Epilogue
Christy and Neil spent their lives living one another in Cutter Gap. Only two short years after the birth of their daughter, World War 1 invaded their peaceful world and stole the isolation that the families of the gap had so enjoyed. Ruby Mae Morrison had spent much of her time learning nursing from Miss Alice. In 1917, she volunteered with the American Red Cross and was sent far away from Cutter Gap to the city of Paris to assist in the war effort there. She often sent letters to Christy about the wonder of living in the city. Always an optimist, Ruby Mae wrote only of the joy and wonder she saw, she never spoke of the devastation that she must have witnessed. On a warm spring day in 1918 the MacNeills' received a telegram. Ruby Mae Morrison had been killed while caring for the wounded during a raid on the city. She was 20 years old.
Also involved in the terrible fighting was Rob and Creed Allen. Creed had been eager to see the world and join in the fighting. To the young man it had seemed like a great adventure. Rob had agreed to go along to watch over his little brother. They were also to see action in France. The boys came home victorious but broken. Creed stayed only a short time before finding work in Pittsburg in the steel mills and never married. Rob took over the mill from his father and married Mountie O'Teale. Rob was so devastated by the horrors he had seen he would speak to no one about the war. Despite his earlier success as a writer, Rob Allen never wrote again.
Although Americas' involvement in the First World War had been brief, the families of Cutter Gap carried the scars forever. They lived with them and were stronger in some ways because of them. Three new graves were dug as a result of the fighting. In addition to Ruby Mae, Orter Ball O'Teale was killed in action and Issac McHone died in a London hospital of pneumonia.
In 1929 the cove was devastated by the death of Alice Henderson due to influenza and pneumonia. Families from as far away as Raven's Gap and Lufty Branch traveled to Cutter Gap to pay their last respects to the beloved missionary. She was laid to rest next to her daughter.
Like the families of Cutter Gap, Christy and Neil bore their hardships and their joys. Their daughter, Alicia Jules Kathryn MacNeill, had the same gift for teaching that her parents did. She went to college at Vanderbilt University in Nashville and returned to teach at the mission. In 1919, Christy and Neil had a son, Robert Neil William MacNeill. In 1937, with the threat of a Second World War bearing down on the world, he ran away one night and joined the Navy. Robbie, as he was called, always had wanderlust for faraway places. He was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
"Dad?" Robbie looked on his father's weary face. The last few months had taken a harsh toll on his beloved father. So many times he had regretted the hurt he caused his parents when he ran away. Robbie was sure he had destroyed all relationship with his parents, but he should have known better. When he returned to Cutter Gap after the attack left him with a barely functioning left leg, he was welcomed home with open arms. His father's response to his son's question of forgiveness was, "I was once a prodigal son, too." Now Robbie had to be strong for his father. He placed his hands on his father's shoulders. He couldn't tear his eyes away from his parent's bedroom. "I came from Lufty Branch as soon as you called."
"You should have waited until after services. Won't your congregation miss you?" Neil reached up and took his hand and held it tight.
"How's mom?" He could see the tears running down his father's cheeks. It had been a long year since his mother had been diagnosed. His father, who even at the age of 75 still seemed so robust and vibrant, had suddenly become an old man.
"Alicia is sitting with her now." Neil couldn't bring himself to speak the truth; he feared that by saying she was dying that she would truly die. He couldn't live without her. How could he go on, alone, in this cabin? The true impact of her life and the meaning of her death caused Neil to weep with uncontrollable sobs. "Robbie, I can't..."
"You always told me to have hope." He knelt next to him and wrapped his arms around his father.
"She was my hope, son." Neil accepted the embrace and leaned heavily on his shoulder.
The sound of the bedroom door opening drew their attention. "Daddy, she's awake. She wants to see you."
Neil made his way as quickly as possible and knelt beside his wife's bed and took her hand. It was the same bed he had brought her home to as a new bride, the same bed she had borne his children in, now it was the bed she would leave him in. She was so frail and small, the effects of disease ravaging her body so there was almost nothing left. Her hair fell about her pillow in a mass of silver and even now, smelled of roses. "Christy."
She opened her eyes, once so alive and vibrant now reflected the pain that tore through her body. Through it all, she had clung to hope. Now, she just wanted to go home. To be free of pain and the struggle it cost her just to draw breath. The pain in Neil's eyes was more than she could bear. She didn't want to go, she wanted to stay, to comfort him and be with him. "Neil. I love you." She whispered hoarsely.
"Christy, please don't go." Neil pleaded. He knew her strength was gone and that her life was coming to an end. It was more than he could bear.
Christy closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep. She must not leave; Neil would need her. A silent prayer hung on her lips. "Please, God, I need to live for Neil. He needs me."
"Daddy." Alicia knelt beside him and laid her hand on his shoulder. "Daddy, please. She is staying for you. Don't you see? Let her go. Please, Daddy."
Neil turned his head and he felt as though he was looking at his darling wife the day she first came to Cutter Gap. The day she literally stumbled into his life. Alicia looked so very much like Christy. "I can't."
"Dad, you have to." Robbie put his hand on his father's shoulder and stood beside him.
Neil knew they were right. Somehow, he was holding her here. "Christy, lass.
Drawn from her restless sleep by his tender call Christy opened her eyes to him again. She could see the presence in the corner of her room; feel the light and the warmth even as she fought against it. With all her strength, she forced herself to focus on Neil. "Yes."
"I have to let you go." Neil brushed his hand across her cheek and felt the tears there. "I love you. We must have hope."
"Hope?" She questioned.
"Hope that love lasts forever. I will love you always. I know that I will be with you again someday in paradise." Neil laid his head next to her and breathed the rose scent from her hair.
"Neil, I see an angel." Christy felt his tears falling upon her cheeks and she longed to comfort him. It was time. His words of hope had finally released her of her struggle to remain in her earthly body. Her memory flew through the years to the death of Zady Spencer and to the angel that carried her home. "I want to go home, Neil."
"Take his hand, love." Neil could feel the love and warmth of the Father surrounding them. The hope of eternity filled his aching heart. "Go home, I will be there someday. Know that I love you, always."
Neil felt her pain end even as he spoke the words. He laid his head against her chest as she breathed her last. Despite the joy of her release, he wept. He clung to the hope that it would not be too long before he joined his lass in Paradise. Forever.