Hannah's Journey (11 page)

Wearing a big smile, Hannah went to greet her guests.

Delia, delighted by the guest’s compliments on her fried chicken, beamed and urged everyone to have more. Uncle David had fixed enough ice cream for everyone to have two bowls, which made a hit with Caroline.

“Hannah, won’t you please play the piano for us?” Rosie pleaded. The guests crowded into the parlor and Hannah sat down, carefully arranging the blue organdy dress. With confidence, she ran quickly through some lively tunes not missing a note. When she finished, she surprised the group by a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to herself. Miss Cooper led the applause that ended what Hannah thought must be the most wonderful thirteenth birthday party a girl could have.

* * * *

Just before she closed her eyes that night, Hannah’s thoughts turned back to her arrival in Lafitte. Like the new moving pictures that Professor Webster had described to her, events from that time until today crowded her mind. She felt her birthday represented a milestone. She looked forward to entering high school soon, and to begin piano lessons with the professor.

Whatever the next few years brought, Hannah told herself she would succeed. She knew the love of her parents would see her through anything.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN – LOOKING BACK

Hannah glanced around her bedroom to make sure she had packed everything. Wherever her eyes lit, she spotted a memento of the last five years. Medals and awards of all kinds decorated the bedroom walls. She had excelled at school and in her music. Most of all though, Hannah cherished the friends she made in Lafitte.

Closing her suitcase, she picked up the gold locket and clasped it around her neck. It always brought back a flood of memories. A knock sounded and Caroline opened the door at Hannah’s invitation.

“Are you packed?” Now a tall fourth-grader, the young girl seemed as lively as ever. “The Websters will meet us at the station at two-thirty.”

“Yes, I am, Caroline. You look very pretty today. Are you coming to the station with us?”

“Yes, and as soon as Papa gets home we’ll leave. I’m going next door for a few minutes, but I’ll come back in plenty of time.”

Running to Hannah, Caroline embraced her then hurried out the door. “I’ll miss you.”

“You’ll hardly have time, Caroline. We’ll see each other in two weeks.” Hannah called to the empty air.

With Caroline gone, the house grew quiet. Uncle David was due shortly and Aunt Margaret had said she needed a little more time to finish dressing. Delia usually rested in her room after lunch, so even the kitchen sounds were absent. Hannah sat in the pink floral bedroom chair. The stillness gave rise to her thoughts.

It had been more than five years since she arrived in Lafitte. She had been so happy here, yet sadness lingered because neither her father nor Teddy had been found. Uncle David had searched through his law firm, but had never turned up a trace. Images unfolded in her mind. She thought of her first meeting with the Logans and how she had come to care for them. They’d always been there for her.

She shivered as pictures of the tornado filled her mind, but if that terrible storm had not happened her leg might still be in a brace. She quickly dismissed thoughts of the time her classmate accused of cheating. Since then, Rosie had become a staunch friend. The Williams and the Logan families visited each other often and John Williams was now a valued employee of Mr. Logan’s law firm.

The thought of the professor brought a smile to her face when she remembered the wedding of Benjamin Webster and Sylvia Cooper. She and Caroline were members of the wedding. People remembered Caroline as the most energetic flower girl Lafitte had seen in some time. The janitor at the church grumbled that he had never had so many rose petals to clean up.

Her years in high school brought wonderful memories. On her first day, Miss Trent and Mr. Dobbs surprised her by coming into her classroom. They asked for a few minutes time to present Hannah with an honor.

The class cheered when Mr. Dobbs said, “Hannah, this award is long overdue. After the tornado, your surgery and recuperation, the summer was over. But we want to present you with the academic medal you won last spring. When the grades were tallied, yours ranked the highest. Congratulations!”

Hannah walked over to her dressing table and picked up the dark blue velvet box. Nestled inside, the gold medal sparkled. The inscription on the ribbon read, “For Academic Excellence.” The award was one of Hannah’s most prized possessions. The other, a medal won for “Most Promising Young Pianist.” Two years ago, Hannah had entered a competition in Dallas. Of the fifty young people who competed, she had come out on top. She recalled the exciting event.

Remembrances of the wonderful trip to Galveston came to mind. She and Caroline had spent hours running in and out of the surf searching for shells washed up by the Gulf Stream. Evenings were spent on the wide verandah of the Hotel Galvez. Now the circle was complete. After the two-week tour, Hannah would end up in Galveston. She had received an invitation to participate in a competition by the Texas Music Society.

The contest offered the most prestigious award to the winner, who was considered best in the state. The prize included a trip to New York and a check for one thousand dollars. Hannah started downstairs. As she reached the first floor, Uncle David came in.

“Ah, Hannah, how lovely you look in your traveling outfit. I wish we could go with you today, but a case keeps me here. However, we’ll certainly arrive in time for your big night.”

“I know. I’ll miss all of you, but I’ll look forward to seeing you in Galveston. Maybe we can go to the beach again.”

“That sounds fine. I’m sure Caroline will enjoy that. We had such a good time there before. Now, let’s round up the other ladies and get on our way. This is an important trip for you.”

“I’ll get Caroline, Uncle David, and we’ll meet you at the car.”

At last, the family gathered outside and started for the station. They spent the time discussing Hannah’s travels for the next two weeks.

“Hannah, please send me postcards from all the places you visit,” Caroline begged.

“Caroline, Hannah will be very busy. She may not have time to write,” said Aunt Margaret.

Hannah turned to the younger girl. “I’ll certainly try. And it won’t seem too long before we’ll all meet in Galveston.”

Arriving at the station, The Logans found the Websters already waiting. A flurry of “goodbyes” took place and soon the train pulled out of the station. The Logans stood and waved until it disappeared from sight.

Hannah’s schedule started in Dallas, continuing to Ft. Worth, Austin, and Houston. It ended with the concert and award ceremony in Galveston.

After a pleasant trip, the three settled into their hotel. They decided to have dinner in the dining room of their lodgings that evening. They planned time in the morning to see the city before Hannah had to go to the auditorium to practice. They found Dallas a vital, growing city filled with exciting shops, tall buildings and wooded parks. Discovering the qualities of each city in which she performed enriched Hannah’s knowledge, and her travels increased the love for her adopted state.

When at last they reached Galveston, Sylvia Webster encouraged Hannah to take a day to rest. Not knowing how prophetic her words were, she said, “Hannah, you must rest. The next couple of days might be some of the most important ones in your life.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN – DISCOVERED

“Mama, what should I pack for Hannah’s contest?” Caroline stood before her closet door and peered at the orderly row of dresses hanging there.

“Let me see.” Her mother whisked into Caroline’s bedroom. “Why not the peach outfit for the concert, then take the yellow and green ones for the couple of days we plan to stay in Galveston afterward? Oh, and don’t forget your bathing outfit for the beach.”

“All right, Mama. I can’t wait for Hannah to go swimming with me again.”

“You’ll have to be careful though, Caroline. In August, the stinging jellyfish will be in the gulf waters. They can ruin a vacation.”

“I will, Mama. Thank you for helping me choose…”

Before she finished her sentence, the slamming of the screen door and her father’s voice interrupted her. “Margaret! Caroline! Come quickly and hear some wonderful news. Hurry!”

David Logan’s wife and daughter rushed down the stairs, calling out to him. “What’s happened, Papa?”

“Is anything wrong, David?”

“Sit down, both of you. I have some good news. Oh, how I wish Hannah were here.”

Margaret and Caroline sat together on the settee while David paced the floor.

“Please tell us, David. Does it involve Hannah?”

“Indeed, it does. My firm received news of her friend, Teddy Smith!”

“Oh, David, how wonderful!”

“Tell us, Papa. Tell us about Teddy.”

“All right. But first, Margaret, you’d better ask Delia to set another place at the table. We’re having a guest for supper.”

“I know, Papa! I know who it is! It’s Teddy, isn’t it?”

“You’re right. While I stepped out of the office today, a telephone call came from Teddy. He had received our letter, telling him that I am Hannah’s legal guardian and a member of the law firm who searched for him. My firm found him through a newspaper article that included his name with a group who helped to put out an oil fire.”

Caroline and her mother looked at one another in amazement.

“Well, it seems Mr. Smith became very excited and only took time to say he would catch today’s train before he hung up. He’s right here in East Texas.” Consulting his pocket watch, David Logan said, “I must go meet his train. It arrives in twenty minutes”

“Papa, may I go with you to meet him?”

“Certainly Caroline, but we must hurry. I just came home to tell you both the good news. Margaret, how about you? Would you like to come along?”

“If you don’t mind, I’ll wait here. I want to help Delia get everything ready.”

“All right. Let’s get on our way, Caroline. We don’t want to keep Mr. Smith waiting any longer than necessary. After all, he’s waited more than five years now.” Parking near the station, Caroline and her father walked over to the area where arriving passengers gathered.

Before the train stopped completely, a tall young man with a hint of freckles jumped off. He walked with long strides and his mouth turned up in an easy smile.

As he looked around, Caroline rushed forward, calling, “Are you Teddy, Hannah’s friend?”

“That I am. And who are you, young lady?”

Caroline blushed then and turned to her father who had hurried after her.

“You must forgive my impulsive daughter, Mr. Smith. May I present Miss Caroline Logan and I am David Logan. We’ve waited a very long time to meet you.”

“How do you do, Mr. Logan?” Teddy extended his hand to the older man. “I only learned your name yesterday, but I’m delighted to meet you both.”

Looking around then, his smile faded. “I thought Hannah might be here.”

“You got off the phone in such a hurry, my partner didn’t have time to tell you that Hannah is out of town. She’s on a concert tour.”

“A concert tour, sir?”

“Yes, Hannah plays piano. She’s traveling around the state and will end the tour in Galveston. She then enters an important contest on Saturday.”

Teddy looked relieved. “When does she return?”

“I have an idea. We leave in the morning to go to Galveston to see Hannah perform. Why don’t you plan on staying overnight with us and taking the train down tomorrow?”

“Thank you, sir. I came prepared to stay at the local hotel. But if you think Mrs. Logan wouldn’t mind, I’ll gladly accept your hospitality.”

“She’ll be delighted to have you. If I were to leave you at the hotel, she would never forgive me. I also have something to ask you and hope you’ll go along with it. As of now, we haven’t called Hannah. We didn’t want her to think of anything yet beside the contest. If you don’t mind, all we ask is that you wait until we arrive in Galveston before she learns we’ve located you. Will you do that?”

“Yes, sir. I’m anxious to see Hannah, but I wouldn’t do anything to distract her from the contest.”

“Fine. Let’s get on our way, then. You must meet Mrs. Logan and Delia, who will try to fatten you up in one meal. I think the menu tonight includes strawberry shortcake, so that should help.”

Teddy laughed and followed David Logan and Caroline to the car.

Reaching home, the trio found Margaret Logan standing on the porch. Coming down the walk to meet them, Margaret greeted Teddy. “Welcome to our home, Mr. Smith.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Logan. Please call me Teddy.”

“I will. Now, I hope you’re hungry. Delia has outdone herself. If you have room left after her meat loaf, I think you’ll find her strawberry shortcake the best around.”

“I can’t wait.”

Later, when Teddy had sampled Delia’s cooking and with two helpings of shortcake under his belt, he went to the kitchen. “Delia, that’s the best meal I’ve had in some time.”

Delia beamed. “You need some fattening up, young man. Stay around and I’ll see that you put on some extra pounds.”

“I’d like nothing better, Delia.”

Joining the family in the parlor, they urged Teddy to tell them what had happened since he and Hannah parted.

Taking a deep breath, he plunged into the story of his search for Hannah. The Logans listened as the young man revealed how his travels had taken him from city to city.

“All I knew was that Hannah had been sent to Texas. I just didn’t know how big Texas was,” Teddy said, smiling. “I wanted to keep my promise to her about helping to find her father.”

David and Margaret Logan exchanged glances.

“I’m sorry for the way I left Nebraska, and the family there. I hope I’m a little more considerate now. I’ve called the Walters. They were the family I lived with. They forgave me for leaving with just a note and wished me well in my search.”

“What did you do then, Teddy,” piped up Caroline.

“Well, I only had a little cash the Walters had given me for spending money for helping with the chores. I had enough to get a train ticket for Texas. Being large for my age helped me get jobs here and there. In each city I went to, I walked around hoping to spot Hannah.”