Chapter One Posted on Sunday, 6 March 2005
Emmaline Fulwood leaned back against the wall and rested her aching head on its cool surface. The book she held face down upon her lap was being ignored as she stared out of the window out into the apple orchard. She was sitting on the window seat with her legs tucked up neatly beneath her, her long blue-grey skirt splayed around her small legs and feet. Still relatively young as she was and in the privacy of her own gable room, she did not worry about being properly positioned. In this small room, solitude and seclusion were hers. This was the only place in the Fulwood home where she could retreat to be alone and be left to her own thoughts.
The year was 1911, and she was barely nineteen years of age. Too old for childish pleasures and too young to go out in the world and make a life for herself. Emmaline would gladly take up an occupation of some sort, but her beloved father was set in old fashioned ways. "My dear, you must stay at home and learn the things that a wife and mother should do. You have a brilliant mind, but let it be used to edify the tasks you were created to perform."
How many occasions had she heard this speech? How many evenings had she spent trying to convince her father of the benefits of working women? But it was not to be, he was unmovable. Do not think that she need provide for herself, for her family was quite comfortable in financial matters and lacked little in temporal things. It was more the fact that she thirsted for the feeling of accomplishment, honor, and respect that the working woman earned through her labors.
Emmaline felt a sense of uselessness in her daily life, doing little more than attending social engagements and helping her mother in household matters. She was bright, witty, and charming but none of these attributes seemed to assuage her thirst to be serviceable in a great purpose. This was the true reasoning for her desire to work. Her family boasted of her, friends adored, and acquaintances smiled at her presence, but none of these seemed to completely satisfy her. If only a change would occur and she would have new meaning to life. "If only I were to be married or something of the sort."
Many young men had sought for her favor, bringing flowers, asking to be her escort to the next church social, and so forth, but none of them seemed to cause her heart to flutter. They were amiable, handsome young men but none seemed to fit her vision of the ideal man. The only man alive who suited her expectations was her friend George.
The Knisely family had been their neighbors ever since Emmaline was a toddling babe. They had moved into the grand house down the lane from the Fulwood's own land in Connecticut. The two families shared a close and rare friendship, such as not many neighbors experienced. Through the years their children grew up together, running through the orchards in summer, fishing, making snow forts in winter; now they still remained close though she, George, and their elder siblings engaged in more adult recreations.
George Knisely was a tall long-legged boy with prominent, though not remarkably handsome, features. He was quite pleasant to speak to and well respected by all who came to know him. Never had "Emmy", as he was apt to call her, heard him speak a harsh word to anyone. Excepting the time his younger brother nearly killed himself on one occasion by trying to jump out of the loft of a barn. Little Ernie got the most thorough scolding of his nine-year-old life that day.
Emmaline remembered it well though it was nearly five years past. Ernest was at the top of the barn with his legs dangling over the side getting ready to push off. She and George had been walking with her three little sisters towards the barn, coming to see the new horses Mr. Knisely had bought. When George caught sight of his little brother and guessed what he was about to do, he gave a loud yell forbidding him to jump off. The foolish boy paid no heed and proceeded to jump.
Emmaline, Rachel, Sarah, and Anne watched in horror as their young friend fell quickly towards the hard ground below. Just as Ernie had begun leap from the loft, George ran from her side like a bolt of lighting and arrived just in time to break Ernie's fall. They both tumbled to the ground in a heap and George had gotten the wind knock out of him for a moment. The girls rushed to their sides and helped both boys up. She brushed off George and backed away as his face began to turn crimson with rage.
Being sixteen at the time and very strong, George presently picked up his little brother roughly by the collar and began to reprimand him severely with strong words. Emmaline hastily moved her sisters to protect their innocent ears and marched them straight home. She knew that George only spoke harshly because of his concern for the little imp. This tenderness was displayed over and over in his associations with his siblings and parents. The man was a straight arrow, kind in manner, and virtuous in character.
Love for him had crept into her heart without her knowledge until recently. Sadly, Emmaline knew he must not care for her as she did for him. He had hinted his correspondence with a young lady for few months now. She had been unable to squeeze from him who this mystery lady was and Emmaline had given up in despair. George would probably only remain a dear friend and she would spend the rest of her days admiring him from afar.
Chapter Two Posted on Sunday, 13 March 2005
Emmaline rose from her seat at the table where she had been helping her mother shell peas. A knock on the front door announced a caller and at Mrs. Fulwood's bidding she went to answer it. She quickly tidied her apron of the peapod particles. Emmaline ran a hand to smooth the back of her pompadour into its place and tried to tame back the wisps that had escaped around her face. After a quick look in the small wall mirror near the door, she opened it to see a familiar face.
"Good afternoon, Emmy! I hope I'm not disturbing you..." George said, with a smile.
Feeling a bit self-conscious about her ruffled appearance she began, "Oh, no. You see, I was just helping Mama shell peas and..." Something came out of the door from behind her, almost knocking her off her feet. The little creature leaped upon George and was caught in one great swoop in his arms. James, her youngest sibling and only brother clapped his hands in delight as George pretended to steal his nose. Emmaline could not help but smile at the companionship these two shared. They had always had a special bond because George was like the older brother James did not have.
"George, have you come to take me fishing like you promised?" the boy asked expectantly. After ruffling James's hair, George set him down and told him that the fishing would have to wait until Thursday. Dejected, the little boy pouted and asked why they couldn't go right away.
"Hey, just have patience, Little Jamie. I have to speak to your big sister and I'll be sure to take you in two days, alright?" James broke into a large grin, nodded and skipped off to play in his tree house.
Emmaline shook her head; her little brother had bad manners because he was doted upon by everyone. George spoiled him worse than anyone else, but he was the sole figure of worship in the little boy's eyes. George turned back to her and smiled so that she felt a tingle of excitement. Taking his hat in hands he motioned that they sit on the white porch swing. The seat was well-known to them, having, as children, sat many summer evenings together examining the wildflowers they had collected for their pressed collection.
She waited patiently to hear what he had come to say, all the while studying George as he looked at one of the many blossoming apple orchards the Fulwood's owned. With a sigh and a light tone in his voice he began, "I suppose I mentioned to you my young lady correspondence?"
"Yes." Emmaline replied as steadily as she could.
"Well, I have a surprise ... she is coming to visit my family and I should like you to come with me to meet her. She will be arriving on the 10:00 train tomorrow morning. Will you?"
Hesitating whether or not she really wanted to meet this "young lady correspondence" she finally said that she would if he would tell her about the woman.
Teasingly he shook his finger at her, "No, no, no. You shall find out when she arrives."
Frustrated, she playfully socked his shoulder him. "You were always too good at keeping everyone in suspense. Remember that Christmas that you worked on the toy sleds in your barn and would not even let anyone with in forty feet of your workspace? Not fair!" He only smiled with a little sauciness and made the move to stand.
"You are not leaving already?"
"Yes I must, sorry Emmy. Give my greetings to your mother and sisters. I'll see you tomorrow at 9:30 sharp."
The next thing Emmaline knew, she was staring at the back of his black casual suit. George certainly was disconcerting her nerves lately. His air of secrecy about the lady friend was greatly odd in her opinion. That little twinge of jealousy for the unknown lady came creeping back into her mind. Emmaline shook her head of the unkind thoughts and went back in to finish her task, wondering what tomorrow would bring.
The next morning, she awoke with immediate resentment. The task that was to come was quite unpleasant and Emmaline was not sure how she could bare it. She cared greatly for George and the thought of their relationship being reduced by an outsider was fearsome and appalling. Reasoning with herself she brushed her anger aside and prepared herself for the day. After studying her options for a moment, she chose her light blue tea dress with the lace covered bodice. This was her favorite outfit of all. It was feminine, light, and George's favorite shade of blue. Even with this little package of competition arriving on the train soon, Emmaline was not about to give up.
She did her hair with even greater care then usual and even tied a small ribbon around her neck that sported a small pearl pendant at the end. After a little dab of the rose fragrance perfume that her father had brought back from a business trip, she made her way down the hall and the stairs to wait in the parlor for the shiny Knisely automobile to arrive. Emmaline continued to fuss with her appearance until she heard the rattled of the motorcar approaching. Just before he knocked upon the door she grabbed her lace kid gloves and parasol.
Upon opening the door, Emmaline found a smiling George with hat in hand. His smile vanished as he was momentarily stunned by her appearance. Feeling very pleased, she began walking toward the car and he followed close at her heals. While he moved around the vehicle to assist her up, she allowed herself a grin. Maybe this would not be as awful as she had anticipated.
Chapter Three Posted on Thursday, 17 March 2005
George's hands rested lightly on the steering wheel of the new motorcar, as they drove down the small road to the town. "You have waited long enough. I will tell you a little about our guest. I am positive you will like her, Em. She is the sweetest little creature, brought up well, a good conversationalist, well-accomplished in many aspects. She loves to read classics, and she loves to travel. Her father is busy business man and allows the young lady to travel abroad, providing her with funds and accommodations."
Emmaline cut in a bit too hastily, "And how do you know so much about her?"
"Why, from her letters, of course." he replied with a note of surprise.
"Oh, of course."
The silence that lasted the rest of the drive was uncomfortable for both of them. Emmaline turned her head from George's view so he would not see her upset. She thought how she should be happy for his great fortune in finding such an agreeable young woman. She should be pushing aside her own feelings and join in the congratulations of his happiness. But it hurt deeply to think of another woman taking her place and she wished with all her heart it were not so. Now she was on the way to meet this same woman and the thought sickened her momentarily.
As they pulled up to the station at the edge of their small town, Emmaline steeled herself for the meeting of her rival. She determined to smile a lot and be as pleasant as the Queen Victoria greeting her subjects. The train had just pulled up to the station and the first passenger walked off onto the platform. George opened her door and gave her a chivalrous hand out. Together they walked toward the steady crowd of newcomers. Person after person came out of the train but none were young women. Emmaline's hopes rose, perhaps the girl had missed her train and would not be visiting after all.
George quickly left her side and she heard a high-pitched squeal as a short person, presumably a woman because she was wearing a dress, jumped into George's outstretched arms. He whirled her around and around saying, "Sarah." Emmaline was shocked at such familiarity. Why, George had never treated her that way, ever, and she was sure that they were closer than any mere correspondent! Tears began to blind her eyes and she turned her gaze away, hurt and frightened.
"Emmaline, I'd like you to meet my cousin, Sarah Grafton. She is the little surprise I have waited to show you." Emmaline rested her eyes on the girl in disbelief. Sarah could be no more than twelve years old! The young child was dressed in a pale pink gingham dress with frills at the sleeves and wore a white decorated sunbonnet. Her smile was broad and tiny teeth could be seen, with a few missing. An overwhelming relief waved over Emmaline as she realized that her foolish fears had been in vain. George had been writing his younger cousin the whole time and she had made the wrong conclusion about this "young lady's" age and position.
She could no longer hold back and keep her emotions in check. Without a word or a look she ran to the side of the motorcar and turned her back away from the two who stared after her. George was surprised and knew something was wrong, so he sent Sarah off with instruction to ask the ticket man about her luggage and he ran back to the automobile. Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Emmaline covered her face so he could not see her tears. He gently pulled them away and wiped the water from her cheeks with a soft handkerchief.
"What is wrong, Emmy?"
"Oh, George, I've been so ... so..." she burst into another sob. Trying to regain her composure she continued, "I thought that the little girl was older, that you..." she trailed off once again.
"Emmy, look at me." She found he was smiling and he asked her softly, "Did you think I was Sarah's beau?" Meekly she nodded and cast her eyes downward. "I'm glad."
"Glad?!" Emmaline exclaimed.
"Yes, because now I know you care for me. And you know what, my wonderful darling friend? I feel the same about you. I have loved you since you were a child but feared you did not feel as I. Too many fine young men came calling at your door and I did not dream I had a chance. I was positive one would whisk you away in a heartbeat."
She gazed up wide-eyed at him, "But how could you possibly love me as you say? I have made so many mistakes and errors. I have been blind."
"What of my faults? I am just as guilty as you proclaim to be. Perhaps it is our imperfections that suit us for each other. Mistakes or not, I want you to be my wife. Marry me?"
"You know I will." They sealed it with a sweet kiss and Sarah came back a few minutes later, two carpetbags in hand.
"Cousin George, now can I meet your friend?" the child asked.
His grin widened, "Yes, this is the beautiful young lady I wrote you about, Sarah. Meet my fiancé, Emmaline Fulwood."
The girl hugged Emmaline tightly, much to her surprise, and Sarah pulled back to look at her. In an awed voice she whispered to George, "She is beautiful." Emmaline laughed gaily and took the girl's small hand in hers and welcomed her to their town.
They climbed back in the car and settled for the drive back to the Knisely farm. Emmaline still joyfully wondered at the exchange that had just taken place. Her dreams had come true in a matter of seconds. She vaguely heard the chatter of the little girl, something about the blossoms on the trees. Emmaline and George both looked over Sarah's head at the same moment and shared in a contented look of gladness. He smiled with warmth at her, and Emmaline felt the love and tenderness radiate from him. The days to come would be full of that love and happiness, even the stormy ones.
As a bit of an after thought Emmaline wonder just what had George told Sarah about her. That same year, three weeks before her wedding, little Sarah allowed her to read those letters and found that George had loved her the whole time and had planned to ask her within the week of Sarah's first visit. Emmaline and George Knisely grew old together in love and unity, bringing to the world delightful little children.
Never again, after the day of the engagement, did Emmaline feel a lack of usefulness or feel unneeded. She helped raise seven children and thirty-two grandchildren. Her last day, as she lay upon her death bed with four of their daughters and sons at her side, she told them that her life had been rich, fuller than any can imagine. She slept peacefully from that morning on, her life given in the service of her family and friends.