Broken Hearts
The children had only a week to prepare for their departure on the orphan train. Marty had listlessly begun to do as she was told for preparation, but she still did not want to go. She thought about saying she was still sick, but she feared what they would do to her if she lied.
All of the children had baths. They were given clean clothes which consisted of three outfits and undergarments. Marty was given a new pretty blue dress. Her hair was brushed until it sparkled and she was given silk ribbons for her hair. Miss March, the lady who worked at the Children's Home, washed Sara Beth's clothes and mended them. She cleaned and re-braided Sara Beth's yarn hair so Sara Beth would be ready for the trip, but Marty still did not want to go. All she could do was stare off sadly into space, missing Todd.
Why had he left her? She hated it. She hated that he had just dropped her off at the Children's home; not that she didn't like Miss March. Honestly, Miss March was very kind and had been nothing but nice to Marty and Sara Beth. But she wasn't Todd. He had been her everything. She had trusted him with her secrets, but he had just left her. Mommy, Daddy, Mrs. Mendalhall, and Todd, the ones she loved the most, had just left her. It wasn't fair!
She wasn't getting on that train! She wasn't going! She wanted to go back to Todd, but she knew she couldn't find him. The apartment building where they had lived was many blocks away and it was freezing outside. Marty didn't even have a coat. She had no other choice but to get on the train with Miss March and the other children.
"Dear God," Marty said softly as she folded her little hands in prayer. "Please let me and Sara Beth get what we want." She still hoped for Todd. She prayed that he would one day find her again.
At that point, that's all she had; that tiny scrap of hope that one day, she would be reunited with Todd. She loved him...and he loved her, too. He had told her that he loved her. Love was forever. As long as there was love, she had hope in her heart.
The day came when all of the children were going to board the orphan train. They were travelling to two different cities in hopes they would be adopted. It was going to be a long journey and most of the children were excited, but some of them were scared.
Marty was neither of those things; she was just sad. If she left Boston, she was leaving Todd. She never wanted that. She had wanted to stay with him forever. At the station she stood in line with the other kids, and she just felt so sad. She had a suitcase and Sara Beth clutched in her arms. This was it; she was going to be getting on that train.
"Come along, Marty ~ dear," said Miss March as she took Marty's hand. "We can't miss the train."
Marty stepped on the train with Miss March and the other children. Everyone was scrambling to find their seats. Marty just stared out the window, looking forlorn.
"Good bye, Todd," Marty said sadly. She placed her hand on the window, staring outside of the train with her blue eyes clouded with sorrow.
The train conductor called out, "All Aboard!"
A few more people rushed up to the platform. At the last minute, they were trying to get on the train. One little boy pushed his way through the crowd, but he didn't have a ticket. "I am supposed to get on the orphan train!" the child insisted.
Miss March came forward, thinking that one of the children had gotten separated from the others in her care. She spoke to the train conductor and the boy was allowed to board the train.
Marty wasn't watching when Miss March came down the aisle. She was still looking out the window, thinking of Todd. Suddenly, the train lurched, and they were off. Marty's heart broke into a million pieces.
"Marty, I am here," she heard a voice say.
She looked up to see Todd.
"Todd!" Marty squealed. Her blue eyes went wide. "You're here?"
Todd nodded. "I couldn't leave you," he said. He reached for her, hugging her so tight. ""I can't say goodbye to you, so I'm going along. We'll go on the orphan train together."
"But.. but..." Marty stuttered.
"Our first stop is Llanview, Pennsylvania. My uncle lives in Llanview. I'm going to find him," Todd stated.
"Maybe I will find a home in Llanview with parents who will love me, too," Marty spoke hopefully.
"You deserve a good home," Todd said.
"Sit down, children. It's going to be a long ride," said Miss March.
Marty sit down next to Todd, holding his hand. She was so happy now. She was wearing her new, pretty blue dress. She and Sara Beth were going to Llanview to look for a new home. Todd was going, too. She was able to smile again.
Their greatest adventures were yet to come...
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This story is going on hiatus for awhile now... not sure how long, but I need to plot more of it, so that is all I have for now. I appreciate all the reviews. I loved reading and receiving them. I will try to get this plotted as soon as I can, but my schedule will be very hectic this coming week; then the week after, I have a lot to deal with concerning my son. Thanks again!