SHARING HEARTS

Early the next afternoon while drinking coffee Skinny states, “Pokey, we gotta go to St. Louis and close down the house and mercantile.”  Smiling sadly Pokey replies, “It’s gotta be done. We need to inform Marshal Garth of Franklin Potter’s death as well as Edgar and Lora’s.”  Sitting around the kitchen table that evening Skinny advises the family of their plans. “I hate to end a nice time but we gotta go to St. Louis and close down the house and Edgar’s store.  We are planning to leave in a couple of days,” Skinny states solemnly.  “Ain’t gonna be any fun,” Pokey adds looking down at the ground, “But we gotta do it.”  Glory, Sammy and Beth Ann look at each other as they hadn’t thought about this coming so soon.  “I don’t want’cha to go,” Glory says solemnly, “I’ve just got to know ya’ll.”  “I don’t want you to leave us, grandpas,” Sammy exclaims looking concerned at them.”  Joe sits quietly thinking for a few minutes before saying, “I could go with ya and hep ya do this.” 
“No, Joe.  You’ve got too much to do here and beside we don’t need anyone to go with us.  We can do it,” Skinny explains smiling slightly.  Beth Ann is sitting quietly thinking then states, “I’d like to go back and get my clothes….. I have some things I’d really like to have.  I know the people there, too, and I could help you,” she explains looking at Joe then continues, “Papa, it is unfinished business.”  Joe stares at the pleading look in his young daughter’s eyes knowing she does need to go back and do this so smiling he answers, “Then I will definitely go with ya, honey.  If’n ya need to go and if’n our grandpas don’t mind, we will go and do what ya need to do.”  “Papa, I’d like to go, too. I’ve never been to any cities but Roy, Ernest and John and I’d like to see what St. Louie looks like,” Glory explains with her beautiful eyes beginning to sparkle.