Train Ride Contemplations
I have just stepped onto the train. It seems that all of my debts with society have been settled, and my many hours of toil at the Glenmore Hotel have earned me the golden ticket to New York City. Who would have thought that I, Mattie Gokey, would succeed in defying all odds of leaving the North Woods of the Adirondack to pursue my dreams at Barnard University. Part of me feels that this was a selfish decision. Does Pa expect me to still send him money? How will he and my sisters survive without me?
On the other hand, I have gone over this countless times in my mind. To be honest, I will miss Weaver more than anyone. The injustices he has overcome are unimaginable. Mostly, I am sad that he cannot come with me, and is still stuck with mean old cook and waiting on rich clientele. He has worked just as hard, if not harder than I have. When I wanted to quit school and simply read books on my own, he convinced me that I was meant to do more than take care of Pa and the girls. I feel that he is the only one who truly understood me, since we both only have one parent. If I were him, I would be very mad at the world, especially the men who murdered his father.
I do not regret turning in Grace's letters to "Chester" aka Carl Graham either. This trip is dedicated to her, for putting faith in a man who killed her. Somehow, I know that Grace would thank me for maintaining her legacy, despite that she may regret ever having relied on a man who could do such a horrible thing to her, despite that she was pregnant with his baby. Another person I will never forget is Miss Wilcox, who had to flee to Paris to escape the wrath of her evil husband. She was by far, the best teacher that I have ever had.
All I can do now is hope for the best, and know that I have paid off all of my debts to society. As much as I can say that it has been a long road to get here, I can not wait for my future to start. I want to be a writer and fulfill the dream that Miss Wilcox's husband cut short. I also want to begin Weaver's dream, seeing as I know that he will soon join me in pursuing our goals together. Lastly, this trip is to honor Grace, her moving letters, and the legacy she left behind.