My Whole World. Episode 11.

My Whole World is the sixth series in the Dusty Town original historical fiction sequence written by Mary Ann DiLorenzo. Set in rural Kansas just prior to the turn of the century and continuing through the early 1900s, the series follows the Strong family through the challenges and joys of life in Midwest America.

I’ve Been In Your Shoes. Episode 11.

The new day had dawned clear and sweet smelling. The perfect rural Kansas day, Jacob noted, as he and Betty Lou and Willie walked the dusty path to the wagon down by the barn. Miss Morgan was coming along too that morning and down the dusty road from town she came. When they were ready and Willie took one last look around, as his father had done before him all those years ago, Jacob picked up the reins and started the horses forward.

They didn’t speak much those several miles to the railroad station. All deep in thought, wondering how their worlds would change, and what Willie’s going would mean in their lives. And then too, how their neck of the woods was changing, as the rest of the world was.

Miss Morgan spoke first. “Now Willie, don’t forget to let Jake know we’re gonna have our own rodeo here before too long. That cowboy fella that stopped into the restaurant the other day told me all about it. I think Jake would like to watch, and someday enter the competition himself. You be sure and tell him Willie.”

Willie smiled through tears. “Sure hopin’ we’ll all be back here someday to see it. It’s mighty hard leavin’ here and all of you, mighty hard.” He smiled again, dried his tears on his shirt sleeve, and looked around at what was the world he had known for almost his entire life. He lost his brother in that world and his mother too. Yet so many good times along the way also.

Betty Lou knew what Willie was thinking. “Lots of rememberin’ Willie, I know.” She couldn’t say much else then.

Willie hugged his pa and Betty Lou as they pulled the wagon up to the station. Miss Morgan gave Willie a hug and said, “Let me buy the tickets for you Willie.”

“Tickets?,” Willie asked.

“Yes, one for going, and one for coming back if it’s what you’ll be fixin’ to do.” Miss Morgan smiled and she put the tickets in his hand as the train pulled into the station. It was time for Willie to go.

Jacob reached over to his son and put his arm around him. “I know what you’re going through son. It’ll be alright. And you’ll be in my shoes one day with your own young’uns. And they’ll be in yours. And on through the generations of our family. That’s just how life goes. If this is where your heart belongs, you’ll be back here one day. It may be soon, it may be until it seems like forever, but you will be back. And I reckon, if your heart belongs to another place, you will think back on this place and smile.”

There they were smiling and crying and hugging. Then Willie boarded the train and they all waved goodbye as the train pulled away, until they could see each other no more.

Author’s Note: When I wrote this episode, I thought of the song The Walk, recorded by Sawyer Brown. Click here to listen. I hope you enjoy it.

Previous Episodes of My Whole World
And Just Like That, Everything’s Changed. Episode 1.
Feeling a Glimmer of Hope. Episode 2.
Uncertain About Everything. Episode 3.
“Don’t Forget Me Dad.” Episode 4.
The Weight of Jake’s Letter. Episode 5.
Months Go By. Episode 6.
Time to Act. Episodes 7 & 8.
Leaving. Episode 9.
Moving Forward. Episode 10.