The Lilac Tunnel: My Journey with Samantha

The next morning, I don’t leave my room until I’m fully dressed, my blankets are folded, and my hair is brushed. I didn’t make a good first impression with Samantha’s household yesterday, so I would like to do better today. Mrs. Hawkins is in the kitchen. She gives me her usual sympathetic expression and offers me breakfast. She’s prepared the most delicious blueberry muffin of my life. I wolf it down in seconds, and Mrs. Hawkins discreetly places another on my plate.

When Elsa enters the kitchen, she’s formal with me. She tells me that Mrs. Edwards would like to see me. The look on her face scares me. She’s not angry with me, but instead looks like she feels sorry for me. I follow her into the parlor, my stomach flip-flopping. Mrs. Edwards is sitting in her high-backed chair, the same pitying expression on her face. My heart starts to pound.

Mrs. Edwards clears her throat and tells me that she’s called the local orphanage who arranged for my return to the city. From there, the Children’s Aid Society will place me on a train heading west with other orphans. There are many families out west who will take in children to live with them. Samantha, who’s standing in the doorway, bursts out in tears. Mrs. Edwards tells her not to eavesdrop. But now that Samantha is here, she can listen. She tells us the Children’s Aid Society will help place me in a good home. If she truly believes that, then why does she look so sad for me?

Samantha must not believe her grandmother either. She runs from the parlor and I fight the urge to race after her. Mrs. Edwards’ eyes are kind when she tells me that I leave Mount Bedford on the train this morning. She tells me to go upstairs and Elsa will draw me a hot bath. I start to go upstairs, but first I want to check on Samantha.

I find her in the kitchen, sitting beside Mrs. Hawkins with her face buried in the cook’s shoulder. Hawkins, the butler, is here, too. Mrs. Hawkins pulls over a chair for me to sit in. Samantha lifts her face and says that I can’t go on the train. Where will I end up? Mrs. Hawkins pets her arm and says the train might be my best chance at finding me a new family. Samantha shakes her head and says that we must find a way to keep me in Mount Bedford. Mrs. Hawkins sighs, but Hawkins clears his throat and says that maybe there is a way. He’s heard from a good source in town that Mount Bedford Glove Factory is looking for workers.

Samantha jumps up, saying that maybe I can earn my own money, and then nobody can send me away. Earn my own money? At a factory? I’m only ten years old! Mrs. Hawkins looks doubtful, too. She turns to Hawkins and asks where I would stay. He says that I would be paid for my work, and the factory runs a boarding house with rooms to rent for what is a reasonable fee. Everyone looks at me, wondering what I’ll say. An orphan train? Or working in a factory? If I take the train today, I can open my locket and be home by noon. But if I agree to factory work, I can spend more time with Samantha before she leaves for Piney Point tomorrow.