night together grieved all three.

  “We have something for you,” Elma smiled to Angie. “Something for you to remember us by.”

  She rose from the table and left the room, returning in just a few minutes.

  “Here you are,” Elma said, handing Angie a paper wrapped package with string tied around it.

  Angie hesitated, and then took it from Elma’s outstretched hand. George was sitting at the table and smiling as well, anxious for Angie to open it. Angie slowly and carefully untied the string and peeled back the paper, careful not to tear it. There under the wrapping was a brand new black leather Bible.

  Angie looked up at them, smiled and said, “For me?”

  “Look inside the first page,” Elma encouraged.

  Angie opened the book where she saw a handwritten message. It read: “To our dear Angie. May God go with you on this new adventure and may He bring you safely back to us someday. Love, George and Elma McKenna.”

  Angie hugged them both, “Thank you. I’ve always wanted my own Bible. This is wonderful. And I will come back to you someday. I promise!”

  George and Elma laughed. “Yes, I’m sure you will.” George said.

  The next morning, Elma came into the living room carrying Angie’s travel bag and blanket. Angie looked at her blanket and said, “It’s so sad I won’t be able to enter my Blanket of Blessings in the county fair like I promised my momma.”

  “Enter it in the Sacramento fair next year, my child. It will be just as worthy of a blue ribbon there,” Elma assured her.

  Suddenly, a knock came on the front door. No one wanted to move to answer it. Finally, George stood up from his comfortable chair and walked to the door, opening it to two older men looking somewhat ragged.

  “Howdy. My name’s Homer Smith and this here’s my brother, Elmer Smith. Can’t remember our birth name so we just go by Smith.”

  “You can’t remember your real name?!” Elma remarked in surprise.

  “Our ma and pa left us a long time ago. Headed for better places, I guess. We were told we was too much trouble to take along, so we been scrappin’ in the streets ever since. Doin’ a pretty good job of it too. Got us this far!” Homer smiled showing a missing side tooth. Elmer nodded in agreement.

  “Well, you had just better take good care of our little Angie, here, “George warned them, “Make sure she reaches her Aunt Charity and Uncle Benjamin safe and sound or I’ll be sure to hunt you down and make it right!”

  “Now dear,” Elma touched George’s arm. “I’m sure it’ll be alright,” she said reassuringly as she invited them into the house.

  “Well, I’m not so sure!” George responded giving the two brothers a suspicious glare.

  Homer felt very uncomfortable. “We gotta get on the road if’n we’re goin’ta catch that wagon train.”

  “Yes, yes…” Elma agreed, “We have her belongings right here.”

  Elma turned and said “This is our little Angie.” Angie slowly rose from her chair and hesitated to meet the two men standing in front of her.

  “Well, ain’t she a pretty little thing,” Homer smiled at Angie, ‘We’re gonna get on just fine, ain’t we?”

  Angie looked up at him but her face remained expressionless.

  “Don’t you worry,” Homer shook George’s hand, “We’ll take good care of her. You’ll see. You’ll be hearin’ from her aunt and uncle in no time.”

  “I’d better,” George said as he stared Homer in the eyes.

  “Get the little lady’s baggage, Elmer,” Homer said as he started out the door. Elmer did so and followed closely behind him.

  “I don’t want to go,” Angie clung to Elma, “Please don’t make me go.”

  “You know we would keep you if we could,” Elma told Angie as she knelt beside her. Looking into the little girl’s blue eyes, Elma tried to be brave, but it was breaking her heart as well. “Your Aunt Charity is a wonderful woman, both sweet and kind. She’s looking forward to you coming to live with her. You’ll have a wonderful life there, much better than here. Now go, and mind your manners. Be a good girl and make us proud of you.”

  “I will” Angie struggled to stop crying.

  “Go!” Elma encouraged her.

  As Angie slowly disappeared through the door, Elma ran to the door to wave goodbye. George was outside giving Homer and Elmer last-minute warnings.

  George helped Angie into the back of the wagon, with Homer and Elmer waiting for her on the front bench.

  “Giddy-yap!” Homer called out as he slapped the reins on the back of the mules. The rickety old wagon began its slow journey away from the McKenna house. Angie waved goodbye from the back, tears still streaming down her face. George and Elma waved until she was out of sight and then Elma collapsed to the floor, breaking down and sobbing with no control left. George knelt down to hold her and his tears mingled with hers.

  Angie lay down in the back of the wagon. Her thoughts turned to God. Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Please watch over me throughout the night, and wake me with your morning light.

 

  The Visit