Hannah's Journey (13 page)

She knew the Logans were in the audience and she played for them, smiling as she thought of Caroline who once wanted so much to play the piano too. Now, she was a budding dancer who had found her love in the graceful movements of the ballet. Hannah played superbly. The first two movements led to the final one, which demanded precise and skillful playing. This movement brought Hannah to the finale filled with fast arpeggios and strongly accented notes, making it one of the composer’s most famous works.

At last, the music ended. The hall remained silent, until the crowd rose as one to its feet applauding until the contest coordinator called for the next participant.

Hannah stood to take a bow, glancing at the spot where the young man had been seated. He was no longer there. Hannah thought she must have imagined it as she made her bow and walked toward the curtains. Reaching backstage, both the Websters greeted her.

“You were wonderful, Hannah,” Benjamin said.

“Your family will meet us in the lobby after the awards,” Sylvia said. “Meanwhile, they sent these,” she said, nodding toward a large vase of flowers.

“How lovely they are, and how thoughtful of the Logans.”

Hannah bent to inhale the fragrance of the long-stemmed yellow roses.

Hannah and the Websters waited backstage until the last contestant had finished. Then, those who had participated were called out for the award presentation. The master of ceremonies addressed the audience.

“The winner of the Texas Music Society Competition is considered the best musician in the state. We have a lot of wonderful competitors with us this year making the choice difficult, but the judges have arrived at their decision.”

Hannah knew the others must have butterflies in their stomachs just as she had. The lights were still dim and though she could not spot the Logans, she felt an almost overwhelming sense of love, as if they were sending it to her through thin air. Her fingers went to the gold locket and held on until the name of the winner was announced. She stood there listening to the audience applaud until she felt a touch on her arm.

The girl standing next to her said, “Hannah, it’s your name he called. You’ve won!”

Feeling as if she were dreaming, she stepped out of line and walked to the center of the stage where the master of ceremonies hung a heavy gold medal around her neck. The applause was deafening.

Bowing to her admirers, Hannah whispered, “Mama, Papa this is for you.” The young woman stood for a few minutes accepting the congratulations of her fellow artists, then went to collect the Websters and meet the Logans in the lobby. Sylvia and Benjamin Webster hugged Hannah and added their congratulations again.

“We knew you could do it, Hannah. We’re so proud of you.”

“You’ve both been wonderful. You’ve taken so much time with me, I really don’t know how to thank you.”

“Just seeing how well you’ve done is thanks enough,” Benjamin said. “Now, let’s don’t keep the Logans waiting. I’m sure they want to congratulate you too.”

Walking toward the lobby, Hannah saw Aunt Margaret,

Uncle David and Caroline. Then getting closer she saw a stranger standing beside them.

“Congratulations, Hannah,” Caroline called as she came nearer. “We knew you would win.”

“Thank you, Caroline.” Hannah stared at the young man instead of Caroline.

“Congratulations, Hannah,” chimed in Margaret and David Logan, waiting for her to recognize Teddy.

This time, Hannah didn’t answer. She couldn’t. She had stopped still and stared at the young man who stood there with his impish grin. Then moving in slow motion toward the group, she tried to speak. Her voice only a whisper, “Teddy, is it really you? I wasn’t dreaming.”

Galvanized into action, Teddy rushed to cover the space between them. Lifting Hannah off her feet, he swung her around and yelled, “You bet it’s me.” He set her down and stepped back and looked at her. “You’re walking! I couldn’t believe it when you came out on stage without your brace. Seems your family wanted to surprise me too.”

Hannah continued to hold Teddy’s hand. “You must tell me everything. Oh, excuse me. This is Professor and Mrs. Webster. And you’ve already met Uncle David and Aunt Margaret.

“And me, Hannah. I met Teddy first of all!” Caroline broke in.

“I’m sure you did, Caroline.” Hannah laughed at the young girl.

When the introductions had been made, Uncle David broke in. “Let’s save the explanations for the moment. We have reservations for a late supper. You two can catch up at the restaurant.”

The happy group started down the long hallway from the lobby with Hannah and Teddy in the lead, talking as if they had never been apart.

Teddy stopped suddenly and took her arm. “Look, Hannah, do you remember this?” From his pocket he took an envelope. Reaching in, he took out the curl he had cut from Hannah’s hair so long ago. He had tied it with a blue ribbon, the color of the dress she wore that day.

“You’ve kept it all this time,” Hannah said, in wonder.

“I have so much to tell you, Hannah.”

“And I have a lot to tell you, Teddy. I still can’t believe you found me. I almost…” Hannah stopped and looked toward the entry. The rest of the group watched as she moved toward a figure standing in the shadows. As she got closer she broke into a run.

Teddy raised his hand to stop the others from following her. Smiling, he murmured, “Thank goodness. He got my message.”

The man was a little more stooped and had a few gray hairs, but she knew who it was the moment she saw him. Sobbing, Hannah threw herself into her father’s arms. Her tears mingled with those of John Monroe’s. He held his daughter as if he’d never let her go.

“Papa, you found me. You finally found me.”

“We’ve found each other, Hannah, and we’ll never be apart again.” Holding her at arm’s length, John Monroe gazed at his daughter, standing straight and tall before him. He could find no words.

“I made a vow that I would walk to you, Papa, and I have,” Hannah said through her tears. “Oh, we have so much to catch up on, but please come meet the people who’ve taken such good care of me.”

Turning, Hannah and John Monroe walked toward the little crowd waiting. Smiling through their tears, the group surrounded the two, a family united at last.



Hannah’s Journey is the story of one child’s experience on the Orphan Trains. She is a composite of the many riders who were sent by trains that crisscrossed the country from the mid-1800s until 1930. The riders numbered over two hundred thousand orphaned and abandoned youngsters who were “placed out” to families in distant states.

Each child embarked on this unknown journey filled with fear and excitement. The one emotion that held them together was hope. Hope for a new life and a longing for the unity and security of a loving family.

ABOUT AUTHOR JUNE VENABLE

June Venable’s love of writing came early, when as a first-grader, she won a story contest sponsored by a local newspaper. She was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, but after marrying a Texan, she’s been a resident of the Lone Star state. June earned a degree in elementary education and taught in the North Texas area. Later she satisfied her love of travel by working in a travel business, and even opened her own cruise agency. June writes young adult novels as well as short stories. Hannah’s Journey is her first novel and she’s working on her second. June is a member of the San Gabriel Writer’s League, currently serving as secretary. She is also a member of Story Spinners.