Present Day Fredricksburg, Virginia: It was raining that Tuesday morning when Tom received the ever unexpected phone call. It was 7:04am the seventh of July. He sat at the edge of the bed with the phone still clenched in his trembling hand. He let out a sigh that revealed no evidence of any relief. The blank stare on his unshaven face remained until the ever annoying and obnoxious buzz was heard through the phone. With quivering hands and a fast beating heart he gently placed the phone down in its proper place. The news had hit him hard. The woman he had the most respect and admiration in the world had died in the early morning hours. Her name was Mary Louise.
She was the only family Tom had come to know after his parents had died when he was just two. Mary Louise never had any children of her own, and had treated him with the love and tenderness as if he was her own grandchild. He burst into tears as he recollected the stories she would tell him of her heritage. She always had told them with such grace and dignity in an almost proud way. It was evident that Mary Louise was proud of where she came from. It was this that Tom loved most about her. He smiled as he remembers his most favorite, yet far-fetched story of all; How her grandmother was a rider for The Pony Express. He layed back in his bed and began to close his eyes. He smiled as he remembered how she always started her stories...still vivid in his mind even though they were told over 20 years ago. Her soft voice played like music in his ears. She began to start her story with the words..."A long time ago, there was a beautiful woman. She was my grandmother. I can see her sitting in that old desk right in that corner over there brushing her long brown hair each night before she went to bed. You wouldn't believe it by looking at her, but in those days that she was one of toughest, most bravest women of the wild west...she was you know." She always reassured him that every single word she said was true. Mary Louise continued on with her story. "She used to tell me about how riding for the Pony Express made her feel like she was doing something important. Now I tell you...the Pony Express would have fired her if they found out she was a woman. But if it wasn't for one man they called the Kid...well, lets just say that he kept her secret and along with that... her heart."
He tried hard to recall the name...until it dawned on him. Her name was Louise, Louise McCloud.
Mary Louise described her as being very smart, tough, and very brave. She struggled in making her way in a mans world...and succeeded. She even faught with the best of them: William F. Cody, Wild Bill Hickok...so she said anyway. Mary Louise was known in her later years to be excentric in her story telling. Which was almost non believeable. Tom continued to be astute in listening to every word that came out of Mary Louise's mouth.
There was something about this woman Louise that made Tom feel like they have a common bond. Even though Tom never admitted to anyone, he had always had a passion for the "wild west."
His passion had guided him to college to where he studied and majored in history. His specialty being The Civil War Era.
"Hello, my name is Mr. Cartwright, I was Ms. Donovan's attorney." Tom immediately let the man in, and offered him a seat. "What brings you here Mr. Cartwright?" Tom questioned. I know that this is too soon to think about...after all you just heard of the terrible news this morning. However, Ms. Donovan left to you in her will: her home, her belongings, and over a half million dollars. Shocked at what the man before him had said, Tom was speachless. The man continued to speak. "You have one month to decide what you will be doing with the house. If you do not act in a timely manner, the house will be turned over to the state and will be auctioned off to the highest bidder." Tom wouldn't let the words sink in. He knew he could never sell that old house. It had so much history to it. He knows that Mary Louise treasured it with her heart, and he would only let her down if he were to let it be auctioned off. "Mr. Cartwright, I can give you the answer right now. The house will not be for sale. It meant so much to Mary Louise, and well, I treasure it too." Mr. Cartwright heard all he needed to hear and decided to leave Tom with his condolences. Mr. Cartwright patted him on the back and left him with a few words. "She spoke of you highly, son." Tom smiled as he closed the door behind him. Not long after Mr. Cartwright had left, Tom decided to pay a visit to that old house. He quickly gathered a few things and decided to stay at that old house until he had time to clear his head. "This would be a great way to clear my head," he thought to himself. After driving nearly 45 minutes he pulled along the street. He counted the houses until he saw the huge pasture on his left. The house couldn't be seen from the gravel road due to the line of trees that went along the cobblestone drive. The old white house set back from the street and a white picket fence surrounded the green premises. Tom walked past the barn which housed Mary Louise's two horses. One he had remembered was named Lightning...after Louise's horse. He took a moment to stand and watch the horse gallop freely in the wind. The smell the sweet fragrence of summer was very intoxicating, yet very familiar with his childhood memories. Wind blew the through the trees and swayed the flowers that were planted along the long path. As Tom had reached the steps to the front door of that old house, he suddenly stopped as if he felt a certain presence. He had this feeling before when he first came back from college. It wasn't necessarily a bad feeling, but it was enough to send chills up his spine. He turned around and looked at that long drive. With the summer heat leaving sweat on his brow, he began to squint. Almost as a flashback he could invision a horse drawn carriage that had come down that same drive. Tom shook his head and wiped his brow as h reached inside and pulled out the golden key that Mary Louise had once given him. As he slowly opened the door he realized that he would no longer see the happy face that had always been there to greet him. Tom was begining to feel lightheaded for the first time. The smell of her perfume overwhelmed him as he creaked open the door. It was nice to feel the coolness of the huge house. The place was well maintained throughout its 135 year history. He noticed the fine and fragile wood of the banister was well polished and shined as if it has just been carved yesterday. The room was well lit due to the illuminating bay window in the parlor. Yet as though another flashback had hit him hard, he could hear the music of the old organ and people's laughter in the background. Mary Louise told him of all the parties that were held. It was almost as if this old house seemed haunted with the spirts of the being so alive. He knew that there was so much history underneath the grounds he was walking on. It didn't seem to bother Tom at all though considering he had lived there for most of his life. Tom placed his leather bags at the base of the stairs and put his had on the railing of the banister. Step by step he walked up the old stairs. He had reached the top when he noticed the light on at the end of the hall. Tom thought this was odd. He proceded to follow the light. With each step the floor let out a creak.
Hesitant to go through the door way, Tom peeked his head through. It was Mary Louise's room. The room was filled with Victorian furniture, each handcarved with perfection. He immediately saw the desk which was in a corner of the room. Mary Louise was particular in where her belongings were place. He started to walk over to that desk, of which was on the other side of the canopy bed. It had been a long time since he had been in this room, where Mary Louise had marked "off limits" for Tom. He had a nervousness feeling come over him as he began to pull out the chair that was snug underneath the desk. It was like someone or something was drawing him to the desk. He began to sit down in the old oak chair. He could sense the history of all the pain, tears, and joys this desk had seen. Maybe it was Mary Louise's stories that attracted him to find more, or maybe it was his love for history...Tom couldn't figure out why he was so infatuated with this house...this desk. He began to explore throughout the desk. On the top and to the right he noticed a rather odd hairbrush. He looked at it for what seemed like eternity until he finally picked it up. Tom held it delicately in his hands, afraid that he might drop this piece of artwork. He knew this was Louise's hairbrush. The one his grandmother had said she used to brush her long brown hair at night. He noticed the lettering, and the name "Lou" writen on the golden handle. His feelings of closeness to Louise was growing as he held a part of her in his hands. Carefully placing the brush in its proper place, Tom's eye caught a glimps of a little drawer that was underneath a hutch. His hands trembled as he began to open it. The bronze handle was tarnished a bit, yet it was still a beautiful piece of work. As he opened that drawer he was surprised as to what he found. A little envelope lay flat in the drawer with the words..."Kid" written on the front. Tom's heart began to pound with excitement and eagerness as he held the brittle envelope in his hands. He gently opened the flap of the envelope. Inside was a letter written on old stationary. Being carefull not to tare the delicate pages, Tom opened the letter. He was at awe to what his eyes were about to read. My darling Kid, Many nights have been sleepless since you have been gone. I miss having the warmth of your arms as you hold me tightly next to you. Fear overcomes me as the worst is yet to come in this war of ours. I hold this locket close to my heart as I try to remember your sweet face and your deep blue eyes. One day I long to be able to hold you tight in my arms again. I know that day will soon come. I can hear the cannon's fire everday as if it were on cue. It frightens me to think you may be on the other side. It is quite different for me not being right along side of you fighting our battles together. But those days are over. Come home safe to me, Kid. I'm going to need a father for our baby. Surprise! The doctor just told me today. I'm scared, Kid. I don't want to go through this without you. I won't go through this without you. Ride safe, Kid. I love you. Lou Tom was breathless as he folded the letter back into the envelope. He stood amazed and shocked at the meaning of the letter. There were so many unexpained feelings Tom had but no one to share them with. The one woman who would understand and answer his questions was now gone. Suddenly an unimaginable idea came across Tom's head. He thought to himself how rediculous the idea was. Tom layed the letter gently on the desk top and dashed out into the hall. Tom entered the room in which he used to call his own. He hurried to find a small box of stationary in which he remembered he had gotten as a Christmas gift from Mary Louise. He remembers her exact words..."Feelings are something you should never keep inside of you. Whenever you are lonely write all your thoughts on this stationary. Seal them up in an envelope, and you will come to see that after you have let them out you will feel much better." Tom smiled at Mary Louise's wise words, which always seem to make him feel at ease. He gathered the stationary and went back into Mary Louise's room. The sun was just about to set and the room now was at a dim light. Instead of turning on the lamp, he decided to light the candle that was to the left of the desk. With the a page laying flat on the top of the desk he started to write the words... My dearest Louise, We come from different times, but destiny has bonded us together. I come from from a place where we send rockets to the moon, and people only ride horses for fun. It seems as though machines have taken over the world. The year is 1998 and I sit in the desk...your desk, blessed by your presence. You are in my heart and my mind. I have in my head the vision of your long brown hair and big brown eyes. Your granddaughter Mary Louise has told me of your complete story. Within this very desk lies the powers of history and its untold truth. The letter that was once written to your husband, Kid has touched my heart with its beauty. He was a lucky man. I end this letter with graditude that we will one day be united. Sincerely, Thomas J. Parker He quickly sealed the letter and placed it into the drawer where he found the letter written by Louise. It had been a long day and Tom blew the flame from the candle. As he shut the door behind him he took one last glance at the old desk. Dawn rose in the east at exactly 5:30am. The birds were chirping in the trees out side the window. As the sun beamed in Tom's eyes, he slowly began to awake. He started to make the trip downstairs, but he soon realized he had forgotten his reading glasses in Mary Louise's room. Obvious as it was that he was not the early bird, he stumbled in the hallway until he came to that end room. The door creaked once again as he slowly opened it. Walking once again around the canopy bed he spotted the glasses laying right where he had left them. While putting on his glasses, Tom had noticed he had not put Louise's letter back into the drawer. Taking ahold the brass handle he slowly pulled back the drawer. Little did he know that this little drawer was about to change his life!
