Before she left, she pulled the paper from the pocket of her robe, unfolded it and looked at it. The thought of going across the country and starting a new life was unnerving and discomforting. She wasn’t sure she could go through with it. Would she ever see her family again? Even if she went, there was no guarantee that the man would help her family’s finances. What would she have to do to convince him?
The thoughts that ran through her mind made her feel even worse about the situation. She swallowed hard and lowered the paper to her lap. She stared at the wall in front of her. It might be the only solution.
She didn’t have time to think about it long. The situation was desperate. She decided to take the day to decide, got up and went out the door.
Before the day was through, she had decided. It was the only way to save her family. She walked back from work the same way she always did but this time the trip was a little different. When she passed the three boys, the friendly one stopped as she went by. The other two continued on.
“Hello,” He said with a smile.
She stopped in surprise. “Hello.”
“My name is Mark.” He held out his hand.
“I’m Caroline,” She responded, taking his hand to shake.
“I’ve seen you every day for months. I have wanted to say hello for just as long. Are you coming from work?”
“Yes, I work as a secretary for a clothing company.”
“Do you enjoy your job?”
She nodded. “I do.”
“That is good to hear.”
“And you?”
“My brother and I work constructing buildings.”
“And the other man you walk with?”
“Boss.”
“Oh.”
He smiled at her. “I am glad to learn your name.”
“Good to know yours, Mark.”
He took a few steps backward to indicate he needed to leave. “I gotta catch up with them. I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”
She smiled. “Perhaps.”
They nodded at each other and she turned to walk away. Before she reached her street, she turned into the post building. She paused at the door and turned back to look down the road, even though the men were long gone. Why did he choose to speak to her today?
Her heart torn, she opened the door and went in.
She was nervous as she wrote out a response to the ad. The clerk was eyeing her in a strange way. He knew her, she often came in to get the mail for her family. She had seen him here nearly every time, convinced he must be the only one who worked there. She knew he knew what she was doing and it made her even more anxious.
She handed the response to the clerk. He took it, looked at it and then at her. She could feel him judging her as he looked at her. She lifted up her chin and tilted her head to challenge him to say something.
“That will be five cents,” He said, setting the paper she’d given him to the side. She dug out five pennies from her bag and gave them to him.
“When will the letter be sent?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Do you know when it will arrive in Arizona?”
“Should be near the end of next week, I’d say. If you want it there sooner, you have to send a telegraph.”
“No. I will wait.”
“As you wish.” He turned away as if he was dismissing her.
She didn’t say anything and turned back to the front door.
As she walked home, she thought about Mark. What a coincidence. He starts talking to her the day she decides to leave and travel all the way across the country, probably never to return.
Though if he was wealthy, perhaps he would be kind enough to send her home for the holidays. Or maybe he would want to come along, too. Maybe he would be a kind and generous man who would take care of her the rest of her days?
Or maybe he was looking for a new housekeeper or a workhorse.
She shook her head and laughed softly under her breath. A wealthy man wasn’t going to need a wife to be a workhorse. He could pay anyone he wanted to do work for him. She debated whether she wanted to tell her family. Should she warn them that she was leaving? Surely, she couldn’t just disappear. She had to tell them. She had to tell them tonight.
She helped her mother prepare dinner and even set the table for the family. While she set the plates down, she noticed her mother watching her. She stopped and looked at her. “What is it, mother?”
“You are very helpful tonight. Is everything okay?”
Caroline smiled. “Yes, of course.” She shook her head and went about what she was doing.
When the family was all seated and they gave thanks for the food, her mother stood to fill the plates.
Caroline debated when she should tell them – before or after they ate. They seemed comfortable, free from the problem that was haunting them. She waited for the right time.