Chapter 8

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In the days following the lecture, Colleen was more homesick than ever. Talking with the woman doctors had brightened her spirits somewhat, but it was a short reprieve from the larger issues of Andrew's rejection and her worry of her family at home. Thus, for Colleen, Boston had become a daily reminder of all that she didn't have.

She didn't have Andrew.

She didn't have her family.

She didn't have Becky.

The only thing Colleen had in Boston was her grandmother, and that was no longer enough.

And then, of course, came June 21 - Andrew's birthday.

Colleen had sent a card. It would have been rude not to, seeing as how they were in the same city, and it would have been ridiculous to pretend that she would have forgotten what day it was. But deciding how to sign the message had been dispiriting. In the end, all she could come up with was 'Your friend, Colleen'. Because that's all there was to their relationship. She couldn't say 'fondly' or 'affectionately' or even a simple 'yours' because she wasn't any of those things to him.

At breakfast that morning, Colleen told Elizabeth that she would be cutting her trip short rather than stay through the end of July as she had initially planned. She had only intended to remain that long because of Andrew, and that reason no longer existed. Not that she told her grandmother that. Fortunately, the troubles at home provided an equally valid excuse to leave.

"Grandma, I've decided to go home. I want to leave after church on Sunday."

"But I thought Michaela said you should remain here where it's safer?" Elizabeth protested.

"She did. But it's not right that I'm safe and they're not. And I should be there to help look after Katie."

Her grandmother sighed. "I understand, Colleen. When it comes to family, you never stop worrying. Take Marjorie, refusing to settle down. It wasn't enough for her to join the suffrage movement and carry on indiscreetly with that married man. Now she's written from Ohio to say she plans to gallivant across the country preaching temperance. And poor Rebecca, likely soon to be a widow, and knowing how difficult that will be for her." Elizabeth paused. "If you really wish to return to Colorado Springs, Colleen, I can't stop you. I couldn't stop Michaela from returning, so why should you be any different?"

"Thanks, Grandma, for understanding."

They resumed eating their breakfasts.

"Will you be seeing Andrew again to tell him you're leaving?"

Instead of replying, the tears welled up in Colleen's eyes.

"Oh, Colleen…" Elizabeth set her fork down to place a comforting hand on her granddaughter's. "You're not leaving simply because of what's been happening in Colorado Springs."

"Today's his birthday," Colleen said dejectedly.

Elizabeth sighed again. "I'm sorry, Colleen, that things haven't worked out with Andrew the way you were hoping they would. Perhaps one day you'll see things differently and find another young man who captures your fancy. But until then, remember that life has so much to offer you. You still have another year of college to look forward to, and medical school after that. And today I'm taking you to the concert on the Common. There's nothing like fresh air and music to lift the spirit."

Colleen responded with a small smile and returned to her meal. Fresh air and music did sound good - particularly in that she'd soon be stuck on a train for several days on her journey back to Colorado Springs. And then she would be home, with her family, helping them through Sully's troubles. She would be surrounded by people she knew, people she loved – people who loved her in return. And hopefully her grandmother was right - someday, there would be someone special just for her. Sully had said so that time she'd had a crush on him. Dr. Mike had said so when she'd gone off to college. If that special someone wasn't meant to be Andrew... well, then, maybe Colleen just had to give it more time, as disappointing and disheartening as that might be at present.

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That afternoon, Colleen and Elizabeth joined hundreds of others on Boston Common for an outdoor concert. The circular bandstand had benches on one side for those who required a regular seat, with the remaining perimeter and farther reaches dotted by picnic blankets. Colleen sat with Elizabeth on one of the benches. She had decided to wear her red dress with the white buttons, but rather than pin her hair up she had opted to wear her hair down in a more casual style, twisted on the sides and gathered with a barrette. She was still young enough she didn't need to pin it up all the time. And really, with Andrew out of the picture, there was no one to pin her hair up for.

Though the music was pleasant enough, Colleen found her mind wandering as the concert went on. The brass band reminded her of when the railroad had first come to Colorado Springs and her grandmother and aunts had stepped off the train, come to town for Dr. Mike's wedding to Sully. That was a happy memory, remembering that time. And the good memories lasted until the band struck up another tune that Colleen recognized from another event - the groundbreaking ceremony for Preston's hotel last summer in Colorado Springs. The ceremony Andrew had escorted her to. And then there had been the fight between Horace and Hank, and Preston had ended up covered in mud – which only reminded Colleen of Andrew's own fall in the mud upon his arrival in town. He had shrugged it off, and the two of them had become good friends…

The sound of applause broke Colleen out of her reverie. She applauded politely, and belatedly realized that that had been the last tune, as people were standing up around her, leaving.

"Well, that was a pleasant diversion," said Elizabeth before getting to her feet. Colleen rose also. "I see Mrs. Perkins is in attendance. Colleen, would you mind if I spoke with her before we leave? She's on the committee for the fourth of July festivities. I'll just be a few minutes."

"Sure, Grandma." No sooner were the words out of her mouth than there was a familiar voice behind her.

His voice.

"Mrs. Quinn, Colleen. What a coincidence."

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