My Whole World. Episode 18.
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.
The End is Near. Episode 18.
February 17, 1911
Miss Morgan met Willie and Jake at the train station the day they arrived back in Kansas. Willie looked much older than Miss Morgan had remembered from that day five years before when Willie had left for Georgia and his new life. But Jake, my! oh my! He would turn eighteen at the end of the year and he was as tall now as Willie. He had the same sweet face Willie once had before the cares of the world stole it away.
Jake called to her the minute he saw her, “Miss Morgan! Rodeo here yet, Miss Morgan?”
“They’re working on it, Jake. Another year or so they reckon.”
“Well, I’ll be lookin’ forward to it, that I will.”
“Thanks for comin’ for us, Miss Morgan. Much obliged. How is Pa?” Willie looked so tired when he asked about his pa.
“Best let Betty Lou fill you in. I don’t really know. Betty Lou’d know best. You know his mind is not like it used to be. Most times he doesn’t know who we are anymore. Always asking about his Willie though and his little man Jake, so reckon he may know you both.”
They traveled home to the Strong family farm and homestead in the same wagon they had used the day they said goodbye to Willie. Willie remembered and said quietly, “The same wagon, the same land, yet the years have gone by and so quickly.”
“Makes me think we should have all come back here and before now, before the days we knew would all be gone.”
“We can’t go back Daddy, we can’t go back. We’re here now, let’s make sure Grampa knows we love him and always will.” Jake was both wise for his years and ever hopeful in his youth, and Willie and Miss Morgan smiled.
Betty Lou was waiting all bundled up on the porch as the horses pulled the wagon up the dusty path. Betty Lou watched Miss Morgan walk the dusty road back to town, and thought then of all the days she would look out her window to see that same dusty road, wishing she would see Jason, and then Jacob, coming back. She smiled remembering how Jacob did come back. That day seemed a long, long time ago now to Betty Lou.
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.
Life Goes Full Circle. Episode 15.
Making Sense of it All. Episode 16.
A Cold Winter Night. Episode 17.
