Voyage of Tears, CJ Wells [most romantic novels .txt] 📗

days she walked in an emotional fog, mechanically carrying out her duties without thought or recognition.

The RMS Carpathia, carrying the survivors, arrived the evening of April eighteenth, docking at Pier 54. George made his way through the frantic crowd filling the pier. As he questioned passengers and crew for information about John and Jonah, he noticed a woman pass by, struggling with two small boys. One of the boys clutched a dirty, water- stained, stuffed elephant. George cautiously approached the woman. She was mindlessly pulling the boys toward the transfers to the hospital, it was clear she was in shock.

George lightly touched her shoulder. “I’m sorry to detain you, madam, but I must ask, are both these children yours?”

Martha looked at him blankly and simply answered, “No.”

George’s hope soared, pointing to the little boy holding the elephant, he breathlessly asked “Is this Jonah Taylor?”

This question seemed to rouse Martha from her stupor. “Yes, yes it is. I have to find his mother.”

Absolute relief spread through George. “Vivienne, his mother, is my wife’s Abigail.”

George did not want to ask the next question, but he had to know. “And John?” Martha closed her eyes and shook her head.

Both boys were clinging to Martha, weary and frightened. He did not want to cause them any more distress, but knew the faster he could get Jonah to Vivienne, the better it would be for both of them.

“Miss… I’m sorry I don’t know your name.”

Martha was in such need to relinquish some of her responsibility to someone, she immediately answered, “Martha Simms.”

George could see how desperate she was for help.

“Miss. Simms, my name is George Franklin and my motor car is a short distance away. I am willing to take you directly to the hospital, if that is needed, but if a warm bath and a clean bed would be more welcome, they are both available for you at our home. I think it would be best if Jonah stays with you until he is reunited with his mother.”

Martha agreed. Since none of them were physically injured, she felt a bath and warm bed would do all three of them wonders.

#

Polly brought Vivienne to the parlor where they could wait together for George and Zeke to return. They heard the motor car pull to a stop in front of the house. Vivienne was frozen, unable to convince her legs to move. Polly slowly walked to the door, praying George and Zeke were not the only people to step through it. She opened the door to a bedraggled woman holding two little boys. She steered them towards the parlor.

The instant Jonah saw Vivienne, he cried out, “Mummy!”

Jonah’s cry broke through Vivienne’s paralysis. She flew to him, wrapping her arms around him and his elephant. She cried and kissed him, brushing the hair out of his face so she could see him more clearly. Emma escorted Martha and Geoffrey up the stairs for the promised bath and warm bed. As Vivienne carried Jonah to her rooms, she looked back to thank Mr. Franklin and Zeke. Their stony faces and sorrowful eyes silently communicated to Vivienne that John was not among the survivors.

#

Martha and Geoffrey stayed at the Franklin’s for the next week, recuperating and making arrangements with the family she would be working for. The boys ran and played and got into mischief. They were the first to begin to recover. From time to time, a shadow would fall across Jonah’s eyes, and he would ask about his papa. Vivienne would explain that his papa was in heaven, looking down on him. The dark mood was only momentary, and Jonah would swiftly return to being happy and carefree.

Vivienne convinced Jonah his elephant had to have a bath. She unbuttoned the blanket to remove the monkeys. When she reached inside the hidden pocket her fingers griped and pulled out the handkerchief, slowly untying it she laid it open in her lap. Guardedly she picked up the picture and turned it over, reading the slightly smudged message John had written. She held the picture to her heart, allowing the falling tears to wash away a layer of grief. She pulled a silk black ribbon out of her glove box, to hang the thin gold band from. With shaking hands, she slipped it over her head, and tucked it inside her blouse, drawing comfort from the feel of the cool metal nestling between her breasts. Vivienne walked out into the garden, seeking the solitude of the wooden bench hidden in the far corner. She had steeled herself against her own pain to be strong for Jonah, but now she released that pain, acknowledging her broken heart. She understood she would have to permit herself to grieve, before she could begin to heal.

#

Martha and Geoffrey eventually moved to their new home. It was not as fine as the Franklin’s, but categorically qualified as a mansion. The nicest part was it was close enough for the boys to meet at the park several times a month. Martha’s charges were a five year old girl and an eight year old boy. Although they were quiet and well behaved, Martha and Vivienne agreed that Jonah and Geoffrey would soon change that!

Jonah had also gained two older “sisters.” Evie and Leah welcomed him as a true sibling and could not have loved him more if he had been born their brother. They were wonderful sitters for Jonah, any time Vivienne had errands to run. Once in a while Vivienne would catch a sadness flickering in Jonah’s eyes, but it was short lived, his ordeal all but forgotten.

As time passed, the emptiness inside Vivienne slowly began to fill with the joy Jonah brought to her, and the contentment of their new life in America. Day by day she took another step in feeling whole again. She could now recall sweet memories of John, appreciating the time they had shared together. She kept his ring around her neck, eternally grateful for the treasures Jonah’s elephant had safely delivered. She knew in her heart John was aware that their dream of raising Jonah in America had come true.

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Text: CJ Wells
Publication Date: 02-18-2013

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