Caitlin stared in awe, savoring every word. In two days she learned about both her grandmothers. I am the luckiest woman alive. "William was a good man, a wonderful husband and father, and he worked hard. At first he worked odd jobs, and then Marshall hired him full-time. That first day of work, William came home brimming with joy and a gleam I had never seen. It never faded until our children died. Rebecca's death was hard, but I knew she was in a better place. Billy, though, dying with turmoil and angst all around seemed unfair. War is something you never want your children to experience. But when it happens you pray they come home, even if they are missing an arm or leg. You want your children back." She took a long drink of tea and then returned the cup to its saucer.
"With both of mine gone, I no longer functioned. Emmaline marched over here and took control. The simple task of getting dressed eluded me. I could not button my blouse or zip my skirt. As for which was left and right when it came time to put on my shoes…forget it. If Emmaline had not been here," Rachel shook her head. "She knew what I needed.
"The day of the funeral, was I there? Physically yes, but mentally I was at the Double C watching Billy ride horses and chase his Daddy and your granddaddy around.
"I refused to change anything in this house, especially Billy's room. Each day I went through the motions, but nothing seemed important or worthwhile.
"William changed the most. He worked but it meant nothing. His shoulders were now hunched; he had a sunken look on his face, and a blank look. Nothing I did brought him back.
"Then he got sick. The doctor said it would pass, so we took a long vacation, but neither of us found the light to take us away from the darker days. We returned and a year later William passed. The doctor called it a heart attack, but I know it was a broken heart." She dabbed at the corner of her eyes with her white handkerchief.
"Again, the town came alive to help me. Before long I threw myself into the community and helped others. In doing so, I became whole again. Not a day passes I don't think about them, but now I remember good times."
Mrs. Carrington looked off into the distance, raised her teacup, and then drank. Caitlin sat in silence. Though she knew her family had suffered, it seemed surreal to listen to the words from someone who lived it and experienced it.