Page 4 of Road Trip
“She wanted to know what Delia had in her pocket. And then she told Teddy to take it away.”
Donovan flicked ash onto the truck’s floorboard, which was already coated in ash. “Do you happen to know what she had in her pocket?”
“A knife,” Kathleen said. “She had a little silver knife. And there was a scuffle, and then a scream. It sounded like Lady Delia, and I wanted to go help, but she made me promise to leave, to go to you and tell you it was time.”
He let out a long sigh. “It sounds like she was right. Well then, let’s get you into town now. I’ll poke around and see what’s what when I get back to the estate.”
He handed her the cigarette and Kathleen took another long drag.
“Lady Delia said I’m to go to America.”
“That’s true,” Donovan said. “I understand it’s all been arranged.”
“But I can’t go without Tommy,” she said, her voice pleading. “I’m all the family he’s got. Lady Delia gave me money, and it seems like a lot, so I want to take Tommy with me.”
“I don’t think so,” Donovan said, shaking his head. “She’s made sure that Tommy will be looked after. The Boylans are good people. They’ll see to him proper.”
“Please,” Kathleen said, stubbing out the cigarette on the floor. “Please, Mr. Donovan?”
“Lady Delia said you might ask, and she made me promise too. Promise that I wouldn’t take him from the Boylans. They’re a poor family, and they’ve been paid proper to take care of your Tommy. I’m sorry, but the answer is no.”
“I can’t just leave without telling him goodbye,” Kathleen said tearfully. “I’m all he has. I have to see him. Tell him I’ll send for him once I’m in America.”
The old man shook his head and looked up at the sky. “We’ve another hour of daylight, just. I’ll take you past the Boylans, and you can say your goodbyes, but only for a moment. I’ve got to get back to the estate, or there’ll be the devil to pay. They’ll be wondering where you’ve gone off to.”
Donovan turned thetruck up a narrow track that led through green fields where sheep grazed among rocky outcroppings. Kathleen sucked in her breath as they passed the burned-out shell of what had been the Connor farm, now just a blackened pile of rubble with the stone chimney the only thing standing; a stark reminder of all that her family had lost.
The old man crossed himself as they passed and Kathleen followed suit, tears slowly rolling down her cheeks. It was the first time she’d seen the homeplace since the funerals, and now, apparently, it was also the last.
He waited a moment, then cleared his throat. “They were lovely people. God-fearing, your mam up at church every time they opened the doors. It was a terrible thing what happened to them. But you know, Kathleen, you’ve been given a chance of a new life, and a fresh start in America.”
“But Tommy…”
“Will be fine. He’s a strong young lad and will be a big help to the Boylans on the farm, with that house full of girls they’re raising. They need your brother, and he needs them. And that’s why Lady Delia made arrangements. She’s a wise lady, and she’s thought it all out.”
The Boylans’ farm was next to the Connors’. As they drove into the yard, chickens scattered and a skinny brown-and-white dog ran into the yard, barking.
Noreen Boylan appeared in the doorway of the cottage. She held an infant in her arms and her two little girls held on to her skirts. Meggie, the older one, waved when she saw Kathleen, and Sally stuck her thumb in her mouth and shyly hid behind her mother, who nodded a greeting to her visitors.
Noreen turned to look inside the house. “Tommy. It’s your sister here to see you.”
“Tell him to be quick,” Donovan called. “We’ve got to get into town.”
Tommy ran out into the yard. He was nine, but tall for his age, with Ma’s inky black hair and a sprinkling of freckles. His bright blue eyes widened when he saw his sister.
He approached the truck and nodded politely at Donovan, whom he’d never seen before.
Impulsively, Kathleen reached into the valise, her fingers closing on a small object, the gold stickpin. “Tommy,” she said, jumping down from the truck. “I’m leaving. For America.”
“When?”
“Now,” Donovan said. “She’s just come to say goodbye.”
“America? But…” He glanced back at Noreen, who still stood in the cottage doorway. “You’ll take me, won’t you?”
“Afraid not,” Donovan put in. “Kiss your sister then, and we’ll be off.”
“I’ll write to you,” Kathleen said, pulling him into an embrace. “And as soon as I can, I’ll send for you, and we’ll be together again.” She pressed something into his hand. “Keep this. But it’s our secret. And when you miss me, as I’ll miss you, remember, we’ll be together soon.”
