Free Forgetting Tabitha: An Orphan Train Rider by Julie Dewey Page A

were hung on several decorative hooks across from the stove, pots and pans were stacked by task and size as well as the white porcelain dinnerware that lay across open shelving. Across the hall lay the ornate dining room and adjacent to that was my favorite room of all, the library. The entire room had floor to ceiling whitewashed bookshelves full to the brim with books of all shapes and sizes. Several over-sized leather chairs sat stoically upon a deep burgundy colored oriental carpet with a center medallion. They faced the back yard overlooking a bountiful garden boasting lilacs, daisies, roses, and more. The inviting chairs held soft blankets and fluffy pillows which Eddie and I sank into. Soon a tea service appeared with finger sandwiches and cookies. We ate our fill, chatting cautiously all the while with our new families, taking joy in the fact we were now cousins.
    I was hard pressed to believe someone, even sweet generous Edna, would see fit to let children in her parlor with so many knick knacks and breakables around, it just wasn’t practical. Edmund didn’t have the same worries I did; he picked up the miniatures one by one and played with them as if they were his very own. I was afraid of breaking anything and being sent away so I kept my hands to my sides at all times and only looked with my eyes as my mother had told me on our sojourns into city shops.
    Edna was perceptive and welcoming. She asked me which miniature I liked the best and when I told her I liked the ceramic pony she allowed me to have it against my protests. I carried it painstakingly up to my room on the second level and secured it on my dresser alongside my crystal lamp. I would admire it each morning when I woke and stroke the salty mane on the horse each night before bed. Edmund sulked when I was given a miniature pony and because he made such a fuss Edna allowed him to choose from her collected treasures also. He chose the rabbit with the pink floppy ears and cotton tail which I was certain was Edna’s favorite. Edmund objected to having just one because this rabbit came as a set which she herself made at a ceramics class. Selfishly, he wanted the rabbit who wore a blue bonnet as well as the one with pink ears. He needed to learn some manners. But for now everyone seemed to appease him when he cried and sulked, myself included. I was fearful Edmund would become spoiled and forget his manners.
    Because Eddie and I weren’t separated right away he went more willingly to his new family, Samuel and Sarah Whitmoore. Samuel is a banker and Sarah, like her sister, spent her free time helping the people of Binghamton, New York. Both had acquired money and enjoyed a menagerie of fine things. They had oriental rugs and furnishings in every room, paintings, curtains, as well as both formal and every day dinnerware. I had never heard of such a thing. I reminisced about the cracked plates mama and I used to sup on and the threadbare sheet we hung for privacy across our single window in the slums.
    Settling in was easy for me, I had never been so doted on before. My hair was tended by a hair dresser who softened my unruly spikes into curls for a more feminine look. My clothes were made by Edna’s personal dressmaker. The seamstress came over to my new home with a basket of youthful materials in a variety of colors and patterns, she held out her measuring tape and asked me what colors I liked while she measured my outstretched arms and took notes. I was given dolls and clothes to dress them with. Edna gave me my very own afghan. It was a lovely purple cotton yarn with red, pink and white stripes throughout that she knit herself. She promised to teach me to knit and thought that making a scarf for the upcoming winter season would be the perfect beginner project.
    I treasured the afghan and hugged Edna tightly. “Thank you, Edna!” I cried out.
    “Mary would you like to call me Mom?” she asked pensively.
    I was confused, I had a mom and Edna wasn’t