From Rockville to Stckton Chapter 5

The morning came when Danny was to get on the train going to Stockton.

"Mama, are you sure you don't want to come and meet him with me?"

"Now Daniel Scott Matthews you're a grown man, you're not a little boy, I know you're a bundle of nerves." She stopped talking and brushed his dress coat for the hundredth time. That's when Danny saw a lone tear run down his ma's cheek. He then placed his thumb under her eye and brushed the tear away and smiled at her.

"Mama, I know I'll be fine, it's just I wanted you to meet him with me, that's all."

Libby Matthews stood back, with a smile on her face; how proud she was of the young man her son had become, given the fact it seemed he had to become a man rather quickly after his father left them. Then she and Danny were notified 3 years later of his death when her husband was shot for inquiring about the gold that he felt strongly that was on their land.

"I know you want me to meet this man. And if it is meant for me to meet him then it will happen, just be patient son. Oh, go on with you now!" she teased.

"But you're right it will be strange being away from my boy too, I just got used to you being under my feet again," she said as she kissed his cheek.

"Well, I guess we better get to the train station," Libby said.

"Yes ma'am!"

They now lived in the town of Rockville, where Libby was a seamstress. She had opened her own shop not long after arriving there. Of course she had some resistance at first, but then the locals began to get to know her and her son. And people started to trust her and give her their business.

She was by no means becoming rich doing this, but at least she was trying to make a living for herself and her son. The best thing of all for her was that she was doing something she enjoyed. And Danny was working at the General store there in the town of Rockville since he had been home from college.

"I'll sure miss it around here," he said sounding somber

His mother patted him on the shoulder. "I know you will son. You will be back here before you know it. Just think about it with the experience you will gain from your internship, you can bring it back here or anywhere else you might want to go. And someday you just might have your own law firm."

"Hold on now, Mama that's putting the cart before the horse don't you think!" he teased her.

"Oh, maybe, but looking ahead to the future is not always a bad idea you know," she smiled as they stepped to window of the Train Depot.

"I'm all set now Mama," Danny said, as he stepped away from the window at the depot to stand by his mother before the train arrived.

"Mama, what if the train is late? Mr. Barkley might be upset with me." He said "Mr. Barkley" before realizing that he had said it. He wanted to keep the name a secret until he could get his ma to come to Stockton.

She didn't even realize at that moment that he had mentioned a name. "Oh, son, I'm sure this man knows by now that trains or even stagecoaches are rarely on time for various reasons many times," she said to try to reassure him and calm his nerves yet again.

"I know you are right Mama. Why am I still so nervous, I thought I would be over that by now?"

"Now Danny, I doubt you will not get over being nervous until you get accustomed to your new surroundings. And that's going to take time, you know that!"

"Yea, I know you are right Mama it's just that…" then they heard the whistle of the train coming near. It scared Danny so much that he fell backwards into the dirt. He was so embarrassed - he looked around to see if anyone other than his mother noticed.

"Mama, I'm gonna look like shattered glass by the time I get to Stockton!" he said, still shaking from the scare he just had.

His mother had to gain her composure before she could say anything. She finally stopped laughing. She didn't even admit to her son that it scared her as well. After she gained her composure, she gently scolded him. "Danny stop it right now, you are going to be fine. Just try to read a book or hopefully you'll meet someone to talk to."

"I'm sure you are right Mama." He looked up as the train pulled into the station. "Well, I guess I had better get on board. I'll send a telegram as soon as I can to let you know that I have gotten there in one piece… or in pieces, "he teased.

They both laughed as they hugged goodbye, then Libby Matthews kissed her son on the cheek. He stood there on the platform of the train waving until his mother was out of sight.