Chapter 5

Boston

Wednesday 1st October, 1873

He walked in the very wide corridor, a plan of the University in his hand. He was looking for lecture room 24, but was quite lost. Without knowing where he was walking, he bumped straight on in someone as he rounded corner. Both fell backward on the floor. When he looked up to see in whom he had bumped, he held his breath. He was looking at the most beautiful lady he had ever seen. He didn't know what to say, such that he didn't even get up from the floor. He was really confused, just by looking at her. Then he realized what had been going on for the last few minutes and got up. He reached out his hand to help her up. She accepted his help and gave him her hand. They were the most delicate ones he had ever seen and again was left speechless. She was the first one to speak.

"I'm sorry sir" she said rather shyly, as her face reddened.

She avoided his eyes, fearing she would not succeed in taking her eyes off him.

"It's ok miss" replied Matthew, suddenly coming back in orbit"It was my fault."

"I'm Alexandra Parker, pleased to met you" she said as she held out her hand and they shook hands.

"Pleased ta meet ya. I'm Matthew Sully" he replied.

As she soon as he said his name she became agitated.

"Are you by any chance the son of the famous carpenter, Byron Sully" she asked anxiously.

He didn't understand why she was so interested in his name but replied just the same.

"Yeah, he's my father. You've heard 'bout him"

"Of course I've heard about him. All of Boston knows about your father. They say he's the best carpenter ever, and the furniture he's doing for the 'Furniture Specialists' is the most exquisite one and therefore most expensive."

Matthew couldn't believe his ears. His father was really famous here.

"Oh well, yeah he's a very good carpenter" he replied proudly.

"Are you as good as he is Mr. Sully" she asked.

"Nah, no-one is as good as my father, an' please call me Mat" he replied.

"Ok Mat, and please call me Alex, it's shorter and more convenient" she replied and was going to ask something else when a bell rang.

They were as if woken from a dream. They had forgotten that they were still in the corner between two wide corridors, with their respective suitcases on the floor and hadn't taken notice of the people looking at them as they passed by. She finally realized why the bell had rung.

"It's time I go to my lecture room" she said as she picked up her suitcase and Matthew bent down to pick up his map"You're new here aren't you" she asked seeing his map.

"Yeah, I'm new. I'm looking for lecture room no 24" he replied looking at her for help.

"But that's where I'm going! You're going to become a lawyer" she asked, obviously pleased.

"Yeah, even ya? But women aren't allowed to study law" he replied surprised.

"Oh yes they're allowed, as from this year. It's my first year" she replied, happy she would be seeing this young man frequently, as they had the same lectures at the same time.

"It's my first year too. So, will ya show me the way please" he asked a bit shy.

"Of course I know the way. My father teaches law here. In fact we'll have some lectures with him in the last year, which will be in three years' time" she said and he couldn't hide a smile. She had the sense of humor.

"Follow me" she replied as she headed in the direction from which Matthew had been coming.

She was glad he was behind her because she was afraid she would get mixed up if she looked at him beside her, and she made a mental note not to sit near him or she wouldn't pay attention during the lecture.

He followed her, and realized that he had been in front the lecture room, without knowing before! Walking behind her, he noticed her slim figure, and tall stature. He was glad they were in the same course. He knew he had fallen in love with this young lady.

Philadelphia

Wednesday 1st October, 1873

Colleen descended the stairs of the apartment. She had slept very little. It had been the couple of nights for her since 3 weeks, sleeping without Andrew by her side and she missed his company. Angela was already up and preparing breakfast. They were getting on well together. They didn't know much about each other, but promised to get to know each other during breakfast. She seemed quite an interesting lady and a good friend. They would discover the mysteries of University together, since it was their first year.

"Hello Colleen" greeted her Angela, as Colleen entered the kitchen"How are you? Did you sleep well"

"Oh good mornin' Angela. Yeah I slept rather well thanks. An' ya" asked Colleen as she sat down at the table.

"Oh I slept fine, as usual. So, did you miss Andrew" she asked suddenly, making Colleen choke in the coffee.

Colleen looked up into her eyes. This girl had the ability to read her mind.

"Well, yeah I did miss him" replied Colleen rather shyly.

"Oh, don't worry about it. It will soon pass. So, tell me about you" changed the conversation Angela.

"Well, my name is Colleen Cook, before I married Andrew my surname was Cooper. My mum is Michaela Quinn, she's a doctor..." started Colleen, only to be shortly cut off by Angela.

"... a doctor" exclaimed Angela.

"Yeah, a doctor. She studied in this same University"

"Great! That's why you want to become a doctor"

"Yeah, that's right. So, my mother is from Boston. Then there's my father. His name is Byron Sully..." continued Colleen, only to be interrupted again by Angela.

"The famous carpenter? The one just employed by 'Furniture Specialists'" asked Angela anxiously.

"Yeah, it's him. He's my father an' he's the most capable carpenter I've ever seen. He's from Colorado Springs, the town I come from. I have two brothers, a sister and another one on the way..."

'... oh how cute! Give my congratulations to your mother" said Angela, stopping Colleen for the third time.

This time, Colleen lost her temper.

"Listen" she started in a gentle tone"could ya please let me finish talkin' an' then ask your questions"

"Sure, I'm sorry. It's just that it's been a long time since I have a friend. Go on" said Angela, inviting her to continue.

"OK. So, where was I? Oh yes. Now my older brother, he's Matthew, an' he's in University in Boston studying to become a lawyer. Then there's Brian. He's my youngest brother. He's in his last year of school this year. Next year he'll go ta College. Then there's my dear sister Katie. She's only some 2 years old and she's such a dear. I hope ma has another girl! Now, any questions" she asked Angela as she finished.

"Oh yes, I have a couple of questions. Now, number one, how did your mother and father meet"

"Well, my mother came in Colorado Springs to fill in the vacancy of a doctor. There she got ta know my father, they fell in love, an' the rest is history" replied Colleen.

"Oh, interesting. Now, you said your maiden name was Cooper, but your father's surname is Sully, how can that be?' asked Angela.

Colleen's face saddened and turned pale. Angela noticed this and wished she hadn't asked the question, fearing she had asked a too personal question, even if she couldn't imagine why. After some time, Colleen lifted her face and looked at Angela as she spoke.

"Well, my mother an' father aren't my real parents. My biological mother, Charlotte, died some 7 years ago after a snake bit her, when I was still little. My adoptive mother, Michaela, was the doctor there at the time, and before dying, Charlotte asked Michaela to take care of me an' my two brothers. Nowadays, I find it difficult to call Michaela by her name, cause I'm used ta call her ma, an' she's the best mother a person could have..." Colleen said, but stopped as she was about to start speaking of her father, because the rage started building inside her.

"... then there's my biological father, that son of a bitch of Ethan. He left us alone, when me an' my brothers were little. He went away, an' returned only when we were livin' happily with ma an' pa ta take us away, but they didn't let him do it. An' so here we are, all happily together, but obviously I, Mat an' Brian have Ethan's surname which is Cooper" finished Colleen.

"... that's interesting. You seem to have the most extraordinary parents in the world! So, in reality, only Katie is the 'real' daughter of your parents"

"Yeah, that's right. Now it's your turn, if ya haven't any questions" said Colleen looking at the clock, but realizing they had still 45 minutes, before it was time to leave.

"Well, I had only one more question if you don't mind" replied Angela"how did you meet Andrew, and for how long have you been married"

"Andrew is from Boston. When my mother was about ta have Katie, my grandma arrived from Boston, with a young doctor to help ma give birth, since she was the only doctor in the town. I got ta know him there, an' we fell in love. He was employed by the hotel's manager to be the hotel's doctor. We've been married for three weeks" finished explained Colleen.

"Interesting! Only three weeks! No wonder you miss him! Now it's my turn. Well my father is a doctor, Peter Walker. He has a hospital in Boston named after him, and it's very luxurious. It's the main hospital in Boston and I wanted to become a doctor to help him. My mother, Claire, is a normal lady, living at home, and sometimes going out with some friends. She's not as interesting as your mother. I have only a small brother called Jonathan. He's only 6 years old, and he's such a dear boy" finished Angela.

Colleen noticed immediately that Angela's family was an ordinary one, and now understood why Angela had been so interesting in hearing more about her family.

"Do ya have a fiancée waiting for ya at home" asked Colleen curiously.

"Sure! He's Manuel Collier. He's a soldier in the army! I am constantly fearing he'll die in some conflict with the Indians" Angela replied sadly"we'll marry as soon as I finish University in three years' time! I am inviting you to the wedding" she replied excitedly.

"Thanks for your offer, even if it's a bit early" replied Colleen and they both laughed.

She looked up at the clock and saw they had to go.

"We have ta go now, or we'll arrive late the first day, an' we still have to find the lecture rooms" said Colleen.

They tidied up and prepared to go for the first time to University.

Colorado Springs

Friday 3rd October, 1873

Jake started unloading his wagon from the wood he had brought with him. Today was the great day. He was going to start building his house finally. He looked around him, at the blank and empty space on which he was standing, and imagined his new two-storey house! Just then, horse-hooves could be heard, and he knew his help had arrived.

"Mornin' Hank" greeted him Jake as Hank descended from his horse.

"Mornin' Jake. So, how are we gonna begin" he asked as he took off his coat and hat and took the hammer in his hands.

"Well, I think, by plannin' how the rooms are gonna be, I mean, how big an' the rest" replied Jake.

"Seems ta me as a nice start. Do ye have any idea how the rooms are gonna be"

"Yeah, sure. I've been plannin' it for a long while now" replied Jake as he showed Hank his plan of the house.

Hank stared blankly at it as he swallowed hard.

"An' we are supposed to build that house" asked Hank astonishingly. Jake stared back at him.

"Sure! It's my house. Oh com'on. We'll manage, ye'll see" replied Jake as he started lifting another plank from the wagon and putting it on the ground.

Hank got the tools and spread them out.

"I read a book once on how ta plan the rooms. We have ta put small pieces of wood in the ground, and tie chord to them, showin' the rooms" said Hank.

"Great, then that's what we'll do" replied Jake, as he started sawing small pieces of wood.

Hank continued to unload the wood, and place it all upon each other, dividing them according to their type.

Suddenly a loud shout of pain could be heard coming from Jake's side and Hank ran up to him. What he saw frightened him. Jake's left hand was covered in blood and he was holding it with the right one.

"Let's git ya to the clinic" said Hank as he put on his coat and hat and put Jake in his own wagon.

He took the driver's seat and drove off to town. As he neared town, Michaela was just stepping on the porch to enter the clinic and she saw Hank approaching driving madly.

"Dr. Mike" Hank shouted as he stopped the wagon and approached Jake sitting at the back helping him get down"He's hurt his hand with the saw" he explained to Michaela as they entered the clinic and she directed to him to lay Jake on the examination table.

"How exactly did it happen" she asked.

Jake was whimpering in pain.

"Well, he was sawin' some wood, and then I heard him cry out in pain, an' I brought him here" replied Hank, babbling it all out.

"OK, thanks Hank. Could you please call Col..." started Michaela, only to remember that Colleen was there no more to help her. "Call Dorothy please Hank" added Michaela.

Hank nodded and left the clinic, returning shortly afterwards with Dorothy at his heels.

"I'm here Michaela, what can I do" asked Dorothy.

Michaela nodded to Hank to leave the clinic and then turned to Jake.

"Now Jake, I'll have to wash that wound and it'll hurt a bit" said Michaela, 'Here Dorothy, hold this please" she added as she handed Dorothy a bowl and poured in it some disinfectant, proceeding to wash Jake's deep wound.

Colorado Springs

Tuesday 7th October, 1873

Sully was busily working on a table in his workshop, when Cloud Dancing entered. He looked round him, exploring the place.

"Haho brother" greeted him Cloud Dancing.

"Long time no seen" replied sully as he went over to Cloud Dancing and they hugged each other"Where have ya been"

"I went for a short expedition up north to reflect on what to do, now that I am free and live alone in my tepee" replied Cloud Dancing.

"But ya'll be lonely like that" replied Sully concerned.

"I have no choice" replied Cloud Dancing, as he walked round the workshop"Nice workshop"

"Thanks. I have a lot ta do" replied Sully as he directed himself to the bench on which stood the table he was working on.

"The spirits told me of your new job and of the place you were working in, so I came to have a look. I have to go and tell Dorothy I'm back now. If you need any help just come to see me in the tent, it's not far off from the cave you used to hide in" replied Cloud Dancing as he directed himself to the door.

"Bye, an' take care" replied Sully.

Cloud Dancing started to exit when he tuned back and looked at Sully who had returned to his work, and he noticed his troubled look.

"You're worried about the children aren't you" asked Cloud Dancing from the doorway.

Sully looked up to face him, ceasing to work.

"Yeah, I am. It's already been a week since they left, an' not one of them has written. Ye know how Michaela gits worried, an' now I'm getting' worried too" replied Sully concerned.

"The spirits say they're all-right, so don't worry" comforted him Cloud Dancing.

"Thanks a lot" replied Sully sounding relieved as Cloud Dancing exited the workshop.

Colorado Springs

Thursday 9th October, 1873

Grace gets down from the examination table and finishes buttoning her shirt, letting out a sigh.

"Is something troubling you Grace" Michaela asks.

"Yes, I'm afraid I'll have a miscarriage" Grace replies looking at Michaela.

"Oh no, there's nothing to worry about. Everything will be fine."

"An' if I do have a miscarriage? What do I do then"

"Well, there's only one thing to do. You have to cope with it" Michaela replies, remembering the time, not long ago, when she too had had a miscarriage.

"An' is it difficult to cope with it" Grace asks, not remembering that Michaela had suffered a miscarriage some time ago.

"It's still difficult Grace" Michaela replies, not quiet answering her question, but talking about her own pain.

Grace remembers of what had happened to Michaela, and wishes she had not said what she had just said.

"Oh I'm sorry Michaela. I forgot" replied Grace saddened"You are a very lucky lady"

"Thanks Grace" replies Michaela smiling"I would not live through another miscarriage"

"So what would ya like ta have, a boy or a girl" asks Grace.

"Oh it doesn't matter, as long as it's healthy. I already have two boys and two girls, so it doesn't really matter."

"I want a big strong boy like Robert E. An' what would Sully like"

"I don't know. I think a son, to carry on his name."

"So we're both asking for boys" replies Grace and they both laugh.

End of Chapter 5