Well, I couldn’t believe it. As I got off the train that early morning, I was filled with so many emotions. One minute I wanted to cry out of pure joy to see my family and the other minute I was so scared that I began to bite my fingernails. After all, it had been almost a year since I left home. Not to mention I had not even written to them once. I did not know what would happen but I had to find out. I thought of Karen encouraging me, “remember, Eliza, you go and ask your family to forgive you.”
Those words stuck with me as I got out. Our farm was not far from the train station so I was glad I could walk over and it would not take me more than 20-30 minutes to get there. But I made sure to take my time.
Throughout my walk, I had so many questions running through me.
What if they don’t want to see me?
What if Papa yells?
What if I upset Mama?
Oh, goodness sakes, I needed to calm myself. I had to push forward.
The walk to the farm seemed endless. I know it wasn’t that far, but I was taking my time.
I took a pause for a moment and then I heard a voice calling to me.
I couldn’t believe it. It was my youngest sister.
“Eliza, Eliza, is that you?”
I turned slowly.
She ran towards me extending her arms.
“Eliza, I missed you,” she cried.
I was so happy to see her, I began to cry as well.
“I missed you too.”
I am not sure how much time we held on to one another. It felt like a long time.
“So are you finally home?”
I stared at my kid sister as she smiles at me.
“Well, I hope to be.”
“I know everyone will be happy to see you.”
“What do you mean?”
"Well we have been getting your letters.”
“My letters?”
“Yes, we have so many letters now.”
I stopped for a moment and then wondered how they had my supposed letters.
It must have been Karen. She is the one who wrote them for me.
It had to be. I was so happy that tears began to overflow me once again. I quickly grabbed a tissue from my purse.
Then I saw a small letter.
Should I open it?
Yes, I will.
Dear Eliza,
I wanted to tell you that I have been writing to your parents.
I did not want them to worry about you.
They know you have made it into something but what you share with them is up to you.
Love,
Karen
P.S. I never got a chance with my folks. Don’t waste it!
As I closed up the letter, I could see that my kid sister, Mary, was getting impatient.
“Eliza, are you coming?”
“Yes, Mary, let’s go."
As I got closer, I could see my brothers on the front porch. They seemed to be enjoying some lemonade.
Then I saw them. It was my Mama and Papa.
“She’s here. She’s here," yelled my sister, Mary.
“Eliza, is that you?” called my Mama.
I was so nervous.
“Yes, Mama, it’s me.”
She ran to me and held me.
“Oh Eliza, you are home.”
Then Papa came right by us and embraced us as well.
“Our Eliza is home everyone,” he said.
They all held me, including my brothers and sisters.
This made all the pain from wanting to be famous go away. I knew I had to tell them what happened with Stanford and all in New York. I thought becoming a star was what I wanted, but I was wrong. For the moment, I was just happy to home.
