![]() Seated beside her now, watching over her as she slept fitfully, he was afraid, not because he would be left alone, but because he loved her so very much. Because of the lack of food, she’d wasted away and was terribly thin. Griffin’s supply of stolen corn had almost gotten them through the winter, but when it ran out two months ago, they were reduced to eating the wallpaper on the thin drafty walls. She’d written to the railroads to see if they could offer her other employment, but her letters were never answered. He knew she thought he was asleep and wouldn’t hear, but he did, and he prayed night after night to be bigger and stronger so he could make her life better, or for the Good Lord to send them a savior. Sometimes at night, as he lay on his thin pallet, he would hear his ma crying softly. The farm’s owner, Ol’ Man McIntosh, caught him in his corn field and hen house more than a few times and whipped him like a runaway slave, but Griffin had continued stealing whatever he could, whenever he could. Last year, Griffin began walking the five miles to the nearest farm to steal food so they wouldn’t starve. She tried farming for a while, but like many others on the plains, had neither the money nor the tools to make it go. She had no one to turn to, no family back east, no understanding neighbors to beg charity from. The station went to someone else, and since the new rail line no longer came their way, her station became unneeded. The railroad bosses promised Belinda she would get the spanking new station they were planning on a newly constructed line of track, but the promises never came to be. Then everything changed, and Griffin held the railroad responsible. After his death, she’d run a layover station for the railroads, serving meals and providing a place to stay for the occasional Black passengers other station managers on the line wouldn’t house due to prejudice. That was nearly eight years ago, according to his ma. Lincoln and came back in a plain pine box. After all, he’d been the only man in the house ever since his pa went to war for Mr. Ten years of age and almost a man, Griffin supposed he shouldn’t be scared. It scared him seeing her this way, so still and worn-out looking, because he’d never known his ma to be sick a day in her life. This morning, she’d been unable to get out of bed. Yesterday, she’d started coughing up blood. She’d been sick a long time and the end seemed near. Ten-year-old Griffin Sloan knew his ma, Belinda, was dying. While Griff handled the reins, Jessi linked her arm with…īack out on the street now, Jessi and Griffin split…Īfter Griff rode off to town, Jessi moved about the…Īfter the sun started to go down and the heat…īecause Gillie still had a few last touches to add… The saloon’s repairs were completed a few days later, and… Later that afternoon, Sheriff Hatcher rode up to the Clayton… The next morning, Jessi awakened to what sounded like someone…Īfter supper, Griff saddled up the gelding so he could…Īs they prepared to leave, Jessi hoped her concern about…Īuntie drove back to town, leaving Griff to sleep off…Īfter the Preacher’s departure, Jessi and Griffin spent the rest… ![]() ![]() ![]() The next morning, Griff awakened to the ringing sound of… ![]() The fat Texas moon outlined a man riding slowly up… Ten-year-old Griffin Sloan knew his ma, Belinda, was dying.Īfter only a few hours of sleep, Jessi Rose Clayton… ![]()
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