"And so that's how I came to meet Ms. Dawson." John finished his story as he took another bite of a biscuit.
Rose looked up at him and smiled curtly before looking back down at her dinner. She tried very hard not to eat it too fast but her stomach almost cried out in protest.
"So Rose, it is Rose right?" Mary Calvert acknowledged Rose as she nodded, "Where is it that you come from?"
Rose bit her lip as she set her glass down and looked up, "Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin."
"You are very far from home here in Pennsylvania. May I ask what you are doing here?" Mary asked as she passed the butter to her brother who Rose caught staring at her. He looked away the minute their eyes locked.
"My husband, Jack and I moved from Wisconsin to start a family here when he became very ill. He passed away and I didn't have any money or any family. So I just walked wondering what would become of me when your gracious brother here found me and insisted that I come here." Rose swallowed back the tears as she spoke of Jack.
Mary stopped in mid motion and went pale, "I am so sorry Rose. I shouldn't have asked. I did not know."
"No it is okay, Mary. I have come to accept it." Rose went back to eating and the rest of dinner was eaten in silence. Mary insisted on doing the dishes and told John to show Rose to her room.
John walked up the small staircase. He turned to the left and came to a small wooden door. He opened it and let Rose in. She walked past the door and into a small quaint room. The walls were a warm peach and the bed was covered in a pretty floral pattern that suited Rose just fine. She turned to John.
"Thank you. This will do just fine."
John smiled to her and nodded his head, "There are a few old dresses of Mary's in the drawers over there if you need something to wear. If you need anything else, anything at all just call for me, Ms. Dawson."
"Please, call me Rose."
"Rose." He let it sit between his lips tasting it before he spoke again, "I will take you into town tomorrow to help get you some supplies to get settled in. Good night."
Rose sat on the small bed as John closed the door. Feeling light and tired, she climbed into the bed not even taking off her dress. Within moments, she was asleep.
The sun peeked in through the curtains washing over Rose beckoning her to wake up. The smell of bacon and eggs permeated the air. Rose slowly got up and went over to the drawers to find something to wear.
Mary Calvert placed linen over the bacon as she went back to the counter to grab the pitcher of juice. John walked in and smiled.
"Sister, I swear you'd wake the whole town with your cooking if it was closer." John walked over to the table and picked up the linen covering the bacon and reached for a piece.
Mary smacked his hand with a spoon, "You will do no such thing until Rose is here, John. For heaven's sake where are your manners?" Sheepishly John pulled back his hand and sat down. Mary brought over his silverware.
"Speaking of Rose, is she up yet?" John asked as he reached for a cup. Mary shook her head but then stopped when Rose appeared in the doorway dressed in a plain blue gown.
"Morning, come sit down. I've made breakfast." Mary motioned to the table. Rose nodded and sat down silently. The whole breakfast was conversant by John and Mary. Rose ate her breakfast in silence and left her thoughts to herself. When she finished she excused herself and went outside.
Mary watched her leave the table, "That poor girl." John looked up at her as well. Grabbing one last piece of bacon he followed Rose out into the back farm.
Rose walked out for a bit before she stopped and knelt down. The wind nipped at her nose and the sun warmed her arms. John stopped behind her as she knelt. He didn't know whether he should intrude or not. Before deciding, she spoke, "Have you ever lost someone close John?"
John walked closer and sat up next to her, "Yes I have. My mother and my Father both passed this past year; left this whole farm to me and my sister."
"I never really lost anyone before except my father but he was not home very much. Sometimes I feel like it is not real and that maybe if I keep waiting, he'll just show up." Rose turned to face John. A single tear fell down her pale face. John timidly took her hand and squeezed it. She squeezed back.