My Whole World. Episode 15.

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.

Life Goes Full Circle. Episode 15.

Jacob had begun writing in his journal again after Willie left Kansas. He would often journal as a way to put his thoughts down and come to some sense of things by working through those thoughts.

He and Betty Lou had received a letter from Willie telling them that Sue was back at work at her office job with the owner of a very large agricultural credit bank. She would greet the customers and find out their financial needs and then the owner would work with them in terms of the proper financing. It seemed that the owner tried to do his best by his customers and Willie thought well of him.

Meanwhile Willie was hired for a trial period job at a large peach orchard establishment, supervising the pickers and the packing process. He seems to like it and the boss says Willie is doing well. The young’uns are all growing taller and doing well too. Willie seems happy.

Jacob finished rereading Willie’s letter and thought for a while. Then he began to write in his journal.

August 21, 1906

Frost Pond, Kansas

Willie wrote us today. He seems to have fit right in there in Georgia, back with Sue and my grandchildren. I should be happy for him, and I am, but I must admit I am sad for myself. I miss my boy! Selfish of me I know. I do try to fight it. Truth is, Willie was my whole world, still is I reckon. We went through so much of life together that our lives became so intertwined, a bond beyond that of the usual father and son. I know I will get through this, somehow, and learn to accept Willie being gone from here, and from me. But I sure don’t know how I’ll ever really get used to it.

Betty Lou walked in just then. She noticed the ever present sad look around his eyes and would do whatever she could to make it all better for him again, if she only could. But she knew Jacob just had to go through it until the end, however and whenever that was going to be. Deep down, Betty Lou herself was unsure if Willie would ever return to Kansas permanently. But she was sure about one thing. Willie would follow his heart and would know what to do when the time came.

She smiled at Jacob as she put her arms around him. “It’s a pretty evening tonight, Jacob. Let’s go for a walk along the dusty road to town. It’d do us both some good I reckon.”

Jacob looked at Betty Lou as if from a distance, and then quietly said, “Yes, I reckon it would.”

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.
I’ve Been in Your Shoes. Episode 11.
Meeting John Devan. Episode 12.
Remembering. Episode 13.
Finally, Word from Decatur. Episode 14.