I stepped out of the wagon with the assistance of a man I had never met before. As he took my hand, he introduced himself as my 'uncle' Randall McCoy though I knew he was a much more distant relative than that. He smiled warmly at me though I detected a sadness or weariness behind his otherwise friendly eyes. Then he took my trunk out of the wagon and gestured toward the small house where the rest of the family was gathered on the porch, waiting to meet me. My steps felt heavy as I turned to face this new chapter in my life.
I, Rebecca Ford, had been sent to live with my distant family, the McCoy's, in Kentucky upon the death of my father. I had spent my entire life in a small town in Pennsylvania with my father ever since my mother died when I was a little girl.
I had not known what to expect of my cousins the McCoy's. My father had rarely mentioned them as he himself had never met his late wife's relatives. My father had moved North to study medicine before I was born. I had always been close to my pap as I was his only child. He had taught me about his profession and would even allow me to watch him at work in town some days as she grew up. After tending to a sick family on the outskirts of their town, he caught the sickness and died shortly after. Now, in 1879, at 17 years old, I was forced to grieve quickly as I packed all my things, left my friends and home and made the long journey south to Kentucky to live with the McCoy's as my father's will had instructed.
Randall introduced me to his family and everyone came to shake my hand and introduce themselves to me. I was simply overwhelmed with how many children Randall and his wife Sally had, being an only child myself. I looked around at all these strangers who were now the only people I could call family. They showed me to my room that I would share with my 'cousins' Alifair and Roseanna. The house was small but cozy and I couldn't help but feel homesick and think of all the ways it was different from my old life.
I got numerous questions from my cousins at dinner about what I liked to do, what Pennsylvania was like, what dances they did up North, until aunt Sally shushed her children saying I must be awful tired after such a long journey.
After dinner, my cousins Alifair and Roseanna, who were practically the only names I could manage to remember, sat on my bed and told me practically everything they could think of about life in Kentucky. I decided quickly that I liked these girls very much and they could easily become friends. It was nice to finally find some comfort in such a foreign place. Roseanna had a pretty face and blonde hair while Alifair had a more plain face with darker hair and sparkling blue eyes. Both girls were a few years older than me but they were genuinely interested in having me join them. Alifair excitedly mentioned the upcoming Election day celebrations. Roseanna talked on about the terrible Hatfield family led by Devil Anse. I could barely take it all in and was thankful when I was finally able to close my eyes.
The next morning, I awoke just at the sun was beginning to rise before anyone in the house had begun to stir. In my dreams, I'd forgotten that my father had died, that I was living with the McCoy's and that my life was changing faster that I could keep up. Feeling suddenly overwhelmed with my thoughts, I dressed quickly and ran outside, happy I'd had the good fortune to bring my father's horse when I made the long trek from Pennsylvania. I saddled up my horse and rode off into the woods at a full gallop appreciating the thrill of the wind on my face. Riding like this made me forget my troubles and my worries for at least a few moments.