Jimmy dropped the letter in shock. Another sister? He sat in a trance, unable to comprehend what he had just read. How? He thought. If she's younger than me, why did I never know about her? Suddenly, he realized he hadn't finished reading the letter. Maybe it would answer all his questions.

He picked the letter up and found the place he had stopped reading. The words stared back at him. "You have a sister." He shook his head in amazement, but continued reading.

James, I know our relationship was never that good. I don't know what is making me write this, what is making me think that now is the time to tell you this, but I feel like I have to do it. I want to apologize for the way I have neglected my family. The abolition of slavery is a worthy cause, one we must make sacrifices for, but no cause is more worthy than family. Always remember that son. I have one more mission to go on with the group, and then I'm going to retire from the leadership and be home with my family more.

I know this has probably come as a shock to you, because I have never been one to admit when I was wrong, but as they say, there is a first time for everything. A long time ago I committed a terrible wrong. I broke one promise to keep another, neither of which I would have had to make had I acted as I should.

I had been traveling a lot, promoting the cause of abolitionism, and while I was in Chicago I met a woman. I did not tell her that I was married, with four children at home, and we became involved in a relationship; I would see her whenever I was in Chicago. Not too long after that, she found out she was expecting. I promised her I would make sure that she and the child were taken care of, and I had to confess that I had lied to her. It was the worst day of my life when I had to tell her that I couldn't marry her because I already had a family. And it was even harder when I had to tell your mother. She was hurt and demanded that I have nothing to do with the woman or the child. I don't blame her at all. I had violated her trust and she protected herself the only way she knew how. So I promised that I would not contact the woman at all, or the child.

I broke that promise once, when I was in Chicago. I knew the child should have been born by then, so I had somebody find out for me. The child had been born, and it was a girl. I never found out what she was named, but she would be about three-and-a-half years younger than you. I know I have no right to ask this of you, but I want you to try to find the child. She would be about seventeen now. If she needs any kind of help, I want you to do what you can. It may be that she won't need your help, and then your duty will be done. I have not revealed the name of the woman to protect her identity, but if you decide to help her, Richard Chambers will give you her name and last known whereabouts.

I am not demanding this of you James. But look inside your heart and make the choice it tells you is right. I messed up so many things in my life, I want to make at least this one thing right.

Mr. Chambers will be at your disposal should you decide to try to find the girl. He has already been paid for this, so you will be able to use whatever resources you need.

I hope you can forgive me Jimmy. Like I already said, I don't know what made me decide to do this all of a sudden, but I feel like I need to do it.

Your Father

William A. Hickok

At first Jimmy was angry. How could his father expect him to do something like this? Fix his mistakes? But it wasn't like his dad to ever admit he was wrong, so this was pretty serious. Calming down a little, Jimmy flipped back to the front page of the letter and looked at the date. He almost dropped the letter in shock again. It was dated just a few days before his father died.

It's as if he knew he was going to die. That would explain the sudden confession, the need to come clean.

Jimmy fought within himself, knowing what he should do, but feeling like he was betraying his mother by even searching for the girl. But he knew how the world treated children whose mothers weren't married, and this girl, his sister...what if she really did need his help? But what about his mother? If she didn't want his father to have anything to do with the child, she wouldn't want him to either. Would she? His mother had been a very compassionate person, always wanting to help those who needed it. Jimmy doubted she'd have any problem helping the child, but what if by helping the girl, he was helping her mother too?

The other woman, he thought in disgust. But she didn't know she was the other woman, came the unwelcome thought.

"Jimmy?" Lou poked her head through the barn door. "You've been out here for over an hour. Is anything wrong?"

He needed to talk to Lou. She would know what to do.

"So I have absolutely no idea what to do," Jimmy concluded, having told Lou the whole story.

"I can't tell you what to do Jimmy," Lou said gently. "Only you can decide that. But I know that you will do the right thing."

"You're always so wise," Jimmy grinned. "Thanks Lou."

"Anytime," Lou stood up and extended her hand to Jimmy. "Come on. Let's see if we can get some supper before Cody devours it all."

Jimmy's letter was the topic of conversation in the bunkhouse that night. All of them had opinions about what they would do or wouldn't do, and poor Jimmy had no peace until he made up his mind.

"Alright already," Jimmy threw up his hands in frustration as Cody, for the millionth time, told him what he should do. "Here's what I'm going to do. I'll go and talk to Mr. Chambers in the morning, and we'll see what happens from there. Satisfied?"

"Well that's not what I would do," Cody joked. "But at least you made up your mind."

On to Chapter Seven

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