Sisterly Discussion
Agonizing over correspondence to both Lola’s aunt and the telegram she would send took up most of the rest of the weekend, and with just three days of school that week before Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Hope decided to take her time and make sure the messages said exactly what she intended them to before she sent them. It seemed like the most intelligent way to go about sending a missive.
That, and she also didn’t want to say anything to her mother yet. It wasn’t that she didn’t think Cordia would understand, but she thought it would be difficult for her mother to hear, that she might try to talk her out of it. Every night since she’d visited Lola, Hope had lain awake in her bed, thinking about the possibilities, the adventures that might lay before her. To have her mother snuff her dreams out before they’d even had a chance to take flight was a fear that kept Hope’s intentions secreted away from the one person who might tell her she couldn’t do go forward with her plan.
Her father had been helpful, reading over her letter and intended telegram for her and suggesting a word here or there. Her grandmother had nothing to add, only wished her luck, and by the time Christmas Eve was upon them, Hope was fairly certain she knew exactly what she’d say. Her plan was to mail the letter the day after Christmas and send the telegram a few days after that, so that perhaps they’d arrive about the same time.
She was just putting the finishing touches on her hair when her sister knocked on her bedroom door. Her head was already poking through before Hope could even beckon her in, and she couldn’t help but make a face at Faith. “Why do you knock if you’re coming in anyway?”
“Why do you bother to shut the door if you’re not going to lock it?”
Hope didn’t think her sister’s question made much sense, but she didn’t want to argue. She turned to face her. “Can I help you?”
“Yes. I have a question for you. I’ve noticed you’ve been spending a lot of time in here, writing. So… I had a sneak around. Are you planning to go to Texas?”
Hope’s eyes widened in fury. “A sneak around? You’ve been going through my papers?”
Faith shrugged as if it was no big deal. “Just answer my question.”
“And why do you think it’s okay for you to come into my room at all, let alone to go through my things while I’m not here?”
“Because—if you’re planning on going somewhere, I deserve to know!” Her sister folded her arms and gave her a stern look, but Hope could see beyond anger, there was also fear. Her sister didn’t want her to leave.
“Faith, I am thinking of applying for a teaching position in Texas, northeast Texas, so not so horribly far away. That’s all.”
“And does Mother know this?”
“No, but Daddy does. So does Grandma—and I’m sure she’s told Grandpa because she can’t keep anything from him.”
Faith pursed her lips together and her shoulders relaxed slightly. “How did you hear of it?”
“From Lola,” Hope replied. “Her aunt let her know about the opening.”
“Lola?” Faith repeated, a bit of amusement suddenly filling her pretty face. “You do realize she will be at the party we are leaving for directly, don’t you?”
Of course, Hope knew that Lola would be at the mayor’s Christmas party. Nearly the whole town would turn out. “Yes, of course. Why do you ask?”
Faith began to chuckle. “Don’t you think you best tell Mama before Lola does?”
Hope’s eyebrows drew together as she considered her sister’s words. “Surely… she wouldn’t….”
The chuckle turned into a loud laugh as Faith headed for the door, and Hope was no longer concerned with her evil younger sister’s feelings about her leaving. “Fine. If you trust Lola Adams not to say anything….”
“Oh, you! Faith Julia!”
“Me?” Faith asked, turning back to face her sister. “What did I do? Only gave you the opportunity to speak to Mama before Lola stole it away from you, that’s all.”
“You think it’s all a lark, don’t you?” Hope shouted, not realizing they were not alone now.
“Speak to me about what?” Cordia asked, coming out of her bedroom, one earring in her ear, the other in her hand. “What are you two fussing about?”
Hope looked from her sister to her mother, realizing now was the time. If she was going to tell her Mama herself, it would have to be before the Christmas Eve party. Perhaps Faith had done her a favor after all, though she didn’t have to be so mean about it.
“Mama, I need to tell you something,” Hope began, her voice low. “I… I think I might… try for a school teaching position… in Texas.”
Cordia’s already alabaster skin went even whiter as she studied her oldest daughter. “Texas?” she repeated.
“Yes—but not deep Texas. Just the northwest part. Near Dallas. Nearer to here than Dallas.” All of the words she’d considered when explaining the situation to her mother over the last few days seemed to jumble together.
Before Cordia could say anything, Grandpa Isaac came out of his bedroom, dressed for the party, a large grin on his face. “Isn’t it wonderful?” he asked, clapping his hands together. “Our little granddaughter going out into the world to make something of herself. She has that adventurous spirit in her, Cordie, same as you did. Same as your mother.”
Hope wasn’t sure if she should run over and give her grandfather a hug for his support, or run to her mother and apologize for not having told her sooner. Cordia turned her head and looked at her father and then her eyes fell back to Hope. She cleared her throat. “We must hurry or else we will be late for the party.” She flashed her daughter a tight-lipped smile and then headed back into her bedroom.
She stared after her mother for a while before turning to Grandpa Isaac. “Thank you,” she said, taking a few steps over toward him. “You already knew, though, didn’t you?”
“Course I did. Your grandma can’t keep a secret to save her life.” He chuckled, and Hope straightened his bowtie a bit. He looked so handsome, and she was glad he was feeling well enough to attend the get-together at least for a bit. “I’m proud of you, Hopey. What you’re trying to do won’t be easy, but it will be rewarding.”
A blush came to her cheeks as she considered his words. “Grandpa, I’m not doing anything extraordinary. Besides, I’m not even sure I’ll be granted the position….”
“You will,” he said, as if he could see the future. “And you’ll change lives, Hope Tucker. I just know it. You’re a fine young woman, just like your mother and her mother before her, and you’re going to go down to Texas and tame those little cowboys and cowgirls and make scholars out of ‘em.”
Picturing herself lassoing children dressed in boots and spurs, hats and chaps, made her giggle, and Hope leaned in and wrapped her arms around her grandfather. “Thank you, Grandpa,” she said again, and this time she really meant it. If there’d been any doubt in her mind whether or not she should contact the good people of McKinney, Texas, that all faded away. Whether or not her grandfather was a soothsayer remained to be seen, but she had to try. Hopefully, her mother would give her blessing as well, but if the sounds of sobbing coming from the bedroom across the hall were any indication, Cordia wasn’t ready to let her little birdie fly free.
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