Morning came quickly to the little farm in Brandywine. Catherine's day started when the rooster crowed and ended when the supper dishes were washed. That morning she woke up alone. James had gone to Harrisburg to trade with merchants and she wasn't expecting him home until late. The air in the house what cool at that time, and she shivered as she pulled on her house dress and combed her hair. Downstairs she started a fire in the cook stove and went about making breakfast.

"Johnny!" she called upstairs.

Catherine still hadn't gotten used to Sara not coming down the stairs and she didn't suppose she ever would. Nowadays the days were quiet and long. In the past, Sara would always be around to chatter with about everything. Ever since Sara had left, the silence had been overpowering and sometimes it was so big that it was scary. Even when the baby had been around, the farm had been full of life and laughter. It wasn't that she was unhappy with it being her and Johnny and James, but she needed a female companion.

"Mama, I have to go bring the fish traps in," Johnny said as he pulled the front door open.

Catherine turned around and pointed her wooden spoon. "After breakfast," she said. "I won't have you going hungry."

Johnny made a face and pulled his chair out from under the table. Catherine set down a bowl of oatmeal for him and he ate quietly. The quiet was so loud that he bothered her to no end.

"I sure do miss Sara," Catherine sighed as she wiped her hands on her apron.

Johnny chewed quietly. He wasn't going to admit that he missed his cousin just as much. He missed the little arguments that he would start on purpose. He missed how his mother didn't let him have candy, but when he went up the hill to Sara's house, she gave him lemon drops. He also thought that Gil was the neatest person in the world because he met Indians.

"You can go visit her, mama," Johnny said.

Catherine wiped her eyes. "Yeah, I know," then she put the dishes in the dish pan. "I am going to see about the post. Don't get into trouble."

Upstairs, Catherine put on her best dress and put her hair in a bun. It was usually James's doing to get the post, but today she wanted to go. She put on her dress shoes and at last, she tied on her bonnet. Outside the sun was painting the sky a pinkish blue, a sure sign that the day would be beautiful. To keep her dress and shoes clean, she stayed off the dusty dirt road and held her skirts above her shoe tops.

"Hullo, Mrs. Brass," a man said as his took his hat off.

Catherine nodded to him. "Good morning," she said.

"How is Dr. Brass?" he asked.

Catherine smiled." He is just fine," she said. "He is in Harrisburg today."

"Be sure to tell him I said hullo," he said. "How is Sara?"

Every man in town was smitten with Sara, but never came to court her. Catherine was glad too. Most of them men were old drunks who would never be good enough for her. When she had first noticed Gil's admiration for her niece, she had nearly chased him away with a broom. James had assured her that Gil was a good man, so she had let nature take its course. In the end she was glad she did; Thomas meant so much to her.

"I better be along," she said as she turned towards town.

At the post office, there was a small wait. The post master handed out packages letters to women who were waiting to hear from their men. A letter from Nick would be a pleasant surprise for her. She worried about him so. Out of the corner of her eye, Mandy walked out with a letter and a smile on her face. Mandy was a dear girl and she hoped that Nick felt smitten with her. When it was her turn, the post master handed her a single letter. She turned it over in her hand and was delighted because it was from Sara. She tucked it into her handbag and made her way to the grocers where she bought some more coffee.

O~O

"Open it mama," Johnny said.

Catherine had waited until after James got home to open Sara's letter. She wanted the family to share it together. When he still didn't come home when the clock struck eight, Johnny begged her to open it.

"Alright," she said with a smile.

She slid open the envelope with a hairpin and withdrew the letter. It was a long letter and Sara's delicate cursive filled the pages.

Dear Family,

We are at our new home! Gil surprised me and he bought us our own furniture to go in the front room. The kitchen here is so big that I barley have enough things to fill it up with. My neighbors are all nice, except for Mr. Crabtree. My days are very quiet now since I left the farm. Gil goes to the college every day to prepare for his teaching term. Did you know that I had no idea what subject he taught? It turns out, he teaches about insects! Can you believe there is a whole profession dedicated to insects? Thomas seems to like it here. There is a swing out front and we swing together every day. I sure do miss going bare footed. In the city, people don't go without shoes. My feet have to stay cramped in my black boots all day long! I miss you all so much. I miss talking with Aunt Catherine and sewing by the fire. Sewing alone is such a hassle now. I think Gil misses the farm too, but he doesn't say it. I have heard him say that "the city isn't a place where someone can think in private". If he doesn't like it, then why did he move us here. I know he makes a good living now, but I miss my home! We think that Hank paired up with a female dog down the road, because Hank goes missing a lot and she is pregnant. I hope we don't have to care for a litter of puppies, Gil wouldn't like that. Everything is such a shorter distance to walk to and we never run out of things we need. Well, I better go before this letter gets too heavy. I love you all and am waiting until we can visit each other.

Sara

Catherine set down the letter and wiped her eyes. Knowing that Sara missed her too made time a little more bearable. She folded the letter up and slid it into her apron pocket.

"Time for bed," she said.

O~O

August 1780

Sara waited in line at the post office for any letters from Aunt Catherine. It had been a few weeks since she had sent hers and she was expecting a response any day now. In her arms, Thomas fussed and wanted to be put down.

"Oh Thomas," Sara said as she switched arms. "Stop fussing."

Thomas stuck his lip and arched his back, trying to get out of her arms. Sara stepped up to the counter and waited while the post man looked for a letter.

"Here you go," he said as he handed her a white letter.

Sara stuck it in her pocket and carried a squirming Thomas outside. There weren't many women who carried their babies around the city and Sara thought she was being ridiculed by pairs of eyes. She didn't care because it was natural for a baby to squirm. Thomas though he had places to be and Sara wanted him walking before she was with child again.

"Good afternoon," a man said as he nodded to her.

Sara nodded, but didn't stop to talk. The letter in her pocket felt heavy and the urge to read it sent her home in a hurry. Once she keyed into the house, she set Thomas down and he scooted off. The floor was his favorite place to be, but you had to keep everything out of his reach. She sat down in the window seat and opened the letter with Gil's letter opener.

Dear Sara,

It was so good to hear from you. My days have been lonely here since you have left and I miss Thomas more than anything. I am so glad to hear that you like your new house. It sounds beautiful and I can't wait to see it. I know it is hard to leave home, but Gil wants to give you and Thomas the best. You are very blessed to be married to man who can provide fine things for you. I know how you feel about having to wear shoes all day. When I lived in New York, my boots gave me blisters. How is Thomas doing? Is he walking yet? When children begin to walk they turn into hoodlums and they are able to out run you. Always keep a thin rope around his waist and tie it to your wrist and he won't be able to get far. I remember when Johnny had first started to walk and he got into everything he could reach! One day, he even climbed into the wood box! We all miss you here too, even John, though he doesn't say it. I saw Mandy in the post office today; she was gripping a letter pretty tightly and had a smile on her face. I am wondering if Nick didn't write her. Well, I must go see about supper. Come visit soon.

Aunt Catherine.

Sara set down the letter and dabbed her eyes. She missed her family and wanted to go home. The clocked chimed and Sara straightened herself up to prepare dinner. School would start in a few short weeks and then Gil wouldn't be coming home for dinner. She wanted to make the most of their time before he was too busy. Thomas had fallen asleep on the floor so Sara picked him up and laid him in his bed.