My Whole World. Episode 6.
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.
Months Go By. Episode 6.
As the months went by, and as sending letters to Jake was forbidden by Sue and all would likely be withheld from Jake even if they were sent anyway, Willie, at Betty Lou’s suggestion, began writing letters to Jake and putting them in the same blue wooden box that Jake and Betty Lou had used for letters they had written to Jacob when he went away to write their family story.
The first letter he wrote was on Jake’s twelfth birthday. It was a simple letter and it read only:
Dear Jake,
You are my whole world. And I hope you will understand some, maybe one day. I love you. Dad
A few weeks before Jake’s birthday Willie had gotten a letter from Jake. It wasn’t particularly long yet it troubled Willie to learn that Sue was filling Jake with ideas that would only work to put a wedge and greater distance between them. It read:
Dear Dad,
Mom says that if you really loved me you’d find a way to write or come see me even though she doesn’t want you to. She thinks you should sell my horse because when I’m old enough Uncle is going to get me an automobile to ride in, all fancy like, and I won’t have any use for my horse. When I close my eyes, I go back to the days when I lived there with you and my dreams of being a farmer just like you and Grampa and riding horses like the cowboys forever no matter what. Mom laughs when I tell her and she calls me foolish to ever want to go back to that.
I don’t know anymore. Jake
When Willie shared Jake’s letter with Jacob, Jacob thought it over for a bit before saying anything. And then, once again, just as Betty Lou had always said, he knew what to do, in this case what to say. “You’re my whole world son, just like Jake is yours. Keep loving the boy. It will all turn out alright, wait and see.”
“Do you reckon I should go see him Pa? Sue’s liable to make him believe for sure I don’t care or love him anymore.”
“When the time comes, you will know what to do. Try not to fret none between now and then. And don’t sell that horse of his. Reckon he’ll be needing it down the road.” Jacob looked at Willie confidently and assuredly before going back to his chores. He left Willie with a smile and Willie thought, I want to be just like Pa one day.
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.
