"Oof" I landed flat on my back.
I knew I was alone before I opened my eyes and even as I told myself not to cry I felt tears on my cheeks.
I stayed still and stared at the back of my eyelids hoping the nausea would calm. It didn't calm; I sat up and vomited. I wiped my mouth with my sleeve and took a small delight in the rudeness. I rolled away from the sick but I stayed on the ground.
What if I just went back… I thought as I stared at that damn stone. The stone that had taken me from two husbands. Frank. Damn. I knew I was going back on the promise I made Jamie, and truthfully, I knew before I even got all the way through that damn stone. I could never go back to Frank. If I went back to my family right now it would be in the middle of the battle and I couldn't do that to the little bit of Jamie that I was entrusted to keep safe; our child. That damn stone; I appreciated that it took me to Jamie but it also took me away from him.
Thinking of the child I would have, I somehow found the energy to get up. I looked around...definitely not where I came from, no Jamie, no sounds of war starting. I started walking down the hill and saw the road. An ugly blacktop that covered the ground. I made it out the road, picked a direction and started walking.
And I kept crying.
Get it together Beauchamp. You're doing this for the baby. Focus on having a child, I told myself.
After what felt like miles and many reminders of why I was here instead of tending to the wounded at Culloden Moor I heard an automobile motor and I froze. The sound was so foreign to me it felt like I had been gone for decades, not just three years.
I turned around and looked at the automobile, which had stopped behind me. The driver got out and stood there staring at me for a moment.
I broke the awkward moment by asking, "What year is it?"
"What?" He turned his head sideways like he was trying to hear me better.
"What year is it?" I asked as loud as my painful head allowed.
"1948. Are ye alright?" The man had asked.
I sat right there on the road before my legs gave way and started crying again; thick heavy sobs that tugged at the little energy I had left. I knew right after I went through the stone that he was gone from me. I knew laying on that hill he was gone, but hearing the year out loud was so confirming that it physically hurt.
I think the man who drove the car thought I was a lunatic. He helped me into his vehicle and when I didn't answer his questions he took me to a hospital, thankfully, instead of an asylum or sanitarium.
When the car stopped the man kept clearing his throat and I looked at him. He nodded to the front window and I saw the hospital.
I remember thinking, this is a good idea, I could use a hospital so I got out of the car. By the time I turned to thank the man he was gone.
I went in and gave my name as Fraser before I corrected myself and said Randall. It was such a difficult thing to do; I was used to calling myself Claire Fraser with pride and belonging. Saying the word Randall made me think of Black Jack. A man I hoped would die soon if he wasn't already dead. I then reminded myself he's been dead for a long time.
Consciously, I knew the battle was over two hundred years ago but it didn't feel that way. It felt like it was going on just over the hill, or through a door.
"Mrs. Randall." I heard and looked around for Mary for a few seconds before realizing there were calling me.
I made nice with the Nurse and peed in a cup, gave blood, all the things they like to check. I had been admitted to the hospital because, as the Nurse told me, I was dehydrated and in need of care.
The nurse had just left after settling me in a bed when a Doctor barged in the room. He was barrel chested and I got myself to one side of the bed looking for a weapon before I reminded myself he was unlikely to hurt me.
"Hmmm, skittish." He murmured and wrote something down on his clipboard. I held my head high, I am a Fraser, no matter what name I have to use.
The barrel chest sat down, thankfully, in the farthest chair. He looked at me for a long moment.
"You're about 2 months pregnant," he said. "Did you know?"
His tone was accusatory and I didn't think I had to answer but inwardly I sighed with relief. The baby had made it through the stones!
"I've called your Husband and we will be keeping you until he can take possession of you." He said then he stood up and walked out of my room.
I bristled at his wording. 'Take possession of me' like I am an object to be returned to the rightful owner. I couldn't stay in this time, there was no way. I had to go back. A life in that time without Jamie would be hard, but I would still have my family.
Nurse Drever came back into the room. "Can I get ye anything, are ye hungry yet?" She asked.
I stared at her for a moment and knew she was someone to trust. I smiled. "I am starving." I said and she smiled wider. "Also, do you know anyone in Inverness? I would like to contact a friend, Mrs. Graham, she works at the Manse with a Priest, Father-" I was asking but she cut me off.
"Aye, I ken her, she is my Aunt Violet." Nurse Drever said with a toothy grin. She went to the phone on the little table and dialed a number.
I heard the one sided conversation - Hi Auntie, Aye, I'm braw - I'm at work and someone here asked me to call ye - aye, ye - Claire Randall - Nay, I'm no joking - Aye, she is here and wants to see ye, can ye come? - Thank ye Auntie.
"She is on her way and she is surprised to hear from you." Nurse Drever said and left the room. She brought back a heavy tray and I ate as much as I could.
I waited and went over the plan I had in my head. I had to stay long enough to get divorced from Frank, that would take a while but he deserved a clean break. I had to go back through while I was still pregnant though because a trip through the stones would likely be too hard on a baby or a small child. I knew I could travel pregnant. I could work and earn money to support myself. I could sew myself a dress, I think, I can learn to sew. I would be ready the next time I traveled through that stone. Mrs. Graham might know the times when travel through the stones is done, Jamie had talked about pagan holidays.
I rubbed my middle, where I imagined our baby was growing. Our home is at Lallybroch- Jenny, Ian, their children, me and you. I closed my eyes and dozed off with the satisfaction of someone who knows her future.
"Ye have a visitor." Nurse Drever said as Mrs. Graham followed her through the door.
"Ye need to stay put." The nurse got to my bed just as I was getting one foot to the floor.
"Okay." I put my foot back under the blanket just as Mrs. Graham settled in the closest chair. Nurse Drever smiled and left the room.
"Halo Claire, how are ye?" Mrs. Graham asked.
We exchanged pleasantries, and Mrs. Graham was as nice as ever.
After a short pause I said, "I have a story to tell." Then paused. "Since you are likely the only person I know who will believe me I want to share it with you." I said. She nodded and leaned just a bit towards me. Mrs. Graham was an attentive audience and asked all the right questions while I told the story of what happened. How I fell through the stones, my adventures, and especially Jamie and how I was pregnant with his child.
"Oh my, what ye must be going through! I'm sorry dear." She said and patted my hand.
"Mrs. Graham,-"
"O dear, call me Violet."
"Thank you, that's such a nice name, Violet." I smiled and looked directly at her, "I'm going back." I said and I saw her eyes twinkle. She nodded just a tiny bit, as if she was giving her approval.
"Whit can I do ta help?" Violet asked.
An hour later Mrs. Violet Graham left the hospital with a new to-do list and smiling to herself at the energy of young people.
By the next day my plans felt comfortable and I knew I could do what I needed to do and I knew I was up for it. I missed Jamie but I knew I couldn't dwell on his loss too much right now. I had to think about it in little bits or I knew I would put myself in a pit of despair and I worried about a miscarriage.
That first day I slept and ate most of the day. The next morning Frank arrived. It was early in the morning and I'd fallen back asleep a few hours prior to his arrival reading a book one of the nurses had lent me. Frank had woken me with both hands on my shoulders and he was saying my name.
When I opened my eyes I saw black Jack and I screamed and punched him right in the nose. I jumped out of bed and ran to the window thinking only of escape.
"Claire, it's alright. Get him out of here." Nurse Drever was saying, I looked up because she went home yesterday and I hadn't seen her yet today. Two other nurses were walking Frank out the door. They must've heard me scream.
I pulled my leg back back from the window sill and Nurse Drever closed and locked the window. "Did he hurt ye Claire? Are ye alright?" She asked me as I sat back on the bed trying to still my shaking hands.
"Nurse Drever,-" I started but she stopped me.
"It's Patty, yer a fellow nurse, call me Patty." She said and sat next to me.
"Thank you, Patty, it's not really Frank, it's what happened in those years I was gone. I can't go back to him." I said and a blasted tear rolled down my cheek at the thought of hurting a man who'd been good to me. I was becoming a watering pot.
"Okay, why don't I take you to him. That way you might not feel cornered." She said.
"That sounds good." I said and nodded.
Frank was in an empty room across the hall where someone was looking at his nose. I heard someone say not broken and, while I was glad, I knew I had to get better at punching.
"When ye're finished Claire will be in the waiting room down the hall." Nurse Drever said to the room at large.
"Claire!" I heard Frank call but I continued walking to the waiting room.
It wasn't long before Frank met me in the waiting room. The first thing he did was try to kiss me but I couldn't. My head was still screaming in panic thinking of black Jack.
"Claire, where have you been?" he asked me.
I took a shaky breath and had two false starts before I spoke. "Frank, I'm sorry I hit you. You startled me." I managed to get out.
"You never hit me before if I startled you." Frank said, obviously a little hurt.
I hadn't looked at him directly. I didn't know if I could and not see Black Jack Randall.
"Claire, talk to me." Frank said.
"Can we talk when I get out? Please?" I asked.
"Okay. I will get us a room." He said.
"Rooms." I said, emphasizing the plural. "Please." I asked with my head still down.
He didn't reply, but he did walk away so I went back to my room.
I was released from the hospital later that day and I made sure to ask for a copy of my paperwork in an envelope. If Frank didn't believe that I was pregnant I would have proof.
Frank waited for me outside with the same automobile he'd owned before. He smiled and helped me in, but he saw me flinch when he touched me.
We were staying at the Manse, which I didn't mind. I liked Violet very much.
As soon as we got back I asked to go to my room and Violet helped me. She made sure to tell me that I had a room and Frank had a room. I thanked her and to my surprise she hugged me. I took a nap, because I knew I would tell Frank my story later and we would be up late.
As I was just drifting off I heard Jamie's voice call me Sassenach and I cried myself to sleep. When I woke I looked for Jamie, like the past two days hadn't happened and when I remembered it all I cried some more. After dinner I went to Frank's room and I told him my story. All of it. I left nothing out because I knew he deserved the truth. It took over two hours and he never said a word. I told him that I'd fallen in love with Jamie and that I was pregnant.
"Pregnant! I, that's…" Frank said. He'd started sounding happy, then realized it wasn't his baby.
"Get out." he said and I got up and left. I shut the door and started to go to my room while Frank was calling me ugly names.
It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off me. I was sad to hurt Frank, he was a decent man but he deserved to start over with someone who loved him. I'd opened the door to my room but I saw Violet waving at me from the first floor and I went downstairs where we sat in the kitchen.
"Are ye alright?" She asked me.
"Yes. I just told Frank what happened and that I'm pregnant. He told me to get out of his room and called me names so I don't think he will mind giving me the divorce." I said with a fake smile.
"Let me get you a bite to eat." She said but just as soon as Violet stood there was a loud crash from upstairs and we heard Frank yelling.
"Come back you whore!" Frank yelled with venom in his voice.
I heard him stomp over to my room and I looked at the ceiling with surprise. Frank having an emotional response to something was a new experience for me.
"Let's go." Violet said and I looked at her in puzzlement.
"Lass, he's been here often and he's been violent sometimes. I stayed tonight because I was worried he'd do it again. Let's git ye to safety." Violet said and I followed her just as I heard Frank scream my name. In my mind I saw Black Jack Randall looking for me, not my calm Frank.
Violet got me in her auto and I saw my bag already there. I was surprised; Violet was prepared and I instantly respected that about her. We went to a hotel and got a room under the name Elizabeth Fraser in case Frank started calling places. I hadn't told Frank Jamie's last name because I didn't want the historian in him to start with any facts he knew of the time. Now I was glad of that choice.
"Alright lass, take some money." She said and handed me a large wad of bills.
"Violet, I couldn't, you've already done so much for me." I said and tried to refuse the bills.
"Lass, ye need some funds now, I can't get back to ye until tomorrow evening and ye will need to eat. Ye can pay me back when ye get the nursing job." She said and put the bills in my pocket.
I smiled at her. She'd already paid for a week at the hotel. "Alright, but I am paying you back." I said and hugged her on impulse.
"I will come by tomorrow evening and if I can't come by, I will call." Violet said and then she was gone.
I got into my room and it was very nice; there was an icebox, a hotplate and a table and chairs along with the normal bedroom things.
I put my things on the bed and realized Violet had packed me a bag of food, bless that woman! I had a biscuit and drank some milk before I curled up on the bed and dreamt of Jamie.
The next day I took a hot shower and enjoyed it immensely. I got dressed, drank some more milk then went outside. Violet Graham was a genius. The hotel she took me to was two blocks from the hospital so I walked there to inquire about a job.
They were in need of some nurses and it would take about a week to verify that I was a nurse but I had a job if I wanted it. I was honest about my pregnancy and told them I wanted to start half time to see how it went, which was fine. They asked to call me when the verification came through but I told them I was currently staying at a hotel and I would check back in a few days. There was a café next to the hospital and I stopped there to get something to eat and bought a sandwich to take with me for later. I stopped in another little shop and saw they sold antique clothing styles and old coins. I could hardly wait to make my own money. I did purchase a small notebook for myself.
I walked back to the hotel and put my sandwich in the icebox. I was thinking about Jamie when there was a knock at the door. I had no idea who it could be but I'd thought it was probably someone who had the wrong room.
I cautiously opened the door. It was a smiling woman with bright red hair and freckles.
"Claire?" She said and I nodded.
"May I come in?" She asked. I looked at her and decided I would be safe.
"Yes, please." I said and opened the door wider.
She turned and picked up two boxes and brought them in with her and started talking. "My name is Eliza and I am a Sister Druid of Violet's. She stopped by my house last night and told me you were a friend in need of help and that you were here while your Husband is staying at the manse so she wasn't sure she could get to you. She also told me you were not listed with your given name. I'm so sorry, men can be such brutes." She said while she started unpacking her boxes.
The first box contained food, about a week's worth.
"Eliza, this is very kind of you but-" I started to say but she cut me off as she opened the icebox.
"Now Claire, if a woman can't help another woman what has this world come to?" She said and smiled at me. "Besides, that sandwich and milk won't last ye long." Eliza said and started putting the food away. I put a hand on my stomach; I would accept her help, I had to for a while at least.
When I looked up she was looking at me. "Are you with bairn?" She asked and I nodded.
"Oh, congratulations! That is a blessing indeed!" She said, rather animatedly. The second box held blankets and about a dozen books and she asked me if I was interested in anything. About half were for homemakers and the other half was novels.
"Yes, very much, thank you." I said and she smiled at me. Even if I wasn't, I would take the books and thank her.
"Do ye plan to stay in Scotland?" She asked and I nodded. I didn't plan to leave Scotland.
"I have an old sewing machine that I was planning to donate, but do ye want it? It works fine, my husband just bought me a new one. Ye could sew clothes for the bairn." She said all in one breath.
"Yes, thank you again, that is very nice." I said. Yes, I know I can't sew, but at least one of the books was about sewing, I could learn.
Violet had called me that night from her house. She wasn't able to meet with me but she hoped I didn't mind her asking Eliza to stop by. I told her I didn't mind at all and her Druid friend seemed very nice. I told her she could tell her Druid friends about me; they weren't likely to call me the pregnant fairy lady like I was being referred to in the paper. Violet told me they certainly would not call me that rubbish name, and they would help me and believe my story.
I dreamt of Jenny that night. She was standing at the gates to Lallybroch and she was worried for Jamie and I. I woke in the middle of the night and got something to eat as I cried.
The next day Eliza came back and brought me a sewing machine, more food and another sewing book along with baby patterns and some fabric. She told me another sister druid would be stopping by tonight to bring me more fabric.
I walked to the hospital just to use a phone. I called the manse and asked to speak to Frank. He agreed to meet me at the diner across the street and I made sure to get there before he did. When he got there I told him right away I wanted a divorce.
"A divorce? Claire, don't be dramatic." He said and drank his coffee.
"Frank." I said and took a calming breath. "I don't love you as I once did and I want a divorce so you can find someone new to love you as you should be loved." I said as calmly as I thought possible.
He pounded the table and told me I was being ridiculous. He told me that a child should be raised with a Father and a lot of other things that didn't change the facts.
We had many of these conversations in that first week. They were pretty much the same so I won't bore you with them. After six days Frank had decided he was going back to London. He'd had some money wired and he gave it to me, then left.
That second week in 1948 I started work. Violet was more free to meet me now and I paid her back the money I owed her. She thanked me and tried to get me to take half back and said she didn't need it right away.
It took another two weeks of terrible phone calls but one month after I was back in this time an officer of the court brought me divorce papers. It was an embarrassing thing to happen at work, but since Frank still didn't know where I was staying I hadn't left him much choice.
The following day I met Violet at the coffee shop near the hotel and I told her I got the divorce papers.
"I ken dear, it was in the Inverness paper today." She said while I stared at her. Violet pulled the page out of her purse and handed it to me.
"Mr. Frank Randall divorces the pregnant fairy woman" I read out loud in disbelief.
"Aye, whit rubbish." Violet said, then giggled a bit, which had me giggling.
"Oh, I have to go, I have a checkup scheduled at the hospital." I said and stood up. "Thank you Violet, for everything."
Violet smiled at me and I left for my appointment.
**At the checkup**
"TWINS?!"
"Mrs. Randall, please lower your voice. I suspect twins, this is why I requested ye bring your husband." The doctor was looking at me from across the desk like I was a child.
"It's Beauchamp thank you, I am getting divorced in case you didn't see today's paper." I told him.
"Yes, well…" The doctor mutters something then really looks at me, "Yes, Mrs. Beauchamp I strongly suspect twins. Ye are 3 months pregnant, we will need another month to be sure about there being two babies.."
He paused to let that sink in.
"I understand ye are working at the hospital?" He asked me.
"Half time, yes." I replied. My brain was starting to comprehend the word twins. Two of Jamie's babies instead of one. I smiled and hoped for the twins.
"I want ye to plan to stop work at 7 months. Everything looks perfectly fine but if I'm right and ye do have twins it's a bit more challenging. Will ye stop working in four months?" He asked me.
Thank you Uncle Lamb I thought as I remembered my inheritance, and not for the first time. "Yes, that won't be a problem. What about the miscarriage I had, will that make this birth dangerous?" I asked.
"No Mrs. Ran-Beauchamp, as long as you continue to take the vitamins I prescribed." He shuffled his papers and stood up so I stood up and thanked him.
I walked slowly back to my hotel that day, stopping in the shops where I had become a regular. In the fabric and dress shop the clerk told me of a new high quality wool they received and I purchased 18 yards in two different colors. At the antique shop I was able to secure 6 more 200 year old coins.
I smiled to myself as the hotel came into view. I had time. I would be ready the next time I went through the stones. I got into my room and put my bags on the table next to the sewing machine. I might have two babies. I smiled as I decided to nap and I dreamt of two babies with Jamie's eyes.
I finished reading the letter from Frank and put it down. A fresh start?! I would never go to Boston. The paperwork was filed for the divorce and all I asked for was the money Uncle Lamb had left me and my personal belongings. I didn't want to travel now anyway as I was almost 4 months pregnant and was still getting nauseous in cars. I hoped Frank wouldn't make me wait longer for the divorce; I knew I would be a scorned woman here, but I didn't care. I knew what I was going to do, and leaving Scotland had no part in my plans. I wrote a nice letter back to Frank thanking him for being so nice but letting him know I hadn't changed my mind.
I was going to work for a while, until I was seven months pregnant. Halloween was in a little over 3 months and that meant Samhain. Violet said that would be a good day to go through the stones. I was going back. This time period just wasn't home. Lallybroch was my home, and Jenny and Ian were my family. Our family. Jamie's child -possibly children I corrected myself- would be raised in that time with their family. I had already bought many yards of wool and cotton, hundreds of seeds, and enough eighteen century money Jenny and Ian would be sure to take me in to live at Lallybroch. I had multiple books on order. I knew books were dangerous, the difference in how they looked would be obvious to anyone who saw them. I certainly didn't want to risk another witch trial, but the knowledge would be so helpful I was willing to take a few books.
Nurse Drever was ordering smallpox and DTP vaccines for me. I had told her I planned a trip to the remote Highlands and my nurse status allowed me to administer these routine inoculations. I had already amassed a leather satchel full of carefully wrapped penicillin, aspirin and motion sickness drug in case our child took after their Father. The other three satchels would carry the vaccines, the books and money, the clothes and fabric, and food for the trip.
The time passed quickly and quietly. Violet and I met at least once a week, usually twice. We went to Edinburgh once with Roger and spent the day going to antique shops and museums. Surprisingly, Roger had a great time. I worked four or five hours most days. I napped a lot.
My best news was I found out I was carrying twins! At four months the doctor said it was very likely, but at five months he said he was sure. He heard two distinct heartbeats and he told me about measurements and different signs of twins. I was ecstatic at the idea of two of Jamie's babies instead of one.
Frank found out about the twins and he mailed me a nice card and a large check which I instantly thought to send back but reconsidered. The divorce was final and I had plenty of funds so I didn't need the money from Frank but maybe Frank needed to think he helped me. I wrote him a nice long thank you note and told him about working and learning to sew. I figured that would make him laugh. I told him his money would go toward clothes for the babies and thanked him. I bought much more material than I originally planned.
I missed Jamie all the time. Sometimes when I slept I would dream of him and it would feel so real I woke up disoriented and looked for him.
I continued to work half time at the hospital and while I was friendly with the other nurses and patients I kept to myself a bit. I shopped often, looking for those specific items I could take back with me. I did actually learn to sew and I was pleased with my efforts. I sewed almost daily, always grateful for the used sewing machine Eliza had brought me. I also learned to knit and managed a few small pairs of booties and a couple pairs of socks.
The day after my last day of work I got up and, like most days, thought about Jamie, then food. I looked at the remainder of the cake I had brought home from the hospital yesterday. I'd been there for such a short time but my co-workers were so nice to me, having a small good luck and goodbye party.
Okay, only 1 piece. I told myself.
Three pieces of cake and two glasses of milk later I settled down to sew more baby clothes and the hours ran away from me.
Violet picked me up because we were going to the manse today. The Reverend was in England for the week.
"What will you miss?" Violet asked me as she drove us to the manse.
"Hot showers, flush toilets, you." I said as I readjusted myself to try to get comfortable in the vehicle. I was huge and getting comfortable was a job.
Violet smiled at me. "Are you getting things done that you need to, or do you need help?"
I looked over at her and felt blessed to have a friend for about the hundredth time. "I'm doing okay. If I get any bigger I think I will pop." I said and patted my 7 month bulge that is 2 babies.
Violet parked and we walked into the manse. Violet turned a light on and,
"Surprise!"
"Jesus H, sorry" I said and blushed as I looked around the room at the group of women from infants to elderly and then I looked at Violet.
"These are all my sister druids." Violet explained. I'd given permission for her to share most everything with these women about my story but I hadn't known there were so many.
One woman came forward and introduced herself. "Hi, I'm Sarah, and we are very happy to celebrate with ye. Alice was in England last year," She nodded to another woman who smiled at her. " and went to a baby shower so we thought we would have one." Sarah explained.
Alice took up the story. "Yours is special though, we have gifts but only things that would be around 200 years ago." She said.
I looked around and saw the food, gifts, and happy women.
"Thank you, I appreciate this so-" But had to stop because of the tears forming in my eyes. Damn hormones!
"Dinna fash." Alice smiled and patted me on the back. I was so used to being around nurses that these women were a novel and happy experience.
The party was fun and the other women were very kind. I'd already met a few women that visited me at the hotel so that was nice but there were many new faces. All these women here for the pregnant fairy woman, I thought to myself and had to smile. They were wonderful to celebrate with me.
When the women started to leave I said goodbye and got hugged many times. I found myself hugging them back, I felt connected to these women.
Violet and little Roger helped me load the gifts into the car and then into my hotel room.
"If I write thank you notes, will you please deliver them?" I asked Violet as the older woman was looking around the hotel room in awe.
"Of course. Will you really be able to take all these things?" Violet asked.
"I think so," I said and hesitated, and looked at Roger.
"It's okay dear, he is in his own little world." Violet motioned to Roger who was playing with his cars.
"I think it will be fine." I looked around the room also. "I made an extra leather bag to put everything in. After I go through I will stash the bags and walk to Inverness to buy a mule. The mule will carry everything." I told her quietly.
The last two weeks passed quickly. I wrote up thank you cards and gave them to Violet. I had some more pictures printed and packed and repacked the bags. I was seeing my doctor every week to be sure everything was fine. I also got a lot of the vitamin pills as it might help other women. I thought about anything else from this century that might benefit my children and I bought paper, a few older primary books, and things like that.
I spent most of my time sewing, and working on my knitting. I had borrowed books from the hospital library to read and I returned them. The leather bags got packed and unpacked several more times trying to find the best way to make sure nothing broke and as it happened another bag was needed bringing my total to six. I was still shopping, picking up eighteenth century money and small pieces of plain silver that could be exchanged for money. Frank sent all of my personal things to the manse which surprisingly fit in 2 medium boxes. I decided to take all the jewelry and asked Violet to keep a few small sentimental things from my Uncle Lamb that I didn't think I could take.
I called Violet late the evening before the day I planned to travel back through the stones to confirm the early time for her to pick me up. I offered to take a taxi but Violet wanted to take me. That night I could hardly sleep, knowing I was going home! Finally, my 5 am alarm went off and I got up and got ready. I took a nice long shower to enjoy it for what was likely my last. I put on one of the dresses I made for myself and ate a pastry I'd bought for my last 1948 breakfast.
"I'm so sorry dear," Violet said as she pulled up as the sun was just peeking out and jumped out of the car. "Wee Roger was having a meltdown-"
I cut her off, "It's fine, really." I smiled at the woman who was my friend. "Please help me load up these bags then I have to check out." I said. I almost burst with excitement.