Katie's Journey Short Story 1

   

Hey everyone! I finally have this done! I hope you enjoy, and tell me what you think. :)

(note: I only changed a few details, so nothing huge.) ;)

1620

As Katie Cross stood alongside her family and friends on the deck of the Mayflower, on the shore of Plymouth, England, she looked back at her homeland, and she wandered if they would ever see it again. She looked around at the rolling mountains of fall, and over at the pier where her father had taught she and Jacob how to swim, and at the loving home where their parents had reared them up to fear and love the Lord. No matter how many times she tried to reassure herself that they would travel back to their home again, she now knew that it wasn't possible. They were traveling to the New World for religious freedom and a new life. She was both scared and exited all at the same time... all of them were.... for they had no idea what to expect. Her twin brother Jacob came to stand beside her as she looked over the railing of the ship, trying to hide the tears that threatened to spill over. He seemed to feel the same tension that she felt, and he looked at her and whispered quietly, “Everything is going to be alright, Katie.” Jacob gave her a little smile. She smiled back at him, and said, “I know, Jacob... as long as we are all together!”

She and her brother had been close ever sense they were little children, but especially when their father passed away almost 3 years ago, they became even closer. Their mother, Sarah, holding the small hand of two and a half year old Abigail, came to stand beside them, she put her free arm around them both and asked, “Are you ready, Children? The Captain just announced that we will be leaving in about five minutes,” she smiled at them with an almost sad look in her eyes.

Abigail looked up at her older brother with her big, innocent, blue eyes and asked, "Where are we going, Jacob?," Jacob smiled at her, bent down and picked her up answering, " We are traveling to a new home called America, so we can worship Jesus freely, without anyone telling us in what manner we are allowed do it in. Do you understand, dear?" When the little girl nodded her head, Jacob gently set her on the wooden floor of the ship. Then Katie suggested, “Why don't we all pray together, Mother,” their mother smiled at her and exclaimed, “What a great idea, Katie! Jacob? Why don't you go get Charles's family over here, and we'll pray."

“Yes, Mother.”

When they were all together, Charles's mother, Helen, said, “Will you please say the blessing, Charles?”

“Of course, Mother,” He winked at Abigail who took his large hand into her small one and bowed his head, “Dear Gracious and Heavenly Father, we come here before you on this beautiful morning, to ask for protection. Protection for us and the other families on this ship, while seeking religious freedom, and for our friends and family here at home. That they will be strong enough to withhold this persecution, in which they might look to you for strength. And give us strength as we go on to the New World without some of our loved ones, living and deceased. In Your Name we pray, Amen.” She felt someone squeeze her hand. Katie suddenly had tears in her eyes, and as everyone started to drop hands, she noticed Charles had not yet let hers go. He was looking at her with the same sadness she was feeling. Charles never said anything, but she could almost read his expression, which said,

“I know what you're feeling, Katie, and we can make it through together,” Katie gave him a slight smile and whispered; “Thank you, Charles.”

He squeezed her hand again, and then went to be with his family. As she stood there holding her little sister, she realized that the boat was moving. She started to wave at everyone on shore, and silently prayed, ‘Lord, we are all in your hands now! Keep us all safe, I trust that you will.’ But even as she said it, she had this awful feeling that not all of the people on the Mayflower would make it to see freedom, and it made her uneasy. But what she didn't know was that this voyage would change her life forever!

~

1618

A year and a half earlier....

Fourteen and a half year old Katie Cross sat looking out the window in her bed room. Since her father died two years ago, she often sat there and talked to him about her days at school or how she wished she could see his face. She was deep in thought when she heard her mother’s voice,

“Katie, we need to speak with you!’’

“Coming! ’’ she answered.

When she got to the kitchen see saw, her mother holding one-year old Abigail on her lap, and her twin brother, Jacob were sitting at the table.

“Sit down, Katie.” Mother said.

“All right “Katie said curiously.

When she sat at the kitchen table, Mother took her hand.

“What is it, Mother?”

“As you know, your aunt and uncle are going to the New World.” Mother stated as Katie nodded

“Well… I’ve decided that we will be going along.”

“No!” Katie explained as she quickly stood up; she heard her chair crashing to the floor.

“Katie dear, your father’s been gone for almost two years now, and I can’t care for you children on my own” Mother said gently.

“I am not going with you!” Katie shouted loudly as she ran up the stairs.

~

Katie was sobbing on her cot when, she heard Jacob’s gentle voice behind her.

“Katie, are you all right?”

“Go away!” she yelled as she sat up.

She instantly felt ashamed about speaking to her brother so disrespectfully.

“What’s wrong?” Jacob questioned her gently.

She answered. “I just want to be alone!”

“Nothing! Nothing’s the matter, Katie? If there’s nothing wrong, then why did you yell at Mother? You’ve never yelled at her before, Katie.” he stated more sternly.

“You’d be frustrated with her too if she made you leave the only home you’ve

ever known!” Katie sobbed.

“Don’t be so dramatic, Katie. Do you think I want to leave our home either? Mother is doing what she thinks Father would want for us if he were here!”

“You don’t seem too upset about it.” she answered as she folded her arms.

“Katie, you’re acting like a child!” Jacob almost yelled.

Katie gasped in surprise. They had never fought like that before, and Jacob had always been the quiet, peace maker of the family; never raising his voice at anyone. Katie looked up at him with a sad, tear stained face and whispered,

“Oh Jacob, I'm so scared! I don’t want to leave Father.”

Then she started sobbing again and threw herself on a pillow. Jacob’s face softened as he sat next to her on the cot. Knowing how hard Katie took their father’s death, he tried to calm her by softly rubbing her back.

“Katie, don’t cry.” he soothed her gently. “Father wouldn’t want you to be frightened, now would he? He would want us to be happy, Katie. And God will provide for us.” Katie sat there as if she were pondering his words. Then she sat up and gave him a little smile.

“No … I suppose he wouldn’t. Go tell Mother I’ll be down to help with supper and to get Abigail down for her nap, ok?"

Jacob nodded and smiled as he went to leave the room.

“Jacob?” Katie said.

“Yes?”

She sat there for a second then said to him,

“Thank you.” she whispered.

Jacob nodded and then left the room.