Once there was a pretty young lady. She was born and raised in good and rich Britain family, and her life always was happy and easy…until she met a young guy one day at the church. He was the student of seminary, and was going to be a priest. But he was so handsome and gentle that she couldn't stop thinking about him…so as he. They met again very soon.. and once again…and many times…finally he asked her to be his wife, though his career must be finished. Her father didn't bless them, he became furious and even signed off her name from the family Bible. The life now was not easy, but still happy and full of love. Soon their first son was born. When he was about 4, they decided to leave England for new life, and arrived to America with two sons - the second was born right at the ship…They had not much money , but were full of hopes. They had each other and 2 wonderful children, and enjoyed their new life…until their first son died. She couldn't live at this place when such tragedy was happened , and they moved again, to the city… Her husband couldn't do anything except preaching Gospel and working at the farm - so he couldn't find any job to feed his family…It was too much for him, and he died. Now she was alone with her grief, without money, without husband, without any friend, any hope and any help. Her son was so small to support her…She stayed eye by eye with her despair for many months, and finally thought there is only one solution of all her troubles… Standing at the bridge through the Hudson, she thought that good times are gone and never come back…
0! -. Brian together with Sully was repairing the fence - You asked me to remind you to go to the station for parcel.
- Thank you, Brian - I really hardly remember &
- Ask Horace about the telegram from Washington - Sully said.
- Well! I'll be back at 7 p.m!
Sully and Brian waved her a hand and returned to their work. However Brian was very quite and absent-minded. He was deep in his own thoughts. When he hit his finger with the hammer for the second time, Sully asked him:
- Hey, you're ok?
- Yes…well, yes, but I want to ask you…I've got a letter from my…from Ethan Cooper again. He writes that misses us, and I don't know to answer him or not…
- Do 'you' want to answer him?
Brian shrugged his shoulders:
- I don't know exactly. Now 'you' - my Pa, and I don't feel to him that I feel to you. Perhaps, I, must be angry on him…
- You must not , - Sully objected - Perhaps, you can feel sorry to him.
To Feel Sorry?! He lives happily with Lilian in a big city, they're rich,
It's not enough to be happy, May be, sometimes he feels loneliness , that he has no sons , like you and Mathew, or daughter, like Colleen ,and understands that could have them, but destroyed all by himself…
- I'm afraid to offend you, if I'll answer him?
- Certainly ,not. It's nothing bad if you'll write him about your work at the GAZETTE, or , for example, send him the birthday greetings……
- Sully, - suddenly Brian asked - when is your birthday?
I don't remember…Seems, my brother's birthday was in spring, and mine - in autumn…or winter…no, I can't remember… . When we celebrated it, I was quite small, this was before we have moved to NEW YORK…
I thought about it, - Brian said ,-it's very offensively, if you have no birthday, and I decided to present you something. He run into the house, and few minutes later returned with the thick book in hands.
- Here is .it .I think you'll enjoy it
Thank you, - Sully was very surprised, - I wanted to read it for a long time…and to get such wonderful gift from my son… Brian smiled widely and gave him a big hug.
Yes, certainly, you have a right to withdrew that belongs you, - reported Preston - hopes, Andrew, your new practice is good…
Yes, thank you, - Andrew answered He arrived from Philadelphia to withdrew the medical supplies belonging him . To his greater wonderment, Preston returned him all without any argue… You may buy some medical equipment from here, - Preston advised - go to my office… There was a lady sitting at the big chair . She was in her fifties but looked very refined…
Please, just a minute, Mrs Blackmore, - Preston apologized , - I need to discuss with this gentleman few question…
Don't worry, I'll wait, - the lady answered with a light British accent
So, Andrew, - Preston continued - it's not too expensive, I'll sell this hotel anyway…
And who will buy it? - Andrew asked
Senator Dinston..and your new relative represents him here.- Preston grinned - .Certainly, Sully understands the wild nature very well, but he's not a businessman at all…
Excuse me. .you said "Sully"? - Mrs Blackmore suddenly asked
- Such a strange name for a man, isn't it? - Preston noticed, - It's just surname…his real name is Byron, but he hates it so much…Mrs Blackmore, what's wrong with you? - he said very concerned when saw that she suddenly has turned pale.
- I 'm fine, - she smiled,- just a little dizziness…It's not unusual in my age
I can examine you, - Andrew offered
No, thanks…Mr Lodge, can you explain me where is the post office? I need to send a letter…
Horace, what about my parcel? - Michaela asked
- Here is it, doctor Mike, - the telegrapher answered
- Can you also look for the letter for Sully from Washington .
He's waiting the letter from Senator Dinston
I have a letter for Sully but not from Washington. Some lady brought it and asked to send him. Let me see her name…here is..Katherine Blackmore…
"Katherine" - Michaela thought - what she needs here?"- Horace, how 's she looked? She has such long light hair and blue eye? She was young and…
- No, - Horace answered - she was your mother's age and had chestnut hair …Do you know her?
No, I don't know her, …perhaps Sully knows… I'll take it and give him.
Brian met her on the porch - Hi, Ma! I'll take Katie.
- Thank you. How are you here?
- We finished the fence.
- Fine & Where is Sully
- Upstairs, reads a book . 0 , I have presented him one book, found it at the catalogue. I thought: we all celebrate our birthdays, but Sully exactly does not remember, when he was born …it's unfairly…
- Certainly, - Michaela agreed - and you decided to do him a gift?
- Yes, I think he liked it……
Sully was so absorbed by reading that not even heard, as she came in..
- Usually you hear my steps, - Michaela noticed, offended a little - what such an interesting are you reading?
He showed her a book.
" Rev.J.Powell. The Life and Traditions of Cheyenne People" - she read - Brian knew what you would like to read
Certainly. .it's a wonderful gift…Michaela, what about the letter from Senator?
- Here is the letter, but not from Senator…it's from some lady… - Michaela stretched him an envelope, - Horace told , she brought it herself...
- -A Lady?! - Sully wondered
- Her name is Katherine Blackmore.
- Katherine Blackmore? Never heard… But I can imagine, what you've thought when you saw this name.
- It's not she. Horace told me she's my mother's age, and. afterwards, I already once looked so foolish, when you got a letter from Daniel, written by woman... Read quicker, I'll die from the curiosity…but may be, it's a secret?
- Certainly, not! -Sully said, revealing the envelope.
- Well , what writes your beautiful stranger? - Michaela was going to ask, but words stuck in her throat, when she noticed Sully's reaction.
He looked at the sheet of paper as if it was a snake in his hands…
- Sully, what happened?
He did not answer her, continuing to look at the small sheet of paper. His eyes were wide open, but unseeing.
- Sully, - she touched his shoulder, - what happened?
He looked on her helplessly. Michaela , - this woman writes that…that she is my mother…
- But she .…you told me that she…- Michaela mumbled
- She's alive, as you can see, only has other surname… - He tried to stay calm, but Michaela noticed that he became pale as .a sheet…
Sully told her very little about his childhood and his family.
Michaela understood that these memory was unbearably painful for him. She had lost her father and knew, how hard it can be, but Sully…it were too many losses for one person. And now, when Sully finally found peace in his soul, this woman came, after more than 20 years, and destroyed it….
I can remember this day as if it was yesterday, - Sully said quietly , - She became so strange for the last couple of months…so absent-minded and sad…as if she died together with my father . The policeman came and told me…that she's drawn herself… They didn't find her body, but the policeman brought her handbag and her shawl…it was the last father's gift, and she never took off it……- his voice faded, and he couldn't continue.
Michaela touched his shoulder tenderly… - Sully…please…. It's no need to talk about it - she's alive…
- Yes, she's alive, - he said with some strange intonation.
- What we can do? - Michaela asked
- We will leave all as it does - he answered , - I don't want to meet her.
- Sully, - Michaela began- you must think before…Remember Jake and his father……
- Excuse me, but I don't want to talk about it anymore …- he answered.
But you can't run away from yourself…
Let's talk about something else, - he said, and she obeyed Obviously he was right - she could not imagine such kind of mother who can leave her child like that. Her own mother not very often understood her, but when Michaela was in troubles, mother arrived from Boston though . Michaela only was afraid that Sully afterwards does not be able to forgive himself, if he 'll throw his mother away.
The several days passed. Michaela and Sully avoided the unpleasant subject of talking, and Michaela became sure that Sully took a good decision …But they met few days later, however , when nobody did not wait it… Sully and Michaela had lunch at Grace's cafe , and suddenly heard Preston's voice, Go here, Mrs.Blackmore, here is this man you've asked about! Michaela stood up to leave, but Sully squeezed her hand, and she sat back, very puzzled.
Mrs Blackmore was in her sixties, but she was still very attractive woman. Michaela also noticed that her new mother-in-law is dressed not worse than her own Bostonian relatives… - Excuse me, - she began - I has sent you a letter …Did you receive it?
Sully silently nodded. Outwardly he seemed calm ,and only Michaela knew, what it costs for him
- Oh, my God…I don't want how to begin…. - Mrs.Blackmore nervously picked at her gloves - this letter…I've sent you…
- It has been late more than on 20 years,- Sully answered
- Sully! - Michaela tried to stop him , but he was already unable to stop.
All these years you didn't think about me, , but now you come and think that it's possible to start it over
I'll be glad if you can call me mother again…- Mrs.Blackmore whispered
My mother had drowned in Hudson 23 years ago, - Sully interrupted her and sharply raised, hardly not turn over the table .- Sorry, but I have no more to say you…
With these words he left the cafe, not even waiting for Michaela. - You're his wife & can I speak with you? - Mrs. Blackmore turned to her.
Michaela suddenly became furious - You want to know about your son & what exactly you want to hear? -she asked quietly, - well I'll tell you. Did you ever seen the homeless children - such dirty, hungry, lonely children ? I think there are those children in England too? So , do you want to know that your son was one of them before the orphanage? Do you want to know, that Sully even now, more than 20 years later , can not talk about his childhood - it's too painful for him? Or you want to know how he worked in mine as the powder-man , and each day risked his life, and once was buried alive under the cave-in for several days ? You didn't know it, right - because you LEFT HIM, when he was just a kid …just a kid who needed your care and your love - she spoke louder and louder - When his first wife died together with their baby, there was nobody to support him, and he enlisted to the army, because he hoped to die …The Indians found him half-dead in the woods and became the family for him…instead you. I not know why you came here and managed him to remind all these awful things…
Mrs Blackmore silently looked at her, and tears crept on her cheeks.
- I implore you, - finally she said, - please, let me to explain…
- But Michaela refused. - I need to go to the clinic. Excuse me…, - she nearly was running from the cafe.
Deep in her own thoughts, she hardly did not swoop on Loren Bray
- I'm sorry .- she said , - I did not notice you…
- What happens with all of you today? Sully was a kind of mad too…run somewhere, hardly not push me away… This is because of that woman, isn't it? I think that she… But Michaela did not want to discuss this subject with Loren.
-Please, Loren…let's talk about it later…I need to hurry- she run into clinic,
There was much work in clinic, but Michaela thought about this woman all the time… and worried for Sully…
Michaela tried to find Sully anywhere in town before she left…nobody was seen him after cafe, but there was very loud discussion at Loren's store about this..
Michaela had no time to take part in it. She still tried to find Sully, and visited almost all his favourite places in the woods, but the rain managed her to stop . However she hoped that he will be at home before her.
- He is not returned yet, - Brian reported with perplexity - I thought, you will be here together.What happened?
- There is a lady in Preston's hotel. She calls herself Sully's mother…
- But Sully told us she died?
- No. She's alive. But Sully does not want to meet her …she left him … - Michaela cut short trying to find a word.
…like our pa - Ethan Cooper - Brian finished - but I forgave him
It's not the same thing - your pa knew that you have a mother, sister and elder brother. But she left Sully alone, and he was younger than you…
- But supposed she's ashamed about what she done?
Anyway, Sully needs a time to make decision . He's so depressed and I worry about him I need to go look for him …
Sully came about an hour later , soaked through to his bones.
Sorry, I'm late, - he said. He took off his wet coat and shivered
You're cold? - Michaela asked
Just a little
I'll bring you dry cloth….- she run upstairs.
Sully still looks exhausted and depressed and Michaela was still worrying about him.
When they both sat near the fireplace, she tried to talk with him again
. You did not warn me…- she began
I'm sorry…just needed to stay on myself for a while…- He coughed Michaela looked at him with a great concern
Are you allright? - You're getting sick to be the whole day in this wet cloth…
I'm fine, just a little tired. I have a lot of things to do in town tomorrow, so I'll go to sleep…
Michaela woke first, that was not usual. Usually Sully got up at dawn and then woke her, but he looked so tired yesterday…She was sorry to wake him, but talks with Preston were very important for Senator Dinston…
Sully! - she tenderly stroke his hair - it's too late. Wake up…
He opened his eyes and then closed it again: This light… can you pull the curtain?…
She sat near by him and touched his forehead: - Seems, you have a small fever… You'd better stay in bed today.
- No, I can not…- Sully sat up and covered his shoulders with the blanket, - I have…- he coughed and then continued: - I have a lot of things to do in town. I need to talk with Preston about The Springs Chateau , senator wants all necessary papers to get ready next week, before his arrival….Don't worry, it's nothing wrong with me - just a little cold…
- Sully, please… I'll drink some willow bark tea, and ev'rything will pass… After the breakfast he seemed to be better, and they were going to town..
- See you - Sully said , dismounting near the clinic, - I need to go to Robert E .and to the store but afterwards I 'll go to hotel…
- If you will become worse, come to the clinic!
- Well, - he said, - certainly, but I'm fine!
So, when Mrs Blackmore entered the Bray Mercantile, he knew who is she. - Closed!!! - he shouted.
- But after all…- she looked at the customers, who did not hurry to leave
For you - closed, lady, - repeated Loren - this is MY store, and I don't want to see here such women as you. How you're not ashamed to come here?
The woman looked at him helplessly and silently leave.
Certainly, Loren was impatient to discuss it with the customers, but he needed to stop, when he noticed Sully, coming in
- Are you looking for something?- Loren asked. He wanted Sully to leave more soon, and go back to the discussion- I'll help you….
Sully looked at him at some strange glance and answered nothing . It looks like he can't remind why he came here.
- Hey, are you okay? - Loren asked.
- Yes ,- Sully finally answered. He walked to the counter, but unexpectedly stumbled, hardly not losing his balance. Loren caught him for the elbow and forced to sit on the chair near the counter.
I'll go call Dr.Mike! - Loren said, looking at Sully with the great concern
That's no need.. - Sully began, but Loren was outside, running to the clinic. Continued...