Chapter 1, The letter
October,1897 Seattle, Washington
Emma Whitfield unfolded the tattered letter for the seventith time. It was becoming dog eared at the corners, and thin where her tears had landed. The words never changed, and it gave her no comfort. Still, she kept it and read it when she could.
Her brother Gideon had left for the Yukon river almost two years ago for a job cutting timber. He could never stay in one place for long,and his adventurous nature often got him in trouble.
A trip to San Fransisco got him a night in jail for a bar fight. The week long trip to Portland got him stabbed in the shoulder for being caught with a man’s wife. His virtue had left him long ago, and doing wrong made him happiest.
Their parents had given up on him. There were only so many times that you could travel to rescue your child from the law. When he told the family he was leaving to take a job in lumber, they were overjoyed. Father had gifted him with a large, undisclosed amount of money and sent him on his way.
Emma and Gideon had always been close. He was only three years older than her. He had taught her to ride a horse, how to defend herself (she had a mean upper cut), and how to tie a series of shipman’s knots. He always knew how to make her laugh and feel loved.
With him gone, she felt hollow. Alone. Her Father, Albert was a Judge that represented a local rail baron and was never home. Mary, her Mother spent most of her time at church or with her peers socializing.
For holidays or birthdays Father would throw money at them thinking it made everything better. It didnt. Emma just wanted his time. To be noticed.
Polly, the head maid walked in to the parlor with a silver tray and matching tea set. Mother had gotten it last month in England, and the floral engraving on it was all the rage. Roses climbed up the sides, and across the lip of the vessels.
Emma thought it was gaudy and a waste of money.
“Emma,” her Mother chided from across the small tea table between them. “Put that ridiculous letter down. It’s time for tea.”
Mother hated tea. The only way she found it palatable was if she loaded it with cream and sugar.
Emma delicately sipped her drink as she was taught to do. The last thing she wanted was for Mother to be displeased. The tea tasted as it smelled; like cut grass clippings. Emma much preferred the floral teas like rose hips, chamomile, or honeysuckle. This however, made her want to dump the contents.
“This is a special blend from a small shop in London. It is the Queens favorite!” Mother smiled over the top of her cup and took another sip.
Emma set her cup down and looked at her Mother.
“We haven’t received a letter from Gideon in over a year Mother. Doesn’t that concern you?”
Mrs. Whitfield’s hands stilled for a moment .Her eyes softened. She set her cup and saucer down.
“Of course it does Emma. But what are we to do? Gideon has always been a free spirit and does what he desires.”
Emma edged to the end of her seat to lean closer to her Mother.
“What if something has happened to him?”
Mrs. Whitfield picked her cup and saucer back up.
“Then that is God’s will.”
Emma’s breath caught as her heart stopped. Did their own Mother really just dismiss her own child’s safety and wellbeing?
Mother stared at the tea’s contents like it was the most interesting thing in the world.
“You say that as if his return would be unwelcome.”
Emma didnt wait to get a reply. She got up, took Gideon’s letter, and climbed the stairs to her room. She had to get away from this. She had to find Gideon.
